posted May 16, 2008 07:21 AM         

They do not want to become ill
they want to heal
to breath and Live...
******************************

There are people who can quit instantly and never smoke again and then there are those that stop but the minute they are stressed they give in and start again.

Sometimes smoking is a state of mind. There are people that can go without it for hours till someone mentions it and then they realize that they had not had a smoke yet, then crave for one.

Some people smoke when they're bored.

We know what the doctors say... but to those that made it: how did you get through?

posted May 16, 2008 07:53 AM         

3. Don't give up giving up. Previously if I slipped I would go "Oh crap!" and just go back to smoking but this time if I did slip I would just start again giving up,right there and then. Gradually the gaps grew longer.
4. Apparently the urge in the beginning comes every 20 mins and lasts for 2 mins.
If you squeeze your ear lobe supposedly it goes away!
5. Don't try and change your routine so that you wont be tempted. Front it up.If you reach for a cig when your life is stressful then give up when your life is stressful. It's no good giving up when life is good because the moment it isn't,you will be clawing the air crying "Somebody give me a smoke"

posted May 16, 2008 08:03 AM         

In 1998 I was buying my first brand new car, and I didn't want it to smell like an ashtray. Plus, I was sick of my habit: the expense, the smell permeating my clothes/hair/possessions..... **edit** not to mention the yearly bout of bronchitis!!

posted May 16, 2008 01:53 PM         

As everyone has said you have to want to do it for you. If you do it for someone else you will feel as if you are forced to quit and want one even more. Atleast that's how it felt for me when I tried to quit prior to this last time. For me it was a radio commercial that made everything click, that allowed me to give em up .... "I was tired of burning my money"

As as Zala said, do something that keeps your hands busy. I, myself, did basically what she suggested, clean clean clean. I washed and scrubbed everything I could. I also organized, organized, organized. I'm talking everything .... after I was done, there were no junk piles, no junk drawers ... everything had a place. lol.

Reward yourself .... I like Bunnies idea of rewarding yourself each day ... "This is a gift for not smoking" I myself, rewarded myself with one big purchase instead of small ones each day. I bought a 4 wheeler. Something I've wanted for years and felt I couldnt afford at any other time. When I sat down and added up the money I'd be saving by not smoking, I realised I could afford to buy one, and apply that money toward my machine each month. (by doing this, I can no longer afford TO SMOKE, so there for if I do choose to take up smoking again, I will be forced to sell my machine to pay for my habit)

I wish you all the best of luck. You can do it!

posted May 16, 2008 01:56 PM         

well there wasn't anything preplanned (the way it was done earlier and the attempts failed )
a days gap , was simply tried to increase .
after two / three days , i had a sense of confidence that it could be done . so i just worked on incresing that GAP !

i also tried to skip the smoking room when in office and friends that smoked when out of it . that helped a lot .

posted May 16, 2008 04:19 PM         

Currently, I have fallen off the wagon. I say it is stress but... plain and simple, personally I don't think I want to quit if I haven't yet.

I don't know why I do it really because I am one of those people who have to be reminded to smoke. I sometimes forget that i am a "smoker" or sometimes don't feel like it and just don't smoke, and then something snaps.

I think I am possessed by the nicotine demon.

This is a depressing subject for me. It shows a lack of will-power. Dang! Shameful of me indeed.

added: as punishment to myself, I have restricted myself in any indulgence of anything, so to speak. So, because I smoke, when I smoke, I don't do anything else that is considered unhealthy. This is my way of beating myself up. The day I want to indulge in alcohol is the day that I quit smoking for good. The day that I want to indulge myself by living a life of freedom bordering on luxury, is the day I quit smoking.

I am so hard on myself about this. Even if I go shopping for clothes I think, "you don't deserve a treat because you smoked".

Manicure? "No No. Do your own nails lady because that money for your nails went to cigarettes."

I don't even buy myself anything much of a treat, unless for necessary things like food, because I smoke.

Actually, I am quitting as we speak. AGAIN!

And I am going cold turkey. I am actually sick and tired of this rubbish.

It is a very unhealthy mental thing going on with me. I am treating myself like that albino monk from the DA Vinci Code for smoking.

