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1. Val H

   

   167 posts
   Registered:
   29 Nov 2017
   03 Mar 2020

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   I have had many attempts to quit smoking, many of them didn't last a day. I'm not giving up though. I'm ready to make another attempt. I reviewed the exercises on this website and I am posting my intentions here. My last attempt of more than a day was foiled by my decision to smoke in an anxious moment and after a few days of depression. If anyone has input as to how to deal with this, I would really appreciate it. 
2. sarah, quit coach

   

   231 posts
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   28 Nov 2017
   03 Mar 2020

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   Hello quitfriend,
   Thank you for your honest thread as you get ready to go smoke-free. Posting your intent is really powerful, and we hope you find strength in such a valuable act of putting it out to the community, and asking for support.
   Many people find stress and a change in mental health can cause a relapse. Ultimately, the experience can help you prepare and prevent future slips. What are you currently doing now, quitfriend, to manage your anxiousness? Have you ever practiced any mindfulness or relaxation techniques? 
   Quite a few - and very wise - clients have said, "Never quit quitting." Please know we are always here to cheer you on,
   Warmly
   Sarah
3. Val H

   

   167 posts
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   29 Nov 2017
   03 Mar 2020

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   Hi Sarah.
   Thanks for your reply.
   In order to deal with my anxiety, I have recently cut back my coffee consumption, have been walking most days, as well as doing mindfulness meditation once per day. Thanks for the reminder to keep this up. Today when I got anxious I did some deep-breathing and that seemed to help. I think tonight I will try some progressive muscle relaxation as I am often tense. So I've got some tools if I remember to use them.
   It has been nearly 10 hours since my last smoke. Hooray!
   quitfriend
4. treepeo1

   

   255 posts
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   06 Feb 2020
   03 Mar 2020

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   Hi quitfriend,
   
   Thank you for sharing your experiences with us.
   
   You have great self-insight, and that will go a long way in helping you to quit.  Many of us suffer from anxiety and depression from time to time.  What we have to do is to find other ways to cope without reaching for a cigarette.  Because after all, smoking never really helps anything.  It just makes it worse.  This stupid addiction tries to make us believe that we need to keep smoking in order to be happy, but that is simply not true.  In fact, if you quit, your heart will not beat as fast.  You will get more oxygen which in turn, will help you to feel better physically.  And the better you feel physically, the better you will feel emotionally.
   
   I am rooting  for you, quitfriend.  Keep fighting the fight.  You will get there.  I have faith in you.
5. Val H

   

   167 posts
   Registered:
   29 Nov 2017
   04 Mar 2020 in reply to treepeo1

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   Thank you treepeo. Your encouragement and understanding really mean a lot. I am currently fighting off the morning smoke so reading it couldn't have come at a better time. I think I need to add to my morning routine breathing deeply and reviewing my reasons for quitting. I might need to make more changes than that but it's a good start. I really want to make this quit work. I don't want to have to do this again.
   It has been 23 hours and 17 minutes since my last smoke. Whoo hoo!
   
6. atp

   

   501 posts
   Registered:
   31 Dec 2018
   04 Mar 2020 in reply to Val H

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   Quitfriend,
   
   Here is my secret - Nibs. The big red licorice bag of Nibs. Pop one of those in your mouth and just work it. Chew it, scrape at the sides, let it melt, whatever. Eat 10 at a time if you have to. 
   
   Ok, maybe Nibs aren't your thing, But find something to GO TO WHEN YOU ARE CRAVING. 
   
   I tried to quit a lot too. My last quit though, I dug deep and found something that pushed me through. I just said enough is enough. Sounds too simple but that was it. After one day I thought, well lets try for 2, then 3. And after that it became a bit of a tidal wave that I was riding. I tossed out al the smoking stuff, cleaned my place, washed all my jackets. I just tried everything. 
   
   You gave me some words of inspiration to keep my quit last year. So you have it in you. 
   
   29 hours now? you're rocking this. 
   
