It has now been officialy 5 days

I haven't quit smoking yet, but I've cut my smoking in half, and for me that's almost like NOT smoking. You see, I am a smoking fiend. I mean, I have been smoking at LEAST 2 packs a day, sometimes almost 3 packs a day. I have now cut it down to 1 pack, and believe me, even I notice a major difference in my breathing, and in stuff breaking up in my lungs. When I get comfortable with smoking 1 pack, then I plan to go down to a half a pack, and so on. I tried to cold turkey method, and all I did was think about cigarettes 24/7. I couldn't enjoy anything in life. I hope this way will work for me. Even if I don't quit all of the way, if I can cut down to 10 cigarettes or less a day, I'll be happy.

Originally Posted by katiemae1277

That's the rough part I think, those cravings last forever!!! Congrats to you!!

Thanks Natalie, I'm committed right now, so I know I can stay off, but in 6 months

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Well, girl, if you tell yourself that you might very well smoke again in six months, then you will.

I quit 3 1/2 years ago, and I just keep telling myself that I will NEVER smoke again. There really is no point to it - there is zero positive benefit, and I LIKE not paying $5+ per pack once or twice a day!!! And I like having a stronger immune system and not getting sick so often for such long periods of time!

Congrats for putting them down - any of you that have - and just remember to never take "just one drag" ever again. It's that "just one" that will do you in and get you started again.

I just keep saying NO! LOL! You can, too! I know you can do it!!!

Good for both of you! I'm sending vibes for you both!

I quit 2 1/2 years ago and the cravings never stopped for me. My problem - as unhealthy as it was - I loved smoking! It was just my thing. I loved to sit and relax and have a cig. That's my crutch and is why I've had such a hard time. Now - 2 1/2 years later I am smoking again - but only 3 a day. It has helped satisfy that need, but I"m still disappointed in myself for giving in. I have one in the morning on the way to work, one on the way home from work and one before bed. Sucks!
A lot of what Natalie said is so true. For me the things that did me in were familiar spots where I use to smoke. Like it use to be at my computer desk at home, in the car, in the smoking area at work, etc. So I just avoided as many of those familiar places as I could. I was lucky that I was moving at the time, so my familiar rooms in my old house were gone and my new house I had never smoked in and I kept it that way. I think what did me in too was going to visit my X boyfriend over the holidays (this is a whole other thread in itself and long story). I was at his house a lot and he smokes and we always smoked together in certain areas of the house - so low and behold - I found myself asking for cigs everytime I was over there. So stupid. I think even more stupid for him to actually give them to me. He knew I had quit.

I quit by taking Zyban. I am still on it, but I will be seeing the doctor on the 19th to go off.

She had told me it would take 1 month to quit, but I quit on the 7th day. Go figure.

Money is real the biggest payoff that you can get instant gratification from.

I went out and bought some really expensive shampoo/conditioner to spoil myself. ( it was 30 bucks a bottle ) But now that I don't have to worry about cigarettes stinking up my hair it was well worth it! I can't stop smelling my hair all day long! It's my favorite thing now.

You guys are so awesome!!!

I'm a smoker too, will admit how insanely difficult it is to quit...I am going to try to jump on that bandwagon too soon. I hate what it's doing to me...there is literally nothing good about it, except what I perceive it does for my stress levels.

Good for you!!!

Good on you all for quitting!
Keep it up! You can do it! Just think off how much nicer you'll smell to your cats.

well, it'll be a week after tonight still going strong too I think my main motivation is that I don't like to fail at anything and since I'm doing this I want to succeed. Like I said before, my will is something powerful when I choose to use it

Congrats to you natalie ca!! that's a great accomplishment and instead of coffee stirrers, I chew on pens and gum, lots and lots of gum

Oh Katie! I am so proud of you!!! That takes strength and courage! And your kitties will thank you in the long run when you have more time to spend with them (and more $ to spend on them ).... hang in there girlfriend! YOU CAN DO IT!!!! I will keep you in my prayers! Keep up the fight! (and maybe you'll save up enough $ to get the love seat that matches your new couch!?!!?!?! ) Good Luck! I'm rooting for ya!!!

