Quitting smoking....

laureen227 · Feb 25, 2009

Originally Posted by Julianne

Does anyone have any tips on how to keep you hand occupied, after you have given up? (I know this sounds silly, but I always feel that my hand should be doing something - I think it misses holding a cigarette

)

you sound like Chandler on Friends - he was giving advice on how to 'look like a smoker' [his character was an ex-smoker] & he said you should look at your hand holding the cig as if it were a long lost buddy!

i think either some handcraft [cross-stitch, hand piecing for quilts, crochet or knitting, etc.] would be best for keeping your hand busy [other than posting here, of course!]

i read somewhere that part of the appeal of smoking is the breathing techniques [smokers breathe deeply when inhaling] so a cinnamon stick or straw replacement would still give you the breathing habits [& deep breathing is good for you, calming].

some useful links here
plus these two - quitting smoking
thinking about stopping

lil maggie · Feb 25, 2009

I clicked on all 3 of those sites and read them fully. Very helpful! I even printed them out along with others that people have posted.
Thanks!!

Edit: the first link I saved so I could read each one and print it out.

snake_lady · Feb 25, 2009

Originally Posted by lil maggie

Back again....
Aside from listing the million reasons not to smoke/when/why I've put away my ciggs and ashtrays and that works out pretty good. I've started smoking outside AND I'm also getting in the habit of holding a clickable pen for times like reading posts on here - seems to help lots!!

Even cutting back is better than nothing at all!

Good job!!!!!!!!!!!!

lil maggie · Feb 25, 2009

Thank you! That pat on the back means more than you know! Thanks for the support!

laureen227 · Feb 25, 2009

Originally Posted by lil maggie

I clicked on all 3 of those sites and read them fully. Very helpful! I even printed them out along with others that people have posted.
Thanks!!

Edit: the first link I saved so I could read each one and print it out.

one of the links that's available on the first one is a pdf file with lots of good info - i'd've posted the link for it, but when i tried i ended up downloading it!

snake_lady · Feb 26, 2009

Originally Posted by lil maggie

Someone I use to know at work took something to stop smoking and it wasn't Chantix or Zyban. It was used as both an antidepressant and for quitting smoking. I just can't remember what it was called but it worked great for her the first day on without a single side effect. Wish I could remember

Wellbutrin? (it is the same medicine as Zyban, but that's the name given to it when prescribed as anti-depressent)

yosemite · Feb 26, 2009

The respirologist at the hospital gave me a prescription for Champix but I did not fill the prescription as I have heard horror stories about some of the side effects and I was too nervous about them to take it. At any rate, both hubby and I are doing very well. We've gotten the odd craving, but for the most part we both now consider ourselves non-smokers and that helps us mentally as well.

lil maggie · Feb 26, 2009

I've never heard of Champix. Glad to hear that you and hubby are smoke free!

Originally Posted by Snake_Lady

Wellbutrin? (it is the same medicine as Zyban, but that's the name given to it when prescribed as anti-depressent)

THAT'S the name! Wellbutrin...Thanks! I think she said she took that for 3 months and then just stopped taking it. I don't know why but she never smoked again. She said she was never bothered by any side effects. I'm thinking that cutting down is great but if it works to quit altogether, I might try that. I hear it isn't cheap but it's cheaper than ciggs over months and months.

coolcat · Feb 26, 2009

way to go Chris!...

for you can reach this time your goal!..

..more good for you!

cdubbie · Feb 26, 2009

Originally Posted by Yosemite

The respirologist at the hospital gave me a prescription for Champix but I did not fill the prescription as I have heard horror stories about some of the side effects and I was too nervous about them to take it. At any rate, both hubby and I are doing very well. We've gotten the odd craving, but for the most part we both now consider ourselves non-smokers and that helps us mentally as well.

Yosemite - That is great!!!

Your attitude of considering yourselves non-smokers is inspiring

(I see myself as a smoker who has recently stopped)

Welp, my pneumonia is back or hasnt left. My lungs hurt. Last thing I would want is a ciggie. I see this as a positive. Day 18!

lil Maggie- awesome!

I'm a big believer in consciousness being the first step in a big life change. The fact I stopped smoking in the house years ago (because of Smidge) was already done (!) - which helped immensely, since no pain on that particular point.

I will not smoke *today*.

julianne · Feb 26, 2009

Thank you for all the tips regarding my (soon to be) lonely hand

Since I do most of my smoking at night, at home - I have decided to spend the time learning to cross-stitch! (Thanks for the suggestion!) I have always wanted to do it, but never found the time.

