Counting Down to being a non smoker

[Nana4&cntn]

My quit date is in 10.5 days, my 50th birthday and the day my yougest grandchild is Baptized.

I have been doing a lot of reading and meditating on the subject and feel I am ready. I am also a bit aprehensive that I may not make it. I have tried so many time before. NOW is the time! I am more worried about my health and happiness.

I want to have Thanksgiving at my house again and that won't happen unless I quit. My children and Grandchildren won't come to my house until I quit! I don't blame them at all. It smell horrible in here and they grew up with smoke and hated it, especially after they went away to college and would come back home. My 2 youngest have always been out spoken about it, good for them! Good for them not letting their children come here even tho I always smoke away from the little one's as I don't want them to be around the smoke. Boy, am I rambling! I needed to put these things down so I will be accountable to my words and hopefully to others! I haven't told anyone in my family I am quitting as I want them to be surprised. I don't think they think I will ever quit.

Take care and thank you to anyone who reads this,
Kathy

[joy]

Alleluia ~ Alleluia All=le uuuuia! Good for you Kathy. I am hopeing well knowing you will make it. Great for you and good for your family.

[jingle]

Kathy - How WONDERFUL !! You can do it. :D
Sure, there will be spots where you want one SOOOOOO bad but those spots will last just a minute or two and then be over and they will get fewer and fewer.
We will all be behind you and wishing you well.

[CanRelate]

Congratulations on reaching the point of thinking "Enough of this!!"

Here are a few perhaps helpful tips from an ex-smoker --- quit 20 years ago. Was up to a pack a day when I quit.

In the next 10.5 days, cut out some. We sometimes reach out of boredom....you probably know which ones those are for you.

I remember reading that after a week, the cravings are psychological, not nicotine withdrawal. Now is the time to make a list of alternate activities to go to when the cravings hit.

Perhaps in these last few days, restrict where you smoke. Make yourself go outside and stand!! The less enjoyable the experience, the more likely that you can skip some.

Whenever you would have bought yourself a pack/carton, take that same money and put it away....same amount you would have spent. Soon you will have concrete evidence of how quitting helps your bottom line as well as your health.

The smell is imbedded into every porous surface in you home....pillows, carpet, walls... as you stop smoking, your sense of smell will improve, and you will notice this. It may trigger you. Think now about getting the walls washed, steamcleaning carpets, getting rid of accent pillows or anything else that cannot be laundered or somehow cleansed of the smell. It will really make a difference to you...and the lack of stale smoke smell will be very aparent to your family when they arrive for the holiday!!!

Stay strong, and know it can be done. It does take planning, thought, meditation, and concrete plans on what to do when the cravings hit.

All the best with this...

CenRelate

[Buttons2]

Kathy,have you considered joining an online support group? Might check some of them out & see where you'd like to fit in.

We'll all be rooting for you! This will be hard but if you're determined then you can do it. And you have a good REASON to quit afterall.

I've read alot about quitting,and some people have very strong opinions about cold turkey or tapering. I would think it's an individual choice,but when I decide to do it I won't try cold turkey (already tried that & it was NOT for me).

You have set a quit date,that's the first step. Now stock up on something to chew or suck on such as licorice or whatever. I know a woman that quick using dill pickles of all things!

You'll have many people on BT behind you so let them help. And rest assured I will not mention smoking to you at all.

HUGS & good luck! You can do this!

[Nana4&cntn]

Thank you all! I have a ton of popcicles to suck on, and they take about the same time to eat as it does to smoke a cig.

I can do it, I have before! 2.5 years and then a family death and I had one of my ex's and have been smoking ever since.

If I can save all the money and NOT touch it, I will have a good amount for Christmas gifts for my Grandbabies, and family:D

I have Chantix to help with the cravings and a ton of thing that need to be done around here, I have really let things go the last year.:eek: I have work books from the America Cancer Society, I know how to meditate and also plan to take short walks and pull the million weeds I have in my flower beds.

I will be spending a lot of time with my Aunt, it is a no smoking zone. I will be visiting Grands more:D. I may need to spen more time away from home.

I have a dental claning appointment the day after I quit, so my teeth will be clean;).

I have a ton of things planned and have made a schedule of things I can and need to do, but I can only do 20 min 3x a day due to my back. I will need to hire someone to wash my walls as I can't do anything over head and can't safely be on a ladder.

Again, thank you all! I will be checking in!

[Buttons2]

August 17th is the quit day then? Go for it!!

[CanRelate]

One more interesting tip I found....

