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1. deelove

   

   6 posts
   Registered:
   03 Aug 2019
   02 Aug 2019

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   I am using the gum but quit 6 days ago just looking for support. I signed up for the free patches and gum. I wrote down pros and cons to quitting smoking and my reasons why and put it on my fridge. only had one con the cravings but I know I can do this. I have tried everything to try and quit before but the gum and so far its working.
2. lillian, quit coach

   

   220 posts
   Registered:
   28 Nov 2017
   03 Aug 2019

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   Welcome deelove!
   
   The forums and posting on them can help you get through this change process and those cravings,  so we are very glad to have you here.
   
   Congratulations on day 6, right now on day 7? This first week can be the most physically demanding for some and so just want you to know, it should ease up a bit now.
   
   Looking forward to reading more about your journey deelove.
   
   Lillian
   
3. deelove

   

   6 posts
   Registered:
   03 Aug 2019
   03 Aug 2019 in reply to deelove

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   today I had a test I went shopping and got everything shaped like a stick to help me. But when I went outside to wait for the taxi to take me home. I had the worst craving since I quit smoking. It was so bad I was shaking I thought maybe my blood sugar was low so I opened a chocolate milk and drank some. That did not seem to work lucky I had no smokes and no smokers were around me at the time. Then I realized that I always have a cigarette after shopping so I popped a 4 mg Nicotine gum in my mouth and I felt better. Now I am at home and I am not shaking anymore I got pretzels, cheese sticks, licorice, hickory sticks and some pumpkin seeds in the shell I have to open them so they will give me something to do. I have one week today I am so proud of myself.
4. lillian, quit coach

   

   220 posts
   Registered:
   28 Nov 2017
   03 Aug 2019 in reply to deelove

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   Hi,
   
   You made it through an intense test! With flying colours deelove!
   
   Way to get through getting through day 7.
   You've got this!
   Lillian
5. atp

   

   501 posts
   Registered:
   31 Dec 2018
   04 Aug 2019 in reply to deelove

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   Deelove,
   Way to go with getting your quit going and facing down a huge trigger and craving!
   The first few weeks are the hardest because you are struggling not to smoke and dealing with the withdrawals, etc. The upside is that by now your body is starting to recover, you'll probably start to breath a bit better soon, foods may start to have more taste, and you're smelling a whole lot better. 
   I munched through a whole lot of bags of Nibs and potato chips the first month - anything to keep the quit going. 
   It does get easier in the coming weeks. The hard part is getting over the habit of smoking - coffee/smoke, get in car/smoke, lunch break/smoke. Look to have something else to do to keep yourself distracted. Change up your routine. And be ready for those crazy cravings that pop up from nowhere. 
   In my second week one thing i realized was I didn't know how to be a non-smoker. Seems strange but i had a hard time wrapping my head around doing things without associating them with a smoke (like just sitting on my deck and enjoying a sunset and not having a smoke). I learned, and am glad i did. 
6. treepeo

   

   832 posts
   Registered:
   29 Nov 2017
   04 Aug 2019

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   Hi deelove,
   
   Congratulations on making it through your first week.  Yippee!
   
   You should be so proud of yourself for resisting the urges you were getting after shopping, and then reaching out for the gum instead.  Way to go!  Like atp said, we have to learn how to be non-smokers again.  You will find that you get cravings at various times, because you associate other activities with smoking, too.  The trick is to be prepared.  Keep telling yourself that you want to be a non-smoker, and that you can beat this addiction.  When a craving strikes, do something to distract yourself, and pop a gum if necessary.  Try to do things that you enjoy, so that you will start to associate pleasure with being a non-smoker.
   
   I always encourage people to live by N.O.P.E., Not One Puff Ever.  If you never take a puff, you will be a non-smoker for life.
   
   You are doing great, deelove.  Let us know when you start feeling the benefits of being a non-smoker.
   
7. deelove

   

   6 posts
   Registered:
   03 Aug 2019
   07 Aug 2019

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   thanks and I was counting when I started doing the gum but did have a puff on July 31 but I have been smoke free since Aug 1 2019 so today is 7 days for me. I changed my date and I am looking foreword to staying smoke free. I found the anxiety was getting to me so yesterday I went to the health food store and got true calm. its been working so far taking away 80 % of my anxiety. I have also been doing things to keep my hands busy I do a needle point craft called plastic canvas and have been doing that. I find I can smell and taste better too and my breathing is better.

   Last modified on 07 Aug 2019 16:32 by deelove
8. brieffree

   

   1478 posts
   Registered:
   28 Nov 2017
   07 Aug 2019

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   Hi Deelove
   
   Seems that you have a plan ahead in place to be prepare when the Cravings comes.
   If helps you more:
   Drink plenty of water,
   walk around,
   do something instead in that moment to get rid of that feeling.
   Talk to someone
   Used your imagination!
   
   What ever you chose Must be a Healthy choice
   
   Congrats in your quit! You can do this!
9. jeyan

   

   182 posts
   Registered:
   28 Nov 2017
   09 Aug 2019 in reply to deelove

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   Hi Deelove, one advise I want to give you is, get it straight in your mind that you want to quit forever and the key to it is never another puff ever again. However, also remind yourself that pitfalls (relapses) are part of this journey, and you have to get back to your quit the next day, till you finally learn how this is done.  Quitting smoking is tough and is a process where you need to retrain your body and mind to live with the addiction and habit. So learn good habits, and keep trying and trying until you have trained your body and mind to how to stay quit for ever. I joined this site in 2013, and now I am smoke free for nearly three years.  it took me three years to learn how to quit forever. Now I know the key is NOPE (not one puff ever) and stick to your good habits and stay away from friends who smoke or have many bad habits to teach you.  I have also learned to take things much more easily now and learn to accept life as it is. :)  Good luck with your quit!  we can do this!
   
   Every time we relapse, we are learning what situations and triggers to avoid the next time.
   

   Last modified on 09 Aug 2019 11:30 by jeyan
10. deelove

    

    6 posts
    Registered:
    03 Aug 2019
    16 Aug 2019

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    well I made it to 16 days now and I feel great. I got fake nails with my daughter as a treat today with the money I saved.  kinda hard to type but that's okay. My daughter says she is proud of me and I am proud of my self.
11. sarah, quit coach

    

    231 posts
    Registered:
    28 Nov 2017
    16 Aug 2019

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    Hello deelove - congrats on day #16! Amazing! Two weeks plus quit must feel fantastic! 
    And enjoy your fancy new nails - everytime you look down at them you will know its a reward for staying smoke-free.
    Keep up the great work,
    Sarah
    P.S. We are proud of you too!
12. brieffree

    

    1478 posts
    Registered:
    28 Nov 2017
    16 Aug 2019

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    Hi deelove
    
      Congrats in 16 days Smoke free.
     What a hard work, pay off! You must feel fantastic!
    You are so lucky that you ask her! Is so important what they think! is a good motivation!
     Please keep the good work! sooner we will celebrating 3 weeks....
     You can do this!