Time to rethink this whole cigarette thing...

[j_chicago]

Out of 30 years on this world, I've been smoking for 15. And about 14 years as a pack or more a day. They way I figure it, I've enjoyed over $20,000 in cigarettes over the years. Note, I didn't say throw away $20,000, because I did enjoy it, and still do on most days. But now, with cigarette prices over $7 and gas at 4.50 per gallon in the city, I'm thinking something needs to go. My problem is that I always find an excuse to smoke and it usually work, job is too stressful, work in a bar, work close to Dupage where cigs. are less then $40 a carton, etc...

But I woke up this morning, my wife still in bed, and after an hour I had to dump my son back into his crib, so I could go out and smoke, came back inside and decided I really need to quit smoking. Then watching Today, they had a article about money, made me think about spending that $3000+ a year on being a slave to a habit.

Think I'll pick up nicoderm patches today, quit with them before for about 4 months, but last couple times I found out I can smoke on the patch and gives me a nice buzz.

Looking for advise, encouragement, and stories.

Thanks,
Jason

[SchizotypalVamp]

I think that the decision you're making is a great one!

[cam191919]

this may sound kind of dumb, but my uncle quit by living on a boat with no cigarettes for three weeks. granted he was a fisherman and had somthing to do.

[Lady G]

Good luck J.....hope it works for you!!!! We got your back, just come here and rant and rave and yell and whatever else you need to do to get through it:grinyes:

[Hooked Newbie]

Go for it Jason!!! I wish I could quit... same excuses, etc. I'll quit when I really decide to completely WANT to. I'll send good vibes your way.

[tennesseemom]

I stopped smoking after 20 years when I was 7 months pregnant. That was 8 years ago and since the day I stopped I haven't had any urges or anything that nicotine replacement companies want you to think you need.

Someone recommended Alan Carr's "The Easy Way to Stop Smoking" book back then, and I'm not kidding you, I've never touched a cigarette since. Once you get past the tacky title of the book You don't need patches, I swear! I was absolutely no different then you are now.

I stopped in 2000, I had to have the book imported from England back then, I think the book was written in 1991. I gave it to my fater in law, who didn't read it or stop smoking, and last month had a quad bypass, and they had trouble getting him to breath on his own because his lungs are so bad.

anyway, you can get it from amazon now days.

/ends my infomercial

[Weezer]

Good luck, maybe chew gum, that should help you cut back, maybe to half a pack, its a little less aggressive than cold turkey for now, it worked for me...........:)

[flossyfloofloo]

there is mnt to be a book u read to make u quit my dad n brother both used it to quit n the didnt use patches look for it as it has worked on every one i know the book says if u cant quit using it then ull never quit

[SchizotypalVamp]

Oh, and btw, my dad smoked for many years until I was supposed to be born. He quit once, started again, then put the pack down and just never picked it back up. People, like you, are stronger than companies want them to think!

[catnipgal]

I've never smoked, but know a lot of people having a rough time quitting and not going back.

About the only thing I heard that worked was accupuncture.

[j_chicago]

Thanks guys

[oscarluvr]

good luck, lots of jelly beans, always keep an unopened pack of cigarettes with you, thus elimanating the excuse to go to the store.

[jpappy789]

I have never smoked or had anyone close to me start or quit smoking but I do hope that you reach your goal of beating the nasty habit! :)

[Dangerdoll]

note. to j_c... the gum is awful.... if anything, it makes you want to quit chewing gum forever :D

have you tried chantix?

<-- still a smoker and not so proud of it but not yet ready to give it up..... got an extra seat by you, Hooked?

[Notophthalmus]

Good luck, man! No advice from me, just know that we're all pulling for you.

[excuzzzeme]

FYI - Age 52, 5+strokes, emphysema all related to smoking. Keep smoking and join me in a wheelchair or stop now and pray it ain't too late.

