Ex smokers...tips wanted

[Laura's Babies]

2006 is the year I have decided to try to quit smoking again.. Three prior attempts have failed due to gaining to much weight, to fast. At the company meeting in Nashville, they told us the company has a new policy, they will PAY for what ever it takes to get you off the cigarettes for however long it takes, what ever method you try.

This time I want to go into it prepared with as much information as I can get. I am TIRED of smoking and do not enjoy it at all and really want to quit. I plan to try to do it about in June so I can collect as much information as I can get and get educated on it.

1- What to do when the urge hits and you are having a fit for one...

2- How NOT to gain weight when I quit.

3-How to avoid shoving something in my mouth to compensate for that lack of "flavor" craveing..

Any hints? Anything you tried that worked, anything YOU would have done different?

I have been going to the Quit assist web sight and reading up and will keep going back and reading all I can to get my plan together but there is nothing like first hand information and what worked/didn't work for someone else.

[anna_66]

Well first off...Congratulations!

I personally think that knowing your going to quit and REALLY wanting it is the key.

For years Mark (husband) tried on and off with the patches but in reality he never wanted to quit bad enough to stop for good. He went on and off like this for many years.
But finally last year just out of the blue he decided he was going to quit. He used the patch (if you decide on this method, don't buy the cheap ones. He said they are definitely NOT as good) and chewed lots and lots of gum (orbit seems to last the longest and they have lots of good flavors).

I pretty much quit on my own. There were a couple of times where I was so mad, angry and upset so I bought some of the nicorette. Yes, it's nasty but if you have a bad craving and are moody like I was it really works. I think I only chewed about 5-10 pieces of the box of 100 I bought (I'll send them to you if you want). I also ate a lot of hard candy when I felt the need for a cigarette. Honestly doing something to get your mind off it works best (for me it was the computer and PT).

That is our success secrets. Hope I've helped a bit and again, good luck!

[catnapper]

I never smoked, but I want to congratulate you on trying to stop. I never tried to stop something I never started but I do know from friends just what a fight it is... and I know you can do it! You have a ton of support here! And just stop to think about how it affects your kitties, and how much they'll thank you for stopping!

GOOD LUCK! We're behind you!

[JenBKR]

I chewed lots of gum and bought sugar free hard candy (lifesavers are good, jolly ranchers too). I didn't gain a pound. Although, when I decided to quit I had a cold and the thought of a cigarette when I am stuffed up makes me sick, so it was a good time I guess

[Laura's Babies]

I am saving these hints so keep them coming! Anna66, I will take that gum.. I did quit using it before but quit the gum and packed on the pounds so I picked the habit up again to keep frpm getting fat!

[kuhio98]

Laura ~ Congratulations on deciding to quit. After watching my family and friends struggle to quit, I am so thankful I never picked up the habit. (My mother once had a boyfriend who was a recovering drug abuser. He said it was harder to stop smoking than it was to quit heroin! ) So, anything you can do to be prepared ahead of time will definitely help.

My father had success by cutting down gradually. He counted out his cigarettes for the day and cut down one cigarette per day until he had stopped. He chewed the gum for a while. My boss just quit cold turkey after going to 2 lung-cancer funerals in one week (one was a 40 year-old!) .

I know the weight gain isn't pleasant, but I have read that you would have to gain 100 pounds to replace the health risks associated with smoking. But, knowing that doesn't help when you're struggling to button your clothes. What I've heard is that you have to replace one habit with another. So, if you don't want to gain weight, you could take walks, ride a bike, etc. to get more exercise. You might also check out on-line support message boards. If your hands are busy typing, it will be harder to smoke. And your knitting will keep you busy. Good luck to you!

[buttercup132]

My parents both got hypnotysed it took 2 sesions well one but they went back just to make sure. Thye havnt smoked now for like 3-4 years! When ever they get the craving they feel sick because that what the hypnotist .made it. I think it's better then going cold turkey.

[RedHedd]

I used the Nicorette gum and a 12-step Program - Smokers Anonymous - to help me quit. That was 18 years ago.

As for not gaining weight, I made it a priority. I watched what I ate like a hawk - even went to Weight Watchers which taught me how to eat healthy AND, most importantly, I worked out regularly. In fact I started working out like a fiend and ended up in better shape than before I quit smoking. It IS possible to quit smoking and not gain weight. Like others have said, you have to want to quit and want to do what's healthy and right for your body. Focus on the positive aspects and don't think of it as deprivation - what you're doing is a GOOD thing.

