Archive through October 26, 2001
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The ClubHouse: Archives: Who wants to quit smoking with me? (archive): Archives: Archive through October 26, 2001

Llkoolaid

Thursday, October 25, 2001 - 09:14 am EditMoveDeleteIP
I have been checking in first thing in the morning, but today I forgot to, because I didn't think of having a cigarette, until after lunch and it passed right away.

Quiting this time has been totally differant than other times, I haven't been cranky and I have been totally up most of the time. That doesn't mean those first 3 days were easy, there were hard, but for some reason I knew I could get through them, I am not even worried about it now, the worst is over. I know there will be urges to smoke but I know I can get past them.

CHRISTINA please go to the first of this thread tonight and read all the advice, it helped me so much. Please follow it, especially the having the last cigarette part. Also everytime you are feeling weak come on here just to read or vent or both. You will be amazed how much the support on here helps. I think I can speak for all the new non-smokers that this place is one of the best tools you have to help you stay focused. Feel free to e-mail me anytime, we will all help you get through the first few days which will be hard but you can do it. I think after about a week you will have caught the rest of us and then we can all help each other.

Willi

Thursday, October 25, 2001 - 09:35 am EditMoveDeleteIP
How Can I Cope Without Smoking?


Start your "Quit Day" morning without a cigarette.
Don't carry a lighter, matches or cigarettes. Keep all of these smoking reminders out of sight.

If you live with a smoker, ask that person not to smoke in your presence.

Don't focus on what you are missing. Think about the healthier way of life you are gaining.

When you get the urge to smoke, take a deep breath. Hold it for 10 seconds and release it slowly. Repeat this several times until the urge to smoke is gone.

Keep your hands busy. Doodle, play with a pencil or straw, or work on a computer.

Change activities that were connected to smoking. Take a walk or read a book instead of taking a cigarette break.

When you can, avoid places, people and situations associated with smoking. Hang out with non-smokers or go to places that don't allow smoking, such as the movies, museums, shops or libraries.

Don't substitute food or sugar-based products for cigarettes. Eat low-calorie, healthful foods (such as carrot or celery sticks, sugar-free hard candies) or chew gum when the urge to smoke strikes so you can avoid weight gain.

Drink plenty of fluids, but limit alcoholic and caffeinated beverages. They can trigger urges to smoke.

Exercising will help you relax.

Get support for quitting. Tell others about your milestones with pride.

<from quitsmokingsupport.com>

Willi

Thursday, October 25, 2001 - 09:37 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Also from <quitsmokingsupport.com>

How will I feel when I quit?


You may crave cigarettes, be irritable, feel very hungry, cough often, get headaches or have difficulty concentrating. These symptoms of withdrawal occur because your body is used to nicotine, the active addicting agent within cigarettes.

When withdrawal symptoms occur within the first two weeks after quitting, stay in control. Think about your reasons for quitting. Remind yourself that these are signs that your body is healing and getting used to being without cigarettes.

The withdrawal symptoms are only temporary. They are strongest when you first quit but will go away within 10 to 14 days. Remember that withdrawal symptoms are easier to treat than the major diseases that smoking can cause.

You may still have the desire to smoke, since there are many strong associations with smoking. People may associate smoking with specific situations, with a variety of emotions or with certain people in their lives. The best way to overcome these associations is to experience them without smoking.

If you smoke again (called a relapse) do not lose hope. Seventy-five percent of those who quit relapse. Most smokers quit three times before they are successful. If you relapse, don't give up! Plan ahead and think about what you will do next time you get the urge to smoke.

Fruitbat

Thursday, October 25, 2001 - 10:52 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Kool, Franny, Wargod, Christina.....We are doing it!

I am inspired by all the support here and your attitude, Kool. Fantastic. I am not having quite that easy a time with this but I am doing just fine. I have definately been cranky some.

It has been much better than previous attempts.

Juju2bigdog

Thursday, October 25, 2001 - 11:29 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Go non-smokers. 4 days is a BIG milestone.

Now, here's a thought, going to movies. Yes, you can now sit through an entire movie without constantly thinking how long is this thing gonna be, so I can go have a smoke. (of course, Juju is old enough to remember when you could smoke in movies, but I digress)

Further, as we all know, movies are expensive nowadays. BUT, with what you are not spending on cigarettes, you can now go to more movies! Just do not go to see From Hell. Went yesterday; it was horrible.

