AFF Quit smoking thread.

[zdcol71]

Originally Posted by MotherNature

I have just lost the 20kg that I put on after smoking ...... was worth the weight gain to be rid of the smokes !!!!!!!

Dont worry about the weight side of it just yet, concentrait on being a non smoker first

I posted here awhile back. I am coming up to 4 years off the smokes, went cold turkey... no patches, no therapy ,no accupunture, etc...(I had been smoking for 35+ years)
Great to see so many make it, and encouraging to see so many still getting a lot of support. I have not quite got rid of the 20kgs that I have put on, but as has been said, a 20kg weight gain is nothing compared to the benefits of getting off the smokes. Keep persevering ,guys.

[gossy]

Originally Posted by Jason[98.EL]

no dreams here but unfortunately i have had a small relapse

i hope that it is only a small thing as i dont want to start again full time

this has been 20 smokes in the last week or so

Jason

That's OK.

You especially, have aided and guided myself and many others with your kind words and support.

Keep at it mate, you WILL overcome this little hurdle.

Just remember how free you were away from the smokes, how clean and fresh you smell and taste, and especially, think of your health and the little ones.

Keep fighting mate, don't let them get the better of you.

[grandpa_spec_F6]

It's only a minor setback Jason, don't worry about it

You've given so much support to everyone on here, and I'm sure you know that if you need any feel free to ask / message any of us.

I was reminded last night why I love not smoking anymore. Had a thai green curry from a local joint that was just out of this world, then we went back to my mates work (he's a cook) and he made up this berry/chocolate calzone with brown caramelised sugar on top, dusted with cinnamon.

I still reminisce doing uni assignments, with a coffee and ciggy being my only friend at 3am in the morning, however the benefits such as taste, smell, stamina and even sexual function far outweigh the cravings.

[Adzter]

Hi All,

I'd been smoking nearly 18 years when last Monday I decided enough was enough during a ciggie break and I quit. Went down to the chemist and purchased an inhaler and havent looked back.

The weekend I found was the hardest as a beer and a ciggie always went hand in hand, but the inhaler was my saviour and stopped me on several occassions just going downand buying a pcket.

Day 8 now and Im hoping it gets a lot easier!

[grandpa_spec_F6]

Good on you Adzter, it's hard the first few weeks but once you're through it you won't look back.

I found the hardest thing was that I worried the cravings were going to be unbearable, and some days they did get bad, but no where near what I thought they would be. Once you overcome that, things get easier

[Jason[98.EL]]

Originally Posted by grandpa_spec_au

It's only a minor setback Jason, don't worry about it

You've given so much support to everyone on here, and I'm sure you know that if you need any feel free to ask / message any of us.

I was reminded last night why I love not smoking anymore. Had a thai green curry from a local joint that was just out of this world, then we went back to my mates work (he's a cook) and he made up this berry/chocolate calzone with brown caramelised sugar on top, dusted with cinnamon.

I still reminisce doing uni assignments, with a coffee and ciggy being my only friend at 3am in the morning, however the benefits such as taste, smell, stamina and even sexual function far outweigh the cravings.

thanks mate

i know it is only a setback

thanks again

Jason

[DJR-351]

Gotta love the irony....

Don't smoke, tobacco boss tells his kids

Stephen Johnson
May 20, 2011

A father of three discouraging his children from smoking isn't normally a newsworthy event.

But when it's British American Tobacco Australia boss David Crow, parents sit up and take notice.

"I tell them not to do it, not to smoke at all," he said this week in Sydney during a rare media appearance.

Asked why, the chief executive of the company behind popular cigarette brands such as Winfield, Benson & Hedges and Dunhill gave a straightforward answer.

"It's bad for you. It says it on the pack," he said.

"I've got a 13-year-old, an 11-year-old and a seven-year-old and if they smoke I tell them absolutely, categorically, 'Do not smoke'."

However, the maker of a product deemed deadly by world health authorities also defended its right to spruik what is still a legal product.

Like a character in the 2005 movie satire about big tobacco, Thank You For Smoking, Mr Crow projected bravado as he launched a multimillion dollar campaign against Federal Government plans for plain, drab green-coloured tobacco product packaging carrying tougher health warnings.

In the film, a smooth-talking tobacco lobbyist eventually confronts the ethical dilemma of defending a carcinogenic product to his son, as a senator pushes to have poison labels printed on cigarette packs.

Mr Crow, an occasional social smoker, was unrepentant when asked if, as a father, he had ethical qualms.

"In terms of working at a company in a legal business that's really well run? Not at all," he said.

