How did you finally come around to quitting smoking???

Question

Ok, so I think its about that time for me to quit. I can't believe it but I'm going on my 9th year as a smoker. I have tried quitting so many times but it never works. I am not a heavy smoker, 1 pack could last me the whole week and when I smoke I hardly ever smoke it completely. My biggest fear is gaining weight. My mother was 105 pounds ALL her life, she quit smoking and within the month she was 130 and has stayed there ever since. I know gaining weight shouldnt be an issue when cancer is in the equation but it's still a fear. Is there a way to quit smoking without the weight gain? I have even tried printing up pictures of burnt lungs and plastering them all over my apartment but that doesnt work. Why is it so hard to quit something you know is so bad for you?? Any ideas? Suggestions? And please no rude comments about the fear of gaining weight, thanx.

Answer 1

Well, I'll tell you how I quit smoking. I was never really a heavy smoker, but still managed to HAVE to have at least a couple a day. I was working in production, where everyone and their mother smokes and the hours were long, so quitting was quite the task. Anyway, one day after we finished for the day, I walked up to one of the women that I worked with and as I walked toward her, it was clear as day. She was no older the 30-33 and looked awful! Her hair was brittle and gross, her teeth were yellow, she had bags under her eyes and her skin was pasty. Also, she had a really raspy voice and just looked worn out. To top it off, she had a box of Marlboro reds in her pocket, a lighter in the other, and a can of beer in one hand and a lit cigarette in the other.

I know that there is a chance that she was just a mess to begin with, but my guess is that cigarettes had something to do with it. Since that day, I haven't smoked. The thought of wasting away like that was just scary. Shortly after that, my aunt died of lung cancer and it was awful. We didn't know she was sick, but one day she didn't feel well and was having trouble breathing and within two day we found out she had stage 4 lung cancer and she died.

I know that it's hard to quit. Believe me, sometimes i just want to light up and wash my stresses away, but it's not worth it. You age prematurely, it looks tacky, and it WILL kill you.

As far as gaining weight is concerned, go to the gym. It will help you release some stress and you'll end up feeling so good about yourself that you won't want to smoke. You can even start out by just going for walks. Also, you can chew gum or drink water when you feel like smoking. Good luck.

Answer 2

BRAVO 2 u for starting the process....I successfully did this over 15 yrs ago. I was a much heavier smoker than you are; so maybe it won't be as hard for you. For me, the whole issue was the addiction to Nicotine, which cigarretes accomplish so well. The 'Patch' had just come on the market & was Prescription only. My Dr. said that when I bring him papers that showed I had 'signed-up' to attend their 'Stop Smoking' class...he would hand me the Rx. Well, after getting over my intial madness/poutinig, etc., I DID sign-up for the ( Which I thought "Stupid" )class thing. grrrrr....Turns out...I was 100& Wrong! The Class; one-nite x 6 wks....was the BEST thing for me @ the time. That & we had a 'set' QUIT date, & that is when I applied my 1st Patch...& it all worked. (Sorry this is sooo long)..I 'new' I needed every bit of ammunition/help I could muster. For me, this was the absolute hardest thing I had ever done...& I'm walking-proof that it is 'possible'....I do not get on any Soapbox for it...& NEVER 'preach' to any smokers...I hate that stuff...just try, & if you fail...u try again!!..YOU can DO this!!...Your lungs will Thank You! You won't stink, you'll be able to breathe deeeply..& 'think-PINK'...the color of your NEW lungs!! Good LUck...Let me know how u r doing...Don't worry about the weight....we truly become what we think about...so for your own sake...stop thinking about the weight...visulaize your hot/sexy self & she will stay right with you...trust me on this...Good Luck & God Bless!!

Answer 3

I smoked 2 packs daily for over 30 years. I went into the Hospital for the removal of an infected gall bladder, and because of complications, I was in the Hospital for about 8 days. When I got home,I was about to reach for an open pack of cigarettes when it crossed my mind that I had not smoked for 8 days. I really wanted to stop, and so I took all the cigarettes in the house and ashtrays and threw them out. That was 15 years ago, and I have not smoked, don't want to and when I see an old movie on TV with actors smoking I think of how stupid I must have looked to others with a cigarette in my mouth. Never felt better , and am sorry I ever started and that I didn't quit sooner.

Answer 4

basically, i became pregnant. i had tried everything - hypnotism, the patch, cold turkey, weaning - all to no avail. i couldn't do it for myself, but when it came to quitting for the sake of my child, it was easy. and i just did it. i smoked for over 25 years before that. its tough. best of luck. don't focus so much on the weight issue - if you make smart choices about your "replacements" you shouldn't have much of a problem.

Answer 5

I just quit.

I did put on some weight. I'm a guy so it wasn't such a big deal. I feel better three years later for having done it.

Answer 6

A strong will power.

Answer 7

I used the patch. I had great results.

Good luck!!!!