Quit Smoking - Page 3

semipenguin · #21 05-07-2009, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vargas

Wow. 4 years and then started again. Man---the feeling never goes away, does it?

No, it never does. The only thing you can do is suppress it. Like being an alcoholic. Just try and keep that dog feed with something else...

Supafly · #22 05-07-2009, 12:07 PM

I smoked 2-3 packs of menthols a day for 11 years. I never tried to quit during that time because I enjoyed smoking.

At 29 I decided to quit for my health but I knew I didn't want to do it cold turkey. So I made a long term plan. I'd gradually go from 3 packs to 3 cigs in 3 years.

I carried a tin case that held my cig count for the day. Every two or three weeks I'd cut back one cig. No pressure. No worries.

At the end of year three I'd just smoke after meals and I really enjoyed the cig. Now I smoke one every couple months for old times sake.

The key is don't stress yourself out. You wouldn't go from eating food everyday to suddenly quitting. Your body and mind would freak and you'd gorge yourself in two days.

Your lungs will heal 7 years after you quit so don't punish yourself for nothing. If your going to waste your money on nicotine make it the tasty refreshing kind found in cigs and not that cardboard gum the drug makers push on you.

Vargas · #23 05-07-2009, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Supafly

I smoked 2-3 packs of menthols a day for 11 years. I never tried to quit during that time because I enjoyed smoking.

At 29 I decided to quit for my health but I knew I didn't want to do it cold turkey. So I made a long term plan. I'd gradually go from 3 packs to 3 cigs in 3 years.

I carried a tin case that held my cig count for the day. Every two or three weeks I'd cut back one cig. No pressure. No worries.

At the end of year three I'd just smoke after meals and I really enjoyed the cig. Now I smoke one every couple months for old times sake.

The key is don't stress yourself out. You wouldn't go from eating food everyday to suddenly quitting. Your body and mind would freak and you'd gorge yourself in two days.

Your lungs will heal 7 years after you quit so don't punish yourself for nothing. If your going to waste your money on nicotine make it the tasty refreshing kind found in cigs and not that cardboard gum the drug makers push on you.

That is an interseting plan and I'm glad it worked for you. Like a lot of smokers, I tried the cut back method and man, I just couldn't make it work. That is probably the ideal way to quit but for me, it is either all or nothing.

Oren · #24 05-07-2009, 05:30 PM

Vargas, I’d like to offer some advice and encouragement, if I may.

I’ve been through this. Many, many times. Using all different methods.

Please think of it this way… (I know it may seem “logical”, but keep this firmly in mind and re-read this if you need to)

During this time, avoid triggers. Especially if you’re in a triggering situation where alcohol is involved (not sure if you drink, but it clouds judgment). For example, if you drink, avoid social gatherings where people are drinking and some are smoking.

The road to success is based on the fact that the longer you completely avoid the behavior, the less frequent and less powerful the urges become. That is the goal.

The urges come from a very primitive part of the brain. Don’t allow this to trick you into excuse-making. IF you slip, and you make the decision to have “just one cigarette”, for WHATEVER reason, the urges will resurface, but 100-fold. You will be back at square-one. I want to stress again that the road to success is based on the fact that the longer you completely avoid the behavior, the less frequent and less powerful the urges become. That is the goal.

If you have an especially strong urge to have just one… rethink that. You are ultimately in control of your actions… distract yourself. The urge will pass. And then you’re continuing on the right path and not undermining your progress and having to start over (and dealing with all the

all over again). Maintain your progress, no matter what.

TheScionicMan · #25 05-07-2009, 07:37 PM

Bubba's been having one of his guy's use one of those Electric cigarette things. He's just about kicked the real smoking habit...

Avuncular_Jew II · #26 05-07-2009, 09:14 PM

All these medications, or gums, or whatever...they're just crutches. At the risk of sounding insensitve, just get over yourself, suck it up, and do it. If people can kick drugs and stay sober, you can certainly quit smoking cigarettes.

Vargas · #27 05-07-2009, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oren

Vargas, I’d like to offer some advice and encouragement, if I may.

I’ve been through this. Many, many times. Using all different methods.

Please think of it this way… (I know it may seem “logical”, but keep this firmly in mind and re-read this if you need to)

During this time, avoid triggers. Especially if you’re in a triggering situation where alcohol is involved (not sure if you drink, but it clouds judgment). For example, if you drink, avoid social gatherings where people are drinking and some are smoking.

The road to success is based on the fact that the longer you completely avoid the behavior, the less frequent and less powerful the urges become. That is the goal.

The urges come from a very primitive part of the brain. Don’t allow this to trick you into excuse-making. IF you slip, and you make the decision to have “just one cigarette”, for WHATEVER reason, the urges will resurface, but 100-fold. You will be back at square-one. I want to stress again that the road to success is based on the fact that the longer you completely avoid the behavior, the less frequent and less powerful the urges become. That is the goal.

If you have an especially strong urge to have just one… rethink that. You are ultimately in control of your actions… distract yourself. The urge will pass. And then you’re continuing on the right path and not undermining your progress and having to start over (and dealing with all the

all over again). Maintain your progress, no matter what.

RIGHT ON. Your advice is perfect. I'm happy to say that I've made it through today and today was hardly bad at all. Tomorrow should be good and if I can make it through the weekend, we'll be all set. I do drink, not too often and I've already decided to NOT drink while in the early quitting stages.

Oren · #28 05-08-2009, 12:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vargas

RIGHT ON. Your advice is perfect. I'm happy to say that I've made it through today and today was hardly bad at all. Tomorrow should be good and if I can make it through the weekend, we'll be all set. I do drink, not too often and I've already decided to NOT drink while in the early quitting stages.

Tomorrow WILL be good, and you WILL make it through the weekend. Maintain your progress... don't start from the beginning again.

Vargas · #29 05-08-2009, 07:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Avuncular_Jew II

All these medications, or gums, or whatever...they're just crutches. At the risk of sounding insensitve, just get over yourself, suck it up, and do it. If people can kick drugs and stay sober, you can certainly quit smoking cigarettes.

You are absolutely correct-- no doubt about it.

memebag · #30 05-08-2009, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Avuncular_Jew II

All these medications, or gums, or whatever...they're just crutches. At the risk of sounding insensitve, just get over yourself, suck it up, and do it. If people can kick drugs and stay sober, you can certainly quit smoking cigarettes.

But I love nicotine. It silences the voices.