Hello Everyone - New Here

[sunny]

Hi everyone! I'm new here and just checking around things right now. Started out on the board for new people just joining and going through the steps listed there. First stop - general board lol I'm looking for a support group as I really want to quit smoking. I've quit before but unfortunately started again. This time I want to stay quit. Here's to quitting!

[Flo]

Welcome Sunny. Hang in there! We are a small group with big hearts. Post as much as you need to. There are also lots of articles on our site which will help too so read a lot of them. A lot of the quitting involves your mind. How you think about your quit, how you think about smoking...re-think smoking and you're halfway there. Again, welcome aboard.

[slim]

Welcome Sunny
You have made the first step in quitting and that is deciding that enough is enough and you want to quit! or perhaps just Stop smoking or if you prefer...Choose not to light up! Your resolve should probably be up there to ensure success. No smoking no matter what!

Tell us a bit about your self and your smoking past and that would be helpful for both of us. One thing is for sure, learning to live without the smokes is challenging but very doable. We are all testimonials to that fact! Just knowing that someone who was totally addicted and yet still able to quit is comfort to a newbie quitter. Now you need to find your path to success and gain your freedom back. Its definitely worth fighting for and it's a war you can WIN. Setting a quit date and getting prepared are both high on the check list. Research quitting success, find what you think will work best for you, set a plan into motion and start your journey to freedom. We can help you.

[Don]

Quitting is an endless cycle of saying no. Well not so endless. After some time you barely hear The Beast anymore. Quitting is tough but it's proven to not kill you...the opposite is, well, deadly.

[sunny]

Thanks for the welcomes. This is something I really want to do and one of the things I need to to is learn to redirect myself to something else when I find I really want a smoke. What are some tips that you all could share that made it a little easier when you stopped smoking. I find the stress factor is what really gets me and that's when I really want to smoke. I've also heard the first 4 days are the hardest and that drinking lots of water helps to get the toxins out of your system. One day at a time!

[Bubb]

Hello Sunny….just a few notes and ideas for preparing to quit…

Try to remember that quitting smoking is a process and not an event. You will find that after putting out that last cigarette, you’ll embark on a true mind and body altering experience and you’ll need to relearn many things.

Unconscionable scientists have spent decades fine-tuning nicotine levels and other ingredients to ‘hook’ you on their products. Make no mistake, cigarette companies have invested millions and millions to ensure their victims stay addicted. As a suggestion, go to a library and check out a few ‘how to quit’ books. Also, check out a book or two containing historical accounts of how and why tobacco companies became such monsters. It’s pretty interesting stuff. They will also give you a better understanding of your addiction and how it came about. I’ve found that disliking tobacco companies helps retain the quit.

Things you should consider before quitting:

Understand that smoking is woven into every fabric of your life. You are a walking and talking example of a drug addict. Understanding the difference between a habit and an addiction is paramount. If you aren’t a believer, help me understand while in the midst of a true nicotine fit.

Quitting smoking is a matter of lifestyle change. A typical smoker lives life between cigarettes. No matter where you are or what you are doing, the next fix is only around the corner. Change is a must. Rather than waking up to a cup of coffee and a smoke, drink some orange juice and go for a walk. Rather than having an after meal cigarette, get up and do the dishes, do a chore, get out of the chair and doing something, anything.

Begin a new hobby or resurrect an old one…if it costs money, that’s ok. The money you spend will be more than offset by the money you save while not buying cigarettes.

Get physical….I don’t know how old you are or in what shape, but if you can, walk, jog, swim, bicycle, do something to free the mind and spirit and get healthy again. Get plenty of rest. When tired, get some sleep, don’t fight it. It’s hard to smoke when sleeping.

