I QUIT! The quitting smoking support thread.

[DuffMan]

as far as cravings go. You're going to have them whether you quit or not, and they will subside whether you smoke or not.

I heard or read an interesting thing. That it takes about 3 months for your brain to rewire itself and reset the dopamine levels, after quitting.

[DuffMan]

It's been over 2 months for me, and this past weekend was one of the real reasons I did it.

Even though I'm in my 40's I don't smoke in front of my parents for about 10 years since I quit one other time, back then. They live in BC so when I see them it is for about a week or 2 at a time. They were in town this past weekend and went golfing with my Dad which is one of the worst times to not smoke.

Golfing is one of the times I absolutely love smoking for one thing and for another it's not hard to want to light up when you have a bad hole or 2 or more in my case this weekend. So this time was no problem. Instead of thinking about it constantly for 5 hours or more and trying to sneak into the woods downwind, to look for a ball and get in a couple of drags, it was much better having that monkey off my back. Also when it is late at night and you're sitting around drinking beer, and you just want your dad to go to bed so you can sneak out for a smoke, but then he says, weeellll guess I'll have one more beer before bed, and your irritation level shoots up. Much much much better when you don't care as opposed to wishing he would just leave so you can get to your habit.
Way better visit with my folks this way.

[HELPNEEDED]

Morning # 2 on the easy way: Headache, tiredness but no actual want to smoke.

[HELPNEEDED]

Day 2: Again no cravings all attributed to Mr. Carr

Morning # 3: Same headache presistant but other then that pretty good to go.

Oh also have a clogged up nose.

[HELPNEEDED]

Allen Carr has so far really made this easy. No cravings, just a headache for which I will be visitng a doctor over the weekend.

[Phaneufenstein]

Quit on March 13th, on my way back from Costa Rica. This isn't my first attempt at quitting but I found that it's easier to do when there's an environment change. So while in CR I was smoking a lot, but that was over as soon as I woke up the morning I had to get on the plane back.

I haven't had a smoke or cigar or anything of that nature since, but I did smoke some sheesha at the beginning of April, not sure if that counts as a slip. In a way I guess so, since there's nicotine in it, but I don't feel too bad about it.

The other thing I need to vent, is the feeling you get when you're out and enjoying a drink. Is that gonna go away or what?? I don't even have regular cravings anymore, but they sure crawl out after having a drink. It just feels so lame, like the time you're spending is missing that certain element that makes it an "awesome" time. Like a toy that was taken away from me haha. Can't help but think of future times that I will feel kind of deprived when partying, and it's a bit sad. I guess my addiction was worse than I thought. Just gotta stick with it and give it time I suppose...

PS: Awesome thread, it helps...

[HELPNEEDED]

Originally Posted by Phaneufenstein

Quit on March 13th, on my way back from Costa Rica. This isn't my first attempt at quitting but I found that it's easier to do when there's an environment change. So while in CR I was smoking a lot, but that was over as soon as I woke up the morning I had to get on the plane back.

I haven't had a smoke or cigar or anything of that nature since, but I did smoke some sheesha at the beginning of April, not sure if that counts as a slip. In a way I guess so, since there's nicotine in it, but I don't feel too bad about it.

The other thing I need to vent, is the feeling you get when you're out and enjoying a drink. Is that gonna go away or what?? I don't even have regular cravings anymore, but they sure crawl out after having a drink. It just feels so lame, like the time you're spending is missing that certain element that makes it an "awesome" time. Like a toy that was taken away from me haha. Can't help but think of future times that I will feel kind of deprived when partying, and it's a bit sad. I guess my addiction was worse than I thought. Just gotta stick with it and give it time I suppose...

PS: Awesome thread, it helps...

I will find out today, first night out with the boys since quiting. Color me nervous.

[AMG_G]

Originally Posted by HELPNEEDED

I will find out today, first night out with the boys since quiting. Color me nervous.

Just remember most of your smoking friends want you to fail but deep inside they all want to have the courage to quit like you did. Just the thought of wasting all that time being smoke free is enough for me to not pick one up again. It is truly something I want to do for the sake of my health, wallet, wife and kids.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by HELPNEEDED

I will find out today, first night out with the boys since quiting. Color me nervous.

one word of advice.................mushrooms...............

In all seriousness, good luck. A buddy of mine quit back when you could smoke in bars, he said it was hell. At least you don't have to deal with that. if you have a buddy that doesn't smoke going out with you, mentioned to him that you might need a kick in the ass from time to time during the night.

Good Luck

[JonDuke]

Love this thread. Have been reading regularly, but this is my first time posting on this one.

Today is day 2, and I'm actually doing way better than I ever thought possible. I've tried the Easy way, the patch, Wellbutrin, Champix, etc etc.
This time I said enough is enough, went cold turkey, and am loving it so far.

After a recent attempt to get into Cycling, I was embarrassed at how horrible my cardio was. The longest I could ride was 12km before feeling like my lungs were going to explode. And that was with a few breaks.

Yesterday was my first day of being a non smoker, and I went for a ride. Went 12k before taking my first break, and finished with 20k in 80 minutes. Far from a tri-athlete, but I had tried pushing myself distance wise a little bit and was happy with the results.

I'm using cycling as my daily aide to help me get through this and will try to push my limits as much as I can.

Thanks for this thread, and good luck to all who are trying to, and have quit already!

[DuffMan]

also be sure to read a benefits of quitting smoking page like this daily for a week or 2.

For you guys going out with your smoking buds, my suggestion would be to get hammered as soon as possible, so you don't think about it.

One of the easiest things for me this time was the fact that I barely even know anyone any more that smokes. The closest I've been to it the past few months was seeing people from a distance smoking.

then again I've had a friend that has quit and his wife still smokes in the house so...

[Hanni]

Originally Posted by JonDuke

After a recent attempt to get into Cycling, I was embarrassed at how horrible my cardio was. The longest I could ride was 12km before feeling like my lungs were going to explode. And that was with a few breaks.

It really amazing how quickly your cardio improves, I noticed a massive improvement after a few days just playing beer league hockey.

[Roof-Daddy]

I quit smoking (cold turkey) when I was 30 (after about 10 years of smoking, to varying degrees) and didn't even touch a cigarette for 15 months. At about 15 months, while on vacation, I had a few cigarettes while drinking. That continued sporadically over the next 8 months or so until I was full blown smoking again........and worse than ever (pack a day).

Well, I'm 36 now and have a family, so 7 weeks ago I decided to attempt quitting again. It was tough, but I haven't had a smoke since.

Quitting cold is tough for the first 3-7 days, but once you get past that point it gets easier and easier. Also, no matter how many times you've tried to quit and failed, keep trying.........you'll succeed when you really, really want too.

[HELPNEEDED]

the headaches have subsided at day 10!

[Fire Element]

Day one... Ouch.

[devo22]

Day #50 today feels good. I don't even have any cravings any more ... I'm not gonna lie: I'm a bit proud!

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by Fire Element

Day one... Ouch.

The first day of your new healthier better life, congrats!

[Hanni]

4 months came and went on the 13th and I completely forgot, I really know this is it this time. I almost never think about it, maybe once or twice a week, even though I get the odd craving the actual thought of having a chew isn't appealing. Not only that but I've also lost 35 lbs since then and feel so much better about my overall health.

[WilsonFourTwo]

^^ Bravo Hanni!!

[WilsonFourTwo]

Just realized that I made it to two years a couple of weeks ago. That explains the high lung capacity and fat bank account!

Keep up the good work everybody!