Originally Posted by wookie130

I'm a smoker too, will admit how insanely difficult it is to quit...I am going to try to jump on that bandwagon too soon. I hate what it's doing to me...there is literally nothing good about it, except what I perceive it does for my stress levels.

Good for you!!!

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No time like the present!

Put that cigarette down, toss out the unsmoked ones and just do it!

Oh I'm so proud of you guys for quitting.... .......if you saw the misery and pain my father went through before dying of lung cancer, that would make you never want to pick up another one again............

Go Julie and Katie! Keep up the good work!

Originally Posted by kittylover4ever

Oh I'm so proud of you guys for quitting....

.......if you saw the misery and pain my father went through before dying of lung cancer, that would make you never want to pick up another one again............

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the really crazy thing is that my sister and I used to be anti-smoking Nazis when we were younger, hiding ashtrays, cigarettes, complaining loudly, and the we both ended up as smokers I always said that I would never smoke after I had kids, but since I'm most likely not having children, I'm quitting for myself. My grandma had melanoma that spread to her lungs and had to get one removed and she still smoked I really wish my parents would quit too

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE EX-SMOKERS!!!!!
You can visit the American Lung Assoc website for more suggestions too!!
I have never smoked (ok perhaps in college after like 30 beers!!).
I tell myself I am to materialistic to either smoke or gamble as I would rather spend the money on something that will last longer that a quarter in a slot machine or a cigarette. (I bought a new briefcase today for instance!!)
I would get a big glass jar and stick dollar bills in it so you can see how much money are saving -along with your long term health.
Keep up the good job!!

You guys are doing great!!!! Keep up the good job!!!!! Just take it a day and a craving at a time- each time you get one- distract yourself for a little bit. Ya'll can do it!

Just checking in to see how the progress is going?
Stay strong!

You can do it Katie! Stay strong! I'm rooting for you!!!

I haven't read this whole thread and I don't want to burst any bubbles but unless you really WANT to quite the liklehood of it sticking isn't great.

I was a smoker for years and quit multiple times. Most recently it's been over a year and while I do occasionally steal a drag from Matt it always tastes disgusting and I regret it.

All that said I'm rooting for anyone who is quitting, has quit or is thinking about quiting. It will change your life! You'll smell better, food will taste better, you'll feel better... all in all it's a good choice!

One thing that really helped me was to acknowledge my triggers and find something else to do in those situations.

http://www.ash.org.uk/html/factsheets/html/fact11.html

That page has the time line for your bodies recovery after quiting and also shows withdrawl symptoms and how long they might last.
{{{{No craving vibes}}}}

Your doing great! If you were local I would encourage you to join the Canadian Cancer Society's Driven to quit program, the prize is a car.

http://www.driventoquit.ca/english/home/

Check it out, it has some great kinks to help you quit also check out the smoking calculator on this page, it will tell you how much money you will be saving just from quitting smoking
http://www.cancer.ca/ccs/internet/st...gId-en,00.html

Just my two cents worth for those who are quitting!! I quit almost three years ago and still get occasional cravings. My husband and I quit at the same time after trying individually a number of times without success!!! We both used the patch, but what helped the most was sugarless mints whenever we had a craving. It satisfied the oral craving and didn't rot our teeth. Even our dentist approved!!!!

I quit cold turkey about six month ago. I was up to about a pack a day (give or take a few cigs) I feel so much better now and I now realize how bad it smells. Ive hardly had any cravings at all and I have been around lots of people smoking. I have on the other hand had a dreams about smoking though. It seemed very real.

Keep up the good work! I promise everyone can quit. Its just you have to want to do it & not give in.

I keep trying to get my boyfriend to quit ( he lied and said he had when I quit) I keep finding packs that are empty around the apartment. I dont know what to do about that.