JB68711
02-17-2007, 01:07 AM
I've been regularly smoking for about 5 years, since I was 16. At first it was fun and social, but now it just feels like a burden and I've been thinking about quitting more and more as time goes by. I keeping thinking about it in such a matter-of-fact type of way, "Why the hell do I smoke? What does it do for me? I'm burning something, and inhaling all of it's contents and blowing it back out. Who does that?" That's probably what's helping me the most, because when you think about it for what it really is, it doesn't just seem pointless, but ridiculous.
Anyway, my mom (God bless her) bought me nicorette yesterday, but she bought me the 4mg for people who smoke 25 or more cigarettes a day... I smoked about 10 a day, so I cut each piece in half. I love it, I had my last cigarette last night and then started the gum, and it's great. I'm almost 24 hours free, it's amazing... and I can get my nicotine while I'm taking a shower or taking a relaxing bath, watching TV, as I'm typing right now LOL... I can have my nicotine while talking to someone and not worry about making someone else smoke just because I do (second-hand)... and non-smoking areas! It's SO convenient. And I don't smell!!!
Oh yeah, my question... well they have a schedule of 12 weeks, which seems kind of lengthy to me. I heard that when you quit cold turkey, it's hard the first 5-7 days, but after that it gets 10 times easier. I was thinking more like 4-6 weeks and lessening my intake after the first week instead of after 6 weeks. Do you think it's really a big deal to stick with the directed schedule? I just kind of feel like it's there so they could make more sales. Because another thing is that it says you should chew 9 pieces a day for best results, but if you could do less then shouldn't you? I mean, if someone has 5 cravings throughout the day, wouldn't it be a good thing that they only needed 5? Not to mention that the mg are more than in a cigarette... if it's 4mg and it lasts for half an hour, then wouldn't that be the same amount of nicotine as 4 cigarettes in half an hour?
I was also wondering, because I'm a guy and I've always had trouble putting on weight and people have told me that cigarettes contribute to that... and how when people quit smoking, they'll gain weight. But if you use nicotine products, will it slow weight gain like cigarettes do?
Well, thanks for reading... I'll definitely being doing updates at least weekly... wish me luck, and here's to good health and always smelling good.
Anyway, my mom (God bless her) bought me nicorette yesterday, but she bought me the 4mg for people who smoke 25 or more cigarettes a day... I smoked about 10 a day, so I cut each piece in half. I love it, I had my last cigarette last night and then started the gum, and it's great. I'm almost 24 hours free, it's amazing... and I can get my nicotine while I'm taking a shower or taking a relaxing bath, watching TV, as I'm typing right now LOL... I can have my nicotine while talking to someone and not worry about making someone else smoke just because I do (second-hand)... and non-smoking areas! It's SO convenient. And I don't smell!!!
Oh yeah, my question... well they have a schedule of 12 weeks, which seems kind of lengthy to me. I heard that when you quit cold turkey, it's hard the first 5-7 days, but after that it gets 10 times easier. I was thinking more like 4-6 weeks and lessening my intake after the first week instead of after 6 weeks. Do you think it's really a big deal to stick with the directed schedule? I just kind of feel like it's there so they could make more sales. Because another thing is that it says you should chew 9 pieces a day for best results, but if you could do less then shouldn't you? I mean, if someone has 5 cravings throughout the day, wouldn't it be a good thing that they only needed 5? Not to mention that the mg are more than in a cigarette... if it's 4mg and it lasts for half an hour, then wouldn't that be the same amount of nicotine as 4 cigarettes in half an hour?
I was also wondering, because I'm a guy and I've always had trouble putting on weight and people have told me that cigarettes contribute to that... and how when people quit smoking, they'll gain weight. But if you use nicotine products, will it slow weight gain like cigarettes do?
Well, thanks for reading... I'll definitely being doing updates at least weekly... wish me luck, and here's to good health and always smelling good.
Sponsor
Memaw649
02-17-2007, 02:53 AM
JB68711,
Welcome!! It really does my heart good to see a young person quit this awful addiction. Congratulations on your courage to tackle this.
I can't help you much with the gum. It has been too many years since I tried that. But if you only need 5 pieces a day...only use 5 pieces. To me that just makes sense. Maybe someone else can help here.
