For those of you struggling to quit smoking.

[nunyadam]

If you think you will never reach the point where you can live without cigarettes. Trust me the urge to will fade. It may not go completly away, but you can (and I have.) reach a point where a drag off a smoke will just about make you puke.

Bravo, nunya! I didn't know you were a recent quittee?

My last cigarette was on July 4, 2002. Not a puff since. I'd been "thinking" of quitting for months.. and thinking I'd never be able to get up the desire to really do it.

One morning I just made a decision to not smoke. That was July 5

Peer pressure helps. I told all my friends, and they keep asking me if I still am a non-smoker. I can't let them think I'm weak lol

The cravings.. I still get them, but they are momentary and go away. I just haven't undergone anything VERY stressful yet... but I hope I prevail.

I feel better, physically and mentally. I prolly smell alot better, too lol

[nunyadam]

Socal it's been over 3 year's since I last smoked.

[MDS]

I quit because I had to but it better in the long run, even if it was the hardest thing to do

[bigblue77]

Its been just over three years for me. It will be 4 years in Feb. It was by far the best thing I have ever done for myself and my family IMO.

Jer


EDIT> Probably the hardest as well.

[vass0922]

I quit for ONE day short of a year lol
Started up again for a few months...
Then quit again a few months ago
Very stressful times however, I hated smoking.. hated the taste and really hated the smell. Only good part was it got me out of the office for a break and it was relaxing.. other than that .. yuck lol

[Brainchild]

Well 2 months today, yes I'm the baby so far The smell is terrible. I didn't notice when I smoked, but now, YUK! And the money I saved OVer $200 in 2 months so I could buy my newest toy (posted in community BTW)
I smoked for almost 10 years, and decided that I didn't need them, really hated them, and just didn't buy anymore. (wife still smokes a pack a day)I have had an urge sneak up on me but it fades fast, the first 4 days OMG!!!!
Well congrats recent quitters, I'm still on the wagon too. And don't it feel good not to have to leave the building after dinner?

[vass0922]

lol I never really understood the after dinner smoke never got into that habit

However, a congrats is definately order for the other recent QUITTERS!!

[PoonDoggy]

How does the saying go??

"Quitting is easy, I have quit smoking a million times".

lol

Oh yeah,

"I used to smoke 20 packs of cigarettes a day, but since I lost one of my lungs, I've cut my smoking in half."

Heh

[RayH]

Quitting nicotine is one of the hardest drugs to kick. I can show you thousands of reformed alcohol and narcotics abusers who haven't touched those drugs in years. But they still smoke like chimneys.

When I quit nine years ago, the nicotine withdrawals were very much like a heroin or barbituate withdrawal. My body was shaking. I was throwing up. I was very much dizzy. My employer thought I was on drugs.

For those quitting smoking, I recommend that you keep a sealed pack of cigarettes (a brand you don't like) and/or nicotine gum in your car in case you get a bad withdrawal reaction during driving. No sense killing yourself and/or others because you need to quit.

But cravings for nicotine are normal and you'll just have to learn to deal with it.

You may have to learn to do other things with your hands. Smoking is very much an activity that concerns your hands and mouth.

If you want to keep your weight, you'll have to learn to eat 20-30% less than you consume now. Smoking takes a lot of energy to maintain your body. If you continue to eat the same, you'll gain weight. Fresh vegetables and fruit are good.

Remember, qutting smoking can make you gain weight. But taking up smoking does't make you loose weight...until you get cancer!