Ex-smokers, how did you quit?
23 November 2003, 08:59 PM
#1
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Right, I have finally decided to quit smoking and am feeling quite good about it. 
The only thing is I have tried before, and failed miserably.
I have put together a short list of reasons I should quit:
- My papa died from lung cancer
- The cost is rediculous
- Another reason which at this moment in time I prefer not to disclose
- It reduces fertility
Along with all the health risks.
What I'm scared of is putting on a bit of weight and turning into a crabby biatch
What approach have you taken? Have you used alternative remedies?
My dad was hypnotised nearly 10 years ago and hasn't touched a cig since. My mum quit when I was very young, using only will power.
Tell all
Cheers
Claire
The only thing is I have tried before, and failed miserably.
I have put together a short list of reasons I should quit:
- My papa died from lung cancer
- The cost is rediculous
- Another reason which at this moment in time I prefer not to disclose
- It reduces fertility
Along with all the health risks.
What I'm scared of is putting on a bit of weight and turning into a crabby biatch
What approach have you taken? Have you used alternative remedies?
My dad was hypnotised nearly 10 years ago and hasn't touched a cig since. My mum quit when I was very young, using only will power.
Tell all
Cheers
Claire
23 November 2003, 09:02 PM
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Told by my doc to quit as I have a dodgy heart valve. Walked out of Docs and decided to quit there and then. Best thing I ever did.
All I can say is stick with it. First week is hard but gets easier after that. Stay away from the pub as well as the boozer always makes you want to smoke more.
Good luck.
Chip.
All I can say is stick with it. First week is hard but gets easier after that. Stay away from the pub as well as the boozer always makes you want to smoke more.
Good luck.
Chip.
23 November 2003, 09:09 PM
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Up until 7 weeks ago (come this Tuesday) I had smoked heavily for 10-12 years or so as well as smoking cannabis very heavily at uni when I was there.
Simply I got a nasty throat infection 7 weeks ago and I never smoke when unwell so stopped. Have wanted to give up for ages but never did because always liked my ciggies and always went back to them after colds etc had gone away. However this time I haven't gone back to them and I am not missing them one bit. Any time I am in the pub and I am tempted I think of my son and the advert I saw in the drs surgery about the little boy asking his mummy who had taken his daddy away.... enough said really. The most hard hitting advert for me personally I have seen.
I don't want to go back to ciggies and just the thought of them now make me feel ill. Its only when in the pub with a few beers the temptation arises. My consumption of beer at home has reduced dramatically now as well as for me the two go together. I only really have beer at home with food now or when we win the occasional World Cup
I always hoped I would give up but just had to wait for the time to come along where I didn't miss them anymore which so far has been now
Good luck with it and I hope you manage to give up soon.
Simply I got a nasty throat infection 7 weeks ago and I never smoke when unwell so stopped. Have wanted to give up for ages but never did because always liked my ciggies and always went back to them after colds etc had gone away. However this time I haven't gone back to them and I am not missing them one bit. Any time I am in the pub and I am tempted I think of my son and the advert I saw in the drs surgery about the little boy asking his mummy who had taken his daddy away.... enough said really. The most hard hitting advert for me personally I have seen.
I don't want to go back to ciggies and just the thought of them now make me feel ill. Its only when in the pub with a few beers the temptation arises. My consumption of beer at home has reduced dramatically now as well as for me the two go together. I only really have beer at home with food now or when we win the occasional World Cup
I always hoped I would give up but just had to wait for the time to come along where I didn't miss them anymore which so far has been now
Good luck with it and I hope you manage to give up soon.
23 November 2003, 09:10 PM
#7
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For me it was just will power. No patches, books, pills - just cold turkey. However, I waited for the right moment (after a big weekend away with mates) and waited until I was absolutely sure in my mind.
Smoked 15-20 a day for ten years, now it's the odd one in the pub every few weeks. (Which some people would say that's not given up, but I hit the target I wanted to hit and stop smoking as a routine
.)
Smoked 15-20 a day for ten years, now it's the odd one in the pub every few weeks. (Which some people would say that's not given up, but I hit the target I wanted to hit and stop smoking as a routine
.)
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23 November 2003, 09:10 PM
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Cold Turkey...after a hard night on the town.
I always used to find if I was really hungover, I would go all day without a ***...so I got really pissed in the second week in Jan, lobbed out all of the paraphenelia (sp?!) and chucked it.
My advice would be to avoid bad times of the year (Christmas, new year, birthdays etc..) set a date, get really smashed the night before, lob all your stuff out that night, then change a few things that drive your habit.
Worked for me, this Christmas will be 4 years.
Col
I always used to find if I was really hungover, I would go all day without a ***...so I got really pissed in the second week in Jan, lobbed out all of the paraphenelia (sp?!) and chucked it.
