Quit smoking 3 days ago and need some encouragement!?

Question

The first day was ok, the last couple of days the cravings have been bad. I was smoking about 10 cigs a day during the week and loads more at the weekend, for about 10 years. Anyone out there who has quit? got any tips? Is there really a light at the end of the tunnel?! Thanks.

Thanks so much for your lovely words of encouragement everyone. Its nice to hear the success stories. I figure if I can get through the first month, then it will get a bit easier!

Answer 1

there is a light at the end of the tunnel! i have been smoke free just over a year and so far I never even think about it. when I first decided to quit this time, I did not tell anyone. In the past when I had attempted(and failed)I always had everyone asking me constantly"how is it going? have you smoked yet? and crap like that" which constantly reminded me. Also when the urged hit I would visualize 2 little guys on my shoulders 1 encouraging me to go ahead smoke and on the other shoulder the good guy saying no way you can do it! and I would in my mind flick the bad lil guy off..I know it sounds silly but it work. I had smoked for almost 30 yrs! cold turkey is the best way, the whole point is to stop the nicotine and all those aids that ween you off just is wasting your money.
Good luck to you .......and if you need encouragement feel free to message me.

Answer 2

You have done the worst, I quit 3 years ago, don't want any at all now. I used to smoke 20-30 a day.
Now if you want one have a packet of sweets preferably mints or menthol to suck instead after a few days you will be able to give these up too, don't worry about any weight you gain it will come off again when you stop any craving for food. now work out how much you have saved and go and blow it on something you really want that will last you a long time, do that now and again as every time you see or use it you van think am I happier with this or would I have preferred to burn the money and ruin my health.
You will notice that your food tastes better, and you will recoil from the terrible stink of other smokers, although in the early days that is sometimes appealing, don't let it get you down or drawn in to trying one as that will just start you off again. instead go and do something else even just have a glass of water or go for a walk, or do some work anything to take your mind off of it.
don't think you are giving up, think of your self as a none smoker which is what you are.

A friend of mine packed it in years ago he found it a great help to keep say this mantra
I am pure
I am clean
I am free
from nicotine

I did it you can too, good luck. hope this helps.

Answer 3

Natural Quit Smoking Magic

Answer 4

Remember - smoking stinks, it makes your clothes, hair and breath smell. Your teeth and fingers go yellow and it ages your skin. It makes you breathless and unfit. Plus it is incredibly expensive!

When you want to smoke - distract yourself, preferably with something that will keep your hands busy as well as your mind active. Chewing gum and mints are good, so is drinking a fizzy drink.

Deep breaths and try to relax whenever you can. Remember that if you start again, what you have gone through for the last three days would have been for nothing. There is light at the end of the tunnel. You should be getting over the cravings soon, the nicotine will be out of your system.

Good luck with this, you have already done really well to stick it out through the worst part.

Answer 5

i stopped smoking 6 months ago, and i really feel for you because i know how hard it can be. first of all, use some kind of nicotine replacement such as gum or patches, i used the patches and they really do help. you can also get them for free off your doctor or a local quit smoking service.

also, if you can get down to holland & barrett, they do a homeopathic medicine called rhus tox which can help with the cravings and irritability.

register on clicktoquit as well, and you get a calender which tells you day by day how much money you have saved, how your health is getting better etc.

but most of all be strong, have faith in yourself, if you believe you can do it you will. take each day at a time, each morning just say to yourself 'i won't smoke today'. good luck, and be very proud of yourself each smoke-free day xx

Answer 6

GOOD FOR YOU!!! I wish i was as strong as you are. I'm 7 months pregnant with twins and tried to quit completely but couldn't. I did go from a little over a pack a day to 7 or 8 a day. The only thing i know to try with the withdrawals is drinking ice cold water. Honestly, when i was at least cutting back it worked for me, don't know why but it did.... Hope it's of some help.......

Answer 7

Wow, Izz....you are sooo strong! Good 4 U!
All good advice here.
My daughter quit 2 yrs ago this month, after many years and many cigs...got preg. immediately(which is what she'd hoped), and hasn't looked back (course she has a 14 month old to run after & keep her hands busy now!)
My hubby tried zyban, but it made him CRAZY(he only took 1 and was speeding for 2 days!) He's on-again off-again, but it's breaking his lungs and our (itty-bitty) bank...so he know's he'll have to attempt it and succeed next time.
I wish you all the absolute best in your success!
Having someone you can call in weak moments (a friend who will support your attempts but not chide you)is a super help.
Remember to think of all the benefits...I saw a poster once, of the beautiful face of a young girl, of which half was ravaged by nicotine. The poster said, "If you looked, on the outside, like you do on the inside, would you quit?" That was the most (literally) in-your-face impact I've ever seen in a quit-smoking promo. Think of that when you need encouragement!
When it's most difficult, think of what you would say to someone you love, about something they're doing to destroy themselves, and say it to yourself in the mirror. After all, you should be the one you love most...and are surely thought of this way by others.
You will be so thankful when this is all over and you can admire your handiwork! Plan to celebrate your success! Good things will happen to you once you see what you are capable of accomplishing!

Answer 8

It can be done. I've been an on again off again smoker for a while. Chewing gum helps me, or brushing your teeth if you have a craving. Also, I've heard cravings will go away if you can resist for 30 minutes. Another thing I've heard is that if you can go a month you can break an addiction. So good luck! All you have to do is get over that hump and it can be done

Answer 9

Yaaayyyy!!! Well done, a journey of a thousand miles begins with one step!!! Take air in, like you would if you were smoking, but enjoy breathing fresh air, sounds stupid, but it is a state of mind to.

Drink water cold from the fridge with ice cubes, keep carrots strips and celery in the fridge to nibble on instead of ******** - go for a walk, take a lovely bath with candles and music, diversion being the name of the game! Have you noticed how good everything tastes already?

How nice things smell? Now go and smell your old clothes and bedding< which you will find smells like a dirty old ash tray, trust me.

I did it 15 years ago, and I still occasionally think I would like a ciggy, but I feel better, smell better, dress better, cos I can now afford some clothes! That silly little tube of c**** is not going to rule and possibly end your life anymore!

So hang in there girl, YOU know YOU are worth it!

.

Answer 10

good girl dont crack.try dummy fags that give you a nicotine hit or any thing at all.i quit 5 years ago i used zyban tablets but there is a new one out now(dont remember name)thats even better.when you get the munchies have a bowl of chopped fruit.its hard but worth it.i used to smoke rocky up till a few months ago.you know your a non smoker when you can have 1 joint on a sat night then not even think about a *** next day.stay strong stay healthy