How to quit smoking???

[gunakeshparmar]

I am a chain smoker and i wants to quit smoking please guide me.....

[jingle]

Hi gunakeshparmar :)
Welcome aboard and CONGRATULATIONS ON SUCH A GREAT DECISION!!

If you scroll through this forum you'll find lots of sites you check out with lots of suggestions.

Mine is that you talk to you GP doctor. I bet he/she will help you more than you can imagine.

I was a very heavy smoker for over 20 years and I quit with the help of those nicotine patches (and lots of prayer :)) I used the patches for just 34-35 days I think and they were like miracles for me. They might seem expensive but they sure cost less than cigarettes - lol. It's possible to use them much longer if you want.

I think some other people will be alone to talk to you too. We're all behind you and hoping you do well.

[Nana4&cntn]

Hi gunakeshparmar,

Welcome to this forum that has been a temendous help to me! Please take a look at the post I made some where near the 1st part of August. I started and continue to take Chantix. I have been smoke free since 8/17/08, with ehe wxception of a cigarette I found in a pack while cleaning. I smoked just a part of it, it make me felt physically ill, and then felt dishonest to myself, my family and the people here who were amd continue to support me. I confessed and everyone said to get back on track. So that is what I have done, so I guess I am almost 2 months smoke free!

I also called the American Cancer program and worked with them, I had scheduled phone interviews wth them. The first one, we set a quit date, and went over all the thing you need to do prior to quitting. They told me not to change brands, but to try to cut back a few a day. I would recommend their program to any one! They called on my date I chos which was over 2 weeks away.
I had a few more contacts with them and then I was on my own.

Again, the folks here have been a god-send. Thank you for reaching out, that is the most important step of all!

Take care, and we are here for you!
Kathy

[teddiebears]

Hello. It's always a pleasure to greet another person here who has made the decision to quit smoking. :)

jingle and Kathy have given good suggestions. I also recommend reading articles about various methods of quitting and getting involved in some type of support system - either online, in person or over the phone (like Kathy said). :)

I believe that the more information a person can gather together about quitting and what to expect in the process they will be better prepared as they begin going down the road to becoming an ex-smoker. ;)

If you wouldn't mind please share something of your story with us. How many years smoking, how many cigarettes a day -- that kind of thing.

Here's a bit of my story - I smoked nearly 25 years. I was an extremely heavy smoker most of the time that I smoked. After I began, I almost immediately was smoking 2 packs a day. :rolleyes: Over the years that amount increased - 2-1/2 a day, 3, then 4, and so on until I was smoking almost 6 packs every day. :eek:

I was sick a lot as a smoker, especially in the latter years - various sinus problems or infections, chronic bronchitis, pneumonia - it seemed never-ending. Luckily for me, I quit smoking in December 1995 while I had pneumonia because I just couldn't take it anymore. For the first 4 full years after I quit I didn't have bronchitis or pneumonia even ONCE.

I used several methods but the behavior modification techniques allowed me to cut down to only 10 cigarettes a day. :D I was having trouble reducing that number so I went to the doctor and got a prescription for the nicotine patches. (Way back then they weren't an over-the-counter item.) ;)

Today I am proud to say I am an EX-smoker. Even though my smoking caused permanent damage to my body - heart disease, emphysema (COPD) - I am still very grateful for the opportunity and ability to quit when I did. :)


Hey, Kathy -- sounds like you are doing okay!! That's GREAT news! :D


Hope everyone has a peaceful and cigarette/nicotine-free day! :)

[Nana4&cntn]

Hi All,

gunakeshparmar how are doing? Have we been any help at all? I sure hope so.

I have been doing much better since quitting has given me the ability to better breathing, my smell is m ch better and I am trying to de-smoke my home.

My children are much better to be around, and tell me I smell better and don't bring the wift of smoke in their homes.

Teddiebears, you have given such good advice and sopport to all of us! Thank You so very much!

Jingle, I have been helped so much by you also! I have been truly blessed by everone here and wan't tp thank each each and everyone of you! Thank you each and everyone of you! 1 wouldn't BE WHERE i AM TODAY!!

Thank you to each and everyine of you! Also to the newbees!

[simmons19]

How can I quit smoking if I'm always bored?...I'm bored a lot, and to me there's nothing better to do than smoke. Unfortunately, that's gotten me into a smoking habit which I kind of like smoking, but I would like to quit. Its getting very expensive. What can I do?...

[teddiebears]

How can I quit smoking if I'm always bored?...I'm bored a lot, and to me there's nothing better to do than smoke. Unfortunately, that's gotten me into a smoking habit which I kind of like smoking, but I would like to quit. Its getting very expensive. What can I do?...

Volunteer - Go for a walk - Visit a friend or neighbor ..... There's a lot you can do instead of smoking.

Just to give you an example of all the things you could do while NOT smoking, check out the following list of 101 things to do......

