As some of yous may or may not know... I am a smoker! I smoke approximately a pack and a half a day! Way too much!

I have a 12 year old daughter that has been driving me crazy with wanting me to quit. (Understandably). She will hide my cigarettes or throw them away when I'm not looking!

My question: Does anybody have any good advise on how to help me quit?

I have gotten suggestions like: chew on a tooth pick, chew gum, exercise, etc. etc....

I have checked out some good sites on the internet but... I was hoping to get some advise here!

Thanks!!!

P.S. If anyone wants to join me in the quit... all the better!!!

valinors_sorrow

I quit nearly ten years ago when I didn't think I could. I had tried to quit and failed so many times before, but that last time there was something different, a willingness to do whatever it takes, a willingness to do what people in the recovery business would call 12-step it.

I used the patch and if you are doing or considering likewise, I have much to say on it which I think you would find useful but I don't want to waste your time here if you aren't.

Additionally, I found I had to suspend certain activities for a while until I could handle doing them sans ciggy -- coffee was one (although coffee eventually returned). Also I spent a lot more time in places where I couldn't smoke (movies, swimming pool, etc.) and ducked the smoking places too. That helped.

It really is a one day at a time, one hour, sometimes five minutes LOL thing. When the urge hit, I tried to distract myself so I didn't focus on it and make it grow. The urge does pass, it did for me and usually within minutes. I would say one down, a million to go and laugh! LOL But it wasn't even that because I eventually lost track. I think it was right around the 90 day mark that I recall having my first whole day not giving it a single thought to it, experiencing being quit as totally effortless for the first time. It was an amazingly great feeling worth the slogging to get there. It may come sooner for you, no telling.

Its absolutely worth it so here's my hat off to you, Single!!

Krs

I would like to quit too, but then im weak and i say but i enjoy smoking. I smoke about 10 -12 cigs a day, which isnt too bad but im still a smoker

My aunt quit 11 months ago she used to smoke a pack and a bit in 1 day, she tried and started again, but now its final 11 months of none smoking, she didnt use no patchs, no gum, nothing, just will power!

SINGLE4

Well... In the last two years I quit for 2 months both times. I put on 15 lbs the first time and 10 lbs the second time. That is a fear for I am single! I know... I know... that is stupid! I am not obese by any means but I can't afford to gain anymore weight. That is a big fear for me. Exercising has helped to a point. I live in a small 2 bedroom apartment with my daughter with not alot of room to maneuver around.

I told myself that if I quit for good this time (tried quitting 5 times now) that I would take my daughter on a trip in May after she gets out of school. I keep trying to focus myself on not just my health benefits but my daughters.

I also work part-time at a bar in my town. I work everyother weekend and that was what got me the last couple times that I quit. I know that once I quit, I won't need this job at the bar as the bar wages pays for my cigarettes.

My doctor prescripbed Chantix. It is a new drug that has an appetite suppressent in it! Only thing is that my health insurance won't help cover the cost. I called my health insurance company and it is $103.09 for the first 28 days. The program is 58 days long!

Krs

WOW thats expensive.
Not sure we have Chantix in Europe havnt heard of them.

Good Luck x

valinors_sorrow

I think, from what I experienced and from watching others, that there almost always is a weight gain, but it can and does work off later, when the metabolism adjusts. I found a new lung capacity developed that made it possible for me to become more and more physical over time. The trick is to not have the gain be too great. So when you quit (using whatever you use and you might look into what DOES your insurance cover too- that would be the "can do" approach, okay? LOL) you make a deal with yourself that every time you get an urge, you do some excersise for five or ten minutes instead-- giving it the old double whammy! Start packing a jump rope instead of a pack and a lighter. Think outside the box!

SINGLE4

Just so yous know.... I REALLY DO WANT TO QUIT!!! After a month of not smoking this last time... I told myself... "Oh, I am definately smoke free". Maybe I got too cocky about it!

Thank you both for the support. My dad use to smoke and he always tells me... "It is all in your head Renee".

I also tell myself to look at my mother who is a very large woman, smokes at least 2 paks a day and has health problems. Recently received the bad news that she has diabetes.

I need to think of her and how I don't want to be like that!

Thanks again for the help! I will keep yous posted on my PROGRESS!! (Positive attitude... Right?!?!)

SINGLE4

I use to say the same thing about how I enjoy smoking. I do still enjoy it at times but... I need to feel healthier!

Girl... when you are ready... let me know! By the time you want to quit, I will be strong enough to help you! I don't believe anyone should quit until they truly WANT to quit!

SMILES..........

pumibel

I have been 100% smoke free since 1 March 2003. I quit on my 30th birthday as a present to myself. That is the way you have to look at it. I started out using the patch, and after a few weeks I started to forget it in the AM. I would remember it really late in the day, so i just stopped using the patch, as well.

I felt yucky for about 3 months- all the deep-set crud was emerging from my alveoli in my lungs. For a while I was wondering why I even quit, but I was determined not to start up again.

I gained 15 pounds, which devastated me because I am obsessive about being thin. I did manage to lose it, but it took me two years. Even though I am obsessed with my weight I was willing to carry around the extra pounds rather than start up again.

I have dreams sometimes that i smoke, and then I wake up feeling sooo guilty. What a relief it is when I realize it was a dream!

Anyway- good luck to the "quitters!" It is really the best thing you can do for yourself. Once you have the monkey off your back you won't want it back. Smoking controls your life- it chooses your friends and where you hang out. It interrupts your work and ruins your health, AND you pay large amounts of money to let it do this to you.

Take it as seriously as a crack addiction- see your Dr if you are not sure how to stop. I think a lot of health plans cover smoking cessation now

valinors_sorrow

That's the attitude Single, think of it not so much as quitting smoking as much as joining the PAB......Pure Air Breathers!

You can dooooooooooo it!!!