Someone used drinking straws to satisfy the craving.....you can inhale and have something to do with your hands.

Interesting substitute...


A friend used Chantix and was able to successfully stop. She was ready to; she did a lot of "noticing" the cravings....although with the Chantix cravings were apparently present but manageable and fleeting. Really is a "hold on until it passes" kind of thing, quiting is. The cravings/urges become weaker and less often. However, if we went to smoking when stressed, new stress might increase the strength of the urges. That is probably the single hardest element of quiting. That's where your strategies for handling stress have to be very specific so you know what tools --- besides smoking --- are available and ready for you when you feel stressed.

All the best...
CR

[jingle]

:) - I used "sugarless" candy to satisfy my cravings and that was a mistake -- sugarless aren't calorie-free!! :p. I gained more than I expected and more than I should have but every doctor I've seen has said they were thrilled and approve 100%. Not one has even suggested I get to work losing weight!

Anyhow -- gee whiz, I talk too much - sorry.

We all face STRESS when we're smoking, while we're quitting and after we quit. Stress is a part of life and smoking doesn't help. But how I remember that feeling, "Oh, that's awful, that hurts, that's bad, I gotta' have a cigarette." And then reminding myself that a cigarette would not CHANGE a thing.

I think reminding myself, "A cigarette will not change a thing", is one of the most difficult things about quitting........ at least for me.

[houghchrst]

Hey that is great to hear, how did I miss this? Krikey no tellin'

Go for it yay http://bestsmileys.com/cheering/1.gif

[tic chick]

hey kathy!

YEAH!!!!!!

i just noticed this thread, too.

add me to your list of well wishers.

i quit smoking about 24 years ago. my kids came home from school after listening to a presentation about the dangers of smoking. they asked me to quit. i said, "if i quit, will you promise never to smoke?" they promised and none of my 3 kids is a smoker (although, i am sure they tried a puff out of curiosity).

i also tried quitting many times before it finally stuck. all cold turkey times. i think it stuck the last time because my children were watching me and i sensed their concern.

once i got through withdrawal, i have not had a desire to smoke at all.

kathy, you can do this!!!


wishing you the courage to change the things you can,*smallheart
jeannie

[Nana4&cntn]

Thank you guys! I am really looking forward to proving I can do this! Funny Jeannie, when I quit for the 2.5 years I never had the desire to smoke after a week or so.
My best friend and I quit together and even went out for drinks to celebrate in a smokey club and did well. She has stayed a non smoker it has been since may of 1990. I know she will be a great support.

Pati, I joined 2 online support groups, 1 for chantix and 1 at becomeanex.com. thanks for the thought



I set out all my triggers, date, support system and a ton of other things. I will get some sugar free candies to suck on, I can use the side effects lol:p

CR, Jingle thank you so very much, I know we have crossed in a couple of threads and I am so thrilled you 2 jumped on the support wagon, isn't BT great!:)

As always I so thank all my Emotional support ladies, you are all so very special:D

Kathy

[joy]

I imagine your own body will be thanks enough when you stop. I now wish I could get back into that wonderful frame of mind that allowed me to lose 80 pounds, before all of it is gained back. It was such a stupid, self inflicted thing that made me snap and do myself in. Hopefully if I ever get going in the right direction that won't happen again. I hope I am wiser now. But not gonna count on it just yet. I think you are brave to announce it.

You are right about the kids being concerned. I have a granddaughter that already says she is not going to smoke and I'm hoping and praying she doesn't. My son was on the chantrix but I don't want to bug him and ask how he's doing. He thought it was helping him so maybe it is a good drug.

[Nana4&cntn]

Joy, we all do self inflicted, self destructive things to our selves! But, none of us are stupid!;) We just need to support eachother. I promise to be your cheerleader, the same as you have done for me.:)

I hope your son has made it through the non smoking! I too hope your grands don't smoke! It is a nasty, dirty, and self destructive behavior,habit, addiction!

[jingle]

I didn't actually believe this forum when I belonged to BT just for epilepsy ....After all "no one really addicted could quit". :o

Boy, did I jump in when I did quit and needed understanding people to lean on. Just like today ..... I don't need a smoke but I need an understanding ear. LOL LOL LOL .
Wouldn't it be nice if we could speed down to the nearest convenience store and buy a pack of friendly ears?

Kathy -- here all the ears you need are free!

[Nana4&cntn]

jingle, what a great thing to say! lolololololol.........a friendly pack of ears!:D Free Friendly Ears!!

