Lots of distractions Cancel

1. good buddy

   

   42 posts
   Registered:
   06 Sep 2018
   Answered

   14 Sep 2018

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   I find it is good to have more than 1 or 2 distractions,
   I use distractions for coping with life, I will be using them more while quitting smoking.
   Some of my distractions are:
   Reading a good book
   Watching TVwhile working on puzzle books
   Playing games on my computer
   Coloring mandalas while listening to music.
   
   
   
   
   
2. linda, quit coach

   

   146 posts
   Registered:
   28 Nov 2017
   Answered

   14 Sep 2018

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   Hi good buddy,
   
   We are so glad to hear that you are well prepared for your quit journey! You are very creative and with all those great distractions, you are ready to take on those cravings! You are on your way to a healthier lifestyle. Congratulations for all your hard work you’ve done to reach this day!
   
   As we know, smokers use several methods and approaches in order to be smoke-free. You know yourself best and your awareness of the importance of having distractions is so great! Having different activities to do can make a real difference in your quit journey.
   
   With this great planning and commitment, you can do it!
   
   Best wishes and good luck on your quit journey!
   
3. eagerquit

   

   415 posts
   Registered:
   07 Mar 2018
   Answered

   15 Sep 2018

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   Hi Good Buddy,
   
   I couldn't agree with you more about having multiple distractions in a quit. Sitting stewing and thinking with a case of the "poor me's" can lead pretty quickly back to smoking again. I find getting lots of exercise and having a variety of projects helps me stay focused on all of the positives in my life. Yesterday, I went for a walk, worked out at the gym, weeded and watered the garden, cooked a delicious supper and watched some shows on Netflix. Today I went for a walk, mowed the grass, trimmed the hedge and the Rose of Sharon bush planned my menu and bought groceries then played Cribbage with a friend. I didn't even think about smoking either day.
   
   Wishing everyone another smoke free day!
   
   Eagerquit
   
4. good buddy

   

   42 posts
   Registered:
   06 Sep 2018
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   15 Sep 2018 in reply to linda, quit coach

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   I know I have lots of distractions, but today is my first day and I am struggling.
   It will be 24 hours since my last cigarette in just 3 more hours. I am drinking lots
   and sucking on hard candies. I have been using my distractions, all of them, all day.
   I  am going to keep using them till I go to bed, which I do at around 7 pm every day.
   At 7 pm will be 24 hours and I will have made it through my first day on non-smoking.
5. good buddy

   

   42 posts
   Registered:
   06 Sep 2018
   15 Sep 2018 in reply to eagerquit

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   When was your quit date? I would love to get to the point to where I don't even think about having a smoke, today I have struggled with it being my first day. In 3 hours at 7 pm will be 24 hours since my last smoke. I will have made it through the first day successfully.
6. brieffree

   

   1477 posts
   Registered:
   28 Nov 2017
   Answered

   15 Sep 2018

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   Hi Quit Buddy
   
   Ho how happy I am for you because I was there ones, You did great! Fell good.
   The first 24 Hs smoke free!
   
   Congrats is the first day to freedom!
   
   No more smelling like crap
   No more wasting burning your money
   Soon you will fell the Benefits of quitting!
   
   Congrats again!
   
   Be good with your self! you deserve a regard for a wonderful job!
   
7. good buddy

   

   42 posts
   Registered:
   06 Sep 2018
   15 Sep 2018 in reply to brieffree

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   Don't congrat me yet, I fell and had one cigarette after 23 hours.
   I got mad at myself and I went out and bought sunflower seeds and sugar-free gum to add to my arsenal of sugar-free candy.
   I guess just the candy wasn't enough, I got bored of sucking on them today.
   Now I am one hour in and am pretty confident that with my 3 replacements that I have a better chance at this.
   Congrat me tomorrow when I have made it the full 24 hours.
   
8. brieffree

   

   1477 posts
   Registered:
   28 Nov 2017
   22 Sep 2018

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   Hi Good buddy
   
   Congrats in such amazing effort,  No matter how and what! you are winning the war!
   You will be Victorious, No Nico demon!
   
   1 smoke not light is a reason to Celebrate! 
   
   Keep trying, never give up!
   
   Last night, I had to work too late! Due to the Mother Nature! Many problems, etc! The point is that I crave, badly.
   
   And I saw my self failing into it! I do not know exactly what I did, Not even a Puff!
   
   

   Everyday is a try, never give up!

   
   
9. efram, quit coach

   

   235 posts
   Registered:
   29 Nov 2017
   23 Sep 2018

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   Hi All,
   
   Love the ideas here! Mandalas, puzzles, reading, computer games, gardening, walking, Cribbage, candies, sunflower seeds -- finding creative and fun ways to not smoke is what it's all about!
   
   Some people do well with just a single distraction or coping skill to keep it simple ("Every time I have a craving, I'll break out the harmonica and play for 5 minutes!"), but for others, variety is what it's all about. I've heard from many people who write a nice long list of pretty much every idea that they can think of, and then pick and choose depending on their mood or the situation. Like good buddy notes, it may get boring sometimes to use the same distraction too often.
   
   It can help to think of specific distractions that will keep the hands, mouth, and brain occupied.
   
   Brieffree, I don't know what you did either, but I'm glad it worked! Nice going, staying true to your intention of staying smoke-free!
   
   Sometimes distractions will change with the seasons. I have a feeling there will be a lot of people raking leaves soon instead of lighting up a cigarette.   
   
   Please keep sharing your distraction ideas here!
   
   Regards,
   Efram
10. good buddy

    

    42 posts
    Registered:
    06 Sep 2018
    24 Sep 2018 in reply to efram, quit coach

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    Please stop sending me emails for now, I am not setting a new quit date yet, and I can't change my quit date on the dashboard except to change it to a new quit date. Shouldn't there be something there that lets you change it to not quitting yet, because it is frustrating and any date I put in, I will start getting more emails for that date when I don't have a quit date ready yet, don't know when I'll be ready again. I really appreciate all of the support I received, it's just not happening right now.
11. shazzan

    

    140 posts
    Registered:
    06 Nov 2018
    14 Nov 2018 in reply to good buddy

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    Dear Good Buddy. 
    I understand your frustration with the dashboard. I am new here and really haven't used it . It seems you wanted to go in and change the quit date. Just because you couldn't doesn't mean the program here won't work for you. You seemed prepared for the quit, have your reasons for quitting changed? Take the time to watch Bill Nye's Saving the World. S3 E3 Addiction .  Very Enlightening.  Then take the time to watch the CBQ cessation video on line. Follow it up with their webinar.  Don't pay them to continue. (I feel that the program would work, but they give you enough info to do it on your own. (then come back here)   I basically started the quit on my own, joined here, quit cold turkey 2 days later and have been nicotine and smoke free for 6 days.  If you find any of my posts, i hope you will find them informative. I did not find the nicotine cravings bad. That only lasted 3 days. I hardly think of cigarettes now except when on this site. My spouse still smokes right beside me and is pumped about quitting too. 
    
    You can be smoke free with direction, support, understanding, and knowledge. If you Want it , and Need it bad enough you will achieve it.