Quitters...?

Question

What tricks helped you through those time when you wanted it the most, not just physical cravings, but that after dinner smoke, or the need to chain smoke to pass the time or to give nervous hands something to do. How did you change your every day habits to eliminate that one?

Answer 1

First of all, congratulations for trying to quit. It takes a lot to get up to that point.

You're right that people who have been smoking for some time tend to associate certain times of the day or activities with smoking. Mine was the first cup of coffee in the morning. I'd get a hot cup of coffee and go out on the deck (so quiet, so peaceful) and smoke. The other hard-to-break for me was drinking alcohol - I couldn't imagine a beer without a cigarette.

My doctor, an expert in helping people to quit smoking, said that you pretty much have to substitute other activities. I substituted a magazine for my morning cigarette. I still craved the quiet and solitude, so I would leave the magazine next to the door to the deck and grab it in the morning. I'd allow myself 10 or 15 pages with my coffee, then come in and start my day. As for my beer & cigarette, well, I gave up beer for a very long time. I understood that it led to my obsessing about smoking, which led to cravings that were stronger than normal, so I just stopped drinking beer.

In the car, I had a water bottle that I drank. I know it's dangerous, but I would also call a friend during the really bad cravings and just chat (on my handsfree, of course) until I was distracted enough and the craving went away.

And I agree with the earlier posting that exercise helps. If you understand that the cigarette works on you because your brain releases endorphins, then anything else that gives you endorphins will help you over the craving. Running, swimming, cycling... and you have the added bonus of not gaining that 5 pounds that most quitters seem to face.

You'll find your own substitute indulgences, but I recommend that you don't substitute sucking on hard candy or chewing gum, if you can avoid it. The candy will give you cavities (the voice of experience!) and the chewing gum will turn off most adults (I chewed mine furiously, probably looked like a cow with cud). Instead, maybe carry a bag of carrots or celery sticks. The crunching is satisfying, but not very caloric.

My friend, who quit at the same time, had a strange substitute habit that helped her. She held her breath. I mean, she would slowly breath in through her lips, hold her breath, then blow out -- as if she were smoking. She'd do it 20 times, then get back to whatever she was doing. She swore by it!

Stick with it. You'll be so happy that you did. I'm 5 years and holding!!!

Answer 2

Make the effort to change your thinking to the reasons why you are quitting, rather than thinking how you miss those cigs. Whenever you catch yourself longing to smoke, stop right there and consciously change. Make a list of the benefits of quitting and why you are personally quitting.- then read it, shout it, think it, whenever you need to.
Don't forget to have healthy snacks on hand and lots of fruit juice and water for the first week or so to normalize your metabolism.
There are many things you can do to occupy your previous smoking time… from exercise, deep breathing, meditation, leaning new skills or hobbies… right through to some unusual and absorbing interests and things to do with your hands.

Have a read at http://www.quitguide.com and when you're there, see about getting the brilliant e-book 'Never Think About Smoking Again' - that would be perfect for you, it's got 101 tips all about happily staying smoke-free, straight from former smokers, and what worked for them.

Answer 3

After trying so many times before.I decided that the last time would be the last time,so i planned it like a military operation.I recognised that I would also have to change my life style,to bring out a new ME and I also knew that my crucial period would be the first 3 weeks or 21 days because after that it will become a habit.I started to get fit and exercise and change my diet.I use to get up and have coffee and cigarette.I change it to,get up go for a walk.Now iam the fittest i ever been in my life and looking well.

Answer 4

i know! sorry i can't help answer your question, but i'm having the same problem. People just say to quit cold turkey, but i'm not so much "addicted" as it is a "habit" i'm used to smoking with coffee, or when i'm in the car, or even if i'm bored to pass time (like right now) I just can't seem to figure out how to break all of those habits. I posted a question like this and someone asid to chew cinnamon sticks, so that might help, i don't know yet, haven't tried it.

Answer 5

When I quit a long time ago, I started hangin out with non smoking friends doing non smoking things to keep my mind off of it. I started exercising instead. Have you ever tried jogging and smoking at the same time?

Answer 6

My husband swore by sunflower seeds. He said it kept his mouth busy. (He's relapsed now but it worked for a time!) I try to keep my mind busy or be busy, like finding something to clean. I'm trying to really cut down. Another good trick is if you smoke in your house/apt., make yourself walk outside to smoke. It gets to be more of a hassle and not as enjoyable. This includes rainy weather. Good luck!

Answer 7

i have no tricks yet. I stopped today. I am trying. I have had 3 smokes that is down from a pack and half a day. keep your mind buzy. Good luck.

Answer 8

i worked up to quitting stopping gradually till for a month i only had 1 after dinner

Answer 9

like what