Keep us posted on your progress. I'm very interested to see how successful you become. Keep this in mind now...Smoking is no longer an option.
Good Luck to you!
Memaw
Welcome!! It really does my heart good to see a young person quit this awful addiction. Congratulations on your courage to tackle this.
I can't help you much with the gum. It has been too many years since I tried that. But if you only need 5 pieces a day...only use 5 pieces. To me that just makes sense. Maybe someone else can help here.
Keep us posted on your progress. I'm very interested to see how successful you become. Keep this in mind now...Smoking is no longer an option.
Good Luck to you!
Memaw
Deda
02-17-2007, 04:18 AM
Hey JB....
You sound wise beyond your years. Your analogy of why you smoke is so right on....it surprised me when you stated your age. Bravo to you for wanting to give this stinkin' habit up NOW, instead of 20 or more years after starting, (like so many of us others here).
One thing I want to say is, the gum does work very well, it's how my husband quit after 38 yrs of smoking, and I quit via the patch, until one day I chewed a piece of my hub's gum....and I was HOOKED, line and sinker...so be careful. He was on it for over 3 years, lol....he absolutely loved the taste of it, (the reg. flavor), and I have to say, I loved it too. It was absolute hell to get off of it...I'm not kidding you. We would try and try....finally, I just started cutting down by cutting them in 1/4's.....and decreasing 1/4every week or two. Even after we finally stopped, we thought about it for a long time, and missed it and craved it terribly....so see, you do need to be careful. I've seen other people come here too that were hooked. I was doing fine on the patch and was down to the little 7 mg. patch, and felt almost ready to stop using it....I think I could've stopped using that one real easilly.
For me, I didn't need to chew it every time I got a craving, cuz after I while I didn't have many cravings. I would chew a single piece for hours. He chewed them all day long, there was a piece in his mouth all the time, and I noticed he was even going to bed with it too. (I put a stop to that!) :p I really had to get all over his $hip (and mine too) to make us get off of it for once and for all.
JB...I personally think it's okay to go a little beyond the directed schedule on the box/insert, in fact I have read they think people stay quit and succeed more often when they stay on it longer,...but watch out...limit yourself to just so many pieces a day....5 sounds good to me. There was a guy that wrote here one day that he was chewing 30 pieces a day, and he wanted to know how he could get off of it!!! And another gal wrote and told her story of how addicted she was to the gum too, and had to wean herself for months to get off of them. I'm not saying the gum is bad, it's not, I'm just saying, take it easy, be aware that it is very addictive. I think because it's the oral gratification we derive from it.
This is funny.... a few weeks ago while I was cleaning the top of this bookcase here at home, I was up on a ladder dusting the top, and whad' ya know, I found 2 new pieces of it up there. (Probably my hubby trying to hide some while we were trying to taper down) After all of this time I've been off of it now, I wanted to tear one open and chew it!! :nono: But I didn't!! I ran to the outdoor trash can and threw them into it, and aimed for the bottom.
Good luck quitting though, you're smart to quit so young, so,.... good for you! :) If at all you feel that you are starting to get too addicted on it, maybe try switching to the patch.
Best of luck to you....
Deda
You sound wise beyond your years. Your analogy of why you smoke is so right on....it surprised me when you stated your age. Bravo to you for wanting to give this stinkin' habit up NOW, instead of 20 or more years after starting, (like so many of us others here).
One thing I want to say is, the gum does work very well, it's how my husband quit after 38 yrs of smoking, and I quit via the patch, until one day I chewed a piece of my hub's gum....and I was HOOKED, line and sinker...so be careful. He was on it for over 3 years, lol....he absolutely loved the taste of it, (the reg. flavor), and I have to say, I loved it too. It was absolute hell to get off of it...I'm not kidding you. We would try and try....finally, I just started cutting down by cutting them in 1/4's.....and decreasing 1/4every week or two. Even after we finally stopped, we thought about it for a long time, and missed it and craved it terribly....so see, you do need to be careful. I've seen other people come here too that were hooked. I was doing fine on the patch and was down to the little 7 mg. patch, and felt almost ready to stop using it....I think I could've stopped using that one real easilly.