Thanks for jumping in! I really do love the people here! I am so happy you have gotten away from the cancer sticks! I am next!:)

[trynhard]

CONGRATULATIONS on making the decision to become a non-smoker. I became a non-smoker 4 1/2 years ago after smoking for over 20 years.

I quit cold turkey, with no patches etc. I figured the quicker I could get the nicotine out of my system the better I would be. Drink lots of water, water helps to flush the nicotine out of your body.

I just thought I would tell you some of the things that helped me and hopefully will help you also. About a month before my quit date I kept cutting down, I started just smoking a half of a cigarette at a time, then each day I would decrease until I would just take a couple of puffs and put it out until the next time. I also only smoked outside which I had always done that so that wasn't a problem.

I guess a couple of the craziest things I done was I sucked on mentholated cough drops, since I smoked menthol cigarettes I missed (needed) the cooling menthol flavor. I also pushed some cotton into a straw to have something to "smoke" and the cotton gave it some "drag". I also keep a journal of sorts, at the beginning I wrote times , starting with the time I got up in the morning, 7:00, 7:15, 7:30, 7:45. 8:00, etc. I started in 15 minute increments for a couple of days then went to 30 minutes then 45 minutes then 1 hour, etc. and each time I made it to that time I would check it off.

I brushed my teeth A LOT, I took A Lot of showers, you can't smoke in the shower and you smell so good. Buy you some good smelling soap. After being smoke free for 7 days I treated myself with a new bottle of cologne.

I know you can do it, it is hard but it is SOOOO worth it.

Best wishes!

[Nana4&cntn]

Tryn, Thanks for the tips! I like the journal type thing and will use it. I also like the "can't smoke in the shower" I just bought some new body scrub and some really nice soap. I do need some new perfume, but haven't been able to justify it to myself! Now I will be able to! Thanks again for the support and tips!

Kathy

[trynhard]

You are very welcome, I am so excited for you and I know you are going to be so glad that you are doing this.

Another thing, part of the addiction is having something to do with your hands so find you a hobby to occupy your hands, knitting, crocheting, needlepoint, cross stitch, painting, etc. and have it ready to start on your first day, NOT before this will get you anticipating and looking forward to quitting so you can start your new project.

Seriously stock up on water, and drink it like it is going out of style, it really does help and if you aren't a big water drinker you can buy little canisters with 6 small tubs (each tub makes 1/2 gallon) of flavored drink mix at Wal-Mart for about 1.80 these are sugar free and calorie free and they are GREAT they taste just like Kool-aid.

I as well as several others here will be here to support you all the way to being a non-smoker. YOU ARE GOING TO SMELL SO GOOD!!!:D

[joy]

That is a great suggestion and you could freeze them with a inserted popycicle stick and that will keep your hands busy for awhile and taste good as well.

[Nana4&cntn]

tryn and Joy, I like the idea of something like Chrystal Light on a stick! I wonder if they have a Raspberry flavor. I could add frozen raspberries to it. I am going grocery shopping tomorrow and will check it out!

Thanks for more great ideas! I have been drinking a lot of water and have popcicles stocked up for Sunday. Also it is going to be a busy day which will help. I will be gone all day and with all non smokers! I have been riding my house of all smoking things, like lighters and ashtrays. I have been sitting on the front porch smoking and the cigarettes are by the front door. I am not smoking at all with my coffe in the ams. It is getting much easier.

Thank you again!
Kathy

[joy]

I am pretty sure they do have rasberry in the Chrystal Light kind. I like to add that to my lemonade to have a nice drink sometimes. I am so happy for you Kathy, well proud really. I know this is a trying time but you are not yeilding I am sure you will make it.

[Nana4&cntn]

Hi to all my champions! I have less than 36hrs to smoke, and am really excited. My PM today asked me to get my certification to be a hypnotist to help peeple to stop smoking. He is very excited and supportive about this.I really believe I can stopsmoking.I really am not afraid I willblow it again! I guess there is so much riding on this andknow how important this is to my family and grandchildren.I can't wait for my grands to be able to come over and play and possibly to spend the night. Thank you all so much for your support, it means the world to me!:)

[jingle]

((( Kathy ))) I'm sure beside you with this big "push" ...
I'm going to be with you every step of the way and I'm going to be praying for you.

[joy]

I am with you too and will be praying. Just think, you never know you just might be adding years more with those sweet kids. You are young enough for it to make a big difference in your life in many ways.

