Stopping smoking.... Here I go!

[Chuzzlewit]

Well, I have two days left as a smoker...midnight on Sunday is my cut off point.

Anyone here given up and have any handy little hints (other than don't start in the first place!)

I've tried before with varying levels of success, but have bought me one of those electronic cigarettes, and it's definitely the most useful things have tried. The patches burn my arm and the tablets made me have some pretty insane nightmares!

Main motivation at the minute other than the obvious health benefits is that I will save enough to buy two new wedges every month if I wanted to!

Wish me luck

 

[Slicer30]

I quit cos my wife said I snored when I smoke.

Now she says I snore when I drink! lol I aint giving that up!

Good luck mate, you are doing it right. I stopped on new years eve and havent touched one since. My advice - smoke as many as you can possibly manage in the next 2 days. Proper sicken yourself so you are actually looking forward to quitting.

Dont have the odd sneaky one, once you have broken you will be back on them. finally, dont avoid situations where u smoked the most e.g pub, golf etc. If you can get through those without a smoke then the rest is easy.

good luck

P.S there is a application called quitcounter - very handy. starts up on your pc every day and lays out the stats on how much you have saved etc. very good daily motivation during the first month

 

[GreiginFife]

I stopped couple of years back. No aids and no crutches like the electronic cigs. I didn't see the point of supplying my body what it craved - the nicotine.
It was tough but the only advice I can give, maybe obvious, is be strong, it is not easy!

 

[fundy]

Congrats on making the choice to quit, the only way I think you ever quit them is when you want to quit them for yourself!

I gave up 2 1/2 yrs ago having been a 40 a day guy, had tried several times when others wanted us to, only when I finally decided to do it for the right reasons did I finally kick it. Still enjoy the smell, especially outside in cold air, but not tempted to start again.

One thing that helped me was to put what I would've spent into a jar each day and then when either myself or my wife want something non-essential then the non smoking pot pays for it and we don't even have to try and justify the expense. I keep a small spreadsheet of everything that has been paid for so far and its just under 8k so far that I would've previously just burnt. Have a little surplus currently so am just about to treat myself to a Bushnell Tour Z6 rangefinder - in old currency 43 days of smoking!

 

[paul@which18]

I quit 3yrs ago after a few attempts. I found that keeping focused on the benefits helped.

I used patches to help take the edge off, my arm was irritated by them when I used the stronger ones. Though I found the lightest strength were a lot better and didn't irritate.

Good luck... think of the new clubs you could get with the savings!

 

[palindromicbob]

I'll join you. We can report back on here!

 

[granters]

I've fallen off the cart this week myself. Nothing Monday or Tuesday,then work went ape Wednesday morning and I was straight round to the petrol station. My main problem is customers in work at the trade counter coming in for a chat and flinging a fag at me,that's when the mind goes.always feel bad after it too Desperate to give up,wasn't this hard last time...

 

[bigslice]

I've fallen off the cart this week myself. Nothing Monday or Tuesday,then work went ape Wednesday morning and I was straight round to the petrol station. My main problem is customers in work at the trade counter coming in for a chat and flinging a fag at me,that's when the mind goes.always feel bad after it too Desperate to give up,wasn't this hard last time...

ive tried smoking when i was younger, didnt like it. but my dad smokes 40 odd roll ups a day. so i must admit i like the smell and sometimes roll his for him (as he cant). if im going to get it its from my dads secondary smoke. so Granters stop for wee Archie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[full_throttle]

I've fallen off the cart this week myself. Nothing Monday or Tuesday,then work went ape Wednesday morning and I was straight round to the petrol station. My main problem is customers in work at the trade counter coming in for a chat and flinging a fag at me,that's when the mind goes.always feel bad after it too Desperate to give up,wasn't this hard last time...

why would customers fling a fag at you, isn't your work place no smoking?

if the trade counter is next to a smoking area ask the bosses to move the smoking area, i'm sure if costs are not too much they would encourage you to give up

i haven't smoked since Jan 7th, the worst for me was on the course whilst waiting on the tee box behind slower players. my wife still smokes but tbh it doesn't bother me anymore

 

[granters]

ive tried smoking when i was younger, didnt like it. but my dad smokes 40 odd roll ups a day. so i must admit i like the smell and sometimes roll his for him (as he cant). if im going to get it its from my dads secondary smoke. so Granters stop for wee Archie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Exactly right,the wee man is far more important. Never smoke anywhere near the house but ill chuck it for him. It's just very difficult sometimes to say no. Done a lot of good business deals over a fag!

