What works for you? We just got back and feeling like a bag of shit, smoking has become a pain in the ass for us. We've quit smoking a few times, first the gum, cold turkey, Champax (the pill), and now the patch. We've done the patch in the past doesn't work long but it does give us a few weeks to clear out our lungs and keep our fingers crossed. Last time we quit was for about 4 months and that's when we noticed how bad it smells, it's worse than a wet dog to be honest. What caught our attention was when we were at the bank talking with the branch manager who was giving us advice on our RRSP and TFSA account and our weekly deposits, he mentioned we should increase our weekly deposit amounts but we said we couldn't afford it, was too risky as we like to keep cash on hand also. This is when he said "yes you're right, but you're also smokers correct" and we felt stumbled as we knew he could "smell it". He didn't poont out the obvious or suggest to quit smoking but what he was saying was were more concerned with having our smoke money than saving it for retirement. This was a wake up call. So what is your success story to help us stay smoke free and help others....... (INCLUDING YOU STEVE) This is Day One being smoke free, fingers crossed that my will power is strong
No expert here. Each time I found out I was pregnant, I quit. and didn't start again for a few months after. have since then quit many times but always starting again at about 3-4 months. this time its been almost a year. may 3rd to be exact. You really have to want it. nothing, no one, not anything even health reasons will make it easy. you have to really want it. after at least a week, the chemical is out of your system, so its just habit. we have been using vapors for now. on my birthday again may 3rd. I put those down. good luck to you both. remember you have to want it, if you do, then you can quit!!
Honestly there is only one sure way to quit smoking......YOU have to want to quit. I smoked for a lot of years, more than I even want to admit. I started as a teenager thinking it was cool and that I would be cool too. I liked to kid myself that I wasn't a heavy smoker which ignored the fact that I could smoke a pack in the 3 and a half hour ride from home to Penn State. I also tried the run of ways to stop from gum to hypnosis and the whole gamut. Finally, I got sick one January about ten years ago. February 1 starts our tax season which is high pressure and a lot of hours. On that first day of tax season I got home from the office about 10 PM. I took the dogs out for the final time before bed. I tried to smoke and just continually coughed with those deep violent coughs. Finally I said to myself that I was just going to not smoke for the rest of the week until I felt better. I just never went back to smoking. I even carried a pack of cigarettes with me for six months afterward until I finally felt I was done with the weeds forever. Invariably the weight gain is one of the biggest side effects of quitting. Don't sweat it because you can take the weight off but you can't regenerate lung capacity. Go to a casino and watch the folks with the portable oxygen tanks playing the slots and see if that's what you want to be in not so many years. It's a sad commentary on our addictions. As a side note I took the money I saved from stopping smoking and bought a Mini Cooper convertible. That also helped because it's hard to smoke in a convertible with the top down. Good Luck.
Hahaha was just picturing myself walking around inside the sexy pool with a O2 tank strapped to my back handing out shots. Pink Pussy and a shot of fresh oxygen anyone?
this moment I have nothing to contribute to this thread, however I will be checking back to see if anybody has... As all of us smokers know we should quit. Like others we've tried before... maybe someone will come up with a sure way... cheers and good Thread Lenni & Jodie
It is not easy that is for sure. I have been smoke free for 16 years now and every once and awhile someone will walk by with a lit cigarette and I still get the slight urge. As the others have said, you have to want it. Find something else to take your attention when you get the craving. I had a motorcycle and every time i had the craving I would go out for a ride and clean it afterwards, yes just the cleaning part in the winter. I also found that I constantly had a pen or something in my hands to keep them occupied. You could certainy substitute something else for the pen, lol. Have never seen the patch, pill or anything else work for anyone as it is still putting nicotene into the system. We wish you luck on your attempt.
I smoked a pack a day for 34 years, except on vacation when it was a pack at the pool and a pack at PaddyO's each day. I too got to the point where smoking was just too hard to keep doing, although I enjoyed it. I too tried everything but Chantex (the pill) worked for me. Started taking it 2 weeks before my quit date and actually found I was smoking out of habit not need before I got to that date. My quit date was the start of a vacation to Australia and the accompanying 14 hour flight. My last smoke was at Denver International Airport before I went to check in. That was in 2007. I still reach for my pack of cigarettes every once in a while when I get into my car. And I every once in a while wished I still smoked so I would have something to do with my hands while I'm sitting at a bar. But I know Chris would kill me if I ever lit up again and I don't ever want to disappoint her so I've been smoke free for going on 8 years now. The thing about the pill is they don't tell you when to stop. They say start 2 weeks before your quit date but nothing about stopping. I ended up going for about 3 months after I stopped smoking before I quit taking the pill. That seemed to work for me. On the flip side you WILL have some wild ass dreams on the pill that seem soooo real! Had the best sex of my life, hands down, no question, in a dream while on the pill... Anyway, that's my 2 cents..... Jamie
Oh yeah... to twinimni's point.. you will be shocked at the amount of money that suddenly appears in your checkbook when you quit. I couldn't figure out how I was ending up each month with money left over and no bills that needed to be covered.. Jamie
I tried Champax (the pill) and quit for 5 months, then went to a school reunion and had a cigarillo, and then it was like I was on crack.. paid a kid 20 bucks for his pack.. it was crazy.. then sober up thinking holy shit what have I done..I failed... so months later I thought I would try the pill again.. they messed me up big time...not just the dreams life in general.. so I quit the pills... I've tried patches, gum, the mints... they were pretty good but can't get them anymore, I've read the book, lent to a friend she passed away and yes of cancer and the book didn't work for her either.. it did for my sister.. I guess what it comes down to is like everyone has said you have to want to...I've tried hypnotist, cold turkey, vaps, and of course bet with friends.. and we both lose.. its a tough habit to kick, so I applaud those of you that have kicked it.. and hope one day I will also.. and guess with that I will quit one way or the other... Cheers
It's definately a busy hand thing that's for sure. What kills me are all the triggers - with coffee - after eating a meal - when driving - at the bar having a beer (it's my excersice to get out and get fresh air ironically) - at work as we work outdoors - talking on the phone Currently eating ALOT of celery just to have something in my hands, but on the bright side we are burning more calories breaking down the celery then they have in it so I'm not gaining weight lol. So far the 5 minute wait rule seems to be working. It's hard to think 16 years later being smoke free you still get the urge lol