Full story here

[grandpa_spec_F6]

I wasn't going to share this however it might help others, so here it is.

I thought I had it in the bag, nearly 10 months since my last ciggy, however due to work / family issues, the cravings (and a 6 pack of beer) finally got the better of me today.

I feel like I've failed myself, and I can't believe after so much hard work, it's turned around and bitten me in the ****. I don't feel any different after smoking, I just felt a little calmer at the time.

I can only put it down to control.... whenever everything else around me is falling apart, what can I control?

I can eat, I can drink, and I can take that 5 - 10 minute break away from the world and everything in it, and have a smoke.

For those brief few moments, I am in control of what I am doing, I am not pleasing anyone, I am not supporting anyone and above all else I am in control of what I am doing.

I just don't know what to do from here...

[GT69]

Originally Posted by grandpa_spec_au

I wasn't going to share this however it might help others, so here it is.

I thought I had it in the bag, nearly 10 months since my last ciggy, however due to work / family issues, the cravings (and a 6 pack of beer) finally got the better of me today.

I feel like I've failed myself, and I can't believe after so much hard work, it's turned around and bitten me in the ****. I don't feel any different after smoking, I just felt a little calmer at the time.

I can only put it down to control.... whenever everything else around me is falling apart, what can I control?

I can eat, I can drink, and I can take that 5 - 10 minute break away from the world and everything in it, and have a smoke.

For those brief few moments, I am in control of what I am doing, I am not pleasing anyone, I am not supporting anyone and above all else I am in control of what I am doing.

I just don't know what to do from here...

That's one of the sad things about quitting, suddenly your 'on' all the time, I watch smokers at work have smoke breaks and think about the times I would just sit down for 5 - 10 minutes and indulge myself. Its not envy I feel, It feels like a bad dream, I remember my past, but cigarettes are not part of those memories, They were a huge part of it though, My current financial problems were not only related to but caused by the cigarettes.

As to what to do? That's a choice only you can make, but why would you want to carry on smoking? Other than that break, that feeling of control you get at those times, Its addiction. Your not controlling anything. If anything, its just another thing to add pressure to your life.

I took up fishing when i quit smoking, Now I cant wait to get out and enjoy my down time, Where as before, I spent my time off staying up late, chain smoking, Sleeping in, then chain smoking all day long....until late at night, Running off to buy smokes sometimes twice a day.......and for what? What logic is at play to remain a prisoner to a filthy, expensive addiction willingly?

A lot of guys have quit, sometimes you stumble and fall. I did, I went 3 months before caving, it took me another 5 years to quit again. Now I'm sitting here, fighting off bankruptcy.....all because I let a legal addiction ruin my life. If anyone is wondering, The quick answer is, you know when you have to chose between smokes or food? How about smokes and paying your material bills? Well, My parents footed my bills while I spent my money on cigarettes, but even that wasn't enough. I dug a big hole for myself due to my inability to change. Now that I've gotten out of that rut, and even with the threat looming, I couldn't be happier!

Good luck guys

[Bud Bud]

Originally Posted by grandpa_spec_au

I wasn't going to share this however it might help others, so here it is.

I thought I had it in the bag, nearly 10 months since my last ciggy, however due to work / family issues, the cravings (and a 6 pack of beer) finally got the better of me today.

I feel like I've failed myself, and I can't believe after so much hard work, it's turned around and bitten me in the ****. I don't feel any different after smoking, I just felt a little calmer at the time.

I can only put it down to control.... whenever everything else around me is falling apart, what can I control?

I can eat, I can drink, and I can take that 5 - 10 minute break away from the world and everything in it, and have a smoke.

For those brief few moments, I am in control of what I am doing, I am not pleasing anyone, I am not supporting anyone and above all else I am in control of what I am doing.

I just don't know what to do from here...

Gee grandpa spec.... I am disappointed for you. You need not to panic though and you should go back into this thread for inspiration.

I am of the opinion (even it is only mine), that it takes 2-3 years to really quit. That means that you are potentially at the mercy of those horrid things for a lot longer than you can imagine when you first start. You are on borrowed time until your craving (the part that kicked in to create your stumble) dissipates into a distance memory. The memory is easy to control, the cravings are not.

First things first, you need to be honest with yourself, do you want to be a smoker or a none smoker? Remember there are no in-betweens. If you decide today that you become a none smoker again, then start again fresh and reset your goals.

