Anyone quit smoking????

**watchingpennies** · 12-10-2006, 03:48 PM

I have tried before.....and I am hoping to be successful this time. I was wondering what got people through that really rough first week. Any suggestions?????

**gypsysoul** · 12-10-2006, 04:00 PM

Pure stubborness was the only thing that got me through. It has been 6 months now for me and like you I had tried many many times before. I guess this time I just got mad and decided that I was going to do whatever it took. To this day I still miss being a smoker but I also dont miss having to run out to buy them, always spending so much money on them and wondering if I would have enough to last me through a snowstorm or a long flight-lol. You can do it. Take it 15 minutes at a time in the beginning. (oh ya i used the patch and found it helped a lot) Good luck, we are all supporting you.

**FrugalWitch** · 12-10-2006, 04:53 PM

I quit cold turkey almost three years ago. What got me through was a bribe. DH promised me a diamond ring I'd wanted for a long time. The store had 6 month lay-away on jewelry so the day I agreed to quit he put it on layaway. Every week that I was completely smoke-free he made a payment. He used the entire six months to pay the ring off, the rule was if I started back smoking after getting the ring he would take it back to the store. By the time the ring was paid off I didn't even think about smoking anymore.

I had tried to quit many times before without success, DH had cancer twice before we met so it was a really important issue for him. I wanted that ring so bad that I never even snuck one puff from the day I agreed to quit.

FrugalWitch

**brenda67** · 12-10-2006, 05:02 PM

I'm not sure where you live?? But I heard yesterday that the Doctor's offices are giving away free patches..So maybe you could check your local Dr's offices and ask..And yes I'm a smoker and desperately need to quit too!

**EmilyD** · 12-10-2006, 07:33 PM

I quit for good 12 years ago. I was a heavy smoker ... 3-4 packs a day. I tried several times and it didn't work.

What finally worked were several things ..
#1 I meant it that time.
#2 I repeated to myself several times a day for the first month "I am a non-smoker, I am a non-smoker over and over again until my brain knew I meant it.
#3 I prayed that everytime I smelled cigarette smoke it would make me sick. It did and still does.
#4 I don't allow smoking in my car and my house and that is what kept me from going back.

I have no cravings now and except for a couple of really high stress circumstances, I haven't had any at all since I quit.

Good luck! you will never regret it.

**dmvezina** · 12-10-2006, 07:49 PM

Nice incentive Frugalwitch!!!!

I've tried many times myself and am still unsuccessful. I'm still planning on trying it again!!

**Neeley** · 12-10-2006, 08:59 PM

I quit on January 4, 2004. I smoked around 2 packs a day. I had not planned on quitting. We had been on our vacation and spent the day of the 3rd driving home. I smoked so much on the drive home my chest was a little sore when we got home. I left my cigarettes in the truck when we arrived at the house on accident. I woke up the next day with a cold and did not want to get my lazy butt out of bed to get my cigarettes out of the truck. After two days of having a cold and not smoking I thought to myself - Well I have gone this long w/o smoking, why not keep it up? Have not smoked since. I never used the patch, gums, or any other aid - for me it was a matter of convincing my hands they did not need a cigarette in them all of the time. I had the hardest time after meals, just the habit of holding a cigarette was the hardest thing to overcome. Although it was not the easiest thing I have ever done, it was easier to quit smoking than I ever thought it would have been, but it is not something I ever want to do again.
I try to remind myself everyday that I am only one cigarette away from being a smoker again. I know if I ever pick one up, I would start smoking again and then all of the hard work would be for nothing.

**jade73** · 12-10-2006, 10:21 PM

Hello Watchingpennies,I am a smoker and I have been so trying to quit smoking.Have been a smoker for sometime if you would lik lets make it our 2007 goal together and anyone else who is we could be a inspiration.Just a thought if not thats cool.A SMOKER WHO IS TIRED NEEDS HELP

**nwmissourigal** · 12-10-2006, 10:46 PM

I am a social smoker. I do fine when I am alone. I don't take smoke breaks at work. However, due to some heath problems, the smokes have to go for good. As some of you know, I am a Farmers Almanc user. I quit smoking by the "sign" in 1984 and was smoke free for 3 years. I had a tradegy in the family and picked them back up. I know it was stupid, but I am still social smoking. So according to the Almanc, I will stop again on January 6, 2006. I know alot of other people that have quit by the Almanc too. I will quit cold turkey just like I did before...I will be glad to finally be rid of them again. Even though a pack will last me 2 weeks..it will still be money in my pocket.

**EmilyD** · 12-10-2006, 10:53 PM

What's the Almanc? The farmer's Almanac or something different?

**Peaches** · 12-11-2006, 01:00 AM

I quit smoking on August 31, 2003 when (this is going to sound corny but I swear it's completely true) my then six year old daughter looked me in the eye and said, "Mummy, I love you. Please stop smoking."

**chatterweb** · 12-11-2006, 01:39 AM

I rarely smoke, but I really rely on the Commit lozange to help me not smoke alot.

I went to visit family on Thanksgiving and did not smoke for 3 days.
I also ue the lozanges at work .I smoke about 7 to 11 cigs per day and use the lozanges the rest of the time...

They really work! Costco sells them for the best price too...

**kaykwilts** · 12-11-2006, 09:57 AM

I hope you can do it this time. Think of all the MONEY you are going to save. Calculate how much money you spend in a year and then think of something you could buy with that money. Post a pic of it on your refrigerator. Besides all the money you are saving you are really doing your body a favor. You are going to live longer without all that nasty stuff in your lungs.

**JustJoy** · 12-11-2006, 12:51 PM

Kay... I really like your idea of calculating all the money you'd save by quitting. I smoke and just fiigured out I could be saving over $900 a year if I quit.

**betharoo0** · 12-11-2006, 01:16 PM

I quit in 2001. I used the patch for a while, then I just weaned myself off the patch a little at a time. I used the gumm too although I liked the patch better. It was really hard because all my sisters smoke 4 out 5 anyway, and too I was a waitdress and they all smoked!!!!GRRRR!
My mom had lung cancer, survived(she quit before the cancer) She had a wicked scar from her back all the way up her front. I remember helping her bath and dress her staples after the surgery.
Also too, I was developing a NASTY smokers cough(i smoked methols) it was just gross. Hawking up hairballs all the time!
I got respitory infections ALL the time!
I needed to be a good example to my 3 yearold.
ITS VERY HARD. But your health is worth it. and its worth every penny to quit!
I drank alot of water just to flush me out, and I also drank a detox tea, after I quit the patch.
also too WALK! My mom gained ALOT of weight after she quit. I gained like 10 pounds. evertime you want to smoke pop some sugarless gum, candy, chew a straw(mom did this), toothpicks. Keep your hands busy. I smoked out of a nervous hand habit! Hope this helps.
Oh yeah I ate mass amounts of homemade chicken soup for some reason

Iam wierd.