Thanks for the topic. I am doing this. If I don't do it now, when will I do it. I am getting patches this time. I have never tried aids to quit. Yeah.

I am doing this!

posted May 16, 2008 07:20 PM         

The patch *worked* for me
I couldn't have done it cold turkey. What also helped was chewing gum. Something that you can put in your mouth besides a paper-wrapped bundle of poisons is a boon. What can help when the oral cravings start is to put something healthful in your mouth -- celery or carrots are fabulous for that because they take a lot of energy to chew.

Replace your old hand-to-mouth habit with new habits involving your hands and/or mouth. You've got a guitar Unmoved -- when you start getting the cravings, pick it up and play a fast song. Writing also helps (I'll be looking forward to lots of letters ) because it occupies both your brain and your hands and the craving will pass.

posted May 16, 2008 07:50 PM         

quote:

---

You've got a guitar Unmoved -- when you start getting the cravings, pick it up and play a fast song.

---

posted May 16, 2008 08:37 PM         

"twilight zone-ish".

posted May 17, 2008 04:41 AM         

quote:

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Put a picture of Keith Richards (Stones) up somewhere. He looks like a walnut!

---

posted May 17, 2008 08:31 AM         

I was just taken aback by my chest feeling like it was aflame. The ghost of Cigarettes Past came to haunt me. I've never felt this before.

But it's also something to note that I was smoking 5 cigarettes a day since I last decided to cut down. Then I went up again these last few weeks to about 10 a day. When I started smoking I came to a point where it was a pack a day but I soon stopped that. It has been trickling down to nothingness since then...

I must say that I am not friggen losing it as I was when I was cutting down to 5 a day. This feels easier. I thought I couldn't do it, but I am doing it.

I am enjoying the "suffering" if I am even suffering because this feels like washing up dishes. I hate doing it but the clean kitchen I see thereafter is worth it. or like moving my body vigorously (I don't go to gym, I dance around the house like a mad woman)I don't like perspiring but it's worth it. I keep on laughing at myself each time I get punked (self-punked) by looking for the lighter, the ashtray and such - because it happens so uncontrollably before I realize- "It aint there!" So, I have been turning this into fun.

So every time I get the craving or the urge, I just hear myself saying, "Punked!" And you know, I feel like cr@p but I am feeling so good inside. Proud. I knew this day will come.

Someone just called me for a night out. I told them to sod off! This person knows that I am in fast and quitting the smoking too, but they wanna go out (??) talk about blatant peer pressure. Even in high school it wasn't this rife!

Fortunately, my friends are used to hearing me telling them to sod off when it comes to socializing, so I got away followed by the usual grumbles of how much I am a "party-pooper" or "boring, or I choose to go out with strangers than friends, yada yada yada..." I wish they can come up with new guilt trip methods, really.

posted May 18, 2008 02:58 PM         

If you have herbal supplements available, you could add these to your diet for the next week or so --

Mullein, Verbascum thapsus
Mullein is a fine medicinal for the lungs, even when you smoke it. It soothes inflamed or infected lungs, and prevents coughing until infection or inflammation is broken. Then it aids in expectoration, helping to break up congestion and promote "effective" coughing. It was smoked to stop the coughing of tuberculosis years ago. It is wonderful for any kind of lung cleansing. Very gentle and non-toxic, you can use it anytime. If you are a smoker, and you are sick and can't stop coughing from a cold, you can smoke some Mullein instead of Tobacco. It may help you to stop coughing, and you will have smoked one less cigarette. If you are not a smoker, stick with tincture (extract) or Mullein tea. After all, there's no need to smoke when you're sick in your lungs.
~ From http://home.teleport.com/~howieb/smoking/smoke5.html

One of the natural substances that can be used by people when they want to quit smoking is Lobelia, or Indian tobacco, an old and controversial herb that has recently become popular to smokers who want to quit the habit and cannot. Used for centuries as an expectorant that cleans the lungs, it was used for asthma, bronchitis, whooping cough, or pleurisy. Many uses are connected with Lobelia - relaxants, antispasmodics, diaphoretics, reducing inflammations and pain, poultices, hyperactivity, easing muscle tension or convulsions - which go back in history until its recent popularity today. Many believe it makes the taste of regular tobacco "repulsive" while other naturalists use it to clam the nerves and relax the body muscles, easing mild depression. Lately, current evidence suggests the herb Lobelia can produce similar effects on the human body as nicotine, yet is not addictive and helps eliminate the desire to smoke. There is trouble when it is overused, such as vomiting, drowsiness, weak pulse, and respiratory failure.