Starting from today you need to look forward to the next 2+ years without a ciggy. Write it down and stick it onto dash board so that you see it everyday, if you start again now then it will be easy because you have put so much hard work in to it already. But if you are not careful you may last another couple of weeks and then another couple of days between cigs and before you know it you are smoking the same if not more again

It would be helpful for others to put up what happened to them after they stumbled in the first year if they managed to ultimately quit or if that stumble lead back to a life of smoking.

My advice to you is to quit again now and tell yourself it is day one again. Not only will it get you back into the right frame of mind but will also make you really appreciate the experience for your benefit but what ever happens make sure you keep posting here for support.

Good luck again
Bud Bud

[Iggypoppin']

Well I have been off the smokes for about 3 months now. Unbelievably I am doing very well. In my group of friends nearly everyone smoked, and I was considered the most unlikely to stop. I chain smoked on weekends and would often be asked(by other smokers!) why didn't I quit?
Well I was seeing a girl who was pretty concerned for my health, and my dad got a bit sick too(from smoking) so I decided to buy nicabate 4mg lozenges and have a proper go at it. It wasn't easy but I am now at the end of the nicabate program and I am pleased to say I have pretty much kicked the habit. I still look at people smoking and I think "gee that looks nice", until I smell the smoke. And that smoke makes me nearly sick.
Thanks to my efforts most of my group of mates had decided to quit too. It would seem that my own quitting has a pyramid effect on my friends and they all want to quit too. Here's to many years of smoke free living!

[woteva]

Well done mate. I've been off them over 2 years myself now. To those who have faltered, don't let it get you down. I tried so many times before I actually managed to stay off them. Keep going!

[max]

It is so good now after 13 months. Got better health, taste buds, smell buds (?) and better bank balance! There are only two outcomes of quitting: win win.

[grandpa_spec_F6]

Work has been hammering me this week so I managed to average 1 a day since Monday... had my last on at lunch and nearly coughed up a lung... I know I'll get the 'mid-day cravings' but here's to starting over

[Iggypoppin']

Good luck grandpa spec, really hope you get on top of this and kick the damn things. It's an amazing feeling when someone asks you "are you a smoker" and you can proudly sit up straight, head high and say "No!".

[grandpa_spec_F6]

Wanted to punch a wall around midday, cooked the office spring rolls instead, might have found my 'relaxer'

Bud bud..... It's strange, I was fine up until the 10 month mark, I'd been through stressful times before, but for some reason I just started craving them more than ever.

Iggy, cheers mate, me too

Day 1 without a smoke

[Tribal]

Sitting here reading everyone's comments and thoughts wondering how the F*&% did you all do it... Today is my second day going cold-turkey (with gum). I've been a hardcore smoker for 23 years and in six months time I turn 40.

I have a very supportive wife who has also quit (again) 10 weeks ago - I've been there for her, now its my turn. I've tried everything out there including : counselling, acupuncture, hypnotherapy and patches, and none of it has worked very well the last few times I tried to quit.

So now I am just dealing with myself and it's bloody scary, I am looking in the mirror and don't recognise the person I see. I've lost 8kg in recent months through good diet and exercise, and now all that work is being undone by massive cravings. I spent most of yesterday with a drill and wirewheel in my hand stripping the engine bay - but I can't do that forever!

I genuinely wonder if this is all worth the pain?

[gossy]

It definitely is worth it Tribal.

Over a year of not smoking for me and loving it.

I feel and look so much better due to my exercising.

Me, my house, car and clothes don't stink anymore.

To top it all off, I saved over $4000 last lear due to not smoking.

Keep at it mate.

[GhiaEB]

Well... I have just had my last smoke! I have spent the last 2 months cutting back from whinny blues to whites (12mg to 1mg) and cutting back from around 25 a day to around 10. The next few days are going to be hard, I know, but it will all be worth it. I gave a cooked a heap of food and frozen it for future cravings as well as stocked a heap of snacks.

After 15 years if smoking, it will come to an end!

Wish me luck. And ignore any angry posts I may make.

Cheers

[grandpa_spec_F6]

Onya mate!

For some people it takes ages but you'll finally give it up for good!

I've snuck some sneaky ciggys in since I quite a while back, only in the last 2 months have I not had the "urge" anymore, even when offered. That's just on 18 months later too.

Biggest test is the drunk test, which I passed last night. Blind as Ray Charles at a mates going away party, stumbled out into the driveway to find a nearly full pack and lighter. Took them straight inside and left them on the table, not a single sneaky puff.

Takes ages but feels great when you're "off" them

Best of luck mate!

[AU Mont]

Originally Posted by Tribal

I've tried everything out there including : counselling, acupuncture, hypnotherapy and patches, and none of it has worked very well the last few times I tried to quit.