When a craving came up, initially the Nicorette gum worked and then I switched to sugarless Cinnamon gum. There's something about the cinnamon that helps cut the cravings, but be careful! I chewed so much cinnamon that I burned my mouth! Sucking on Cinnamon sticks also works for some people.

[sandragonfly]

first, I'm glad you are even thinking about quitting again instead of quit trying ((hugs)) ..

second, ! ...later in june?? really, what's difference from now and in june if, like catland, statisics said, and I strongly believe too, mentally quit is the biggest part of quitting? what would I have done different? how about YOU?

always remember, don't let a ciggy control over you! throw ALL matches, lighters, ciggies, ashtrays away..everything that attempts you out of your sight. NOW. (?) you can say carvings/headaches *are killing* you no matter how much you're trying to keep your mouth/hands busy or chewing (gums/candies), but it won't *kill* you. oh for the best, to keep our dear laura live longer! and would you be honored to promise all of us, if you walk and happen to see a puff/ciggy in sight, walk away immediately before even thinking about it, repeatly say "NO".."NO".."NO".., pull gum/squeezeball/mini-journal/cellphone and talk to a friend/a pretty picture of me? out of your purse (and think dearly about pet talk )...have you tried that? JUST SAY NO & JUST DO IT? if you haven't, I guess you don't really want as much as you thought so yet.

other methods you could think of, zillions of gums a day - one after another, smoke last not more than five ciggies, put them in a glass of water, leave them for seven days then take ciggies out and DRINK the whole. (yes, gross but what's worst are already in your lungs) or patches, they are expensive but some said cut them in half and works better than the whole one. once you accomplished, nicotine wouldn't be messing up your efforts of trying and lose weight.. the second importance?

laura, I know you can beat this, all I want to wish you the best and try! if it's impossible for you to start with NO, can you start at least set up a date? draw a down by one calender, five smokes a week down to four...three... two .. weekly? or set up meeting times regularly with your friends. you just gotta have to do something and look at to stick with!

one thing though, bothers me a lot is that not a lot of smokers realize when they're smoking are killing the others too.

laura - see my PM, please.

[Laura's Babies]

Hi Gina, I had been waiting for your post. I had things to do last night and forgot to check this thread... Why June and not today?.. To better ARM myself through knolage. Get as informed as I CAN! A lot has been learned since the last time I tried to quit. I have even talked to a lung doctor since the last time about what method he sees the most sucess with. The one thing I have already learned is before, I was NOT armed or educated enough to know what I was doing and how to do it and be sucessful. There is so much more information out there now than there was just a few years ago. What worked for one, may not work for the other so I want as many options as I can get.

I want to get into some kind of fitness program BEFORE my quit date to make my odds even better and to keep the weight down afterwards. I am very limitted already as to what I can eat (IBS) to do the diet thing so I will have to go at that from a different angle.


If I seem skeptic to some it is because of my attempts before where I failed. That is why I am asking for hints and what someone else tried. When they time draws near, I am also going to ask for prayers and start asking God for help myself. I will ask him to guide me and keep me strong. Through HIM, all things are possiable!

[Rachel]

Quote:

Watch your thoughts; they become words.
Watch your words; they become actions.
Watch your actions; they become habits.
Watch your habits; they become character.
Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.

Frank Outlaw

This quote was presented to me the other day (thank's to a dear friend's husband). I think it is very applicable in this situation. Your thoughts right now are somewhat negative. You need to be positive about your ability to do this and know that you can do it today, if you really want it bad enough.

Looking for strategies is a good idea. I have two which I used.
1. When you get the urge, think of all the negative aspects of smoking - that disgusting dirty feeling in your mouth, how your breath and clothing stink, all the damage that you are doing to your lungs, etc.

2. I replaced one habit with another. Everytime I wanted a cigarette, I got a cup of coffee instead. (not a good choice for me because it got my heart racing, but now I drink decaffinated tea instead). The process of boiling the water, steeping the tea and relishing the hot *cuppa* is comparable to the routine of lighting up a cigarette, except it is good for you! Plus it is not fattening.

I commend you for your intent to quit. I disagree with your discision to wait one more day. You must have faith in the Lord's willingness to help you and your own ability. You must make this a priority in your life. You must want the good that will come from it.