QUIT DAY SET - JULY 1st

[T&KBrouse]

Well, I've been avoiding the inevitable for years, but now with another new tobacco tax making cigarette prices go up a $1 per pack, bringing even the "cheap stuff" to $35 a carton, its time to quit for good.

So, July 1st the new tax hits and we're not spending another dime on 'em!

Aside from during pregnancies, I've been a smoker for 24 years. Its going to be a tough row to hoe, but I think it will be well worth it in the long run.

Anyone have success stories or tricks to get past the bad times?

 

[ajveachster]

Good luck! There are times I wish Ryan would quit, but I know it is hard. The last person I knew to quit made it happen because she was not allowed to smoke near her granddaughter. I guess when the reward is something that large and tangible, then it makes it easier.

 

[727geckokid]

I have never smoked and Doubt i ever will due to I play alot of sports but I wish you all the Best K... And we will all be here to back you up.. The only person i know that has quit smoking is My Uncle He smoked for 17+ years and Got arrested and went to Prison for 3yrs The day he got locked up was the day he stopped smoking and he has been Clean for 4+yrs now... Best of luck

 

[whkrazyk]

I started smoking when I was 12 and quit a few months ago at the ripe age of 20, it was hard, but the best advise I can give you is go cold turkey, and find something to occupy your time, I know if you were like me you prolly smoke 3-4 cig. a day, when you dont smoke you have all that extra time, and your brain automatically goes "CIG. TIME" so I started reading again, and also when you first wake up and after meals, me and all of my friends have found those times to be the worst. The reason I quit smoking is because im in pretty good shape, and my dad isnt in any kind of shape, and when he swam underwater from one side of the pool to the other and back, and I could barely make it to the other side, it was to say the least shameful, but now after 2-3 months of not smoking, I can already feel my wind coming back............Good luck, hope my tips help............Kyle

 

[Kristi23]

Good luck!!! It took my husband a few tries to actually quit. Once he really knew he wanted to, it was a lot easier. He bought some of the pills and gum from Target. I want to say he quit 4 or 5 years ago now. He had been smoking for probably 15-20 years. I know he started young.

 

[ang3l3s]

smoker for 23 yrs, tried gum, don't work, scared of the patch but i have heard of acupuncture which is put in the sites that will reduce the endorphins released from smoking thus decreasing the pleasure. i enjoy smoking but now smoke 3 a day (My gf has the pack) with gum and hope to decrease. do it gradual or u will have holes in the walls and a lot of broken furniture and feelings. since trying to quit i smoked my 3 b4 3pm and started telling everyone off, short fuse and low irritation tolerance ...not cool in public i tell u!!

 

[Sunrise Reptile]

I had tried several times myself, and failed. Then four and a half years ago, I said this is it, and I've been without cigarettes in my life since. I was a smoker for over 25 years. You can do it, K. You just have to stay focused. :main_yes:

The single biggest thing that helped me was, every time I got an urge, I kept telling myself "It's for your own good. You're going to feel so much better when the urge is gone." I sincerely hope you succeed!

 

[T&KBrouse]

Thank you all so much for the encouragement and support. I really, really appreciate it. I know this is going to be tough, but I'm determined to beat this and be a healthy, frumpy, non-smoking granma!
Hubby is quitting, too, so as long as I can fight the urge to take him out, I think we can make it. (If not, I have keys to crematories... j/k... I think)

I've taken a look at my "habit smoking" triggers, like being on the phone and after meals, and I'm pretty confident I can get past those times. The big one is driving. I drive for a living. Do you think carrot sticks or hard candies or something may help?

 

[LeapinLizards]

I am SO happy for you K!!! I know you can do this :main_yes: I think the carrot sticks are a great idea to help you quit. Most people say that is the hardest part, getting past that habit of bringing the cigarette to your mouth. I found this on the internet awhile back for my father when he had to quit (2 stents put in his heart, and the beginnings of degenerative myopia). Pretty neat to think of it this way...gives you something to really look forward to! He even said he could breathe better within a week.

When smokers quit -- What are the benefits over time?

20 minutes after quitting: Your heart rate and blood pressure drops.
(Effect of Smoking on Arterial Stiffness and Pulse Pressure Amplification, Mahmud, A, Feely, J. 2003. Hypertension:41:183.)