1. Read a book.
2. Wash the car.
3. Wash the dog.
4. Go for a walk.
5. Knit a scarf.
6. Do a crossword puzzle.
7. Take a nap.
8. Call a friend.
9. Post a message here
10. Play with the cat.
11. Turn the bathroom into a spa and do all those beauty treatments.
12. Listen to a relaxation tape or some favorite music.
13. Go to a store and get a free make-up session.
14.Give yourself a manicure and pedicure.
15. Try out a new hair-do
16. CHEW SOME CLOVES!
17. Go to the movies.
18. Hang out at a mall.
19. Do a jigsaw puzzle online at Jigzone.com
20. Breathe deeply!
21. Swig down some ice water.
22. Jump on a treadmill or go to a gym.
23. Give someone you love a huge hug.
24. Plant some flowers.
25. Do some exercise - swimming, aerobics, yoga, etc. Great for releasing endorphins (feel good factor) and relieving stress (physical and mental).
26. Work out how to post a picture in the forum!
27. Take up a new hobby/interest - channel your thoughts into something constructive and interesting.
28. Work in the garden.
29. Retail therapy with the cash you saved from not smoking.
30. Suck on a piece of TART candy .
31. Slather on a rich, creamy hand lotion and rub, rub, rub! It keeps fingers busy, and reminds you how nice it is not to have tobacco stink on them.
32. Eat a Popsicle.
33. Floss and brush your teeth.
34. Make-out with your special someone! Hubby hated kissing me when I smoked, but now he LOVES it. Soooo, when the urge strikes and he's within kissing distance, I plant a big one on him!
35. Chew gum.
36. Chew a toothpick (shiny teeth).
37. Spend time with a kid.
38. Give yourself a treat every day of your quit - not matter how small.
39. Spend an hour filling the paddling pool in the garden on a gorgeous sunny day, only to find that the kids would rather play on the computer.
40. Play several games of Internet Scrabble, and hopefully win one!
41. Walk in an old graveyard with the man you love.
42. Get your jammies on early, and park yourself in front of your computer for the night.
43. Build a REAL closet
44. Hang the sheetrock on said closet.
45. Do the mudding, taping and sanding on that closet.
46. Paint the closet.
47. Add the doors to the closet.
48. And last...when the real closet is finished, create THE CHOCOLATE CLOSET on this site.
49. Hang on dearly to a caramel apple sucker.
50. Sing loudly.
51. Practice smiling in the mirror (releases endorphins)!
52. Make lists of pros and cons of smoking.
53. Find gross smoking disease pictures.
54. Play with Silly Putty.
55. Whistle "Don't Worry - Be Happy."
56. Get a camera, and take some pictures.
57. Write a letter (you know...on paper).
58. Clean OUT the closets.
59. Crank up the radio and sing at the top of your lungs (works great for driving craves).
60. Crank up the radio and dance like no one is watching.
61. Make a puzzle.
62. Organize your boxes of pictures.
63. Alphabetize your CD rack.
64. Come here and read and post.
65. Go to miniclip.com and PLAY GAMES.
66. Do your nails. Hard to smoke with wet nails. I've tried.
67. Take a shower.
68. Take a candle-lit bath.
69. Clean out a messy drawer.
70. Take a day trip.
71. Try making home-made candles or soap.
72. Run in place.
73. Do some jumping jacks.
74. Start a reward fund - put away the amount you spend on smokes every day and use it to treat yourself once in awhile.
75. Write a poem.
76. Go antique shopping.
77. Go plant a flower for every negative thought.
78. Go to church/talk to God.
79. Let your husband cook supper for you.
80. Call your Grandmother!
81. Paint a room.
82. Eat a hot fudge sundae.
83. Go play mini-golf.
84. Clean the basement or garage.
85. Wax the car.
86. Make love with your significant other.
87. Scrub the floor.
88. Treat yourself to a massage.
89. Chop up some veggies for a stir-fry - keep your hands busy!
90. Clean out the litter box.
91. Check your car's tire pressure.
92. Call a radio show and request a song.
93. Go ride a few rollercoasters.
94. Take a walk in nature.
95. Watch the sun set.
96. Write a goodbye letter to cigarettes
97. Donate blood.
98. Color your hair.
99. Make a greeting card.
100. Write a list of things you are grateful for.
101. Run around in the sand in your socks!

AND SO ON!!!

[teddiebears]

Teddiebears, you have given such good advice and sopport to all of us! Thank You so very much!

Jingle, I have been helped so much by you also! I have been truly blessed by everone here and wan't tp thank each each and everyone of you! Thank you each and everyone of you! 1 wouldn't BE WHERE i AM TODAY!!

Thank you to each and everyine of you! Also to the newbees!

I'm happy to hear you are doing so well. I know I've been somewhat absent from the forum lately, but I try to check in once in awhile.

Keep Up The Good Work!!!!

[karilann]

Chantix was the answer for me. I went into my doc one day and he started in on me about smoking....yada yada yada. He sugguested I give Chantix a try. I told him this has to be a magic bullet because I really do not have the will power to quit. I like smoking.

Well, I started it....went thru the first week with drug and smoking as instructed. Second quit week I cheated the first few days but was "forgetting I smoked":eek:

The rest is history and the doc let me stay on it after the first 12 weeks at one pill a day just cuz I was so worried about wanting to smoke.
To me it was AMAZING STUFF. Some people have nightmares and some get very sick to their stomach (you MUST take this pill with food or you'll get sick). None of the side affects were bad enough for me to give up this amazing pill. I have not had a cigarette since Sept 29, 2008.:D
Plus my teeth are whiter and my gums are much healthier.
(Smoked 33 years 1.5 packs a day)

[teddiebears]

I have not had a cigarette since Sept 29, 2008.:D
Plus my teeth are whiter and my gums are much healthier.
(Smoked 33 years 1.5 packs a day)

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Thanks for sharing your story.


Last December marked 13 years since I quit!! And I liked smoking too. I smoked 25 years, 3+ packs a day for many of those years..... but I'm proud to say that now I'm an EX-smoker and I enjoy that a lot!! :)