Cigarettes & I

[withm]

I quit about 35 yrs ago. Every time I wanted one, I went and brushed my teeth instead. When your mouth tastes like toothpaste it wipes out the cravings.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

14 years for me now. i found that both sugarless mints and sugarless minty gum helped suppress the urge. Each week that passed, it got easier. Good going!!

[Norse]

Over 15 years for me now. Exercising, including just getting out for a walk, does help. Treating myself to my first post-college bike was a big inspiration and the start of where I am today. Also, when I was trying to quit, a neighbor who was a nurse said: "I have one word for you. Toothpicks." By golly, it did help. They help both with the fidgety fingers and the oral fixation issues. To this day, I still keep toothpicks around. Of course, the first month of my stop smoking effort the inside of my mouth was almost shredded from my fidgety, nervous chewing the toothpicks into tiny bits but that too passed. Also, don't beat yourself up if at first you do not totally succeed. It took three solid efforts on my part to finally quit. Having the desire and will to quit will get you there!

[ClockworkOrange]

R E S P E C T!

It's rarely easy but good luck to you, you can do it.

When you have a few minutes, type out what you are saving:

• Each day
• Each week
• Each month
• Each year

Then smile to yourself BUT also go out and buy yourself a nice treat.

Now smile again.

I gave up about 6 years ago, best thing I ever did......................ain't easy though!

[goldfinch]

1986 I quit.

I ate carrots until I turned orange.

Every bone in my body hurt.

It was worth it.

It gets better. Slowly but surely it gets better. Oddly, for a few years afterwards every once in a while I would dream that I accidentally started to smoke.

My spouse at the time continued to smoke but at least kept it outside.

[jelee1311]

Its been almost two years this time and now when I want a cig I go out and ride like hell. I usually find a big hill to climb and when I get to the top I'm thankful cuz if I smoked I'd have never made it. When I first quit I cut up drinking straws and fake smoked through them I think the deep breathing and oral fix relaxed me. You are awesome and you can do it. Good luck!

[Brandi]

I took the money I would have spent on ciggs and bought a kayak. Then the money wasn't there anymore! The biggest thing for me was my hubby wanted to quit at the same time. It is too hard when the other is still smoking. I have one on a occasion now but only on occasion. My dh says he could never pick one up again cause he knows he would start up. We started drinking sparkling water when we quit. It was weird it was like the bubbles burning the back of our throats kinda gave us the feeling of smoking......strange I know but it worked. Good luck and come back for support anytime you need it! Just don't pick it up! Just walk away! And think to yourself "I have gone this far I can go even further" Also take up knitting! I did and it help with the figit part.

[RadicalEdward]

Is it weird that this feels a bit like confessional? Not that I've ever actually been in a confessional - but I've seen the films
"Forgive me fellow TE'ers for my dirty habits, it has been Seven days since my last cigarette"

Its been almost two years this time and now when I want a cig I go out and ride like hell.

I have never ridden as often or for as long as I did this weekend
I've realised that boredom has been a massive driver of smoking, and in order to be not bored.. I got on my bike

Made it through the entire weekend smoke free! Two evenings of dinners/drinking and a BBQ.
It was NOT easy, but I'm ridiculously proud of myself

And if anyone out there is thinking about quiting, I definitely think I did it the right way around
Quiting during the week - meant that my hands and brain were busy at work while coming down off the chemical dependancy, now I have the habit to break, but only dealing with the habit when I came in contact with people who knew me as a smoker, the occaisional drink etc. and that all worked out alright, I don't think if I had of tried to quit on the weekend that I would still be a non-smoker

Also take up knitting! I did and it help with the figit part.

Have been a knitter and spinner for years now! Although I can't do either at the moment as much as I'd like to - have restricted fine motor skills in my left hand due to a pinched nerve which is still recovering

[Roadtrip]

Congrats on the no cig weekend!! I picked up the habit while at University and smoked for four years or so. It's been nearly fifeteen years and when encountering someone smoking now I just get repulsed by the smell and the gag reflex kicks in.

Sooooo glad I did it and very proud of you!!!
Shannon

[Brandi]

Is it weird that this feels a bit like confessional? Not that I've ever actually been in a confessional - but I've seen the films
"Forgive me fellow TE'ers for my dirty habits, it has been Seven days since my last cigarette"



I have never ridden as often or for as long as I did this weekend
I've realised that boredom has been a massive driver of smoking, and in order to be not bored.. I got on my bike

Made it through the entire weekend smoke free! Two evenings of dinners/drinking and a BBQ.
It was NOT easy, but I'm ridiculously proud of myself

And if anyone out there is thinking about quiting, I definitely think I did it the right way around
Quiting during the week - meant that my hands and brain were busy at work while coming down off the chemical dependancy, now I have the habit to break, but only dealing with the habit when I came in contact with people who knew me as a smoker, the occaisional drink etc. and that all worked out alright, I don't think if I had of tried to quit on the weekend that I would still be a non-smoker



Have been a knitter and spinner for years now! Although I can't do either at the moment as much as I'd like to - have restricted fine motor skills in my left hand due to a pinched nerve which is still recovering

Meditate!

[marni]

think about putting the money you save towards a lovely new bike, plus pay yourself a set fee per day of not smoking.

congratualtions on stopping and have faith that you can do it. We all know you can.