[Snowy]

Well, all i can say is take it one day at a time.. Remember the urge only lasts 30sec.. Break away from your routine ( if you can ) and what i found worked for me was eating sunflower seeds whenever i got the urge. It used to keep my finger busy and the salt was rather gratifying. I am on my 6th year of non-smoking. I now do not picture myself as a smoker.. Hang in there and get the support from the people around you.
Good luck ! You can do it !!

Mike

[j_chicago]

Right now, I'm still smokin. And I figure a few died bodies around me tomorrow when I stop.

Mods, please don't take anything to personal for the next few weeks, when I tell you all to **** off and die, take it with a grain of salt.

[faun]

Well i'm a smoker tried to give up a few times the gum is vile patches may bring you out in a rash but willpower is the best way i hope you can do it then you can tell me your secret.

[oO.Crim.Oo]

I always have to recommend hypnosis. I would have never believe in it if it wasn't for my brother. He's been a smoker through thick and thin. He was diagnosed with Leukemia and advised that he had to quit smoking. Did he? No. That was 8 years ago. About a year ago, him and some buddies wanted to get hypnotized and found a good deal on a quit smoking session. They had absolutely no intention nor desire to quit when they went into this place. They were basically just screwing around. Not one of the four of them have smoked another cigarette since walking into that place. They say they don't even desire a cigarette. These are cigarette smoking, beer drinking, partying guys that just up and quit! Myself, I quit cold turkey. Every now and then when I get stressed out or ticked off, I'll smoke a cigarette and then go weeks without smoking another one. Thank goodness I haven't returned to the 1 pack + a day routine. Best of luck to you in your journey!

[cweg71]

No secret to quitting. The most important step is to want to quit for yourself. The second most important step is will power. I found patches did help with cravings. Replacing your smoker routine with something else to free you mind.

[inkyjenn]

you have to want to quit for you. i quit thanks to pneumonia. i was so sick i couldnt handle the idea of anything making it any more difficult to breathe. by the time i felt better, it had been over a week and i knew the nicotine was out of my system and the rest was all habits. it was rough and i was grouchy, but i got off the cigs.

put your cigarette money towards your fish? get a big tank to occupy your time and your hands :) or every time you want a smoke, pick up your baby or hug your wife instead :)

[rustygmc]

Good luck man

[FISHSHROD]

Good luck with kicking the habit. Like mentioned , you have to want to quit. I quit cold turkey by accident. I was hanging around with a girl that didn't smoke so I didn't smoke while I was with her. After spending most of the day and night with her by the next morning I thought hey , why don't I quit. I threw the rest of the cigs in the garbage and never had another one since. I think that was back in 1988 or 89.
I had smoked probably 20 years, 2 packs a day. I work out now at least a couple times a week .
The crazy thing is when I've had dreams that I was smoking and thought how I blew it after all those years of quitting :)

Go for it :grinyes:

[emptywallet]

hmm well you have my support. my aunt has and still smokes 1 - 2 packs a day even tho she has lukimia and keeps on going through kemo. my dad tried to make her stop but she wouldnt and said she could quit whenever and that when she did my dad would give up his computers...it's been longer then 13 years and she hasnt quit yet. it's a hard habit to break but you can do it

[JoeFish49]

I smoked for over 22 years and quit several times, only to start back up. The way I gave it up for ever was to set my mind to the notion that I didn't quit (since I can always start back up again), but I just don't smoke anymore. It’s been over 10 years now since I stopped smoking, and it doesn't bother me at all. I am around people all the time that smoke, and I have no desire to start smoking. If you get your mind set right, you will make it.

:headbang2:

[Lady G]

You know J...signing up for the new game, may help out :grinyes:

[j_chicago]

You know J...signing up for the new game, may help out :grinyes:

Lol, cause I did so well at the last game, UD'ed before I even got to the computer to cast a vote.

I'll sit it out and see about doing it when I have time.