For me, I didn't need to chew it every time I got a craving, cuz after I while I didn't have many cravings. I would chew a single piece for hours. He chewed them all day long, there was a piece in his mouth all the time, and I noticed he was even going to bed with it too. (I put a stop to that!) :p I really had to get all over his $hip (and mine too) to make us get off of it for once and for all.
JB...I personally think it's okay to go a little beyond the directed schedule on the box/insert, in fact I have read they think people stay quit and succeed more often when they stay on it longer,...but watch out...limit yourself to just so many pieces a day....5 sounds good to me. There was a guy that wrote here one day that he was chewing 30 pieces a day, and he wanted to know how he could get off of it!!! And another gal wrote and told her story of how addicted she was to the gum too, and had to wean herself for months to get off of them. I'm not saying the gum is bad, it's not, I'm just saying, take it easy, be aware that it is very addictive. I think because it's the oral gratification we derive from it.
This is funny.... a few weeks ago while I was cleaning the top of this bookcase here at home, I was up on a ladder dusting the top, and whad' ya know, I found 2 new pieces of it up there. (Probably my hubby trying to hide some while we were trying to taper down) After all of this time I've been off of it now, I wanted to tear one open and chew it!! :nono: But I didn't!! I ran to the outdoor trash can and threw them into it, and aimed for the bottom.
Good luck quitting though, you're smart to quit so young, so,.... good for you! :) If at all you feel that you are starting to get too addicted on it, maybe try switching to the patch.
Best of luck to you....
Deda
JB68711
02-17-2007, 05:17 AM
Hey, thanks for your replies. I've really wanted to quit young, I just always imagined smoking being a "phase". I think the hardest part is that I just turned 21, and I'm not a heavy drinker... but you know how well cigarettes go with alcohol lol. Even non-smokers know that. But whatever, I'm just not going to drink for the next month or two.
Back when I was 15, I was hanging out with my friend and his brother who was 20. I was having a cigarette with him, I rarely smoked... only when someone offered. And I asked my friend's brother how long he's been smoking for, and he said "5 years", and I was like "Damn, 5 years is a long time". Now a couple weeks ago, I was hanging out with my friend and her younger sister who is 15. She doesn't smoke at all, but she asked me how long I've been smoking for and I told her 5 years, and she goes "Wow 5 years?" And all I can hear in my head is "5 years is a long time"... right then and there I'm thinking "crap I gotta quit." Then she goes "Can I try one?" And I'm like "Nope."
I just passed my 24 hour mark... exciting. Also I've only had 2 so far today, and I'm gonna have one more before I go to sleep (I haven't been cutting them in half though). I have thought about the possibility of getting hooked on the gum, but wouldn't it be A LOT better than smoking cigarettes? I don't think there are great health risks, etc... and like I said in my first post, it's more convenient. I don't see why people don't just do this instead of smoking. Wouldn't it be better to be addicted to the gum than to cigarettes?
I wanted the gum over the patch because, like you said, the oral gratification. The feeling of craving and then satisfying that craving in a similar way. With the gum, it can replace the cigarette... but it doesn't work the same way with the patch.
Alright, time for one more and then off to bed. Thanks for your replies, encouragement, and support!
Back when I was 15, I was hanging out with my friend and his brother who was 20. I was having a cigarette with him, I rarely smoked... only when someone offered. And I asked my friend's brother how long he's been smoking for, and he said "5 years", and I was like "Damn, 5 years is a long time". Now a couple weeks ago, I was hanging out with my friend and her younger sister who is 15. She doesn't smoke at all, but she asked me how long I've been smoking for and I told her 5 years, and she goes "Wow 5 years?" And all I can hear in my head is "5 years is a long time"... right then and there I'm thinking "crap I gotta quit." Then she goes "Can I try one?" And I'm like "Nope."
I just passed my 24 hour mark... exciting. Also I've only had 2 so far today, and I'm gonna have one more before I go to sleep (I haven't been cutting them in half though). I have thought about the possibility of getting hooked on the gum, but wouldn't it be A LOT better than smoking cigarettes? I don't think there are great health risks, etc... and like I said in my first post, it's more convenient. I don't see why people don't just do this instead of smoking. Wouldn't it be better to be addicted to the gum than to cigarettes?
