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Quitting has been so hard all my life

13 posts, 1 answered
  1. sarah1212
    sarah1212 avatar
    3 posts
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    08 Dec 2018
    08 Dec 2018
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     Is it possible to be smoke free forever? I have been smoking on and off all my life and I just want to quit and never go back, but every time I get into a stressful situation I start up again. I have done the patch got laser treatment tried Nicorette and cold turkey. Once I’m off for the first week it does get better but then stuff happens in my life and I go back. It’s like my friend but I know it’s bad for me. I get in this place where I stop caring and I smoke. I love to work out and I eat good foods but yet I smoke. I thought I would try this support group to see if this would help. 
  2. linda, quit coach
    linda, quit coach avatar
    146 posts
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    28 Nov 2017
    08 Dec 2018
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    Hi Sarah1212,

    Welcome and congratulations for taking this important decision to quit smoking! Today, you made a decision that will bring positive changes in your life. You are doing something remarkable…something that is very important for your health and wellbeing – Way to go! We are happy for you and thank you for sharing your quit journey with us.

    You have been smoking on and off through your life. You have worked very hard to get to this point. With your persistence, hard work and determination, we believe that you can succeed. You have such a great awareness about yourself and you know what works for you. Keep moving forward in this way, take one day at a time and soon, you'll be smoke-free again. You can do this! 

    We all know that quitting smoking is a process and it can take time. As long as you don’t lose sight of your goal and you keep trying, someday you will be smoke-free for good. It is not an easy task and the road to a smoke-free life can be bumpy and challenging but it’s worth it. It’s a big change, a lifestyle change where our habits and routine are often upside down but in the end, we can enjoy the freedom and all the benefits of a smoke-free life.

    Know that we are all here for you and we want to see you succeed. Come by anytime to let us know how you are doing.

    Wishing you continued success!
    Last modified on 08 Dec 2018 10:47 by linda, quit coach
  3. shazzan
    shazzan avatar
    140 posts
    Registered:
    06 Nov 2018
    Answered
    08 Dec 2018 in reply to sarah1212
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    Hi Sarah1212 

    I am sure it is possible to stay quit with the right mindset. I am smoke free 30 days now, and have had time to stop missing it so much. I can't imagine going back to such an awful, expensive  addiction. Once you realize that the cigarette is cause for your stress, and does absolutely nothing for you or your stress or social life, you will let the desire for it go, and with it , the cravings. So much easier of a quit in the right mindset, and make it forever..... not just abstinence. Smokers are jealous of you quitting... did you know that?  They only wish they could quit. You are doing it! 

    You have come to the right place to get support and advice. Make the effort one LAST  time!
  4. sarah1212
    sarah1212 avatar
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    Registered:
    08 Dec 2018
    08 Dec 2018 in reply to shazzan
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    Thanks I really like what you said that makes me feel good. This is Day one being off smokes and so far so good. You were off for 30 days good for you. You must feel like you have lots of energy now. One thing I always hated was smelling like smoke in my hair and clothes. I’m feeling positive today thanks.
  5. dean56
    dean56 avatar
    2 posts
    Registered:
    07 Nov 2018
    10 Dec 2018
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    I quit October 8th for 5 weeks and all was good but I just don't know where I went wrong. All of a sudden I'm smoking 1-2 cigarettes a week! Ughhhh
  6. brieffree
    brieffree avatar
    1478 posts
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    28 Nov 2017
    11 Dec 2018
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    Hi Dean

    5 weeks smoke free was Great, you are training your self to quit, sleep and relapse is part of the quit!

    Just go back to the quit zone, and try again, this time you will be stronger!

    Trust in yourself! you can do it!
  7. efreeman75
    efreeman75 avatar
    296 posts
    Registered:
    02 Apr 2018
    11 Dec 2018
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    Hi Dean and Sarah,

    Welcome to the forum.  We're all here to help you in your journey to become smoke-free.  It is possible!!!  And when you get there, you will never want to go back no matter what life throws at you.  There are treatments and therapies to soften the withdrawal symptoms, but there is no magic pill or potion to make us quit.  You must be stubborn.  Practice the 4 D's - they have been incredibly helpful to many of us here.  In short, you must come to the realization that Smoking is NOT an Option!!!

    You have both quit for days and weeks at a time.  We're all here to help you take the final step, and be able to start counting months and years nicotine free.

    E
  8. jenna lee, quit coach
    jenna lee, quit coach avatar
    265 posts
    Registered:
    28 Jun 2018
    12 Dec 2018 in reply to dean56
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    hello Dean,

    oh those slips and relapses...yes they can happen. It is up to you. Do you want to set a new quit date? If not, no problem. Just keep quitting and going with it! One or 2 cigarettes per week does not derail all your success. 

    What is important is that you have not thrown in the towel and had a full relapse. Can you take some time to think about those moments when you did have slips and reflect on what went wrong? What could you do differently next time? Let's take advantage of these slips and use them as learning opportunities.

    Best of luck with your continued quit!!

    Jenna Lee
  9. dean56
    dean56 avatar
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    07 Nov 2018
    12 Dec 2018 in reply to brieffree
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    Thank you for replying back, I really appreciate your help! I made it through another day smoke free and it was very stressful due to a family matter. I chose this time of year because I don't smoke in my house or car and really dislike smoking outside in the winter so for me perfect time to be successful! 
  10. eagerquit
    eagerquit avatar
    415 posts
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    07 Mar 2018
    13 Dec 2018
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    Hi sarah1212,

    I have been smoke free for eight months now and I find what helps me most is keeping busy. I spend the day with a lot of activities and hobbies so I have no time to even think about smoking. Nutrition is important to me too and I spend time with healthy snacks such as fruits and nuts. I also work out like you and spend two hours at the gym three times a week.

    Stress will happen but developing the habit of not smoking and doing other things such as drinking water and juice replaces the old habits and triggers. When stress happens I no longer consider smoking to be a solution but an additional problem.

    Wishing you every success.

    Eagerquit
  11. efreeman75
    efreeman75 avatar
    296 posts
    Registered:
    02 Apr 2018
    13 Dec 2018
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    Hi Dean - I quit last February also because I hated standing out in the cold.  What a ridiculous addiction we will freeze our limbs off to feed.  Once the warmer weather started coming around, I followed eagerquit's example and became much more active than normal.  The last thing I felt like after finishing a run or bike ride was a cigarette - seems so counterproductive.

    And always please remember - A slip is not a fall!!!
  12. toniac
    toniac avatar
    1 posts
    Registered:
    07 Dec 2017
    20 Dec 2018 in reply to eagerquit
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    Hi Sarah
    I quit on March 4, 2018, just a little more than ten months ago.  Since my husband still smokes and smokes a lot, it has been quite the journey but I have seen it through so far and am not willing to take even one step backwards.  a few attempts and a cutting back first and then finally the last day.....now the smell is almost nauseating which is difficult because of hubby and my work requires that I meet with families who still smoke so that can be difficult.  But it is not difficult because I want to smoke again but because the smell is so horrible I just want to be away from it.  Anyway, just wanted to let you know that there is someone who is under the year but keeping keeping on right along with you
  13. jenna lee, quit coach
    jenna lee, quit coach avatar
    265 posts
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    28 Jun 2018
    21 Dec 2018 in reply to toniac
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    Hi toniac,

    Congratulations on your quit! 

    You are in a tough spot being around smokers at home and at work, but it shows a lot that the smell is nauseating, rather than tempting for you. Thank you for posting and supporting all of us.

    Jenna Lee
13 posts, 1 answered