   
   
7. Val H

   

   167 posts
   Registered:
   29 Nov 2017
   04 Mar 2020 in reply to atp

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   Hi atp. Thanks for the encouragement and for sharing your experience. I love Nibs! I'll have to go get some.
   I've manage to get through several cravings and several bouts of anxiety and I am really proud of myself. For each of these moments I am taking action and it is making all the difference. I've actually had some really joyous, grateful moments today. BTW I read somewhere that gratitude activates the same part of our brain that produces dopamine so that's something that I will continue to practice. 1 day, 9 hours and 26 minutes.
   Gratefully,
   quitfriend :)
8. kit12

   

   27 posts
   Registered:
   28 Feb 2020
   05 Mar 2020 in reply to Val H

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   Hi quitfriend- Gosh- I can not count the number of times I stopped and started smoking. Its been four months- it gets easier. I like what ATP said- I found something to go to right away when craving- crappy TV and gum. The 4 D's helped. If I can just delay my craving - and break it down - almost into baby steps. I can go 5 seconds- then- 10 seconds- then a minute etc. Honestly ( for me) the craving ALWAYS GOES AWAY if I can delay and distract !  Never quit quitting! 
    Yeah- 29 hours- you doin it !!
   Kit 12
   
9. Val H

   

   167 posts
   Registered:
   29 Nov 2017
   05 Mar 2020 in reply to kit12

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   Thanks kit. That really helped. Today the anxiety has subsided but the cravings are almost constant. It is really wearing me down. Your reminder that there are tools I can use and that this will pass couldn't have come at a better time. 
   Thanks again,
   quitfriend
10. kit12

    

    27 posts
    Registered:
    28 Feb 2020
    06 Mar 2020 in reply to Val H

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    Hi quitfriend-
    HONESTLY THEY PASS. I just kept/keep coming back to this site. I figured if I signed up to this site then I really wanted to quit.Then I would put off my quit but I kept coming back quit or not. And found people here that really helped-even the act of signing in to the forum helped. I did anything to distract me the first couple weeks. Well maybe not anything...
    For me I felt safe in my bed. I would wake up at 5- go to work- get home- and get straight into my bed with my lap top and watch tv- I love documentaries - I must of watched over 100. Each second - minute -hour -day- I turned into a VICTORY. I began to string them all together and slowly began to not watch tv as much as well the cravings started to be farther apart. Its been 4 months - I still get cravings a lot- but the difference is I have no desire to pick up a cigarette.
    Abso;utley its hard- but I would visualize how much harder it would be if I continued to smoke. I have survived breast cancer twice and realized how insane it was that I kept smoking. I think of cigarettes now as a monster that I put in a cage-locked it up and threw away the key.  You can do it !!!   Cheering you on !!!    - Kit12
    
    
11. Val H

    

    167 posts
    Registered:
    29 Nov 2017
    06 Mar 2020 in reply to kit12

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    Thanks for sharing your experience, kit. It has helped to read and reread everybody's replies.
    I decided this morning to renew my resolve by saying to myself that my intention for the day is to remain smoke free. I will take whatever actions are necessary to ensure that intention. I need to remember that I am recovering and to treat myself accordingly. We'll see how the day goes but it has helped change my frame of mind for now. 2 days, 23 hours and 14 minutes smoke free. It seems like more - yesterday was a really long day. Lol.

    Last modified on 06 Mar 2020 10:12 by Val H
12. atp

    

    501 posts
    Registered:
    31 Dec 2018
    06 Mar 2020 in reply to Val H

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    quitfriend,
    
    3 days smoke-free - woohoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    
    The nicotine from your last cigarette is out of your system. You fingers don't smell like an old ashtray, I bet your nose is starting to feel better and will soon start to smell things a lot better. And that cough is probably starting to ease up. 
    
    That's how fast your body starts to repair itself from smoking. 
    
    You are starting to really rock the quit. Try to think about the positives. Start paying attention when you walk up stairs and try to notice your breathing. Soon it will start to get better too. 
    
    
    
    
13. Val H

    

    167 posts
    Registered:
    29 Nov 2017
    07 Mar 2020

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    Yesterday was a really tough day. It was hard to think of any positives. So far today, one positive of quitting is not having to go out in the snow storm we're experiencing to have a smoke. It is still early in my quit so there will be cravings and thoughts of smoking. It's a good reminder to interject it with some positive thoughts.
14. mari_m

    

    92 posts
    Registered:
    03 Jan 2019
    07 Mar 2020

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    Hi quit friend, it sounds like you are really working your quit! You are doing it. When I first quit I felt very worn out as you mentioned. If I just had a smoke then my mind could have a break...Or so my addiction was telling me. so I read lots of posts and tried some of their suggestions, and that got me past the really tough times. I think that distractions are so important, whatever they may be. I tried many different things, some working better than others. Actually in my first few weeks I slept as much as I could. Be k ind to yourself,and I hope everyone is having a good weekend.  - m
15. Val H

    

    167 posts
    Registered:
    29 Nov 2017
    07 Mar 2020 in reply to mari_m

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    Thanks mari_m for the good reminder to go easy on myself and to keep trying different distractions. So far today is a better day and I am very grateful for that. So proud to be smoke free and grateful to be part of this community.
    
    quitfriend
16. Val H

    

    167 posts
    Registered:
    29 Nov 2017
    09 Mar 2020

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    Hi everyone.
    
