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New here, attempt to quit smoking again....day 3

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 433

hi K and welcome to the SSC!

Penguin is right on. In the beginning, I would have gone right back to smoking if I thought it was forever. I know, I know, not the most poopular opinion here but that was how my brain worked. So I made it a game.. like Penguin said.. ..I'd see if I could make it 10minutes. Then another 10 minutes. If I was really nutty crazy, I'd promise myself a cigarette the next day. Of course, I usually wouldn't want it by then and my quit meter had rolled to another day and sure didn't want to go back. lol! There is some debate about bargaining and delaying but this worked for me. Everyone is different. That's why they say most quitters quit a few times before really quitting. You find what works for YOU. Quitting is way more the mental than the physical, that is why this site is so great.

I'd quit so many times with tears and tears of grief for my "old friend" that I'd never see again. Boo hoo. This quit, I was more lenient with myself and gave myself a choice every time I had a crave. The nos won out and I was in control of the quit. Choosing to say no every time creates a winner mentality. Yes, I went into very a sad time because I lost the way things used to be. Looking back, it wasn't about losing an old friend, it was more like moving to a new neighborhood and everything is a little unfamiliar / off kilter and you haven't found the dry cleaners you like. Or maybe like a new job and it's just not a routine yet. A quitter before me (Tom) wrote a post called "Grieve if you must but put it behind you". That was so true ( I think I read it about 50 times). Expect the sadness that many have gone through. Know that it's a phase on the path to healing and being a quitter!

But the very, very best thing I ever did for myself was finding this site. I'd quit on my own and was trying to stop myself from relapsing. Found this site. Totally random! Found the best quitting help on the web.. like a family of friends who helped this stranger to stay on track. Post and come back whenever you are feel like it.

For work tomorrow, make a plan. You know exactly when you would go for a smoke break so plan something else. Walk around the block. Snowing? Walk to the vending machine. lol! Oh, I just remembered.. red licorice and Dum Dum lollipops.. haha, I was so addicted to red licorice I started to crave those after a meal. omg.

Crazy times, crazy coping. Do whatever works!

Rambling on but your post really reminded me of me. Spend as much time as you can carve out for yourself reading all the old posts here. Go deep. Save the ones you like. Sooooo much to learn here. It's a journey and there is a rainbow at the end.

Boy, does that ever sound sappy but it's true.

Stay close and all the best..

My Milage:

My Quit Date: 4/1/2008
Smoke-Free Days: 642
Cigarettes Not Smoked: 15,408
Amount Saved: $3,697.92
Life Gained:
Days: 85 Hrs: 0 Mins: 18 Seconds: 12

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 672

Hi Kim, excellent move !

"Can someone help explain the panic you feel when you try to tell yourself that you're not going to have a cigarette ever again?"

We all know this feeling well.

Cigarettes are simply nicotine delivery devices & we smoke because we are Addicted to Nicotine. We're basically Nicotine Junkies. Smokers are always experiencing nicotine withdrawals, for us this eventually dwindles to nothing.

I have a few tricks up my sleeve that will help you in the beginning :

Don't fantasize about ciggies. Train the mind to think of something else.. soon becomes second nature.
Keep busy. Work is good but try not to put yourself in stressful situations for a while.
Walk away from trouble if you can & esp. avoid any confrontation (this includes family)
Keep a drink bottle handy of chilled water of orange juice & sip it whenever you feel a crave... it works ! + it's good for you.
Stock up on fruit handy, Ice cubes, carrots, cinnamon sticks gives you something to munch when you get the urge & not fattening
Exercise is good. Work breaks & at home.. go for a walk & often if you can. If you aren't already you'll soon be trim & in real good shape (i found this the hardest cos i was a workaholic).
Watch the caffeine, to much & you'll be bouncing off the walls, you want calmness not carnage.
Keep the thought 'i want to stop smoking more then smoking itself' in th front of you remind & you will succeed

You're patches are weaning you off the nicotine part so no need to worry too much about withdrawals, just try the above tips. Has helped many of us here.

All the best & welcome to the start of a new life.... just be patient & positive & it will happen, how long depends on you.

Good on ya.

