I think after i finish my last packet of smokes im going to quit.
Got any hints or tips you want to share if you have quit smoking in the past?
Regards,
Lee
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I think after i finish my last packet of smokes im going to quit.
Got any hints or tips you want to share if you have quit smoking in the past?
Regards,
Lee
Smokers are Jokers :joker:
Dont swap it for another bad habit like chewing your fingers nails/tongue piercing jewellery or eating tons.
I put on 6kgs when I quit smoking. I found when I needed a smoke I'd go eat. My hips really didnt appreciate it.
Cold turkery is painful. Try and do it gradually.
Well see, thats a problem, if i try to do it gradually, i KNOW ill never stop.Quote:
Originally Posted by BentGirl
Im more the type of person who needs to cut something off flat out for it to have any effect LOL
Regards,
Lee
Lock yourself in a room, with only a net connection and food :D
Seriously though, I think you have to really want to quit for it to happen. I wanted to quit, I didnt really need to.
I put put my weekly smoking money away and saved up for a holiday. It was a really good incentive for me, but hard not to go and just get a little bit of money out to buy a packet.
Though I have saved a heap of money now I dont smoke. Which is always a bonus.
The patches work really well. If you're committed to quitting and put the patches on, they really do take the edge off and give you some smoke-free time to deal with the habit. By the time you're on the last level of patches you're really not even thinking about it.
I headed back to a non-smoker again on Tuesday after the long weekend.
Cheers
Michael
i quit smoking around 22 years ago. i just up and stopped and never smoked one more cigarette.
Our one employee just quit smoking about a month ago. (It was a condition of employment; we won't employ smokers.) He used the Commit lozenges (similar to the gum) and said it was very helpful.
The other things that I've been told by people who have successfully quit:
-- Get some black licorice that is naturally flavored (fennel is a natural licorice flavor, but there are a lot of artifical flavors.) Something in the fennel helps to reduce the cravings for nicotine, and having the licorice pieces in your mouth can help to fulfill the physical desire for something in your mouth (no off-color comments, please) and also reduce the desire to eat more. My holistic doctor gave this advice to a friend of mine years ago and it turned out to be very helpful.
-- To help deal with the conditioned responses/associations with smoking (cigarette and coffee, cigarette after a meal, at a bar, etc), order a carton of Quest 3 cigarettes (just search them on Google, lots of vendors). They are cigarettes made from a special genetically altered tobacco that contains no nicotine, yet smokes and tastes like regular cigarettes. You can smoke a bazillion of them and have no addiction concerns. We keep a few packs around for to give to models that are sincerely interested in quitting, and many have told us they were very helpful when they were in a setting where everyone else was lighting up and they were tempted.
-- The biochemistry of the body is such that the nicotine receptors created when you start smoking never die; even if you've been away from cigarettes for 10+ years, smoking a single cigarette (for 95%+ of ex-smokers) will almost immediately start to reactivate the receptors, and restore the strong physical cravings as though you'd just quit smoking the day before. Another reason why having the Quests around can be helpful if you get an irresistable craving.
-- I'm told that if it's really tough, hypnosis and acupuncture can both be very helpful to the quitting process.
Good luck and keep us posted!!
I quit smoking before and started again and now I'm trying to quit again. Down from 1 package a day to 3 cigs. I just keep it away from me (it helps when I don't see it..I'm too lazy to move) and I don't bring it when going anywhere. I also keep thinking that those bloody cigs help me age BADLY and get terrible skin..
Fish
"Quitting smoking is easy. I've done it a thousand times." -Mark Twain
Can't anymore count how many times I stopped and started again to smoke.
I think every year again I stop smoking for a few weeks and go back smoking.
My longest time ever was 6 months with the help of Zyban. Strong medicament but very helpfull.
I think my problem is I like it a lot to smoke and I really don't want to stop it but otherwise after a long weekend out wake up monday morning I feel sometimes very bad because of too much cigarettes and think about it to stop smoking - well for about one hour.
my hubby is also quitting this week. he is 2 days into it. just warn everyone around you NOT to smoke where you are and that you will be a really crabby ass.
actually warn everyone on the board as well :)
There's only one way to quit, just do it!
I smoked for 30 years, then one day, while I was dying in bed, hacking and coughing up god knows what, I decided it was time to say goodbye to chronic bronchitis, bad breath, funky house and car smell, etc...
I decided that I would NEVER touch another cigarette! and I haven't in almost 6 years.
I convinced myself that I was going to die and that a fate worse than death was to quit again, and again and again...so I made sure that I have never, ever, ever had to go through the agony again.
The key, don't ever buy another pack, pick up a pack or even look at one!
And don't, don't even think of subsituting something else in it's place. Be a man and face your addiction. It gets easier every day, and the first day is the worst!
(I've taken up cigars in their place....just kidding...my avatar is from a photo shoot! and, I didn't even light the stinky thing!)
Haha that sounds like me on a good day so im pretty sure the board doesnt need warning about that LOLQuote:
Originally Posted by collegeboyslive
Regards,
Lee
I actually think the hardest part of quitting for me will be the association of having a smoke with a beer or glass of wine.
Since ive been smoking for the last 6 years ive always smoked a lot more when ive been drinking so i really do think thats going to be the hard part.
I have 6 cigarettes left in my last packet so im spacing them out across the day then ill go cold turkey and see how long i last.
Regards,
Lee
I quit smoking about six years ago. I used the Nic. patch and tons of hard candy. The first three weeks is the hardest then it got better day by day. For the first year anytime I walked by someone smoking I craved a cig but now the smell makes me sick. I feel much better and I'm so glad I quit.
Try doing 50 jumping jacks every time you want a smoke. That way, you take your mind off the nic fit and get a little bit of exercise as well. I guarantee after you finish 50 jumping jacks, you won't want that smoke.
If the hardest is when you are having a drink, don't have one for a couple of weeks while you are kicking the habit. Of course, I've been out drinking with you and I'm not sure you can go without a drink hehehe
Hehe actually, drink wise im a LOT better than i used to be, now i only go through 1/2 a bottle of liquor at a time hahaQuote:
Originally Posted by Becky
That jumping jack idea is a pretty good one to, the only reason i really want to quite is so im able to keep up with the dog when we're rough-housing in the garden.
Regards,
Lee
i smoked since i was 14, now im 24, quit on new years eve, havent smoked a single since then :) dreamt many times that i smoked thou, when i woke up, i was glad i hadnt
You mean you stopped pouring it over your head and down other people's pants?Quote:
Originally Posted by Lee
Haha yep years ago ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Becky
As i recall, it was YOU who poured it down MY pants too!
I poured it all over your bra LOL
Regards,
Lee
this is first time i had ever heard of a company requiring their employees to not smoke. Though I have a feeling its not unusual on the West coast since you brought it up. how can you justify that? if someone has a cigarette on their breaks or lunch period ... i don't understand how that concerns you.. Medical insurance applications at least where i am don't even ask that. now i know life insurance does so i can vaguely see why a company would exclude smokers just because of the higher life insurance premiums.Quote:
Originally Posted by boyfunk
I'm 21 and have been smoking since I was 14...I quit once for 3 months and just used the Nicorette patch and chewed lots and lots of winterfresh. That didn't last long obviously...Good luck!
It would probably be a lot harder on the east coast, but it's actually not uncommon out here. We are sensitive to the personal freedom issue and, for example, while we'd rather not have employees who use recreational drugs, it's not our place to dictate someone's behavior outside of work. So if someone uses drugs outside of work, and never comes to work in an altered state (and it doesn't affect their work performance in other ways, such as missing work due to a bender over a weekend) then it would probably not be an issue for us.Quote:
Originally Posted by djdez
Smoking, on the other hand, is a totally different deal. When a smoker takes a smoke break and comes back in, their clothes and so forth reek of smoke... and while the average smoker doesn't notice it, to many nonsmokers, it's very noticeable and can be annoying. Additionally, there are a number of studies indicating that smokers on the whole have more health problems, greater absenteeism, and a greater propensity to other addictive behaviors that can impact work performance. And (at least in California), some health insurance companies will give a break on the insurance premium if none of the employees smoke.
Whether we'll be able to maintain that policy over the long term as we add more employees remains to be seen... the number of people in this industry that *don't* smoke seems to be astonishingly small compared across the board to other industries.
Neither AJ nor I have any problems with anyone's personal choice to smoke, but we just choose to avoid, as much as possible, being it.
I smoke when I am away from home or when I am out with Patrick here in Phoenix [yeah Patrick, I always love you]. You will see me almost chain smoking at a conference or trade show, then I get back to Phoenix and not pick up a cigarette for weeks. I can put the smokes down any time I want, but I don't give it up completely because I really like smoking. :-) It is funny to me because I could not do the same with a drink -- one drink and I would be right back to passing out 5 days a week like I was 8 years ago.
Chip--you and AJ are sooo tolerant of the smoking crowd. I have seen you guys in some smokey rooms but you never complain. Of course, complaining about the smoke at a webmaster gathering would fall on deaf ears~~
Lee, I have this funny feeling that people may say to you "Lee, I liked you better when you were smoking!" And who would I go to when I really wanted a Marlboro??
Unless you made my mistake and forgot about the patch and lit up automatically...Yeah my head was spinning from huge nicotine intake.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dzinerbear
Anyhoo -- sorry Lee no advice from me I'm still a smoker and have been since I was 15 (maybe earlier); I'm not likely to quit any time soon.
The above incident was years ago and induced in a fit of madness trying to please someone.
Differnt things (patch, gum etc) work for different person. I suggest going for a run each time you get the craving ... OR, acquire the cost of a cig and eachtime you want a cig (and don't have one) place a 'tic' on a sheet of paper. At the end of each day, add up how much you've saved. This does not work for my type (don't give 2 shots about $), but it does for some.
After many years of smoking, I came to the conclusion that I really did not like the habit (the smell of my clothes, house & car smell, what it was doing to my health etc).
My flatmate and another friend were kicking around the idea of reducing how much they smoke (WTF?) which floored me (I am not a half-asser!), so I told them it's either one or the other (you are a smoker, or your not).