The reason why it didnt work, becuase you obviously dont really dont want to quit.

Smoking is just a bad habit youve picked up somewhere along the line, you werent born to be a smoker, its not your destiny to have black lungs. Theres nothing forcing you to buy another packet.

If you really want to quit then simply STOP, and remember what made you quit in the first place and use that motivation to keep going.

edit: post nearly 12months old

[RACINGdork]

Hey AFF'rs, Long time eh!

Anyway, I was the worst smoker i knew. 40 a day and started when i was 10 -11, so say 20 odd years. I couldnt live with out them, or so i thought.

Thank me now or later, but i read a book and i believe it has saved my life and a whole lot of $$. Alan Carr's the easy way to quit smoking.
so far ive been off them 2 months. No cravings ,No withdrawals, No worries!


And heres a link 'cos im a nice bloke!, Good luck. But you probably wont need it!



http://joga.365.lt/Allen-Carr_Easy-W...free-PDF-EBook

[phantom_87]

I decided id try quitting smoking again. After having many and many attempts id never been able to last longer than a week.
I wasnt a heavy smoker as a pack of 25 would last me 2 days and i have been smoking for around 10 years.

At the present i am upto 2 weeks without a smoke after doing it cold turkey.
I also decided to buy myself a new motorbike as a reward for not smoking and now that i have got the bike its now the 1 thing that has given me the will power not to have any more smokes. I know its only early days but just having the bike there is enough to give me the will power to keep on going.

As a habbit i still go and hang out with all the smokers at work but even doing that still doesnt affect me so im pretty proud of my achievement so far.

So far i have found i no longer have cravings for them and i also have a better sense of smell.

[Riksta]

Four weeks tonight since I've had a cigarette.

And to tell the truth, I really don't know how I feel about that at the moment.

[pundit]

Going to be interesting to see how this works out for me this time around.. Turned 25 last month and been smoking since just after my 21st so haven't been a smoker for "that long".

On day 2 at the moment. I woke up yesterday morning and thought to myself that I don't need a smoke so didn't have one.. Still for about 1/4 a pouch of tobacco sitting around here.. I also noticed during the week that I had been smoking less and less as in a pack of 20's usually lasts me a day, but I had a pack of 20's last me 2 1/2 days which is rare...

So hopefully it will work out for me this time as I seem to be at that "ready" spot for it to happen (smokers/quitters will know what I'm talking about"... anyways good luck to anyone else...

[grandpa_spec_F6]

Good luck mate, you feel a million bucks once you're off them!

I couldn't believe how much my lungs opened up after a couple of months, not always having that restricted feeling when taking a deep breath is a great feleing

[greenguzzler]

I have been smoke free since 10/11/12. I am starting to feel better.

[pundit]

It'll be a week off them at 11:47 tonight... And to my surprise I'm not having cravings really. The first 2 days were a royal PITA first thing in the morning when I was getting out of bed, but past that and it was getting better. The other one that sometimes gets me is when playing a game online, or on the phone I was graving smokes hard the first 2 day and now it doesnt bother me..

I think whats helping me in my favour is the same time I gave up the smokes I also stopped drinking crap, I was drinking 2L of Coke, or Chocolate Milk a day, then another 5 - 8 glasses of cordial =/... No wounder I was feeling like crap now I'm off the darts and only drinking water I'm feeling alot better, add into that health kick I've also started going to the gym (168cm tall short, and 120kg ) and I have my PT being great support and cracking the whip is prob helping..

So in all really a few massive life style changes and all is well ...

Here is another one which I use, I find it great aswell, a app on my phone (Android app) to help keep tabs of how much I'm saving on the durrys, and the odd time I might get a craving I look at the app and quickly decide against anything and feel the bit more proud of myself for going without for so long... (Yeah it looks like I'm not saving much coin because I was smoking rollies but I guess to be honest I was smoking a pouch of tobacco a week and a pack of 25s)...

[StealthAu]

10 months off the durries here.
Unlike every other time I have quit, ciggies smell and taste horrid, there truely is no desire to have one.
Vaping as an alternative to smoking is fantastic, has put me off smoking, restored health and save me a small fortune, all without having to deal with the withdrawals of quiting

[pundit]

I'm not really having withdrawals... the one thing for me tho is I will go from calm to ****ed off in about .01 of a second.. but that doesn't happen much...

I hang around with mats who smoke and I think that smells like ****... I have a e-cig sitting around here somewhere and some peach hooker juice with nic in it.. nice tasting stuff but didn't do anything for me, and well I'd rather be off it all together and put the coins into the gym and eating healthy.