Does anyone know any good websites for cross- stitching?

As part of my plan, I have now started walking home in the evenings (I can't smoke and walk!) and making my first cigarette later in the day.

I am hoping by next week I can last until midmorning for the first one

Keep all the tips coming!

Julianne.

snake_lady · Feb 26, 2009

Originally Posted by Julianne

Since I do most of my smoking at night, at home - I have decided to spend the time learning to cross-stitch! (Thanks for the suggestion!) I have always wanted to do it, but never found the time.

Does anyone know any good websites for cross- stitching?

http://www.craftdesigns4you.com/learntostitch.htm (beginner info)

http://crossstitch.about.com/ (lots of different links, some free patterns, etc.)

If you google free cross stich patterns you will get tons

As part of my plan, I have now started walking home in the evenings (I can't smoke and walk!) and making my first cigarette later in the day.

I am hoping by next week I can last until midmorning for the first one

Keep all the tips coming!

Julianne.

awesome!!!!!!!! You are doing great so far

I'm like you, I can't walk and smoke.... its a tool I will be using once I do quit, and even now while slowly cutting back... not to mention that I need the exercise.

I try to put off my first cig for at least 2hrs. I find if I smoke within an hour of waking, that I smoke more than if I hold off on that first one

Cross stiching is amazing, you can frame up some gorgeous works. Plus it takes concentration which is great as a distraction from smoking.

Great job, keep it up

cdubbie · Feb 27, 2009

I try to put off my first cig for at least 2hrs. I find if I smoke within an hour of waking, that I smoke more than if I hold off on that first one

My husband used to say this too. He also said if only he didnt have that morning one he was ok on not smoking the rest of the day. (he was a social smoker, never really a "real" smoker).

Julianne - one thing I've learned is how intertwined smoking is with our daily habits. I look for ways to make it more "unpleasant" - which means, I gave up having coffee with a smoke. The two together I adore, so I stopped that. I also always need a beverage when I smoke. Many smokers sseem to be able to smoke with no drink at all - but I hate cigs without a drink (preferably a soda or ice tea. Water is blech). So, I gave up a beverage with smoking - didn't enjoy it much at all.

I guess think of ways to take some of the pleasure out of your smoking. I enjoyed one after a meal a lot - that had to go too. I would wait a certain amount of time (an hour) - so I wasnt associating meals with smoking. Or coffee and smoking in the a.m. Or a pleasurable break with a beverage and smoke while I am at work.

Not smoking in the car was a BIG help - esp. when I quit. The smell REALLY lingered and made me want one. Here is is February and I'm driving around with all my windows down! Traffic and driving was unbearable w/o a cig, so I wish I had retrained myself earlier.

julianne · Feb 27, 2009

Originally Posted by Snake_Lady

http://www.craftdesigns4you.com/learntostitch.htm (beginner info)

http://crossstitch.about.com/ (lots of different links, some free patterns, etc.)

Great job, keep it up

Thanks for the cross-stitching site - I will look at them tonight when I am home. I think I will start with the beginners site

You are also doing a fantastic job, Chris

I am sure with all the support we are getting, we will keep motivated - and kick the habit!

Have you set a date yet?

Julianne.

julianne · Feb 27, 2009

Originally Posted by CDubbie

Julianne - one thing I've learned is how intertwined smoking is with our daily habits. I look for ways to make it more "unpleasant" - which means, I gave up having coffee with a smoke. The two together I adore, so I stopped that. I also always need a beverage when I smoke. Many smokers sseem to be able to smoke with no drink at all - but I hate cigs without a drink (preferably a soda or ice tea. Water is blech). So, I gave up a beverage with smoking - didn't enjoy it much at all.

I started a 'smoke diary' and I tend to smoke while having a cup of tea or coffee (not at work - we have a no-smoking building). I am going to try to break the habit before my give up date. I am also thinking of (initially) giving up tea and coffee, and drink rooibos (redbush) tea instead. On the plus side it is a anti-oxidant, and may help to get the nicotine out quicker.

Now I am worried about caffeine withdrawal

Julianne.

snake_lady · Feb 27, 2009

Originally Posted by Julianne

You are also doing a fantastic job, Chris

I am sure with all the support we are getting, we will keep motivated - and kick the habit!

Have you set a date yet?

Julianne.

Thanks

Yup, the date was set when I made the first post.