Smoked less then half a pack today, and most were after I burned the @%#* out of my fingers when grilling shrimp. Who knew metal skewers could stay so hot after a few minutes off the grill?

[Lady G]

Lol, cause I did so well at the last game, UD'ed before I even got to the computer to cast a vote.

I'll sit it out and see about doing it when I have time.


Smoked less then half a pack today, and most were after I burned the @%#* out of my fingers when grilling shrimp. Who knew metal skewers could stay so hot after a few minutes off the grill?

LOL, lots of pple have and will UD in the game.

Great job slowing down today:grinyes:....stupid skewers, I tell ya:wall:

[tennesseemom]

did you say.... grilling shrimp?!?

:jaw:

*is gald her shrimp can't read*

:)

[FISHSHROD]

You need to stop all together , I've seen people that try the cut down to the less routine and fail.
If you REALLY want to quit you need to.
The first 2 weeks is about as bad as it got for me , after that it was smooth sailing.
You start counting the hours and days and months , maybe the years and then you stop counting when you forget about it all together.

[j_chicago]

did you say.... grilling shrimp?!?

:jaw:

*is gald her shrimp can't read*

:)


and they were dang tasty!
Grilled steaks, corn still in the husks, and shrimp with some lemon pepper.

[johnlarson66]

Some thoughts from an ex-smoker:

First off, no one cares. Yep, as harsh as it sounds, no one cares, no one is going to kiss your rear or be nicer to you just because you are quiting. Smokers could care less and people that never have smoked have no clue. Ex-smokers have done it themselves and don't want to hear anyone complain. So don't wear the fact that you are quitting on your sleave, keep it to yourself - no one cares.

Second, don't try to quit smoking. You either stop smoking or you keep smoking. Trying is failing. Trying is an excuse to keep smoking.

Third, slowing down is not stopping. If someone is hitting you in the head with a hammer, do you want them to slow down or stop? Cutting back does not work.

The key to stopping is to want to stop. If you want to stop, you will stop. I know it sounds too easy, but the truth is that if you want it bad enough, you will do what it takes. There are all sorts of resources available to those that want to stop smoking. In my experience, the best ones are FREE. If you really want to know how I did it, ask. If you know other ex-smokers that have quit long term, ask them how they did it. Most ex-smokers have learned not to talk about it unless asked, becuase no one cares.

Some folks will swear by the patch, gum or mints. Most of the people I know that have used those are either still using them or smoking.

Once you start acting like a non-smoker you will start thinking like a non-smoker. It will totally suck at first, but gets better. It gets way better. Ride out the rough times.

[FireDancer7905]

Good luck! It's hard, I know (I've been a non-smoker for 9 days now). I've been keeping licorice in my car, so I have something to hold in my fingers and that I can suck on. JollyRanchers after meals are helping with that aspect. Keep at it!

[FISHSHROD]

Good luck! It's hard, I know (I've been a non-smoker for 9 days now). I've been keeping licorice in my car, so I have something to hold in my fingers and that I can suck on. JollyRanchers after meals are helping with that aspect. Keep at it!

:grinyes: Way to go.
Once you quit for several years you'll wonder why you smoked in the first place . It's weird:wall:

[johnlarson66]

I think what pushed me over the edge to quit was the fact that I had made a chioce as a teenager to smoke and that as an adult I was still doing it as an adult. I kinda felt mad at the tabacco companies for taking advantage of a rebelous teenager. I am not sure if anyone can relate to that or not.

[j_chicago]

If you really want to know how I did it, ask.






Looking for advise, encouragement, and stories.



Already did, but now really don't care to hear your advice.

[Lady G]

Are we getting edgy now J??? Take it out on me if ya need to I can take it:perv:

[Malefic23]

I stopped smoking after 20 years when I was 7 months pregnant. That was 8 years ago and since the day I stopped I haven't had any urges or anything that nicotine replacement companies want you to think you need.

