Thanks everyone. I am in the 20th day now, and I count, because I am actually keeping a journal of how my mind and body are, each day. I have looked back at some of the bad days, and I can tell how far I have already come, even though I still have bad days. The Commit lozenges help, but I think that if a person does not have the mindset to quit, it won't happen, even with the lozenges or patch, or whatever. I was always weak when I made half-hearted attempts before. I may slip now, but I hope not, because I have already overcome a slug of mind games that my body/mind has played on me. lol I haven't even taken 1 puff in 20 days. I am proud of myself.
very good for you.. my dad smoked for 10 years.. one day out of the blue.. just quit.. cold turkey.. dont know how he did.. but i'm sure glad he did..
My Dad is a very devout catholic and use to quit every year for lent. Amazing. Easter must have been a very welcomed day! Years later, as a theology student, I did question giving up something for lent that one should not be doing in the first place,,,rather like giving up adultry for lent! In 1962, Dad had a heart attack and was lucky enough to survive. His doctor came to the hospital, lit up a cigarette (yes, you could actually smoke in hospitals in those days), gave the lit cigarette to my Dad and said Enjoy it, it's your last...and it was. I've got to hand it to the ol' horse doctor thought because diet and smoking had yet to be linked with heart disease. Damn, wish I could quite! Keep at it grandpa!
Gerry, that's half funny half sad... I think i'll take the funny side of it and have a laugh... GrandpaBW, i'll take my hat off for you! Overcoming the mind tricks [bold]is[/bold] the key to success! Keep that diary running here, who knows, it might even inspire other members...
@Bruce It will be 4 years in May that I've quit. Several times I'd try only to start again in a few days. You said it right with: I smoked 3 packs a day, Kool's since I was 18. I'll be 55 in March. The mind is what it takes to quit. After 24 hours the pangs go away, but the mindset or routine's are still there and cause most to go back. If anyone really wants to quit let me suggest a small book that you could read in less then 2 hours called Quit. You can purchase it on Amazon for under $5. You might say that there is no way a book can get you to quit and you would be right, it just points out exactly what you need to get your mind straight to quit and make it stick! Here is what I like to think about… 3 packs a day = $ 12 a day x 365 days = $4,380 of net income a year used to make sure you will die earlier then you should. Or how about the fact that you are a SLAVE to those cigarettes. Most people don’t like to be told what to do yet they are told what to do by their smokes… Don’t believe me, see what they tell you to do when you just finished your last pack and there are no more to be found… Look through those ashtrays do we… get dressed and run to the store at all hours to get those smokes… LOL Anyway, Bruce if you made it this far, you’re home free! P. S. The desire to smoke will never go away, but your determination to not smoke will and can always stay! Here is a link to the book I am referring to: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0762410701/qid=1139087734/sr=1-16/ref=sr_1_16/102-6319683-8485726?s=books&v=glance&n=283155
Thanks again, all of you. And ScubaBud, I really tip my hat to you! I hope that I can come back here, in 3 years, and respond to a post by someone who is quitting smoking, as you have responded to my post. To be smoke free for that long is amazing, and your post reinforces my thought process that I will make it this time. Thank you. I really did enjoy smoking. Well, I liked smoking 10 out of the 60+ cigarettes a day. Those 10 were at times that I knew I was having a smoke. I don't even think that I knew when I was smoking those other 50 each day. That is the problem with this addiction.
Thanks weazel200 I felt it needed a change real bad,but didn't really have the time to mess around with it till recently .GrandpaBW keep it up bro,it won't be long until you start feeling more energy and you won't even think about it soon.It takes a good month or so,might be different for you,but when I quit I start feeling healthy when a month passes by.
@Bruce That is another right on comment! How many times did you light up a smoke only to find that you already had one lit? <G> There are so many examples in that book I suggested that anyone will find and define exactly what type of smoker they are so that they can move forward to quit once and for all. For example, I loved to have my smoke with morning coffee, when completing a project, or when I needed to step back and relax. Actually I needed a smoke almost every 15 minutes, who am I kidding. <G> For anyone that is thinking about quitting, please do yourself a favor and at least make a $5 investment and purchase that book, it's such a small investment to help you on your way to quit smoking. And no, I didn't write it! <G>
Wow, this is a pretty bad time to say that I started like a few weeks back :S I spose I should really quit before it totally grows on me.. -Mike
@ ScubaBud We're on similar tracks. Started at 18; 2 1/2 packs a day; quit at 55, it'll be 5 years in July not one yet. I still would love one with my coffee and alcohol. @ grandpaBW You can definitely do it. Get your MD to give you some Zyban; that helped me. It wasn't nearly as hard as I thought. Worst part was just reaching for that pack. That goes away in time. Congrats to all who have quit.
I have to say, being in high school, I have had pressure to smoke weed/cigs and have no desire to. Maybe one of the reasons is that cigarette addiction was what caused me to lose my grandpa, or maybe its that awful smell or the thought of not being able to ride my dirtbike. In my opinion the best thing is to quit, if your long term health isnt enough to motivate you maybe the amount of money you can save is. Think about it, each cig u dont smoke is one step closer to something for ur computer or something.
1 cigarrete here works out to about $0.40 so the money isnt much.i find that i cough alot more than i use to but im not quitting smoking yet.im having one right now.as for the damage its doing to my lings i should be more scared of cars.only been in 9crashes.we all have to die someday unless someone comes up with immortallity which will probly not happen ad if smoking kills me then i have no regrets.
Yeah you say that now,but keep smoking 20 or so years from now and then you will regret it.I think lung cancer has to be a horrible way to go.Think of it like this if you get lung cancer the treatments are so horrible they will make you want to kill yourself.I don't think about death,but when I die I would like it to be quick and painless.
Hi Mike. And you still started smoking... If you just started, quit now. Pretty soon, you won't be able to run up a set of stairs... Sport will be out of question, because your stamina will go... Without sport, the belly pops out, then eventually you quit smoking (if ever...)... And the belly pops out even more... Don't start smoking because it's not cool anymore. This isn't the seventies! Nowadays if you smell of fags, you're uncool! Your breath will be bad, will keep the ladies away... Your clothing will ALWAYS smell, even your face and your hair loses the healthy shine... Smoking is a very powerfull drug, the hardest of them all... And like all the other drugs, if you try, you like them... Isn't that right djscoop?
Good for you GrandpaBW, do it now before it get the better of you. I led a good life, exercised ate the right foods, but I smoked for 35 years. Five years ago I ended up with triple bypass surgery, never smoked again. Yet I will say there is not a day goes by that I don't wish I could have one, but I want my health more.
like all drugs you start out enjoying them, but then the addiction takes over, and you start needing them, and don't enjoy it so much anymore.
have a smoke on me, light up is this ye ash tray if it is light up another one..theres more room in the tray.. and below what ye lungs look like
Good grief, Ireland! Are you a spokesperson for the Cancer Society? lol Short update, before the Superbowl starts. Day 21, and still smoke free. Life is good.