March 17. It's the day of my hand surgery.

Originally Posted by Julianne

I started a 'smoke diary' and I tend to smoke while having a cup of tea or coffee (not at work - we have a no-smoking building). I am going to try to break the habit before my give up date. I am also thinking of (initially) giving up tea and coffee, and drink rooibos (redbush) tea instead. On the plus side it is a anti-oxidant, and may help to get the nicotine out quicker.

Now I am worried about caffeine withdrawal

Julianne.

I like to smoke after I finish my coffee. What I've been doing is putting it off... when I finish my coffee I look at the clock and wait at least 30mins before having the smoke. I'm trying to disassociate coffee and cigarettes.

Dubbie wrote

I guess think of ways to take some of the pleasure out of your smoking. I enjoyed one after a meal a lot - that had to go too. I would wait a certain amount of time (an hour) - so I wasnt associating meals with smoking. Or coffee and smoking in the a.m. Or a pleasurable break with a beverage and smoke while I am at work.

That is exactly what I'm trying to do. I have a smoke after coffee or after meals or before bed.... so I've been watching the clock, not immediately going for that cigarette. The bedtime one is the worse.... I have one right before I lay down.... I think I may take Yosemites idea of scooping the litterbox as my signal of what finishes my day, instead of that cigarette.

snake_lady · Feb 27, 2009

Owning my actions here.

I was doing well with writing down my smokes, when and why, then going for that smoke.

For the past 3 days, I haven't done that.

I found when I was writing everything down, smoking seemed more like a chore.... and was less enjoyable. (which is a good thing)

But the last few days, with not writing it down, I've been enjoying them more again.

Tomorrow is a fresh day. I will get back on track with writting them down. As well as I'm dropping the # of smokes I will allow myself to have, down to 7 as of Monday.

Only 18 days till my quit date. Monday I will drop to 7 cigs. The following Monday down to 5 cigs. (at the most.... if I can smoke less than that, I will... but that is how many I take out and put in my package)

Right now I allow myself 9.... I don't usually smoke all of them. Some days its 9, others its 6, or 5...

Back on track with the writting tomorrow.

I have been doing well with not smoking for at least 2hrs after I wake up

somedays I don't have the first one for 3-5hrs depending on what I'm doing. I lose track of time by posting/reading on here.... or baking... etc.

That is what I've accomplished this week, as well as what I did "wrong".

I WILL write down my smokes tomorrow. I might even write them here (and just edit the post throughout the day with each one....that will take more time than just writing).

Hope everyone else is doing fairly well, please don't be afraid to post your slip ups.... we're all human, and it happens. We have to own our actions, and learn from them

to all who are cutting back or trying to quit with me

kscatlady · Feb 27, 2009

Originally Posted by lil maggie

I've never heard of Champix. Glad to hear that you and hubby are smoke free!

THAT'S the name! Wellbutrin...Thanks! I think she said she took that for 3 months and then just stopped taking it. I don't know why but she never smoked again. She said she was never bothered by any side effects. I'm thinking that cutting down is great but if it works to quit altogether, I might try that. I hear it isn't cheap but it's cheaper than ciggs over months and months.

My fiance took that to quit chewing, but that was before he met me, it did have a few side effects for him though. I also took it when I was a teen, but it was for depression.

lil maggie · Feb 27, 2009

Chris I think you're doing great!!!

I'm glad to hear you're going back to writing your smoke notes!

I was going to send you a pmail but thought I'd just post here instead. It's good motivation to write things down and have your friends give you ideas and support. It's hard for me because I'm shy so I think this is better to make myself write in the thread.

You asked me why I smoked in the house after starting the outdoor only smoking thing. My dad just died of a heart attack Feb 2 and my mom moved in with me. The first week my dad's death was hard to deal with. Now it's kind of ok, but mom sometimes likes to talk about dad and yep, I light up a cigarette. Today I've done great and only smoked 6 outside and didn't finish all of those. I've been sitting here clicking my pen while I read different posts and going to only have 1 more later tonight before bedtime - outside. Still making my smoke notes and yes, it's a chore but it seems to help!

As for the Wellbutrin, I think I'm going to pass on it.

Thanks Chris and everyone that posts here!!!

snake_lady · Mar 1, 2009

Wow, this morning has been hard to put off that first cig. I've been wanting it for the last hour. Got up at 7, had my coffee...and am craving bigtime. 3mins till my 2 hour min wait time is up.

uggggg.

Quitting smoking....

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