I'm going to quit smoking

[ev477]

These were the steps that helped me to quit smoking 4 months ago. I will never smoke again.
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2.) I was spending 4 dollars a day in cigarretts. I religiously instead put 4 dollars per day into a wood box screwed shut. It will be opened and spent at the Daytona show. It already has what, like 500 bucks in it (unless I have been robbed!)???!!!
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For me, honestly, number 2 is what made me stick to my guns more then anything else. That, and the much better tasting food!

When I finally quit smoking I had to go completely cold turkey. I tried the patch, some God awful tasting gum, chowing down on boxes of tooth picks, etc, etc, etc. In the end it came down to a simple determination to quit. I didn't quit for kids (don't have any), a girlfriend, a wife, my mom and dad, my teachers, or anyone else. I quit for me. And that's what your motivation needs to be. Yourself. Be self-centered this once and quit for you because quitting for other people doesn't work. So here's my advice take it for what it's worth, but I've been there.

1) Quit for yourself.

2) Don't set a date, just quit. Trust me it's not any easier setting a date. In fact it's worse because then you get to dread that date. Don't wait until your pack is gone. Slice open each smoke and dump it in the toilet and flush it. There, now it's gone. Congratulations! Your quit date is today!

3) Take 3 days off of work or make sure it coincides with a weekend. The first 3 days are the hardest. That's how long it takes the chemicals you are addicted to to get out of your body. Not 100% out, but out enough that you aren't craving so badly. And trust me cold turkey you don't want to be anywhere near work. Anything and everything will set you off. Don't risk getting set off at the wrong people. Meaning those who pay you.

4) Stock up on fresh fruits, juice, and plenty of water. The fruits because you're going to want to eat a lot. Trust me fruit is a much better choice than hot dogs and burritos.

The juice because one of the effects of cigarette smoke is that it actually causes your blood sugar to rise. Not sure how exactly that works, but drinking juice when you start getting light headed and/or a craving helps immensely to combat the craving.

Finally the water because you need to help in flushing the chemicals out. You should be drinking excessive amounts of water. Think in terms of about a gallon a day for the next week. Obviously don't try to drink it all at once, but space it out throughout the day

5) Take it one craving at a time. If you can stick it out for about 3 minutes you'll beat the craving. It might only be a 10 minute victory, or even 2 minutes but each time it gets easier.

6) You're never out of the woods. I've been quit 3 years and I still from time to time get cravings that almost make me want to cry.

7) Don't ever put another cigarette to your lips. You'll start again. The brain's receptors will go back to their addictive state as soon as you inhale. Again I don't know how it works I just know it does.

8) Finally I recommend prayer. To overcome your problem and for those around you have to deal with you while you're overcoming it.

Good luck, it's a hard but necessary choice.

I just quit smoking after a good 5 years. Pack a day.

I just stopped. Told myself its crazy to keep doing this to myself. I want to be around as long as i can. I went through 2 or 3 bags of Halls cough drops to curb the oral fixation.

The physical addiction got phased out afterwards.

I will admit. I caved and had a smoke 6 weeks into being finished with it. I about coughed up my lung. Said the hell with it. And im done for good.

You can do it. You just have to tell yourself you can do it. If your optimistic, and determined, your results will be much better.

HTH.

I am going to use this state of mind to quit. I am very glad I got all the advice and encouragement.
I know the mints/gum works for some people but I see it as a mental fixation on needing to do something rather than an oral fixation to need to do something. But hey, if I feel like going to get cigarettes, I will try gum instead.

One thing I need advice about is drinking beer and wanting a cigarette. That was the hardest to conquer last summer . I don't drink all night, just on the weekends, but I don't have any techniques that are suitable for those times.
Quitting drinking is the best thing I can do in the meantime, but I'm still going to drink if I am at a party with my friends.

Lots of good advice from everyone, I really appreciate it.