I wanted the gum over the patch because, like you said, the oral gratification. The feeling of craving and then satisfying that craving in a similar way. With the gum, it can replace the cigarette... but it doesn't work the same way with the patch.
Alright, time for one more and then off to bed. Thanks for your replies, encouragement, and support!
Deda
02-17-2007, 03:21 PM
I just passed my 24 hour mark... exciting. Also I've only had 2 so far today, and I'm gonna have one more before I go to sleep (I haven't been cutting them in half though). I have thought about the possibility of getting hooked on the gum, but wouldn't it be A LOT better than smoking cigarettes? I don't think there are great health risks, etc... and like I said in my first post, it's more convenient. I don't see why people don't just do this instead of smoking. Wouldn't it be better to be addicted to the gum than to cigarettes?
Hi again JB--
Must've been meant for you for that 15 year old to tag along... as all things happen for a reason!
Yes, by all means I DO think it's much better to chew the gum than smoke cigs....of course, and that's what my H. and I always said to each other all along. I did develop some bad intestinal problems though, JB, severe acid reflux, and I don't think it was actually the gum that brought that about, but I think it aggravated it immensely, as it became so much more tolerable after I finally gave up the gum.
One day I went to see my GP, (for something else) and my H. went with me, and we "confessed" to her just how long we had been on the gum. (we were embarrassed to tell her) She was shocked! Her eyes popped open wide, and she said, "That long???" ....and "Oh my goodness, I don't know if I should recommend that to my patients anymore then". Well, I asked her if there would be any health repurcussions due to being on this gum for so long? She said it could mess up our hormones. :confused: We thought later....how can it mess up our hormones, when all that's in it is plain old nicotine?? You never have heard of smoking cigs messing up your hormones, right? And when you're smoking cigs, you get a heck of a lot more nicotine than when you're using the gum. (if you smoked a pk to a pk and a half, like we did)
JB...I would say, just to stick to it since it's working for you so far, but just be aware than some of us have become badly addicted to it....so just try to watch out for that. Try to limit yourself to just so many pieces per day.....and then when you feel strong enough to quit using it,...do it gradually, like I did,...then it's easier. I felt some bad cravings, (had to be mental, as I was hardly chewing any gum near the end....like only 1/2 a piece a day, then 1/4 piece the last week or so....it so much easier to wean off like that. My H. just broke it off cold turkey. It took about a month for our heads to clear and feel like normal again. Then we were very proud to finally be totally off all forms of nicotine for the 1st time since we were teens.
I think you'll do fine....you sound like a very sensible young man.
I wish you the best, and congratulations to you on making it the 1st 24 hours! Keep going, and let us all know how you do...
Good luck,
Deda :wave:
Hi again JB--
Must've been meant for you for that 15 year old to tag along... as all things happen for a reason!
Yes, by all means I DO think it's much better to chew the gum than smoke cigs....of course, and that's what my H. and I always said to each other all along. I did develop some bad intestinal problems though, JB, severe acid reflux, and I don't think it was actually the gum that brought that about, but I think it aggravated it immensely, as it became so much more tolerable after I finally gave up the gum.
One day I went to see my GP, (for something else) and my H. went with me, and we "confessed" to her just how long we had been on the gum. (we were embarrassed to tell her) She was shocked! Her eyes popped open wide, and she said, "That long???" ....and "Oh my goodness, I don't know if I should recommend that to my patients anymore then". Well, I asked her if there would be any health repurcussions due to being on this gum for so long? She said it could mess up our hormones. :confused: We thought later....how can it mess up our hormones, when all that's in it is plain old nicotine?? You never have heard of smoking cigs messing up your hormones, right? And when you're smoking cigs, you get a heck of a lot more nicotine than when you're using the gum. (if you smoked a pk to a pk and a half, like we did)
JB...I would say, just to stick to it since it's working for you so far, but just be aware than some of us have become badly addicted to it....so just try to watch out for that. Try to limit yourself to just so many pieces per day.....and then when you feel strong enough to quit using it,...do it gradually, like I did,...then it's easier. I felt some bad cravings, (had to be mental, as I was hardly chewing any gum near the end....like only 1/2 a piece a day, then 1/4 piece the last week or so....it so much easier to wean off like that. My H. just broke it off cold turkey. It took about a month for our heads to clear and feel like normal again. Then we were very proud to finally be totally off all forms of nicotine for the 1st time since we were teens.