12 hours after quitting: The carbon monoxide level in your blood drops to normal.
(US Surgeon General's Report, 1988, p. 202)

2 weeks to 3 months after quitting: Your circulation improves and your lung function increases.
(US Surgeon General's Report, 1990, pp.193, 194,196, 285, 323)

1 to 9 months after quitting: Coughing and shortness of breath decrease; cilia (tiny hair-like structures that move mucus out of the lungs) regain normal function in the lungs, increasing the ability to handle mucus, clean the lungs, and reduce the risk of infection.
(US Surgeon General's Report, 1990, pp. 285-287, 304)

1 year after quitting: The excess risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a smoker's.
(US Surgeon General's Report, 1990, p. vi)

5 years after quitting: Your stroke risk is reduced to that of a non-smoker 5 to 15 years after quitting.
(US Surgeon General's Report, 1990, p. vi)

10 years after quitting: The lung cancer death rate is about half that of a continuing smoker's. The risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, cervix, and pancreas decrease, too.
(US Surgeon General's Report, 1990, pp. vi, 131, 148, 152, 155, 164,166)

15 years after quitting: The risk of coronary heart disease is the same as a non-smoker's.

 

[T&KBrouse]

Thank you, Heather!!
I'm going to print that out and keep it in my journal.

I've temporarily quit for a day or two at a time, just to see if I could, and the biggest drawback was boredom. I had ALOT of free time on my hands and I didn't realize it. I guess its time to do some of those projects!!

I've also noticed (and I know it sounds silly) its been easy for me to screw up since I've lost my connection spiritually. So, I'm getting back in to practicing Yoga, meditation and prayer. I think it'll come in handy when those really bad cravings hit like a freight train, you know?

And I've been told "Drink LOTS of water!"

 

[thestack510]

You'll be better off K. It will be difficult, but you can do it. Think of all the money you'll be saving. Very detailed post Heather. That is really encouraging.

 

[Jenn]

I smoked from the age of 12 until 26, I quit last year and let me tell you it was the best choice ever. I went cold turkey and while it was hard just know it does get easier everyday. Also dont think you can have one and gradually cut back because as long as that nicotine is in your system the harder it is. my trick was sunflower seeds.

 

[T&KBrouse]

You'll be better off K. It will be difficult, but you can do it. Think of all the money you'll be saving.

Thats another thing I'm looking forward to. I've got two perfectly good gransons to spoil!
I think at our one month mark, we're going to celebrate by driving to NC and giving the grankids a couple hundred Pixie Stix!

I smoked from the age of 12 until 26, I quit last year and let me tell you it was the best choice ever. I went cold turkey and while it was hard just know it does get easier everyday. Also dont think you can have one and gradually cut back because as long as that nicotine is in your system the harder it is. my trick was sunflower seeds.

Thats exactly why I've decided to go cold turkey. My husband will be using medication and such, but I figure I can have nicotine, or I can't. Using patches for me would be prolonging the withdrawl, you know? And Lord knows these guys don't need me making their lives uncomfortable any longer than neccessary!

Was there times you just out-right missed smoking? Do you just keep busy through those times?

 

[Jenn]

Its been a year and a half and I still crave ciggs and often thought about starting again but when I get those thoughts I just find something to do until the thought passes. my worst times are in social situations and after times I cant mention here due to virgin ears lol. that was the good thing about sunflower seeds the kept my mouth and hands busy until the urge passed. but I will tell you after I quit, my sense of smell is better, I can taste food better and I in general feel soooo much better. I also recommend keeping healthy snacks in the house for the first month or 2 you tend to snack more.

 

[thestack510]

...a couple hundred Pixie Stix!

I can imagine that. lol

 

[Boanerges]

I don't know anything about being addictited to nicotine but I do know addictions are very hard to break. I did want to wish you that best of luck with your fight against it though :main_thumbsup:

 

[T&KBrouse]

Thank you.
It was a rough start this morning. (Boss gave me the royal screwing half an hour before I was supposed to get off my shift.)
But its turning out to be alright so far. Cravings have hit, but I know what they are and just do something to keep myself occupied until it passes.

Man, am I getting alot done!