I QUIT! The quitting smoking support thread.

[BigBrodieFan]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

I had a slip today, crap!

That's okay, just don't quit quitting! Good luck

[FlamesAddiction]

I don't know if anyone mentioned it, but stay away from alcohol for a while too. Even after I had quit for a year, if I had a few drinks, I would get the urge to smoke again.

[flamesfever]

My son quit 2 years ago and put all the money he saved, by not smoking, in an RRSP. He now takes the tidy sum he gets back from his taxes each year and puts it in a TFSA.

By doing this he's enjoying better health now, and looks forward to living a longer life and having a decent pension when he retires.

and it didn't cost him a cent...except for the small amount for the Champix?

[WilsonFourTwo]

Originally Posted by Cecil Terwilliger

If I may rant a little here...

Your rant was really good, and the situation is all too common. Just some thoughts from a guy that's been there.....

- The friends that smoke are probably a little bit jealous that you've been able to make it happen. Also, just as we addicts associate smoking with certain things (after dinner, sex, a beer), we also associate them with people. You've changed the dynamic a bit, which throws them off kilter. No biggee, a new normal is quickly found.

- You'll never be able to use a cigarette recreationally (like beer or weed). You're an addict (seriously), and it won't stop at "One Smoke".

On the brighter side, it's been a week. Your circulation has already begun to improve, and your lung function is up by around 10%! Keep going.

[flamesfever]

The physical benefits my son has noticed in not smoking are:

- less moody (used to be grouchy when he couldn't break for a smoke)
- could handle stress better
- improved conditioning and more energy
- improved appearance (better complexion and relaxed look)
- sleeps better
- improved sense of taste and smell
- improved appetite (he did gain a fair amount of weight however has
gradually lost most of it)

The best of luck in quitting.

[Pinner]

Originally Posted by WilsonFourTwo

- The friends that smoke are probably a little bit jealous that you've been able to make it happen.

This

[Weiser Wonder]

I think smoking is still cool among my generation (early twenties). Especially among the 'hipster' or 'alternative' crowd. I've seen a lot of friends start because they try to be the unaffected people that will have one at a party or with friends. Then it snowballs on them and they are a full blown smokers. I like the smell too much so I won't touch the stuff.

[SeoulFire]

Originally Posted by Cecil Terwilliger

If I may rant a little here...

... The only thing that bothers me about the social stigma is the people who think it is any of their business what I choose to do.

....

The problem with this statement is that smoking affects others in a multitude of ways.

Keep up the good work!

[Lee Fogolin]

Hey everyone. Long-time CP lurker... and first-time poster (and yes, an Oiler fan living in Calgary)...

Thought i'd join the fray. This March will be the 21st anniversary of my first smoke... and an anniversary I don't plan on making it to. Been trying hard to quite since Christmas. I'm a pack-a-day smoker. I previously quit for 3 months twice a few years ago.

Anyways, I picked up Carr's book and got the audiobook running in the car for the daily commute. I do like the fresh approach he's presenting. I'm going to quit this weekend!

I'm enjoying the thread and hoping to use this as another support mechanism.

Thanks and good luck to all of us!!!

[pylon]

Well, day 3 is done, and I am well into 4. Feeling awesome. Like I expected today has been much easier, and I am out of the 72 hour initial hell.

It kinda made me think. Some people say, the first week is hell, some people say the first month is. Maybe it is all psychological. I convinced myself it was the first 72 hours based on past quittings, and now that I have overcome that 3 days, I feel more free of the urge. Maybe just tell your self it is "The first 5 minutes" and then you can insta quit...lol.

And I will not lie. This thread has saved me once already. I almost broke on Monday, and having to come into this thread and admit to everyone I gave in stopped me from lighting up.

This is one reason why I love this site, and how tight of a community we have. I actually give a sh1t what you guys think. Thanks to everyone supporting this thread.

[Pinner]

Good for you Pylon, and you're getting in shape too. You'll be able to get a woman soon if you keep this pace up

[Antithesis]

Good work to you all; I can only imagine how difficult the process you are going through is. I love reading your updates.

[WesternCanadaKing]

Originally Posted by pylon

Well, day 3 is done, and I am well into 4. Feeling awesome. Like I expected today has been much easier, and I am out of the 72 hour initial hell.

It kinda made me think. Some people say, the first week is hell, some people say the first month is. Maybe it is all psychological. I convinced myself it was the first 72 hours based on past quittings, and now that I have overcome that 3 days, I feel more free of the urge. Maybe just tell your self it is "The first 5 minutes" and then you can insta quit...lol.

