Putting it off - Smoking Cessation Message Board

adamuk · 07-26-2003, 04:23 AM

My plan was to quit smoking (again!) this morning. I had finished my duty free cigarettes from holiday, and had the patches (left over from the last time) next to my bed. At 7.30am a construction team got to work 10 metres from my window, so have now got blood shot eyes and not so much sleep.
I have now put it off till monday morning, not least because I will be going out on saturday night, and the temptation would probably be too much anyway. I am getting worried that I am just going to keep putting it off, finding excuses (like the day seems to stressful to quit on due to construction etc...). I am not even bothering to cut down smoking before I quit, as I think for me it would not make too much difference. If anyone could help me to stop being such a ***** and actually quiting on a given day very soon I would be most appreciative. Thanks,

All the best,

Adam

MrsKramden · 07-26-2003, 05:44 PM

Dear Adam ~ My heart goes out to you as I am in the same boat.

I just had a LEEP procedure for abnormal cervical cells and was very lucky. Although the smoking was a risk factor, the abnormal cells were caused by something else.

I thought I'd quit, too. I can't get past a few a day. Yes, I do advise tapering off-it seems easier for me.

I believe you will do it when the time is right and it will be a choice only you make. It is the most difficult thing I have been faced with actually.

My feeble attempts : not inhaling, not smoking first thing in the morning, piercing holes with a pin in the filter of already low-nicotine cigs. Even by cutting down drastically - I feel toxins leaving my body. My problem is the opposite of yours : when I am in public, it's EASY for me to not smoke . When home, I pick them up ! I give in. I also consider myself strong spiritually and I do refuse to take the patches or gums. We both need best wishes and support, don't we ?

Maybe through this board we can support each other.
Important : Every day, make the attempt to quit. Eventually, I believe it will happen.

Deb47 · 07-26-2003, 06:20 PM

Hi there. I was just the same as both of you, about quitting cigarettes. The thing of it is: you just have to make up your mind to quit: make sure you smoked your last cigarette the night before quitting; then the following day, you just leap in! You are going to have to stay strong for a while; till you can over come the urges...but each day you don't smoke it gets easier. You can't just sit there and "hope" one day you'll be able to quit. Quitting isn't like that. It's going to be hard at any time. I know of people with lung diseases, who have to fight the urge to keep smoking! But really; quitting isn't as hard as you fear it will be. It's tough a bit at the beginning; but it CAN be done. I hope you both will quit. Good luck to you both! Debbie

adamuk · 07-26-2003, 06:26 PM

Dear MrsKramden,

Thank you so much for your help and support. I am really going to try and keep my monday deadline, and im sure that I am going to be messaging like mad once I have stopped. If ever you would like some support with your effort, please let me know and I would be only too happy to chat! Wishing you all the luck in the world with your battle, and Im off to fight mine!

All the best,

Adam

Katied55791 · 07-28-2003, 04:45 PM

I decided to quit a long time before I did it.

I stopped smoking after 9 pm at night. I just wouldn't allow myself to smoke then. Then... I stopped smoking in the car. No one was allowed to smoke in the car with me either.

When I did quit... I found that by going to the car..I didn't crave a smoke. I knew that all I had to do was get to 9pm and the cravinng would stop. ALSO.. I took alot of baths. You never smoke in the bath tub.. so, this is where I would head when the craving got bad...
always worked to go to the place where I didn't smoke...because my body somehow accepted that and I didn't crave a cig then.

I have been smoke free for more than 3 years now. You can do it too.

- Kate