I volunteer right now for you to call me any time you need to to talk or whatever if you get too antsy. I can give you support or I could give you horror stories. It would be your choice, I believe you have my phone number already if you need it? If not just pm me and I'll resend. I believe in you Kathy. ;)

[Nana4&cntn]

I want to thank all of you for your support! I feel as though I can conquer this habit/addiction, I know my health will be much better!

Joy, you will probably get calls from me, for support when I feel the need for a Ciggy! Just to talk me down! Again, Thanks to all of you!

I will be checking in daily.:D

Take care all,

[joy]

Kathy that will be wonderful. I enjoyed our talk this morning & I still say I promise to let you do more talking next time. Please just give me a call again even if you aren't wanting to relent on that habit ...okay?

Thinking still about tomorrow's ceremony. ;-)

[trynhard]

I know you will and can do this, it is hard, but just do as I said and take it 15 minutes at a time. If I were you tonight I would change my bedsheets then go outside and smoke my last cigarette, come in take a shower and brush my teeth and go to bed in a nice clean smelling bed and when you wake up tomorrow morning you have already passed 6 or 8 hours. The best I remember my third day was the hardest on me but I just took it 15 minutes at a time and I think I took about 5 or 6 showers that day then after that day it kept getting easier. Just stick with it, if you take one puff you will have to start your countdown all over again to getting that nasty nicotine out of your system. YOU CAN DO THIS!! :D

[Nana4&cntn]

tryn and Joy, thank you so much! I will be going to bed soon and anticipating a very busy day tomorrow! I am ready to be a non smoker! I have all my positive thought placed around the house. I have gotten rid of all the paraphanalia, I haven't been able to change my sheets as I need help due to my back. But, I have made arrandements for tomorrow. The weather is nice tonite and all the windows are open!

I know with ALL the support I have here, with the support groups and my family I CAN do this! I thought I would be smoking my brains out tonite, but not so. I am calm and ready to be a non smoker I bought some good moisturizer so I can take as many showers as needed. My skin is so dry.

Well, next time I check in, I will be a NON SMOKER!!!!! Yippeeeeeee:D

[teddiebears]

Well, next time I check in, I will be a NON SMOKER!!!!! Yippeeeeeee:D

GOOD FOR YOU!!!

For me, I can honestly say that becoming an ex-smoker was/is the best thing I've ever done for myself -- not to mention for those around me. :D

You received some very good suggestions from everyone here. It's good that you have such a positive attitude at this point. Should be very helpful in the days ahead! One thing I did that I didn't see mentioned here was eating carrot sticks. I carried them with me in a baggie everywhere I went (just like I used to carry my cigarettes everywhere). I cut regular carrots into about 3-4 inch sticks or bought those 'baby carrots'. It helped to satisfy that 'hand-to-mouth' gesture that I was no longer doing since I wasn't smoking. And it also kept my mouth busy chewing for about as long as a cigarette had lasted. lol

And I would like to strongly agree with the suggestion that you drink water - tons of water - because it does help cleanse ALL the toxins out of the body (not just nicotine). But then I guess you probably already know that since you quit for over 2 years before. ;)

Saying a prayer for you tonight.........

Again - congratulations on your decision to quit smoking!!! :)

[Nana4&cntn]

YESSSSS, I have been a Non Smoker all day long! I really haven't missed it yet. I have had a long day and will going to bed soon.

Thank you all for your support! I am sure I will need it in the days and months to come!

Thank you so much!:)

Kathy the EX SMOKER

ps see check in, I posted there first!

[Lavandula Canadensis]

Kathy,
CONGRATULATIONS FOR TAKING THAT BIG DECISION!!!

[Nana4&cntn]

Well, today is day two and it is a rough day! I am using my daytimer for the 15 min intervals. I have been drinking a lot of fluids, but need to be careful not to deplete my sodium levels. I have had a hard time with this in the past and ended up hospitalized. So no more than 64 oz per day. I have my sugarfree candies, gum, popcicles and a ton of fruit! I am going to treat myself to a frozen lattee later today. I have been keeping myself busy, washing my bed clothes and drapes and curtains throughout the house. I am ready for a nap now! I can't sleep and smoke at the same time unless I want to burn down my home! I would love to be rid of the mess, but not that way!

Thank you so much for all of you support! It really means a lot and also has helped me tremendously!

[joy]

Kathy you have prepared for this and it sounds like you are doing great. I didn't say easy as I know it isn't. With you all the way.