Franny

Thursday, October 25, 2001 - 11:32 am EditMoveDeleteIP
I was such a b***h last night when I got home, my husband jokingly said, "Don't make me go buy you cigerettes." We both started laughing and I felt better. On the way to work this morning I didn't even miss that last morning smoke. It's 11:30 here and I don't have a class right now (they are in family living) and I'm trying to get over a craving. It helps to come in here and let it pass. The Nicorette gum makes me sick to my stomach, so I guess it's coffe stirrers for me.
I'm going to get a bottle of water and take a walk down to the office before lunch. Talk to you later....

Fruitbat

Thursday, October 25, 2001 - 12:00 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Nicorette can cause stomach problems if you allow it into your system too fast. Just go easier with it. Smash it lightly with your teeth and let it be for awhile. When released slowly it works well. I have run into this too.

Llkoolaid

Thursday, October 25, 2001 - 01:23 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
I was wondering what was upsetting my stomach, I keep forgetting and chew it like gum, I haven't had any today but I keep it on me.

I have a meeting tonight and a couple of the people there piss me off just looking at them, god I am going to have fun tonight, I can excuse it on quitting smoking, they don't have to know that I am not cranky this time.

I will be back after survivor,( I hope everyone voted, ) to wish Christina well, on joining us.

It is incredible how I feel, if it was a drug that made you feel this way I am sure it would be illegal. It is like I am buzzed all day long. Woohoo.

Lancecrossfire

Thursday, October 25, 2001 - 03:47 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Kool, Franny, Bat, War--Great job!!! Day 4!!!! Keep up the great efforts, and please be sure to do something nice for yourselves as you go along.

Do whatever you need to do to feel good and keep having success.

You are the best!!

Christina, it will be great to have you join in and become part of the success. Best of luck to you, and come here often to see that people are rooting for you and are here for you.

Gail

Thursday, October 25, 2001 - 03:54 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Franny and anyone else having trouble with nicorette - get out a sharp knife and cut them in half - also, I think nicorette comes in different strengths? Those for heavy smokers and those for light smokers? No matter - this trick works no matter what. Get a stick of some other gum and mix it with the nicorette - that should help cut down the strength! Chew them together and that will also help with that nasty taste. Remember though - chew it enough to soften it then sit it between your cheek and gum. Don't just keep chewing or it will upset your stomach.

You have another challenge coming up - the weekend. You have all hopefully found ways to change routines for workdays/weekdays, but weekends are a different set of routines. I'm telling you this so you can prepare for it. Weekends were tough for me because I usually stayed home and I would get bored and restless. No problem because I didn't have any cigarettes in the house and the nearest store was 10 miles away but I did my best pacing on the weekends. It is also easier to do some diet busting when you are bored so kind of keep an eye on that.

Wow! You guys are nearly through Day 4!!! That is just super!! Big cheers to all of you for doing so good!!

Fruitbat

Thursday, October 25, 2001 - 04:33 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Kool?! you haven't even had a nicorette today!!? That is astounding.

I had my teeth cleaned today and got bleach. I had the forms made awhile back at another point when I was going to quit and never did. I'll start that tomorrow.

I was very spacy today. I felt drugged and moved in slow motion. I drove right past my turn and went way out of my way, then missed the grocery store but didn't seem to care until I went to make dinner. :)

Wargod

Thursday, October 25, 2001 - 04:44 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
I've only had 3 peices of nicorette today. I have had heartburn, which I read in the pamphlet that came with the gum could be one of the side effects.

I have had it pretty easy today with withrawl and cravings, which has been nice. I was a little shaky this morning, wanting that first cigarette of the day, but that passed quickly.

My treat this weekend was planned awhile back. We are taking the kids to Disneyland. It will be extremely nice not to be obsessing over finding the two far off places in the whole park where you are allowed to smoke. Hopefully, that will ease me into a new routine for the weekends without smoking. I will at least be sure I can make it through the weekends without smoking.

Merlin

Thursday, October 25, 2001 - 04:46 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
spacy just today Bat? I guess this has to do with who is making the observation.