Another herb is the Mimosa tea ("mimosa hostilis"), a perennial evergreen shrub that is native to northeastern Brazil and also found in southern Mexico. The root bark is the choice part of the plant, traditionally used in the preparation of a psychoactive sacramental beverage. Giving up smoking may make you feel anxious, or give you a headache but a strong cup of Mimosa tea can boost your mood and help you calm down. It is not addictive and is recommended for use instead of anti-depressant medicines. Similarly, the traditional Chinese CaoSu herb diminishes the desire to smoke.
~ From http://ezinearticles.com/?Stop-Smoking-Herbs---Have-You-Tried-Natural-Herbs-To-Quit-Smoking?&id=392650

WHY IS IT TOUGH TO QUIT?

Nicotine impacts the brain like cocaine and heroin, producing pleasure from increased dopamine activity. Cigarettes relieve minor depression, suppress anger, mildly enhance concentration and sense of well-being. Ads show smokers enjoying life. Evidence of effectiveness? 86% of young smokers buy the most advertised brands -- Marlboro, Camel, and Newport.

WHAT HELPS?

Exercise, fresh fruits and vegetables (and fresh juices), vitamins, minerals, and herbs reduce cravings and irritation.

Spirulina and chlorella, low-fat and high-fiber foods speed detoxification and maintain energy.

Eat several leafy green salads daily, snack on fruits, vegetables, whole unsalted (preferably organic) nuts and seeds. Eating fish more than twice weekly limits tobacco damage. Avoid sugar, caffeine, alcohol, junk food.

Vitamin E (400–800 IUs) protects tissue and cell membranes.

Selenium (200–300 mcgs.) supports vitamin E and reduces cancer risk. Note: take one half-hour before or after vitamin C to optimize absorption.

Vitamin A reduces cancer risk and supports tissue health. Beta-carotene protects smokers against lung cancer.

Smoking depletes vitamin C. Take 500–2,000 mgs. 4Xdaily.

Zinc (50–80 mgs. daily) protects tissue, mucous membranes, and reduces toxicity. Balance zinc with copper (15:1 ratio), e.g., if taking zinc 60 mgs., take copper 4 mgs. (Note: Do not exceed 100 mgs. of zinc daily).

Smoking destroys B vitamins. B12 decreases cellular damage. B3 (niacin) opens circulation constricted by nicotine and lowers cholesterol. B5 (pantothenic acid), especially with vitamin C, protects against stress. Take folic acid (1–2 mg. daily). Choline nourishes the brain.

Coenzyme Q10 (200 mgs. twice daily) aids detoxification and protects your heart.

Magnesium and calcium calm nerves (minimum: 1 gram each).

Vitamins C (5-20 grams in divided doses) eliminates toxins and builds healthy tissue.

L-cysteine (amino acid) with thiamine and vitamin C protect lungs and reduce coughs. Glutathione, formed from L-cysteine, acts as an antioxidant.

Valerian and skullcap (herbs) calm nerves and reduce cravings.

Massage therapy speeds detoxification.

Homeopathy

Aromatherapy

Nicotiana, Sagebrush, Angelica, Chamomile, Chaparral and Lavender help withdrawal and soothe frayed nerves.

Fasting

Want to get it over with as soon as possible? Consider a 5-day fresh juice fast (not bottled) to quickly remove nicotine. But fresh juices help even with food.

Hypnosis

Private sessions are effective. After an hour-long session and a follow-up, patients are taught self-hypnosis for home use.

Acupuncture

Entirely painless, it involves attaching 3 tiny staples to the edge of the ear. No side effects.

Nicotine Replacements