Try to avoid triggers (smoking situations). Watch other non-smokers. Somehow, someway, other people are able to live without smoking. There will be moments when you feel this impossible but you will get the hang of it. Remember that you are going to have to relearn how to live without smoking. In the beginning, try to limit sweets, fried foods, coffee, alcohol. Weight and smoking are related but you need to concentrate on one thing at a time and giving up cigarettes will be challenging enough. When you quit, your metabolism will slow down which means probable weight gain…. but don’t dwell on it. When you quit smoking, your body and mind will experience some dramatic changes….don’t freak out, work to understand what is happening.

Avoid as best you can stressful situations. I realize this is tough but you must try (at least in the beginning), to walk away from most of the everyday annoyances that you would normally address. Your patience may be short, your temper may flair, but you’ll have to do your best to keep ‘life’ in check while you rearrange your priorities. Quitting smoking may be the most difficult thing you ever attempt. Anything worthwhile obtaining usually has a price. Quitting smoking will certainly test your resolve. You must remember that you are fighting for your freedom, for your life. We all know someone whose life was cut way short because of cigarettes and smoking.

But…..with a little determination, understanding, and attitude, you can do this. Your determination to quit must become your number one priority.

[slim]

Hello Bubb...couldn't have said any better myself!

Sunny, when i quit i slept alot in the first 2 days. I also drank alot, i mean alot of water! I think it took the place of the hand to mouth action of lighting up. I changed up my routine and drank less coffee and no alcohol for a while. Whatever your smoking triggers are, try to avoid them and have a plan in place to deal with them. Here are some good tips from a previous quitter...enjoy:

"Tips For The Newly Quit"
From CelticCrone on 9/4/98
QuitNet

Here are my tips for the newly quit:

1. Remove all firearms, ammunition, archery equipment, power tools, kitchen utensils, golf clubs or other dangerous items from your home. For their own protection, young children and incontinent pets should also be removed, if possible.

2. During the first 5-14 days of your quit, you will notice an improvement in your sense of smell. This change may be sudden and dramatic. You may want to avoid any areas known for strong odors during this time. You may also discover that your home is one of those areas. Allow 1-3 hours per day for scrubbing an obscure corner of you home in an effort to remove the mystery smell.

3. One effective technique for reducing stress is the recitation of a mantra. Your mantra for the next few weeks will be: "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean that. I just quit smoking."

4. If you drink the recommended 8 glasses of water each day, you will need to remain within 150 feet of a lavatory during the first 3 weeks of your quit.

5. Many cessation experts recommend you keep a diary of your experience as you quit. A written record of your inability to control your emotions, words and actions may be useful later on during any criminal or civil proceedings. You may also want to discuss with your attorney which homicidal or other violent fantasies about your spouse, employer or local politician should not be recorded in that journal.

6. Many people find driving a car is a major trigger of smoking urges. If it is practical, you may want to consider using public transportation during the early part of your quit. If you must drive, carry gum, mints, cassette tapes of soothing music, a small rubber ball to squeeze in one hand, extra kleenex for crying jags, a roll of duct tape for swearing jags, and extra toll fare change in the event that your aim is affected by the spasmodic trembling in your hands. Again, all firearms should be removed from the vehicle. You may also want to keep your journal handy to hand to the highway patrol officer in the event of an accident or traffic offense, since uncontrollable sobbing may prevent you from speaking clearly at that moment.

7. Whatever you do, DO NOT LOSE YOUR SENSE OF HUMOR

[sunny]

Slim - I love those tips! LOL May have to print them out lol Was doing pretty good and then caved - was so mad at myself!!!!! Stress gets me. I've been trying to exercise more as well - something I started before I really honestly started the stopping smoking. Have even lost some weight - wooohoooo! LOL The weather has finally started to turn nice now too so that will help as I love to grab my ipod and go walking with the dog. She needs the exercise too! LOL Going to keep plugging along and if I can't do it on my own going to stick on the patch. Not a big smoker to begin with but not the point - my way of thinking - if I'm not a big smoker to begin with then it should be easy - not so much I feel so good about myself when I don't cave in - one day at a time! Glad I found a support group! Thanks everyone! Have a great day and a great weekend!