My advice would be to avoid bad times of the year (Christmas, new year, birthdays etc..) set a date, get really smashed the night before, lob all your stuff out that night, then change a few things that drive your habit.
Worked for me, this Christmas will be 4 years.
Col
23 November 2003, 09:18 PM
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Cold turkey with tv help..
gave up before for 2 weeks but was during a divorce so started again...
then 3 years ago was getting the pressure from my youngest,..
prior to getting remarried....saw one of theose stop smoking adverts, the one where the mother was going on about not seeing her kids grow up.... brought it home bang!...
the next day i gave up funny it was also national no smoking day
made a deal i could smoke cigars on the wedding day and i did ... no **** or cigars since feb 2000
ps dale winton how did you do!!!!!!!
as they say when "you" want to give up you will do it
hang in there it gets easier
mart
gave up before for 2 weeks but was during a divorce so started again...
then 3 years ago was getting the pressure from my youngest,..
prior to getting remarried....saw one of theose stop smoking adverts, the one where the mother was going on about not seeing her kids grow up.... brought it home bang!...
the next day i gave up funny it was also national no smoking day
made a deal i could smoke cigars on the wedding day and i did ... no **** or cigars since feb 2000
ps dale winton how did you do!!!!!!!
as they say when "you" want to give up you will do it
hang in there it gets easier
mart
23 November 2003, 09:22 PM
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Claire,
Right, stop killing yourself as from tomorrow morning. Keep an honest daily log going on this board and you'll get loads of support from nearly everyone.
After a few days you'll not want to let down your supporters on here so you'll try even harder. There you are, simple.
I dont think youve got the guts to do this, so go on prove me wrong.
Chip.
Right, stop killing yourself as from tomorrow morning. Keep an honest daily log going on this board and you'll get loads of support from nearly everyone.
After a few days you'll not want to let down your supporters on here so you'll try even harder. There you are, simple.
I dont think youve got the guts to do this, so go on prove me wrong.
Chip.
23 November 2003, 09:33 PM
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Smoked from aged 15 to 22 for the last 4 years I was on 30 a day. One day I just felt I needed to give up (as I had a very bad cough). So I just didn't have another, it really is that simple. I got a box of patches for when I was out at the pub or clubbing as the craving was more intense after a drink. But I only used the one box of patches and I felt I didn't need them afterwards.
P.S I did put 2 stone on after quitting but the Atkins diet sorted that out.
P.S I did put 2 stone on after quitting but the Atkins diet sorted that out
.
23 November 2003, 10:06 PM
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Go to the docs, say you've tried evrythin and nowts worked. He will prescibe Ziban tablets, they last a month and have slight side effects, but without them i would never ov quit. See your GP. Two and a half years now and im not even tempted!!
23 November 2003, 10:12 PM
#22
I looked at the joy on the faces of my mother and my wifes parents when they saw our son for the first time and decided I`d like to know what that feeling was like. So I quit and am waiting patiently for my son to produce my first grandchild. Our son is 5 so I may have to wait a while
I decided to stop drinking at the same time.I`ve been smoke and booze free for 5 years
I decided to stop drinking at the same time.I`ve been smoke and booze free for 5 years
23 November 2003, 10:32 PM
#23
Cold turkey.
Then after about 4 days I flipped open Alan Carr's book on how to stop smoking which I'd been given (but not read ) & saw the phrase
"Now you can say you are a non-smoker"
With that thought buzzin' through my head and the support of my wife, it was not hard at all. 8 or so years ago after 13 on 25+ Rothmans a day
- bleagh
I would have to now own up to being a facist ex-smoking anti-smoker and any of our friends/relations that do smoke (which is less than about 5 I can think of) have to go outside, whatever the weather.
I really hate it and I can understand how physically obnoxious & smelly I must've been previously.
Giving up has also given me a sense of smell back, which I enjoy, & the added benefit of a better circulation - used to suffer terribly from white finger/toe, which I now no longer do.
Just do it & we'll support you
Then after about 4 days I flipped open Alan Carr's book on how to stop smoking which I'd been given (but not read
) & saw the phrase"Now you can say you are a non-smoker"
With that thought buzzin' through my head and the support of my wife, it was not hard at all. 8 or so years ago after 13 on 25+ Rothmans a day
- bleagh I would have to now own up to being a facist ex-smoking anti-smoker and any of our friends/relations that do smoke (which is less than about 5 I can think of) have to go outside, whatever the weather.
I really hate it and I can understand how physically obnoxious & smelly I must've been previously.
Giving up has also given me a sense of smell back, which I enjoy, & the added benefit of a better circulation - used to suffer terribly from white finger/toe, which I now no longer do.
