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1. stephgeoff2018

   

   2 posts
   Registered:
   04 Jun 2018
   11 Jun 2018

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   Good morning, Im new here just wanted to introduce myself, my name is Stephanie I am 38 year old married i have 2 children (22 and 18) 2 dogs and 2 cats and oh did I mention a husband lol? We are a hard working, shift working, fun loving couple who are so eager to quit but can I say actually enjoy it?!?!..I recently have had a diagnosis that is prompting me to quit asap, Im struggling..anyone else?
2. susanyw

   

   22 posts
   Registered:
   06 Jun 2018
   11 Jun 2018 in reply to stephgeoff2018

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   HI Stephanie, I too enjoy smoking, but am having a procedure and bones tend to not heal very well at all if you're a smoker, so I'm 6 days in, my procedure is in Sept. so I simply just cannot smoke, Not easy, I'm a lifer and not my first rodeo.  But the patch is helping lots of water and one day at a time.  I have two children and want to be around one day when there's (hopefully) grandchildren.  
3. valerie, quit coach

   

   46 posts
   Registered:
   29 Nov 2017
   11 Jun 2018

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   Hello Stephanie,
   
   Welcome to Smokers' Helpline online community. 
   Quitting smoking is a journey and a way to rediscover yourself as a non-smoker. As Susanyw mentioned, find what works for you, try different strategies to cope with your cravings/urges. 
   Some people have tried to find new things they enjoy doing instead of smoking. What are some distractions you can see yourself put in place which can help you cope with the cravings? 
   
   Perhaps other community members can share their experience having to face letting go of something that they enjoy doing? 
   
   Looking forward to hear from your quit journey, 
   Valerie
4. eagerquit

   

   415 posts
   Registered:
   07 Mar 2018
   11 Jun 2018

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   Hi Stephanie,
   
   I had a love-hate relationship with cigarettes. I thought I needed them to relax and enjoy myself but having been a few months away from smoking, I know that was not really necessary at all. Before I quit I compiled a list on the hate side to remind myself of the reasons to quit and I still refer back to it.
   
   The wheezing at night
   Blocked sinuses
   Clothes smelling of smoke
   Smoking in cold, snow and rain
   High blood pressure
   Burn holes
   The drain on money
   Trips to the store for more cigarettes
   
   I have spent some time in my journey dealing with the fall out from that past habit and developing new ways to enjoy life. I have a bucket list of exciting things to do that has been replacing cigarettes with new ways of enjoyment.
   
   Eagerquit
   
   
5. treepeo

   

   832 posts
   Registered:
   29 Nov 2017
   11 Jun 2018

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   Hi Stephanie,
   
   I quit cold turkey and struggled a whole lot for the first month.  I'm not going to lie, it was one of the hardest things I have ever done.  But I stuck with it, and I am so glad that I did.  After smoking for 43 years, I am finally free and living life as a non-smoker, and it is wonderful.
   
   It would be great if you and your husband quit together.  But even if he does not quit with you, you have to quit because of your diagnosis.  Have you tried using any NRTs like the patch, mist or gum?  Or Champix?  Products like these have helped lots of people, and you can read about their experiences in these forums.
   
   Drink lots of water, and do things to distract yourself.  And I agree with eagerquit.  It's good to make a list of all of the reasons why you want to quit, and refer to it often.  You can do this Stephanie.  Where there's a will, there's a way.  Believe in yourself.
6. aurora

   

   94 posts
   Registered:
   08 Mar 2018
   15 Jun 2018

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   Hi Stephanie,
   
   It has been 3 and half months since I quit. Over this period of time, of course, there were times when I thought about the pleasurable parts of smoking.  The times when I really enjoyed it.  Like eagerquit, I have to go back to the reasons that I did quit, and the reasons I really hated smoking, which were so much more compelling than the reasons I enjoyed smoking.
   Health
   Life
   Money - spending money on living, not dying
   Smelling better - breath, hair, hands, car, clothes
   My son
   Feeling better - more energy
   Freedom!  Being a slave to addiction was one of the worst.