I think you'll do fine....you sound like a very sensible young man.
I wish you the best, and congratulations to you on making it the 1st 24 hours! Keep going, and let us all know how you do...
Good luck,
Deda :wave:
nici24
02-17-2007, 05:20 PM
Hello and well done!!
I used to smoke around 15 cigarettes a day for the past 15 years and I gave up smoking 10 weeks ago!! I started off on the 4mg gum and i was having this for about 6 weeks chewing around 10 pieces a day, but i found that i was chewing for the sake of chewing so i then swopped to the lozengers and found them a lot better. For the past 2 weeks i have been on the 2mg lozengers and have cut down to about 5 a day and when i get the urge to "chew" i have a piece of sugar free normal gum instead and have found that this really works! This also helps with hunger as well!! Hope this helps :)
I used to smoke around 15 cigarettes a day for the past 15 years and I gave up smoking 10 weeks ago!! I started off on the 4mg gum and i was having this for about 6 weeks chewing around 10 pieces a day, but i found that i was chewing for the sake of chewing so i then swopped to the lozengers and found them a lot better. For the past 2 weeks i have been on the 2mg lozengers and have cut down to about 5 a day and when i get the urge to "chew" i have a piece of sugar free normal gum instead and have found that this really works! This also helps with hunger as well!! Hope this helps :)
SanyBelle
02-17-2007, 06:32 PM
JB68711, congratulations on quitting smoking!!! :blob_fire You will not regret that decision.
I was on the patch about a month longer than recommended, my doctor said he'd rather see me using the patch for as long as I needed as long as I didn't smoke. I didn't have problems getting off the patch, one day I just didn't put one on and before I knew it it was a few months later, but now that I think about it I still carry an unopened spare just in case I need it.... my security blanket, I suppose. I have never chewed the gum, but it's got to be much better for you than smoking. Good luck!! :angel:
nici24, keep up the great work! :bouncing: 10 weeks is awesome! I still chew regular gum once in awhile too, mainly in my car. Good luck and let us know how you are doing! :wave: :angel:
I was on the patch about a month longer than recommended, my doctor said he'd rather see me using the patch for as long as I needed as long as I didn't smoke. I didn't have problems getting off the patch, one day I just didn't put one on and before I knew it it was a few months later, but now that I think about it I still carry an unopened spare just in case I need it.... my security blanket, I suppose. I have never chewed the gum, but it's got to be much better for you than smoking. Good luck!! :angel:
nici24, keep up the great work! :bouncing: 10 weeks is awesome! I still chew regular gum once in awhile too, mainly in my car. Good luck and let us know how you are doing! :wave: :angel:
Memaw649
02-18-2007, 01:22 AM
JB68711,
Good Going!! The first day is usually a very hard day. You made it through. I agree...the gum is a lot better than smoking!! This way you are just getting the nicotine... not all those dangerous chemicals the tobacco companies put in the cigarettes to suck into your lungs. Keep it up!!
And Good Luck!
Memaw
Good Going!! The first day is usually a very hard day. You made it through. I agree...the gum is a lot better than smoking!! This way you are just getting the nicotine... not all those dangerous chemicals the tobacco companies put in the cigarettes to suck into your lungs. Keep it up!!
And Good Luck!
Memaw
Memaw649
02-18-2007, 01:27 AM
nici24,
Way To Go! 10 weeks is WONDERFUL!!
Keep up the good work!
Memaw
Way To Go! 10 weeks is WONDERFUL!!
Keep up the good work!
Memaw
JB68711
02-18-2007, 05:30 AM
48 hours, and this is easier than I ever would have imagined, it's almost scary! I had 3 and a 1/2 pieces yesterday, 1 and a 1/2 piece today, and I'm going to have 1 more before I go to bed for a total of 2 and a 1/2. It's so crazy, I don't even know how I do it.
Every once in a while, I do get the feeling of going outside and having a cigarette, and then I remember "Oh yeah, I don't smoke anymore." But even after that, I can somehow still wait hours for that piece of gum (without even constantly thinking about it). And I keep chewing the gum for another hour or two, psyching myself out thinking I'm still getting nicotine out of it :D And then before I know it, it's the end of the day and I've only had 1 or 2 pieces. I always have to have one within an hour of going to sleep though, the same way I was with cigarettes. But I'm just so surprised that this is working so well.