And I will not lie. This thread has saved me once already. I almost broke on Monday, and having to come into this thread and admit to everyone I gave in stopped me from lighting up.

This is one reason why I love this site, and how tight of a community we have. I actually give a sh1t what you guys think. Thanks to everyone supporting this thread.

Day 3 for me too, this is starting to get much easier. I'm not out of the woods yet as I've been able to quit for a week before only to fall back in... but this time definitely feels a little different! Today was the first day I didn't have the really bad craving in the morning, although I'll admit it, in the afternoon I cracked a little bit. I found one that had fallen out of my last pack onto my desk. I decided it'd be ok for just 'one more' and went outside to smoke it, only to find after one inhale I felt sick to my stomach. There was nothing appealing about continuing to smoke it, so I just threw it out. Great feeling (other than the nausea...) and a good motivator to not try having 'just one more'.

With the money I'm saving I'm going to buy a membership at the Talisman, really going to give this healthy lifestyle thing a try.

[afc wimbledon]

I always felt the addiction was like waves, I would have urges to smoke, only the longer I went the less frequent the urges were, they were still regular as clockwork though, first week it was every 5 or 10 minutes 2nd went down to 15 or 20, third 30 or 40 etc, by 6 months it was maybe once a day.

Been clean 21 years, to borrow from AA.

[pylon]

Originally Posted by WesternCanadaKing

Day 3 for me too, this is starting to get much easier. I'm not out of the woods yet as I've been able to quit for a week before only to fall back in... but this time definitely feels a little different! Today was the first day I didn't have the really bad craving in the morning, although I'll admit it, in the afternoon I cracked a little bit. I found one that had fallen out of my last pack onto my desk. I decided it'd be ok for just 'one more' and went outside to smoke it, only to find after one inhale I felt sick to my stomach. There was nothing appealing about continuing to smoke it, so I just threw it out. Great feeling (other than the nausea...) and a good motivator to not try having 'just one more'.

With the money I'm saving I'm going to buy a membership at the Talisman, really going to give this healthy lifestyle thing a try.

I am a member there, and can probably get you a pass to try it out, I think they are 2 week trials or something. And if you sign up, I get a free month I think. Talisman is awesome. I have worked out there for years, and there is simply not a facility anywhere in Calgary, let alone western Canada that even comes close.

Lemme know. I am going there tonight, and I will look into it for you.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by afc wimbledon

I always felt the addiction was like waves, I would have urges to smoke, only the longer I went the less frequent the urges were, they were still regular as clockwork though, first week it was every 5 or 10 minutes 2nd went down to 15 or 20, third 30 or 40 etc, by 6 months it was maybe once a day.

Been clean 21 years, to borrow from AA.

I found the same thing. Even after a year, I would still get an occasional urge, but you learn how to manage it. I still think it looks cool to smoke... as stupid as that sounds. I haven't smoked in about 7 years.

Do any other ex-smokers still smoke in their dreams like I do? I wonder if it is common.

[WesternCanadaKing]

Originally Posted by pylon

I am a member there, and can probably get you a pass to try it out, I think they are 2 week trials or something. And if you sign up, I get a free month I think. Talisman is awesome. I have worked out there for years, and there is simply not a facility anywhere in Calgary, let alone western Canada that even comes close.

Lemme know. I am going there tonight, and I will look into it for you.

That would be awesome! Let me know what you find out, a 2 week trial would be perfect. I love the Talisman too, I've tried working out at the U of C gym and its way too small and full of a**holes.

[TheSutterDynasty]

This thread is prime evidence of why smoking should be banned.

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by TheSutterDynasty

This thread is prime evidence of why smoking should be banned.

I think that's a discussion for another time. This thread is for the smokers who are trying to quit or already have; and for the non-smokers to offer words of encouragement.

The debate about the social and health issues surrounding smoking is long, and just does not belong here.

For those of you reformed smokers here- keep up the good work! Do everything you can to quit- and never quit quitting. I have a lot of friends who are former smokers, and they never gave up. Some took years to finally break the habit, but they did it.

[pylon]

Originally Posted by ken0042

I think that's a discussion for another time. This thread is for the smokers who are trying to quit or already have; and for the non-smokers to offer words of encouragement.

The debate about the social and health issues surrounding smoking is long, and just does not belong here.

For those of you reformed smokers here- keep up the good work! Do everything you can to quit- and never quit quitting. I have a lot of friends who are former smokers, and they never gave up. Some took years to finally break the habit, but they did it.

Thank you. I thought I covered that quite clearly in the thread opener, but sometimes I guess it takes a mod to reinforce things.