 

[granters]

why would customers fling a fag at you, isn't your work place no smoking?

if the trade counter is next to a smoking area ask the bosses to move the smoking area, i'm sure if costs are not too much they would encourage you to give up

i haven't smoked since Jan 7th, the worst for me was on the course whilst waiting on the tee box behind slower players. my wife still smokes but tbh it doesn't bother me anymore

I am the boss. No smoking indoors obviously but the whole yard is the smoking area!

 

[Phil2511]

As was said cold turkey is the way to go. After 3 days the nicotine is out of your system and it's just the mental habit after that.

On Sunday try to not have any cigarettes for about 4-5 hours before bed. Then you will actually find the 3rd day not just as bad.

When you find it really hard just drink a pint of water. Main thing not to do is start eating. The amount of people I see who've given up and pile on the weight is crazy.

 

[chrisd]

Right sanctamonious git I am as I have never even tried a cigarette but I am trying to find out where all the money that I have apprently saved is?

 

[Chuzzlewit]

Cheers for all the messages guys, less than 48 hours to go now... Got a feeling I am going to be practicing a lot over the next few weeks to keep my self occupied....

Some good ideas been suggested so far, so if i am struggling I will definitely be giving some if them a go. I've got myself a jar to put my saved money in, I'm hoping that will be all the motivation I need!

And Bob, great to have someone along with me.... Good to know that I'm not gonna be the only one....

 

[paul1874]

I have tried everything in the past, nothing worked. Thanks to Champix it has been 7 weeks since my last smoke, no side effects for me so I have been lucky

 

[Chuzzlewit]

I was on the zyban tablets - didnt fancy tablets again after that; to say that the nightmares were vivid would be a massive understatement.

I think the fact that I am ready to and want to give up, is a big help this time round.

 

[Whee]

You're in a good place right now, you want to quit, you know it makes sense to quit - you're going to quit.

It's simple.

First time I tried quitting, my head wasn't in the right place, I caved after a few beers.

I've just passed the three week barrier and I was a 20-30 a day man. I'm still young enough for my lungs to repair.

I've not had a craving since stopping, that's including going out on the pop and 9 holes of golf too.

There is not 1 good reason to smoke, and it took me ages to accept it. I still defend smokers and the principle, but let's face it, we smokers are a stubborn bunch of bar stewards. We trained ourselves to enjoy that filth, not clever.

You'll feel better in days, even better in weeks, and wonder what the hell you've missed out on in months.

 

[RGDave]

but have bought me one of those electronic cigarettes, and it's definitely the most useful things have tried.

Hey Chuzzle. I've been using an e-cig for a few days now. My mate got into these, (first few days one on one off), then cut down on the level of the cartridge, then stopped. Took about 2 months and then since then nothing. That was 3 months ago.

I used one on the course t'other day, no problems there.

Which one have you gone for? I got a D1 kit and have refill liquid - which tastes much better than the horrible standard carts that come with.

 

[Chuzzlewit]

I've got one that I picked up from Tesco, will see how it goes. Have looked at the d1 online and might well invest in one if I get on well with the one I have.

Actually a little nervous about it all now!

 

[Whee]

No need for nerves, you're doing what you've wanted to do since you first started smoking. Stopping.

Bang out 10 sit ups or press ups every time you have a craving, you'll soon stop wanting one haha!

Good luck with it pal, it's easy when you apply yourself.