quitting smoking?

Question

What is the best way without taking any sort of pill? Any advice? any tips? how long does the withdrawels last?

Answer 1

Most medical opinions say it takes about three days for the nicotine in your body to be totally cleansed from the blood stream. Over the years I tried a couple of techniques to quit and nothing seemed to work. Then I finally decided I really did want to quit, so I went cold turkey on New Year's eve. Didn't even wait til midnight - I quit around 8 pm in 2003 and haven't had one since.
They say that whatever works for a person is the way to quit. That may be true, however, it's about the person smoking. One can't quit for others. One has to truely want to quit - badly.
I was surprised that I didn't have withdrawals stronger than I did. But what really got me through was an honest to goodness real desire to stop. I decided I was a strong enough person not to give into the cravings. It worked, I'm smoke-free and have no desire to smoke. And for all the reasons I decided to quit, those are the benefits I am now enjoying: Fresh breath - others smell my cologne and not cigarettes - food tastes better - house smells nice- car smells nice - strong, deep breathing and no coughing - and a thousand health reasons.
Want to quit - want to quit so badly that you can't wait to do it - don't say well I just bought a carton, I'll quit when they're gone - just grit your teeth and with sheer determination toss those smokes - remove your ash trays throughout the house. Empty the ash tray in the car. Once you've gone about 3 days smoke free, start cleaning everything around you. Get rid of the smell. Clean the car, wash the drapes - don't plan to quit; just quit!

Tell people you've quit - makes it harder to give in (for some). If you back-slide don't use it as an excuse to say "oh well, I tried," and then start again. Admit a back-slide but stay on course. Remember, you absolutely want to quit; you're better than to give into something that controls you. Damn the cigarette companies that did such a good job taking your money - lots of it!
When you absolutely want to quit, you will. There may be some tips that "ease the pain," but I found that my determination was enough. And I made sure I didn't change my habits, i.e., I still drank coffee to prove to myself that I was going to do this on my terms.
Good luck, smoking is alot like AA, when you quit you deserve a pat on the back. And, people like to receive encouragement during the early stage of non-smoking.
Yes, I did ramble, but its worth it - to your health!

Answer 2

Natural Quit Smoking Magic

Answer 3

Make the commitment but not a definite date.

Reduce the number of cigs if you can by a few. During this time make a plan for a regular activity that you will do that is incompatible with smoking. Exercising is best (because you will see and feel results). You have to replace the old behaviour with a better one. You have already proven to yourself that you can get addicted. Now get addicted to a healthy something.

Break the associations with smoking. (i.e coffee goes better with cigs than tea, so drink more tea or whatever works for you).
If co-workers go for smoke breaks, try to go somewhere else.

I quit in Feb. without any withdrawal at all. But I did start at the gym at the same time. Since then, the gym closed down but I didn't start smoking again.

Answer 4

First of all there need be a will to quit smoking. That you have , since you are asking, how.? Do not make to much out of it. Firmly decide to work on it, and start giving up , first start with the morning cigarettes, then work your way to the ones after lunch, and so on.Some people are able to do it "cold turkey" are you one ? It takes a while, mostly, but once you start to smell the smoke and nicotine on others and in places, you are on the way. Again the odor will make you sick and you will not be able to stand being around smokers. This is your body's way to help you stay away from smoking.Start thinking how much it means for your health and keep on, giving up. You are worth it, be smoke free. Come back an tell us how you feel.

Answer 5

I Have never smoked, but I know someone who has been smoking since he was 13, he's now 46, he quit 3 times because his wife and kids were not happy about him smoking..Anyways, but the 4th time he did it just because he wanted to quit, and thought that there is no benefit of smoking.. Last time he smoked was 07/19/06. He says that: He's happier now, healthier, and smells good. If he can do it, you can do it too. He eats nuts, or chews a piece of gum when he feels like smoking. O' by the way, he started saving, and the $ that he used to spend it on buying cigarettes; is now in his kids bank account... Good luck,

Answer 6

Quitting smoking is a great opportunity to learn about ourselves, as you have already observed.
Congratulate yourself on having the desire to stop - then you are over the worst, but still need to maintain your resolve. It's just so easy to start thinking that just one won't hurt, but it does. Just one achieves nothing except feeling the need for another. Whatever you do, don't have just one.
Here's a few home-brewed tips that might be useful.
It's not just nicotine addiction - there are 50+ chemicals in cigarettes. Also the main problem is habit.
We have been used to having body sensations which we translate as 'my body needs something', which we have attempted to satisfy by having a cigarette.
When we try to stop smoking, we still get these 'my body needs something' sensations, and we still feel that we want a cigarette. We have to train our body to be more selective. When we feel we need something, we have to work out what it is that we actually need.
A glass of water is an excellent substitute if nothing else comes to mind, as it helps with the clearance of the toxic substances in our body. Another good substitute is a bag of salted peanuts, used in combination with the water.
Another thing to do is to find an activity which occupies the mind or body. Go swimming - nobody wants to smoke while they are swimming.

Slowly, as our body adjusts and translates the 'want something' feelings into something other than cigarettes, then the feelings begin to go away. We know its not a cigarette that the body really needs, because as soon as we've had one we still have the feeling, and want another!
We will have a few bouts of feeling or even being short tempered. We must try to bite our lip, and control; ourselves. Recognise the short temper as being the removal of toxins which are trying to find a way out. They went in through the mouth, and they try to get out that way to. We must learn to keep our mouth closed, and force the toxins out the other way.

After abot a week, we have the desire less often, although still as strong when it arises.
After a couple of months, the desire lessens.
It's very important to realise that in a weak moment we will feel that just one will be OK, and we must guard VERY strongly against that thought.

Answer 7

I know you don't want to take pills, but I have taken the Zyban pill and I didn't have any side effects from it. It normally takes 7 weeks to stop completely, and I quit after 4 weeks. The patch will work if you are a light to moderate smoker, but beware! Do not smoke with it, or 24 hours after taking it off. I also noticed with the patches, when you sleep it tends to come off, and will not stick back on. And you can only use 1 every 24 hours.

Answer 8

due to the fact you smoke that a lot day-to-day, your frame acquired adjusted having those poisons jogging ur frame. That's why persons with extra critical drug issues can honestly die by means of quiting immediately. You hav to take slash your quantity of cigarettes possibly each few weeks or anything you are secure with. The cause why you had been coughing and stuff (tryign not to smoke) used to be on account that your frame used to be so used to having two-five cigarettes an afternoon. So every week you will have to slash slowly from two-4cigarettes, then one more few weeks, two-three, then so on.

Answer 9

Cold turkey, just keep your self busy doin something, its the idle time you have to worry about. When i went in to basic training, we weren't alowed to smoke (had been smokin for about 4-5 years not long i know but long enough) didnt miss it at all. Why cause i was to dam busy runnin around every where. Started smokin again though, I enjoy it. But now its either give up smokin or start exercising. So yea we'll see if i quit or get in shape.

Answer 10

I quit with my husband find you someone to quit with the support helps withdrawls normally last about 2 months or so and eventually you will forget all about it. I am a non smoker of almost 2 years. The first couple of weeks are by far the hardest. Just drink you a cup of water when you get the urge. Will help you alot just dont give up. throw all ashtrays in the house away all lighters anything that will remind you of the nasty habit. Good luck to ya. If you need help or need to talk just email me. It is possible just dont give up!