I can not wait until I get to that one week mark... and then one month. Even one or two days is incredible as it is, so a week and so on is just gonna be pure elation for me. It's funny because I used to always tell my friends "I quit smoking", and they'd be like, "Really? How long?" And I'd say "I don't know, maybe 2 hours, and then I'll have another one". So this time they laugh and say "Oooh really? How long has it been, like 5 minutes?" And it's so great to be like, "Actually, it's been two days." It's almost more surprising to them than it is to me.
Thanks for your replies of advice... hopefully this all will continue to be this simple!
Every once in a while, I do get the feeling of going outside and having a cigarette, and then I remember "Oh yeah, I don't smoke anymore." But even after that, I can somehow still wait hours for that piece of gum (without even constantly thinking about it). And I keep chewing the gum for another hour or two, psyching myself out thinking I'm still getting nicotine out of it :D And then before I know it, it's the end of the day and I've only had 1 or 2 pieces. I always have to have one within an hour of going to sleep though, the same way I was with cigarettes. But I'm just so surprised that this is working so well.
I can not wait until I get to that one week mark... and then one month. Even one or two days is incredible as it is, so a week and so on is just gonna be pure elation for me. It's funny because I used to always tell my friends "I quit smoking", and they'd be like, "Really? How long?" And I'd say "I don't know, maybe 2 hours, and then I'll have another one". So this time they laugh and say "Oooh really? How long has it been, like 5 minutes?" And it's so great to be like, "Actually, it's been two days." It's almost more surprising to them than it is to me.
Thanks for your replies of advice... hopefully this all will continue to be this simple!
SanyBelle
02-18-2007, 11:03 AM
It's funny because I used to always tell my friends "I quit smoking", and they'd be like, "Really? How long?" And I'd say "I don't know, maybe 2 hours, and then I'll have another one". LOL, who is the actor who said "Quitting smoking is easy, I do it 40 times a day!:. :D
One thing about the gum, if you really need it and since it's so early in your quit, please don't deny yourself of it and get over confident... you know where that can lead. :yawn:
Good luck, we are all pulling for you!
:angel:
One thing about the gum, if you really need it and since it's so early in your quit, please don't deny yourself of it and get over confident... you know where that can lead. :yawn:
Good luck, we are all pulling for you!
:angel:
Deda
02-18-2007, 11:59 AM
Hey JB--
Right on...
Wow....you are doing so great...I'm so happy for you, that's awesome!! :)
I too have had quits that seemed easy at first, and later got tougher...like the 4 month mark was always where I started to go crazy, and had relapsed at that point a few times, including this last, (and final) quit, over 3 years ago. Just want you to know, some people do say they think it gets harder at a certain point. (But I think you'll be able to handle it, as you sound SO enthusiastic about giving it up)
Okay, was just on here for a few before I get ready for church. Have a great day and keep up the great work...I'm glad the gum is working out so well for you. Cool.
Keep on not smoking!! :)
Deda
Right on...
Wow....you are doing so great...I'm so happy for you, that's awesome!! :)
I too have had quits that seemed easy at first, and later got tougher...like the 4 month mark was always where I started to go crazy, and had relapsed at that point a few times, including this last, (and final) quit, over 3 years ago. Just want you to know, some people do say they think it gets harder at a certain point. (But I think you'll be able to handle it, as you sound SO enthusiastic about giving it up)
Okay, was just on here for a few before I get ready for church. Have a great day and keep up the great work...I'm glad the gum is working out so well for you. Cool.
Keep on not smoking!! :)
Deda
Memaw649
02-19-2007, 01:03 AM
JB68711,
Well done!!! I love your enthusiasm. You have every right to be proud of yourself! But please don't get too over confident. This addiction has a way of grabbing you and not wanting to turn you loose. Just understand that you will have good days and bad days. Hopefully more good than bad. Don't be afraid to use the gum when you need it. Be proud of yourself, darlin'. You've done something a lot of people can't.
Good Luck and keep us updated!!