Franny

Thursday, October 25, 2001 - 05:18 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
I felt a little weird today, like I was not inside my body. Maybe I can find a better body to be in while I'm outside my own...hmmmmm
My friend sent me this hysterical letter about menapause, but I felt the same way today from withdrawl...If you go to the thread about levity you can read it,,,funny stuff.

Llkoolaid

Thursday, October 25, 2001 - 07:13 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Boy I just went to my meeting and it was a test, I am on the executive of the high school music auxilliary and some of the people on it with me are pretentious assholes. I got through it just by sitting there smiling and nodding but thinking you guys are not worth getting upset over. I had to think of my priorities and quitting smoking is a lot more important than me fighting with Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum ( that's what I call them).

I am still all fidgety and hyper, and I got a pimple on my cheek, it is just little but I don't get those things, I guess I'll just call it a battle scar. I think that might be from drinking all the water and the toxins leaving my body. Today hasn't been too bad at all, the time between cravings is much further apart today, but just as intense. I can deal with it though. Each day just gets a little bit easier and you feel a little more confident each day.

Where is Christine, has anyone heard from her.

If you are out there lurking Christine, we are all here to support you, if I can do this, anyone can. You just have to be determined. I know you can do it.

Wargod, Franny, Fruitbat, we are well on our way, don't you just feel like laughing and yelling, I am so excited, I feel like a little kid who just got a new bike.

Fruitbat

Thursday, October 25, 2001 - 07:19 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Yes, I am very excited. I never thought it would be this easy. This board is such an incredible help. Thank you everyone.

What is interesting to me is this altered state I was in today. I feel so calm. I was very speedy for 3 days. Who knows what tomorrow will bring but I am ready. :)

Llkoolaid

Thursday, October 25, 2001 - 08:04 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
It is this board isn't it? I have tried many times and have only been successful twice and they weren't complete success because I started back. I have never had such an easy time. It is this board, everytime I need a little pick me up , I get it here. This is totally out of charactor for me, I would normally scoff at the praise and encouragement on here, I would not believe it to be sincere, but it is differant here, it is the same people repeatedly taking the time to encourage us and offer advice. I really feel that these people are supporting us and it is making all the difference. I can't thank them enough for helping us.

I am off to bed, do you know that it has been over 96 hours since I had a cigarette. The first week is more than half over.

Goodnight, everybody, I hope tomorrow is a good day for you, just remember, we are winning.

Moondance

Thursday, October 25, 2001 - 09:11 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
You guys are the best!... Hang in there and keep up the GOOD work! I am so inspired!

Juju2bigdog

Thursday, October 25, 2001 - 11:01 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Day four!
Go for more!
Tossed them ciggies out the door!

Hmmmmmmm, wonder if we could get Booogie to do a little guest rap?

Sunshinemiss

Friday, October 26, 2001 - 12:22 am EditMoveDeleteIP
You are doing great- CONGRATS! You can do it, keep it up! We are all so proud of you!

Gail

Friday, October 26, 2001 - 04:20 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Here we go! It is the beginning of Day 5! Congratulations and have a super day! Be proud of yourselves! We sure are!!

:) :) :) :) :)

Llkoolaid

Friday, October 26, 2001 - 04:24 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Day 5, it's a gorgeous day here, I have to go for an hour car drive, that used to be one of my worst smoking times. I practically chain smoked when I was driving, It shouldn't be too bad because it is day 5 but does anyone have any suggestions. I am trying to get someone else to drive and taking a book.

Franny

Friday, October 26, 2001 - 04:43 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Good morning...I woke up coughing like heck this morning. I remember coughing a lot the last time but forgot how much. Good luck today Llkoolaid, driving is hard, but chew gum and sing. On my way to the shower, just stopped in to say thanks again to all our supporters.

Fruitbat

Friday, October 26, 2001 - 05:28 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Good Luck on day 5. Hard to believe we have done it this long.

It is absolutely the board that is the difference. I, too, would not have believed it but I have read the advice and cheers in this thread daily and that is the one difference.

The other is that there are 5 (Christina, are you in today?) of us doing this together. Let's not discount the power of that. I think it is key.

Kool, you may need more nicorette on the car ride and something to do with your hands. Clean out your wallet and purse. :)

Fruitbat

Friday, October 26, 2001 - 05:29 am EditMoveDeleteIP
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