    I am just getting past a major craving. It had followed a really happy moment (ugh). I did deep breathing, drank water, ate something and it still persisted so I called a quit coach. She reminded me that I do have the tools and what they are  and to review my reasons for quitting so I wanted to share this with you while I ponder it some more.
    
    I quit smoking, started my recovery and...
    1) I am free from cigarettes. I have freed my mind and my time from the constant cycle of feeding my addiction.
    2) I feel better about myself, not ashamed of my habit or my smell.
    3) I am healthy and do not inhale toxic chemicals into my lungs.
    4) I enjoy being real and not altering my brain or emotions with a drug.
    5) I will live each day fully for as long as I can.
    6) I can enjoy my time with my grandson and other loved ones.
    7) I have more energy and cough less.
    
    Have a great smoke-free day!
    quitfriend (6 days, 2 hours smoke-free)
17. atp

    

    501 posts
    Registered:
    31 Dec 2018
    09 Mar 2020 in reply to Val H

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    You are sooooo close to 1 week!!! That was my magic number on my last quit as I had never gone a week into a quit before. Just get to one week! Once you have that under your belt you can be positive about your ability to not smoke. 
    
    Keep it going. 
    
    And the cravings - do whatever you need to in order to beat them back. And yes, I slept a lot as well that first few weeks. No cravings when you're sleeping. 
    
    
18. Val H

    

    167 posts
    Registered:
    29 Nov 2017
    09 Mar 2020 in reply to atp

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    Thanks atp. I just had a nap and I don't feel guilty at all. Lol. I'll definitely keep fighting the fight or whatever it takes.
19. treepeo1

    

    255 posts
    Registered:
    06 Feb 2020
    09 Mar 2020

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    Hi quitfriend,
    
    You have some really compelling reasons for quitting.  Making a written list is always a good idea.  I also used to google the benefits of quitting smoking as further motivation.  I knew what they were going to say, but I needed to read it over and over. anyway  It helped to keep me strong.
    
    You are doing amazing, quitfriend.  Keep it up, and remember NOPE (Not One Puff Ever).
20. Val H

    

    167 posts
    Registered:
    29 Nov 2017
    10 Mar 2020 in reply to treepeo1

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    Hi treepeo. I took your advice and googled the benefits of quitting smoking. It was a good reminder that I am doing the right thing by quitting. I think I will continue that practice.
    7 days smoke free! I've avoided 126 cigarettes and saved almost $91. That's more than enough for the pedicure I am looking forward to on the weekend if I keep the quit.
    
    Have a great smoke free day everyone!
    quitfriend
21. kit12

    

    27 posts
    Registered:
    28 Feb 2020
    10 Mar 2020 in reply to Val H

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    SEVEN DAYS smoke free- thats AMAZING- you doin it !!!!! Congrats !
22. kit12

    

    27 posts
    Registered:
    28 Feb 2020
    10 Mar 2020 in reply to treepeo1

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    Hi treepeo- Kit 12 here.
    Was reading over some old posts and came across that great term you told me- I had forgotten about NOPE !
    Thanks- Kit12
23. Val H

    

    167 posts
    Registered:
    29 Nov 2017
    15 Mar 2020

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    Hi everyone.
    
    I have 12 days smoke free. I was tested by cravings this past weekend but I prevailed, mostly with deep breathing and distraction. Normally we would smoke a lot in the truck when we’re traveling. Not this time. The trip home was easier than the trip going. I’m guessing because I had some practice with it.
    
    This weekend I treated myself and my daughter to pedicures as my reward and her birthday present. It was a great weekend. 
    
24. atp

    

    501 posts
    Registered:
    31 Dec 2018
    16 Mar 2020 in reply to Val H

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    quitfriend,
    
    Sounds like you had an awesome weekend and are starting to look for the positives of not smoking. 
    
    The first few weeks are hard, but as each day passes we get a better handle on things. 
    
    Keep rocking this quit! A few more weeks and you can get a mani and pedi!
25. treepeo1

    

    255 posts
    Registered:
    06 Feb 2020
    17 Mar 2020

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    Hi quitfriend,
    
    WooHoo!  You are rocking your quit!  Glad to hear you rewarded yourself.  It's good to have positive reinforcement.  And you are setting a good example for your daughter.  You should be really proud of yourself.