Memaw
Well done!!! I love your enthusiasm. You have every right to be proud of yourself! But please don't get too over confident. This addiction has a way of grabbing you and not wanting to turn you loose. Just understand that you will have good days and bad days. Hopefully more good than bad. Don't be afraid to use the gum when you need it. Be proud of yourself, darlin'. You've done something a lot of people can't.
Good Luck and keep us updated!!
Memaw
JB68711
02-19-2007, 12:20 PM
Hey thanks so much for your continual encouragement everyone! I am a little over-confident... I guess it's just all this initial excitement that's still here.
Anyway, last night I broke down. For the past 3 days, I've kind of been laying low... hanging out at home mostly. That's probably a big part of it being easy. But last night I went to this pool hall that I regularly go to. I ran into an old friend, chatted... and then suddenly found myself asking if she still smoked. She said "Yeah, you want one?" And started to get me one, and then my friend who I was there with came over and I was like "I'm doing something bad" and she was immediately like "No, no, no he's not allowed to have any! He just quit!" So in the end, I didn't have one... but it was so easy to think to myself "I'm just going to have one" in the moment and in the environment. And it was so dumb, because 10 minutes later it wasn't on my mind anymore. I'm really lucky though that I have a friend who would do that, she quit like a month or two ago.
Thanks for your ongoing support everyone!
Anyway, last night I broke down. For the past 3 days, I've kind of been laying low... hanging out at home mostly. That's probably a big part of it being easy. But last night I went to this pool hall that I regularly go to. I ran into an old friend, chatted... and then suddenly found myself asking if she still smoked. She said "Yeah, you want one?" And started to get me one, and then my friend who I was there with came over and I was like "I'm doing something bad" and she was immediately like "No, no, no he's not allowed to have any! He just quit!" So in the end, I didn't have one... but it was so easy to think to myself "I'm just going to have one" in the moment and in the environment. And it was so dumb, because 10 minutes later it wasn't on my mind anymore. I'm really lucky though that I have a friend who would do that, she quit like a month or two ago.
Thanks for your ongoing support everyone!
SanyBelle
02-19-2007, 05:35 PM
... "I'm just going to have one" ...Oh yea JB68711, that is the nicodemon at work! There is an alcoholic's staying that applies to cigarettes too "One drink is too many, 1000 is not enough"... just substitute cig for drink. Next time you see the friend who didn't let you smoke, thank her for saving your life. :angel:
Congrats on not smoking!! :blob_fire
Congrats on not smoking!! :blob_fire
Deda
02-19-2007, 06:38 PM
Way to go, JB! :) Traveller is right, give a big thank you to your friend. That's a true friend for sure. There are actually some "friends" who will try to get you to smoke, and I've had that happen to me before. (not this time though, as most of my friends are non smokers)
Keep up the great work, you're off to a good start!
Deda
Keep up the great work, you're off to a good start!
Deda
Memaw649
02-20-2007, 02:34 AM
JB68711,
What a wonderful friend! You're lucky you have her in your life.
Keep telling yourself that Smoking is no longer an option. Tell yourself that over and over when the urge hits.
I know that I can never have even one puff as long as I live. If I do, I will be right back to smoking a pack a day or more. This is something that you have to realize and believe. It doesn't matter how strong you think you are, nicodemon is stronger!!
Keep your possitive attitude. You are gonna beat this!!
Memaw
What a wonderful friend! You're lucky you have her in your life.
Keep telling yourself that Smoking is no longer an option. Tell yourself that over and over when the urge hits.
I know that I can never have even one puff as long as I live. If I do, I will be right back to smoking a pack a day or more. This is something that you have to realize and believe. It doesn't matter how strong you think you are, nicodemon is stronger!!
Keep your possitive attitude. You are gonna beat this!!
Memaw
JB68711
02-20-2007, 02:47 AM
Hey, so I "relapsed". I bought a pack tonight, went on a drive and I had 5 in 45 minutes :eek:
But I'm not angry with myself... a bit disappointed, but overall I'm still happy about it all. I went 3 days without any at all... and I know I can do it again and longer. When I came home, I immediately confessed to my brother and his gf, and gave her my pack to keep away from me. I don't really see it as failing, just as a minor set-back... everything in life is trial and error, the only way you're really gonna get it right is if you keep trying. So I'm not gonna let myself get discouraged... just gonna continue to push through.
