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Browse through 411.747 posts in 47.053 threads.

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Please welcome our newest members: Angelbaby, kencatly, jrawrz, AMARIAH BETTINA, HelpPlease


9 years ago 0 796 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Hello, I?m New Here

Hey Motivated,
 Still smoke free on day 3? Haven't told anyone in real life yet huh? I hope you're avoiding them then because you're probably not in a good mood right now.  They might wonder why you're sooooo grouchy right now.  I guess I can see where you're coming from though. Whatever works as Lolly says. It's the end result that counts and it doesn't really matter how you do it, just as long as you do it!
Hang in there my friend, it will get easier......
9 years ago 0 796 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Hello, I?m New Here

Hey Motivated,
 Wow! Sounds like you're doing great.  That's the kind of attitude this takes.   Keep up the great quit you have going, and watch out for the triggers that are everywhere, lurking, waiting for you to let your guard down. You need to reward yourself too for making it through these hard days on your journey to freedom.  Don't wear yourself out either, take it easy and get some much needed rest and be sure to keep drinking plenty of fluids to flush the poisons out of your system. You CAN and ARE doing this my friend!
N.O.P.E. again! 
9 years ago 0 796 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
New Monday Stats Parade

Hi Duffis,
 Sorry to hear about your news. Hope it's not too bad. I'll  get in your parade line along with Katy and Motivated. Best wishes buddy!
9 years ago 0 796 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Hello, I?m New Here

Hey Motivated,
  Day five and cruising on auto pilot. Is it getting any easier for you? That chocolate bar sounded good. Keep it up!
 
Hey Jim,
 Concerning that craft beer, did you mean that if you were a bad boy the tap would be shut off? Sounds more like a bribe than a reward to me.  Just kidding. Whatever works!
 
N.O.P.E. 
9 years ago 0 796 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
My first day without nicotine!

Hi Paradox,
 Welcome to the SSC. So you've tried everything under the sun trying to quit before huh? I've been reading what you and Motivated have been saying in this thread, and it does sound to me, like you're just not sure if you really want to quit yet or not. I'm not sure if it's because of the other smokers in your house or you're just not really sure yet. In order for a quit to work, you have to really want it and be 100% committed to it. A positive attitude is almost a requirement in my opinion. If you're sure you want it, it can be done, but it probably will not be easy. If it was easy everyone that wanted to quit would quit, but it does take some work and LOTS of willpower. It takes about 3 days to get the nicotine out of your system, then it's all mental from there on. You can do it if you truly do want it. Since you've tried before, you pretty much know what to expect. Hell week, heck week, blah week and so on. There is a lot of good information in these forums, so be sure to read as much as you can. Maybe something in here will give you a little inspiration and that might be all you need for your quit to work. Never quit trying though, otherwise that nasty Nicodemon will win. I wish you the best on your journey to freedom. 
9 years ago 0 796 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Help! Quit date is May 10 (or sooner), and I?m panicking!

Hi Roxy,
 Congratulations on inspiring your partner to quit with you. You haven't even started your quit yet and you already have people lining up to quit smoking with you .  I hope your partner will also join the SSC. Your mind wanders from positive to desperation in a day now, wait until you start your quit. Five minutes might be the norm.  But don't worry, it will get better the more days you get under your belt. Keep reading and learning, and keep the POSITIVE attitude with you at all times!
9 years ago 0 796 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
My first day without nicotine!

Hi Paradox,
 Sorry to hear about your slip today. When I decided I was ready to quit, I decided to use NRT, the patch. I really didn't think I could do it cold turkey. I smoked a little over a pack a day. The patch actually worked for me at the start. I wound up getting allergic reactions to it in the 4th week, but by then, I had enough confidence to go on without it. It took away the physical urge to smoke and all I had to deal with was the mental part. So you tripped up today, you can always start your quit again tomorrow, or if you feel up to it, start again right now. Never give up, never surrender! Just keep trying...
9 years ago 0 796 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
My first day without nicotine!

Hey Paradox,
 Glad to hear you still want to quit. And by the time you read this I hope your still quit. Lolly has said a lot of good things that do make sense. You really need to be prepared for your journey. You have to keep your mind, mouth and hands busy the first few days too. Sucking on a straw helped me when I started my quit. It allowed me to have something between my fingers, I could inhale it, hold it, and blow it out just like the real thing. Sounds kind'a silly but it did help me. I also had a pocket full of lifesavers, another thing to keep my mouth busy. Something else you might try is deep breathing. Slowly in through the nose, hold, then slowly out through the mouth. It's simple things like these that help take the edge off of the urge to light one up. And don't forget the POSITIVE CAN-DO attitude. I think I can, I think I can... 
Stay strong my friend... 
9 years ago 0 796 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
I Quit Smoking This Morning

Hi Blackhawks16,
 As Jim already said, welcome to the SSC. There's lots of good reading, hints and tips here, and the people on here are great at helping motivate you on your quit journey. We are good listeners too. This is also a good place to blow off steam when you're having a bad day. We do understand what you're going through. Been there done that.  If you get the urge to light one up, stop in here first and leave a message. Hopefully by the time you're done the urge will have went away. 
I wish you the best on your journey to freedom.  
9 years ago 0 796 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Worried About Sleeplessness

Hi Blackhawks16,
 Ashley had some good pointers in the thread Jim bumped up for you. I myself love a hot bubble bath to relax in before bedtime.
Here is more information I've pulled off the web:
 
Many ex-smokers complain of having trouble falling asleep or staying asleep after quitting smoking. While sleep woes are a common and frustrating complaint among recent quitters, they are also temporary. Nicotine’s effect on sleep is largely due to its stimulant properties which keep the body and mind in alert mode instead of wind down mode. In addition, since the body goes without nicotine for a long period during sleep, smokers may awaken earlier in response to withdrawal.  
 
Meditate. The value of this exercise is in letting the stress of your day go. Start out by laying quietly, eyes closed, for 5 minutes. When thoughts come, acknowledge them and let them go. Let your mind drift. Build the time up that you do this activity gradually. It’s a terrific way to relax and slow down enough to sleep. 
 
- Wake up at the same time every day, even on weekends

- Don’t go to bed unless you feel tired and sleepy

- If you don’t fall asleep within 20 minutes, get up and do a relaxing activity in another room

- Listen to soft music, flip through a magazine, or read a book to induce sleepiness

- Take a warm bath

- Avoid naps, especially after 3:00 p.m.

- Exercise regularly, but early in the day and not six or fewer hours before bedtime

- Keep your bedroom cool, dark, and quiet

- Avoid watching TV, eating, writing, talking on the phone, or reading in bed (keep TVs and all electronics out of bedrooms)

- Don’t go to bed hungry but avoid large meals (and drinking lots of water) before bedtime

- Establish a bedtime routine

- Drink a warm glass of milk or herbal tea, like chamomile

- Avoid caffeine after 3:00 p.m.

- Avoid alcohol within six hours of bedtime

- Have a massage

- Practice deep-breathing exercises or meditation

- Try this exercise: Imagine there are faucets at each finger and toe’s end. Imagine them all running and envision all stress and tension rushing out through them.
 
When I quit I tossed and turned for just the first few days. I think it was more from worrying about whether or not I could do this quit rather than from the lack of nicotine. Hope something works for you.