smoking question?

Question

Ok so I want to quit smoking, I have smoked for about 10 years. I need some advice on how you all did it and also what were some of your experiences.

did anyone have issues with gaining weight?

Answer 1

I quit after 38 years by using nicotine replacement + a support group. I was highly motivated to quit because I was scheduled for elective surgery and I understood that stopping smoking was the single best thing I could do to increase my chances for a successful surgical outcome.

Research has indicated that using nic replacement increases the successs rate of quit attempts. I had tried to stop cold turkey several times but always fell off the wagon and had given up trying - until my surgery date was looming. Amazing how that motivates a person!

I never tried this drug but some quitters have also been helped by using the drug Wellbutrin, a prescription medication. Some have combined it with nic replacement to increase their chance of success.

I guess the best advice I could give is that if you fail, try again. Every attempt to quit, whether you last a week or a month, gives you useful experience and information about your habit and what smoking does for you that can help you the next time you try. Don't stop trying.

On the issue of weight gain, I found that I have a strong oral craving - if it isn't a cigarette in my mouth, then it's food. With oral nic replacement products (gum or lozenges) there is less likelihood that you'll overeat because the oral cravings are somewhat satisfied by the nic replacement product. This isn't the case, of course, with the patch. I didn't gain weight during the time I used nic gum. I did gain about 10 lbs later. Unless you eat yourself out of house and home, there is no reason to gain a lot of weight (I don't consider 10 lbs. a lot of weight). However, if you eat instead of smoking, then yes, gaining weight is likely. I took up walking instead of smoking. Anything but eating!

Answer 2

Just quit. I did after 18 years about six months ago. The first few days is hard, but after that, you don't have the cravings. The hardest part for me was always coming up with an "occasion" to smoke. "Well, OK, I'm just hanging with the boys tonight - I'll smoke, but just tonight". That always ended with me going back to smoking. There was always some reason I could come up with to smoke - even if it was only once or twice a week. Then I finally decided that I was not going to give myself a reason anymore. Once I got to that point - it was easy.

Good luck to you. If you can stick it out for the first few days, you're home free - just don't let yourself go back.

Answer 3

Quitting smoking is the easiest thing in the world.Ive done it hundreds of times.Seriously ,I quit for good over six years ago.I to tried about everything to quit but nothing seemed to work.As far as really wanting to quit,believe me I really wanted to but kept on smoking day after day.Then one night a friend and I quit together,support helps.The urge to smoke is intense the first few days but after that it does get better.There were times after up to a year that I would smell someone smoking and the desire would be great to just smoke one,but I knew if i did it would be right back to smoking all the time.Now I cant stand to be around anyone smoking.It is hard to do, but you can do it.

Answer 4

I chewed a lot of gum and drank a LOT of water because I heard the water would "flush" your system. I was mostly annoyed at what to do with my hands. I figured out what I could do one day when I was sitting outside with my daughter. We were blowing bubbles, and that solved that.....we blew a LOT of bubbles that summer ;-) I think the most important thing to do is to try to find a new/good habit that will replace your old/yuck habit. Eventually the cigarette thing won't even appeal to you. I haven't smoked in about five years now. I love not smelling like a cigarette and being sick all the time.

Good luck to you!!! Quitting can be a struggle at times, but if this is what you want, then you can do it!

Answer 5

I want to quit also and from all the people that i have talked to cold turkey seems to be the only way. They all say gum and the patch and the pills did not really help. I think I am going to try to the cold turkey. After the first week it is just a mind game with your self. GOOD LUCK

Answer 6

The best way to do it is to just quit. Research shows that the physiological addiction lasts for three days...in other words you will be irritable and have a mild headache off and on for that time period. Beyond the three day point everything is psychological, so you need to change behavior that leads you to smoke.

Answer 7

As someone who quit 2mths ago, I recommend the patch because it worked for me. I tried the nic. gum just to help with cravings the first time around and ended up cheating, and that is why I am on the patch. My husband tried zyban and it worked for him. It all depends on you and how much you want it.
Try cutting back and limiting yourself to when and where you smoke. I took up running the day I quit and havent stopped.
Dont worry about gaining weight, you dont need that added stress, just dont turn to food for comfort.
Pick your date and go for it, there are many who will support and congradulate you when you are ready. feel free to contact me for support and encouragment.

Answer 8

Whenever you get a craving take deep breaths similar to having a smoke. Feel triumphant. Don't say "I gave up" say "I don't smoke" as nibbles I found carrot sticks and orange segments a great help. Put them out of business. Smell an ashtray that is what we smelled like.

Answer 9

Forget the remedies on the market. You have to WANT to quit, really. Then just do it cold turkey. This helps you from starting back up again too. Its hard but it works. The key is you REALLY and TRULY have to want to quit. If not, you are just fooling yourself. Good luck!!

Answer 10

you know when you try to quit smoking your weight increase because when you try to leave smoking your hunger increases 5% more...what you gotta do to leave smoking is keep a strong willingness in your mind that you gotta leave it whenever you feel like you wanna smoke totally divert your mind to t.v or whenever you feel like you wanna smoke just drink juice or eat a mint tablet..look you gotta keep a strong willingness in your mind that you wanna quit smoking if you can control yourself for a week you can control yourself for a month if you can control yourself for a month you can control yourself for year and there will be a point where you will think that you dont need to smoke now and that point will mean you have quit smoking..Remeber whenever you wanna smoke divert your mind to other things..