I'm so grateful to have had that friend there, she's my best friend and I know she'd do anything to look out for the best for me. Most of my friends are non/ex-smokers, and the ones who do smoke I haven't been hanging out with lately (not even that I've been making an effort not to hang out with them, just that coincidentally we haven't been calling each other). Anyway, thanks again for all your support! Just gonna keep on trying.
But I'm not angry with myself... a bit disappointed, but overall I'm still happy about it all. I went 3 days without any at all... and I know I can do it again and longer. When I came home, I immediately confessed to my brother and his gf, and gave her my pack to keep away from me. I don't really see it as failing, just as a minor set-back... everything in life is trial and error, the only way you're really gonna get it right is if you keep trying. So I'm not gonna let myself get discouraged... just gonna continue to push through.
I'm so grateful to have had that friend there, she's my best friend and I know she'd do anything to look out for the best for me. Most of my friends are non/ex-smokers, and the ones who do smoke I haven't been hanging out with lately (not even that I've been making an effort not to hang out with them, just that coincidentally we haven't been calling each other). Anyway, thanks again for all your support! Just gonna keep on trying.
Memaw649
02-20-2007, 04:14 AM
JB,
Please keep trying!!!! You learned that quitting is not easy. You learned that you CAN quit. You learned that nicodemon will pull you back in if you let your guard down! Take everything you have learned and apply it to quitting again.
Make a plan as to what you are going to do the next time you get in the situation you were in tonight. Just do what ever you have to do to NOT smoke that cigarette.
Good Luck to you!! Keep coming back here. Let us know what's going on with you. When is your new quit date?
Memaw
Please keep trying!!!! You learned that quitting is not easy. You learned that you CAN quit. You learned that nicodemon will pull you back in if you let your guard down! Take everything you have learned and apply it to quitting again.
Make a plan as to what you are going to do the next time you get in the situation you were in tonight. Just do what ever you have to do to NOT smoke that cigarette.
Good Luck to you!! Keep coming back here. Let us know what's going on with you. When is your new quit date?
Memaw
JB68711
02-21-2007, 04:31 AM
Hey... well I'm just picking up where I left off as far as quitting. Today has been good, it's now been a little more than 24 hours since the incident last night and no problems yet. I'm just kind of hoping that I'm not gonna see a pattern after the next 2 days.
Deda
02-21-2007, 12:44 PM
everything in life is trial and error, the only way you're really gonna get it right is if you keep trying.
....oh that is SO true, with EVERYTHING!!! Marriage, other relationships, diets, you name it....we live and learn!
So I'm not gonna let myself get discouraged... just gonna continue to push through.
There you go, JB! You gotta good head on your shoulders. Never give up, buddy, and do what you gotta do to do it... :nono: you'll get there, I'm sure of it. ;) And good luck doing it too....
Hope you're having a good day...
Deda
....oh that is SO true, with EVERYTHING!!! Marriage, other relationships, diets, you name it....we live and learn!
So I'm not gonna let myself get discouraged... just gonna continue to push through.
There you go, JB! You gotta good head on your shoulders. Never give up, buddy, and do what you gotta do to do it... :nono: you'll get there, I'm sure of it. ;) And good luck doing it too....
Hope you're having a good day...
Deda
Memaw649
02-22-2007, 12:15 AM
JB,
Good Going!! I'm so glad you got right back to your quit!! Each time you "slip" and smoke, you have to go through the withdrawals again. Let's make this your LAST quit!! 'Cause withdrawals just are not nice!!!!
Good Luck to you!!! Keep us posted as to your progress.
Memaw
Good Going!! I'm so glad you got right back to your quit!! Each time you "slip" and smoke, you have to go through the withdrawals again. Let's make this your LAST quit!! 'Cause withdrawals just are not nice!!!!
Good Luck to you!!! Keep us posted as to your progress.
Memaw
SanyBelle
02-22-2007, 10:20 PM
Hey... well I'm just picking up where I left off as far as quitting. Yep JB, get back on that wagon! Someone said as long as you get up that 12th time after falling 11 you will be fine! Let us know how you are doing!! :angel: