Hello all,
Just wanted to post an intro here because I want to be tuned into this forum as I'm going through this, again.
I've smoked for about 15 years, since I was 15 or so, and I'm just fed up. For the last several months I'm up to about a pack and a half to two packs a day, and not only can I not afford it, it's simply ridiculous. It's insane that this addiction does nothing tangible for me, actually only adds a lot of financial and social stress to my life, and I still hang on to it.
I've tried quitting about half a dozen times over the years, my longest being about 35 days. I've tried quitting about 4 times this month: 10 days, 14 days, 3 days, 2 days. Mostly now I'm fed up with the fact that I keep stumbling. Real ding to your self respect and belief in your ability to change, but try again we will.
I'm trying to be a touch more prepared this time. Going to speed read Allen Carr's Easyway Book again, and deliberately plan to avoid situations that have previously been triggers. Drinking with certain old friends, and my relatively tame version of 'partying' are both strongly associated with smoking. Those gotta go too for now until I'm comfortable back in those settings as a non smoker.
I started running again when I quit about 5 weeks ago. I'm still running, haven't missed a day, although 5 miles and 40 cigs ain't the best combo. I'm training to do a half marathon on Oct. 20, and I want to be, confidently, a non smoker at that point (much sooner really).
And lastly, this time around, I gave $500 to a friend to hold for me and he keeps it if I smoke (I don't have a spare $500). Now I just need to pick the date (within the next few) and get moving.
Only fear I have is really in my ability to commit. All these sites (and sites generally regarding behavior and habit change) say you have to be committed - the 'no matter what' sort. I just don't know how you know that with absolute certainty before you set out. That's what I'm trying to find before I set the date. Hopefully I will have it sooner rather than later, or perhaps I won't have that, and I'll still see it through.
Thanks for reading, best of luck on your quit to everyone on the site!
