Cigarettes & I

[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

[runningteach]

Good for you! I'm a former smoker, 15 years now and it is the hardest habit to break. Toughest thing I ever did. Lots of gum and exercise got me through the rough patches. I still have a gum habit. My Dh smoked for years after I quit, but did eventually quit. Good luck to you. Sounds like things are going well.

[bouncybouncy]

I just wanted to say 'Thank You' for making my world a little more smoke-free!!! Keep up the good work!!!

[Owlie]

Good for you, RE! (And I like your avatar! ) Sucks that you can't knit, though.

[Dr.Doo]

Go you RadicalEdward...you're doing brilliantly at a week away from your last cig.

It's been 14months for me and I am the example of what happens when you don't give up in time. A 30 some yr smoker I've ended up at 47yrs old with 50% lung function. You don't want to end up there...really you don't.

Have you done it cold turkey or have you taken advantage of the many sorts of nicotine replacement therapies out there?

Malkin...oddly I did the drinking straw thing until my friend bought me one of those plastic inhalator thingies. It was quite adequate for the twiddle factor.

Keep the no-smoking faith RE and don't give up giving up.

[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!

[Tri Girl]

I'm ridiculously proud of you, too!!

Way to go! It's got to get easier from here on out, right?

[RadicalEdward]

A really quick check in to say that I still haven't had a cigarette


thanks guys for all of your support - couldn't have gotten this far without you

[malkin]

Good on you RadEd!

I have a friend who twiddled a cut off drinking straw in his fingers for about a month while he was quitting.

[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.