Someone recommended Alan Carr's "The Easy Way to Stop Smoking" book back then, and I'm not kidding you, I've never touched a cigarette since. Once you get past the tacky title of the book You don't need patches, I swear! I was absolutely no different then you are now.

I stopped in 2000, I had to have the book imported from England back then, I think the book was written in 1991. I gave it to my fater in law, who didn't read it or stop smoking, and last month had a quad bypass, and they had trouble getting him to breath on his own because his lungs are so bad.

anyway, you can get it from amazon now days.

/ends my infomercial

(this is wataugachicken)

that is a great great great book. the title may be tacky, but at least it's honest! i used it to stop smoking too. completely cold turkey once i got to the end of the book. it worked for almost a year, but i am absolutely confident that if i hadn't ended up living with three other smokers in the same house I would have stayed quit. Two was manageable, but three put me over the edge. I still have the book and plan on using it again soon. . . . and hopefully for good. I really felt great when i wasn't smoking, and i still kick myself for starting again.

[excuzzzeme]

I think what pushed me over the edge to quit was the fact that I had made a chioce as a teenager to smoke and that as an adult I was still doing it as an adult. I kinda felt mad at the tabacco companies for taking advantage of a rebelous teenager. I am not sure if anyone can relate to that or not.


Sounds like another person refusing to accept responsibility for their own decisions and actions. I don't think any of the lawsuits should ever had been allowed to go through. It's like blaming a gun manufacturer and saying they caused you to shoot someone.

We all make decisions that we later regret. Not everyone is as strong and unfailing. Sometimes a little encouragement goes a long way. You may be bitter but not everyone is. We all have our own methods of coping, some are Superman like you seem to be and some of us are mortal.

Good luck and looking forward to your success.

[johnlarson66]

Sounds like another person refusing to accept responsibility for their own decisions and actions. I don't think any of the lawsuits should ever had been allowed to go through. It's like blaming a gun manufacturer and saying they caused you to shoot someone.

We all make decisions that we later regret. Not everyone is as strong and unfailing. Sometimes a little encouragement goes a long way. You may be bitter but not everyone is. We all have our own methods of coping, some are Superman like you seem to be and some of us are mortal.

Good luck and looking forward to your success.

I think this response was directed towards me because I was quoted in it.

Maybe I am missing something, but I am not bitter nor am I "Superman". As far as the law suits, I quit before any of that madness started. I respect a persons right to smoke and think that smokers (and businesses) are getting messed over with the laws against smokers. Most of my friends smoke and I have never told them they should quit, nor would I. I don't care if they smoke or not, it is their choice.

I am not bitter. I stated that " I kinda felt mad". It was that feeling that helped push me over the edge to quit. I also did not mean to come off as being super strong and I can see how my first post could cause offense, which seems to be the case of the OP. I meant no offense and meant to be helpful. I just shared my thoughts and my experience.

[wataugachicken]

i do agree on the "slowing down" thing not working. it's one of the points of the book. the more you try to cut back, the more IMPORTANT each cigarette becomes to you, and it gets harder to quit the less you smoke. if you cut down to just one smoke after lunch and dinner, you'll be waiting all day long to get to those two precious cigarettes. that way you put it up on a pedestal and worship it. what you need to do is say screw it, i don't need this anymore, these things are no longer important in my life.

[Mother Yoda]

This is good news! Here are some tips though on how to stay off the drug for good. 1) Keep yourself occupied. 2) Ask for support from family members and close ones. 3) Separate yourself (when ever possible) from those who smoked allot and those who promote the behavior.

[FireDancer7905]

How are you holding up? I had a dream last night where I got plastered and smoked a whole pack! I woke up craving a smoke and thought of your thread here.... Keep up the good fight!

[Cheapeeper]

My dad quit by buying a whole bunch of tootsie Roll suckers. Anytime he had that hand to mouth craving he popped in a sucker. granted he already had dentures so cavities were not a worry. he still has not smoked since.