My Milage:

My Quit Date: 1/1/2005
Smoke-Free Days: 1828
Cigarettes Not Smoked: 63,980
Amount Saved: $16,634.80
Life Gained:
Days: 265 Hrs: 0 Mins: 9 Seconds: 23

Quit Meter

$12,553.80

Amount Saved
Quit Meter

Days: 628 Hours: 4

Minutes: 25 Seconds: 5

Life Gained
Quit Meter

3430

Smoke Free Days
Quit Meter

51,450

Cigarettes Not Smoked

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 50

Hi Kim

Welcome to the SSC. You have made a very wise decision. Is it scary - doesn't have to be. Kim, can you quit for 5 minutes? Well of course you can. Can you quit for another 5 minutes? That is how everyone quits smoking - 5 minutes at a time. The forever will take care of itself. With more and more days under your belt, you will begin to see that forever is possible. Read, read and read some more. There is a wealth of information and hope that you will gain from the people who have tread before you. You have 2 days under your belt and that is something to be proud of - that is a few 5 minutes, isn't it?

Welcome to a life of freedom.

My Milage:

My Quit Date: 9/19/2009
Smoke-Free Days: 106
Cigarettes Not Smoked: 2,120
Amount Saved: $1,017.60
Life Gained:
Days: 11 Hrs: 14 Mins: 49 Seconds: 59

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 11216

Welcome Kim,

Congratulations on deciding to quit. We will all be here to support you every step of the way.

You mentioned you feel panic when you think about not smoking again. Addressing a fear by examining it's relevance can sometimes help the fear. So first of all, what are you afraid of? You mentioned not smoking but what about not smoking. What about not having a cigarette makes you feel afraid?

Ashley, Health Educator

Here to help :)

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 1843

Kim, welcome to the SSC! Impala has given you some great advice. And he's right, you aren't giving up smoking, you are gaining freedom! You are gaining life. You are gaining health. You are gaining smelling good. You are gaining not getting winded when walking. You are gaining high fives from your doctor instead of lectures. You are gaining the sense of taste and smell. You are gaining all of us here at the SSC! Use the search feature here to see how others have dealt with panic and stress. There is a wealth of information, and know that many of us felt the same way you are feeling now. Just remember that this temporary inconvenience will yield HUGE permanent improvements! We're all rooting for your success!
My Milage:

My Quit Date: 8/20/2008
Smoke-Free Days: 501
Cigarettes Not Smoked: 20,040
Amount Saved: $5,010.00
Life Gained:
Days: 77 Hrs: 3 Mins: 23 Seconds: 58

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 639

Kim, congratulations on 3 days smokefree. Believe it or not, you are almost done with Hell Week.....It gets better with everyday that passes from this day forward.

You need to gurd yourself with armor by studying the My Program section in the upper left. This will help you identify and be able to recognize the triggers and feelings that you associate with urges when you used to smoke.

You have started down the path of smokefree living. Watch your step, as there will be ruts, roots and other obstacles along the way. But keep your focus on the prize...one day at a time. No need to panic. You are NOT giving up smoking....you are GAINING your freedom.

Welcome...and enjoy the journey,

Keep the Quit,

Dave

My Milage:

My Quit Date: 1/19/2009
Smoke-Free Days: 349
Cigarettes Not Smoked: 10,470
Amount Saved: $2,748.38
Life Gained:
Days: 59 Hrs: 4 Mins: 5 Seconds: 54

Quit Meter

$50,624.87

Amount Saved
Quit Meter

Days: 1127 Hours: 21

Minutes: 13 Seconds: 9

Life Gained
Quit Meter

5597

Smoke Free Days
Quit Meter

167,910

Cigarettes Not Smoked

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 2

Hi! My name is Kim. I'm 33 and have been smoking for 20 years (scary, ain't it?) I have tried to quit smoking before, longest time being 2 1/2 months. I recently stopped again on Jan 1st. I'm on day 3 w/o a cigarette and having some serious cravings. I'm using 21 mg patches. They've worked before....hoping they can be my pals this time.

Luckily no on else in the house smokes, so that's a good thing. I haven't been out of my house in 3 days...lol I'm actually afraid to go out. I don't want to slip and go to the store. I also return to work tomorrow. I plan on thinking today about the situations I might run into tomorrow :)

Can someone help explain the panic you feel when you try to tell yourself that you're not going to have a cigarette ever again? I know that would be a good thing, but there is alos a sense of panic when I think about it.

I really do hope I can make it this time and become smoke-free. I think being here and seeing that people have suceeded and not withered to nothing ;) will be helpful.

Thanks, Kim

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New here, attempt to quit smoking again....day 3