Just do it & we'll support you
23 November 2003, 10:33 PM
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Nowt serious, dry throat all the time, especially after a kip, you wake up with a throat as dry as ghandi's flip flop. Bit of a sickly feelin too but its all worth it, trust me.
23 November 2003, 11:18 PM
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I'm with you all the way eclair, I've given up counting when I quit now, bout 3 months ago, after giving up first off for over 9 years, then going back to cigars on hols last year, damn!
good luck,
chris
good luck,
chris
24 November 2003, 06:30 AM
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quote: "Alan Carr's book on how to stop smoking"
Good books if you take in what he's saying- you don't need willpower as such to stop smoking. I gave up yrs ago after starting smoking regularly as a child and carrying on until I was in my early 20's.
I just stopped after I realised I was paying money for a product that didn't do anything other than keep me addicted to it while killing me. I also couldn't stomach the amount of money I was paying in government taxes, it occurred to me that only idiots smoke so I stopped. Just stopped doing it and have never gone back. I didn't have to use willpower as I simply didn't want to smoke anymore, I couldn't see the point.
Some months later I read one of Alan Carrs books which affirmed everything I'd done myself. I'd say rationalising your addictions and stopping has to be better than prolonging them with nicotine patches.
Good books if you take in what he's saying- you don't need willpower as such to stop smoking. I gave up yrs ago after starting smoking regularly as a child and carrying on until I was in my early 20's.
I just stopped after I realised I was paying money for a product that didn't do anything other than keep me addicted to it while killing me. I also couldn't stomach the amount of money I was paying in government taxes, it occurred to me that only idiots smoke so I stopped. Just stopped doing it and have never gone back. I didn't have to use willpower as I simply didn't want to smoke anymore, I couldn't see the point.
Some months later I read one of Alan Carrs books which affirmed everything I'd done myself. I'd say rationalising your addictions and stopping has to be better than prolonging them with nicotine patches.
24 November 2003, 07:32 AM
#27
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I bought that Alan Carr book on recommendation from a friend, never read it and gave smoking up four months after buying it. Must be good if you can give up without reading it
24 November 2003, 08:02 AM
#28
I have recently aquired Paul Mackenna's - Give up smoking on CD. Decided on tuesday last week i would stop and give this a serious go. Felt really good about myself, a few mates are also giving up so when in the pub on the wednesday, none of us had any ciggies so that really helped. Until, England won the RWC on sat, it went a bit pearshaped. As said above though, the day turned out to be a real bender, i didnt want a ciggie all day yesterday and the thought of it made me feel even worse.
So i will continue with the CD and will power. I'm with you eclaire
So i will continue with the CD and will power. I'm with you eclaire
24 November 2003, 09:14 AM
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Just stopped 6 years ago. I got all the cigarettes I could find, matches, lighters and dumped them.
Cold Turkey lasted for about 2-3 years for me and i still want one now and again.
You have to want to do it and rationalise it internally understanding the good things you get/want - i.e. Health or Wealth, you can even say I'm going to buy presents for myself every month with the money ... for some people who smoke a lot (silly bunt) that could mean more scoob mods or even a better house.
Eventually you will find that you enjoy many simple things better without smoke like food, drink (yes beer IS better - lager doesn't count), air in the house and not having to smell like an ashtray the next morning.
Go for it and tell everyone you are doing it so you get the full support of all your friends - which helps massively. Think of it one day at a time a feel really proud each day you get through.
Good Luck, Mark
Cold Turkey lasted for about 2-3 years for me and i still want one now and again.
You have to want to do it and rationalise it internally understanding the good things you get/want - i.e. Health or Wealth, you can even say I'm going to buy presents for myself every month with the money ... for some people who smoke a lot (silly bunt) that could mean more scoob mods or even a better house.
Eventually you will find that you enjoy many simple things better without smoke like food, drink (yes beer IS better - lager doesn't count), air in the house and not having to smell like an ashtray the next morning.
Go for it and tell everyone you are doing it so you get the full support of all your friends - which helps massively. Think of it one day at a time a feel really proud each day you get through.
Good Luck, Mark
24 November 2003, 09:25 AM
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Two things will make you stop....
1. Will Power
2. It's got to be the right time. Only you will know when this is.
I did it myself about 6 weeks ago now, I had my wife, son and mother and father etc etc telling me to do it for ages but I could only take the step when I knew the time was spot on.
I don't think you ever stop wanting one, It's just as time goes on the Gaps between cravings get longer... In the begining it's minutes then hours then days and so on........
My advice is stop smoking and work out at the same time, Mentally you'll combat the cravings with the feeling of getting fitter, convince yourself you're going to be the fittest person alive and you can only complete it if you don't smoke, It's a psychological game no matter what anyone tells you.
All the Best
Listy (The fittest bloke alive) Lol