[Nana4&cntn]

Well, today is day three. I am feeling the pull of wanting/needing a cigarette VERY BAD! I need to go grocery shopping today and am afraid if I do I will buy a pack. So I am going to wait until tomorrow and pray I am feeling a bit better! I may need to take someone with me to the store so I am NOT tempted.

Thanks Joy for the pep talk! I know I will make it!

[Buttons2]

Kathy,from all I've read.....the 3rd day is the hardest. So think ahead to next week & having been a non-smoker for all those days!

Take someone grocery shopping with you,don't let the temptation win out!

You can do this,you will do this,and you're gonna feel so good about yourself!!

[joy]

kATHY IF YOU CAN'T FIND SOMEONE TO GO WITH YOU, JUST PICTURE THE FACE OF THE YOUNGEST GRANDBABY ON THE PACKAGE OF CIGAREETS. tHAT will DO IT FOR YOU.

lET ME RECALL OUTLOUD A CONVERSATION i HAD YEARS AGO WITH MY NEXT DOOR NEIGHBOR, SORRY BUT i WILL BE YOUR CONCIENCE IN A HORRIBLE WAY oops sorry I still think I'm good at typing because I don't look. In fact, I did just take a child's test with my contacts in and I still don't do bad even with just two fingers and my accurecy is still good. sorry off subject. I told you all I talk and type about the same.

My neighbor has a kid with asthma. She was telling me that her husband smoked and she was telling the child's doctor that oh yes, he goes outside to smoke. He never smokes in the house.

The doctor said, doesn't matter, the smell of the smoke is on the clothes and will still make that child's undeveloped lungs spasmn.

Kathy I can vouch for that as I am an adult and my lungs spasm whenever I smell smoke, candles even other harmless things. But it is the smoke that you know is the most dangerous.

You can do this Kathy and I priomise I won't be this mean forever.

But it is important not only to you but ESPECIALLY to the ones you love.

We all want you around for a long time. And you will be sweet smelling more than ever without the smoke. You know it, and I have all the confidence in the world you will make it.

But I know it's hard. Please keep asking for help and we can do it together.

Now I want you to be my helper with my eating. What do you say? I did it before and I want to do it again.

Have a restful night and a busy day today but don't overdo as fatigue will make it worse. I hope you have a hobby or something that you like to do that might keep you phyched up. I'm still phyced about my contacts. Yeah. I need to be as I have a doctor's appointment today. So far I am not dreading it. I am looking forward to getting my haircut after and boy does it need it.

Take care
from joy
(Bonnie) it is so worth it to remind y'all who I am. Really joy at heart but it's not legal, lol.

[Nana4&cntn]

Bonnie and Pati, you both are great human beings and wonderful friends! I am toughing it out and Mom had to go to Walmart so she is picking up the few things I need! I have been cleaning and trying to get the smell out of the house! I wish it would cool down enough to open the windows, then I can turn on the whole house fan and blow all of the crap out of the house. I have fabreezed everything and need to vacuum everything really well. First I need to get both my vacuum cleaners fixed, neither of them will pick up anything. Enough of this, I need a nap!lol

Bonnie, tell me how you want me to help you with your food? I know you can do anything you set your mind to. Give me some pointers and I will be happy to help. I could use to lose 40 pounds myself! Should we do it on a seperate thread on Emotional Support, here or thru PM's, or by phone! You choose!

Love to both of you! Now I am going to take a nap so I can get rid of the thoughts of needing a cigarette!

[joy]

Kathy I have already set in motion and lost some. I just need to keep it up. And I don't want to harp on your smoking so maybe if I don't say somewhere that I am trying to eat less, just give me a prompt and ask, how are you doing on not eating everything you like. I gained weight back by eating bites and bars. Bites of anything I wanted and then if it tasted good more than I needed. But as I explained to the doctor today I know how to do it and have at least three times it was just the frustration of that sister in law, and all that did me in. Hubby is the diabetic and it got very frustrating after his sis did that greedy thing. No need to go any further as you can tell, it's still a sore subject, lol.

We both will do better if we concen trate on the better side of what is best for us don't you think? ;) I just wanted you to know that I had been thinking of that better side myself and just hopefully if I stay feeling like I have for the last week or so, it just might work again for me. Let's hope we both have success!

[Nana4&cntn]

Joy, I am wishing you well with your battle and will support you anyway I can! So I will ask, are you eating fewer bites?

I am doing just okay with the smoking. My cravings are pretty bad today!

Hope you have a major snack free day! Carrots, celery, flavored rice cakes are one of my favorites.