I passed around my pack of cigarettes and asked everyone to help me finish the pack, cause it was going to be my last. Also, some of the casual smokers (casual: a person that rarely buys ANYTHING and always helps themselves to that which you have) bet that I could not quit!
That was October 2004, and since that date, I have not had another!
I did make a promise, to myself: I (unlike many others) was not going to be a self-righteous fricken hypocrite. I did not enjoy it when others made pathetic and apparent comments to me about my habit of smoking, so I told myself to make sure I never did such!
I truly do hate a person that quits a habit and suddenly something makes them think they are an anti-whatever spokesperson.
Max, you of all persons should not say things like th@:Quote:
Originally Posted by maxpower
1). you already pee in many person's Cornflakes.
2). sayin shat like th@ make you a huge hypocrite (Many of your habits are worse for you, making you an even bigger joker than the chokers!).
I had an almost perfect appointment with my cardiologist yesterday. At 52, I'm pretty sound and my echocardiogram and stress tests were all almost perfect. I am an exercise freak, I eat amazingly well. I don't drink and don't do any illegal drugs...(kinda sounds like a nun or something)...
The only problem is this - because I smoked 2 packs a day for 30 years, my heart isn't as strong as it should be. I need to increase my aerobics and start taking some pills to help me avoid problems down the road.
I suppose that if I had listened to my folks and teachers way back when I was 15 and was not influenced by the negative peer pressure of growing up Catholic, I would have avoided the whole smoking thing in the first place.
There is still the strong possibility that I could develop lung cancer down the road...but, then again, I do live in LA!
I quit cold turkey 6 years ago...and, cold turkey is good, especially the day after with some mayo on whole wheat toast!
on a nice toasted country rye, with Dijon (no mayo)!Quote:
Originally Posted by A_DeAngelo
Congrats on surviving your Catholic experience :mental: ... I am still waiting to see how it effected me *my left eye is twitching*.
:uhoh:
I don't smoke unless I drink now. I need to stop drinking and I'll be set.
You are too funny! As I walked down the corridor in the cardiologist's office yesterday, I overheard two elderly ladies talking about their major cardio problems on one had, followed by the brands of mayo they preferred!?!?!Quote:
Originally Posted by Paco
okay, not trying to jack this thread, BUT ... one time, at band camp ...Quote:
Originally Posted by A_DeAngelo
I had a friend once (but I lost the recipe, and have not been able to make any more since) whose favourite food was toasted mayo on Wonderbread: spread a THICK layer of mayo on a piece of white bread and place in a toaster oven until golden brown.
and to further not intentionally "jack" the thread...''Quote:
Originally Posted by Paco
how 'bout trying a thick layer of "man cream" on that thick layer of Mayo before headin' the whole "open-faced" serving into the microwave....
mmmm...
Gee!...I hope this all helps keep your mind off the nasty, stinky, smokin' sticks, Lee... and, I hope too, that we will not see you start a thread in a few months about trying to curb the appetite and extra weight that you have put on since quiting cigarettes!
No, that would be way too sticky.Quote:
Originally Posted by A_DeAngelo
It would be the same kinda cruel trick you'd play on a dog: a mouth full of peanut butter, constantly licking the roof (of the mouth) trying to dislodge that which has collected.
Maybe on pumpernickel.
I quit smoking for oh a year or so...with help from the patch. It does really help! The worst part about quitting for me was not really the drinking or coffee or eatting. It was the stress..so happened in my life that was stressful and I grabbed a cigarette. The rest is history! Try the patches...i wore them to bed and had the craziest dreams.... kind of fun! Good Luck hun!
Not to hijack the thread yet again, but anyone who is a recovering Catholic MUST see "Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All for You", a mostly one-actor play that pokes fun at the inherent contradictions in Catholicism. I wasn't raised Catholic, so I didn't get all the jokes, but it was still very funny, and the friend I went with was on the floor dying of laughter.Quote:
Originally Posted by A_DeAngelo
There's a movie version called "Sister Mary Explains it All" starring Diane Keaton, but I haven't seen it.
Don't get me started on God again, for Christ's sake!Quote:
Originally Posted by boyfunk
I think I saw him at least 4 times while I did the cold turkey no smoking thing.
and, blast me with a frickin' thunder bolt, but, the kneeling boy in the attached stained glass image was or could have been me?!?!?
How's you doin' with the smokes Lee?
You know..
This is actually a lot easier than i thought it would be, Gary is actually the one who's stressing out and getting fidgety LOL
Although, to be fair, i think Orbit gum shares are going to go up next month with all the gum ive been chewing over the last day or two LOL
Regards,
Lee
Lee, that's great news! I'm told that, physical addiction wise, after the first 2-3 days, most of the physical nicotine addiction is gone and it's more the psychological cravings, so sounds like you're already well on your way.
Keep it going baby...! Like I said, every day gets easier! Just don't fuck up and have one!Quote:
Originally Posted by Lee
Seriously, every day DOES get easier...and think, you can live to be an old fart just like me!