!'ve Quit

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Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2011 1:09 am

Yes after 35 years of smoking. Woke up 8 days ago feeling a bit 'chesty' and thought thats it, I'm giving up tobacco.
No gradual reduction, tabs, gum etc just plain Cold Turkey.
Knew about the side effects & rode the storm. Now feel OK and don't miss a smoke however my right rib cage muscles are inflamed from all the coughing so it's all a bit tender at the moment. Hopefully that will heal soon and I can begin to feel the benefits at long last.

Any of you smokers thinking about quitting then go for it but be prepared to give it 100% will power and feel a bit weird for a while. It's worth it in the long run. I am now feeling quite chuffed with myself.

Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2011 1:33 am

Congratulations!!! That's an amazing accomplishment!

I've been addicted since I was 13 and just turned 50. In the last 2 years I've cut down from 21/2 packs a day to a little more than 1/2 a pack. I'm feeling good about that but would love to be tobacco free.

Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2011 2:41 am

Good for you! Well done. clapping

Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2011 5:45 am

Congrats, this is one case where being a quitter makes you a winner! Very Happy

Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2011 7:19 am

Your personal best, well done!! clapping

here · Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2011 7:47 am

well done!

thankfully I never started, but I can imagine it's hard to stop & if my Dr said I would have to give up red wine I might hang myself Crying or Very sad

Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2011 9:03 am

Well done. Very Happy

Though as a life long non-smoker, I've never understood why stopping smoking is seen as quitting anything. Confused

It's starting a new life where you are not beholden to or dependant on something that does you no good however the ad-men dress it up.

Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2011 9:14 am

After 8 days i am not going to congratulate you, rather wish you good luck. I hope you make it.

Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2011 11:52 am

Thanks all. Well I cannot see myself going back to it now. Full stop.

Must ask my lads if they smoke then go on and on....... Evil or Very Mad

Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2011 12:46 pm

^^ They say there's nothing worse than a reformed addict. Laughing

Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2011 2:38 pm

I gave up about 12 years ago, so I know what you will have to go through.

The secret is to never let your guard down, especially when having a drink with friends. You think to yourself 'just one won't hurt', and next thing you are back smoking again.It can be a bit of a rollercoaster the first couple of years, but worth it in the long run.

Good luck and stick at it!

Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2011 9:17 pm

Dya Reyarunen-Downmeleg wrote:

would love to be tobacco free

You can do it, Dya. You are obviously a strong-willed woman who does not lack for (well-justified) self-esteem. I can't imagine you failing at anything you put your mind to.

I've never smoked in my life but both of my parents were very heavy smokers. One day my father said something about quitting; my mother jokingly said "you could never give it up" (he had smoked since age 14). Out of sheer obstinacy he quit then and there and never touched another cigarette for the last 35 years of his life. (It took my mother a bit longer, but she followed his lead.)

BTW, congrats to you, Esox. Good move.

Master Baiter Joined: 11 Jul 2011 Posts: 229

Congratz I hope your well, I can imagine the feeling you had experiencing those stuff. I find it a bold move by you to quit smoking and I hope you keep on to it.

Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2011 11:09 pm

Hi E L,
I join the others in support for you. It is not easy and I would like to see you achieve your aim.

I once heard a friend say: Giving up smoking is easy. I did it lots of times.

Stick with it and you will reap the benefits

Cheers

Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2011 11:14 pm

Congratulations. I quit when I was still in my 20s and never looked back.

Do your friends a favor and refrain from becoming one of those militant anti-tobacco ex-smokers. Wink

Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2011 3:10 pm

Thanks for the support. My body is now back to normal and I definately won't become a militant anti! Been in my social circles already & don't miss it at all. I've figured if it get through the Xmas / New Year 'soirees' (which I know I will) then I've finally killed it.
Just hope they now don't ban cask ale, cider, malt whisky or tea Wink

here · Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2011 3:29 pm

^^^^^
or even worse, coffee

(yes it's my religion, sad I know)

Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2011 10:47 pm

Stone cold bloodymindedness is your friend here. I stopped after a long day at work, thinking about the bosses of Phillip Morris and BAT, and wondering "Why the hell am I working here, to pay them, to make me ill?" my next thought was "Bugger them, I'll keep it instead" and I haven't smoked since. Happy days Smile

Posted: Wed Nov 09, 2011 10:42 am

Congrats! Many quitters have really benefitted from this: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Allen-Carrs-Easy-Stop-Smoking/dp/0141026898/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1320835313&sr=1-4

Posted: Wed Nov 09, 2011 10:55 am

I found the hardest part was the link with alcohol - as soon as I had a drink I craved for a ciggy. After a few my friends in the pub would offer me one and I was powerless to say no.

Eventually I broke the link, the fact that you now have to go outside to smoke in the freezing English rain would help nowadays.

I have no idea what happened to all the money they said I'd save, though. Confused

Posted: Thu Nov 10, 2011 3:21 am

^^This isn't the wrong answer thread... Laughing

I happen to believe that "they" get your money anyway, no matter what you do. See, there is only so much money to go around. When you are born, there is a decision regarding the amount of money you will be allowed to have and "they" keep your money in that amount.

You are helpless to change it.

Congratulations to all who have mastered nicotine addiction. I still get cravings for a chew...

Posted: Thu Nov 10, 2011 12:25 pm

^^ Noid

I am interested in your Economic theory. Please tell me more.

Laughing

Posted: Fri Nov 11, 2011 4:18 am

Esox, congrats to you on your decision, and you have total respect from me. Keep up the good fight, your health is the #1 priority. Keep a water bottle handy during your holiday soirees, it will help when the cravings hit you. Thumbs up

Posted: Fri Nov 11, 2011 6:48 am

@Couger, it is like Water or Matter, there is only so much to go around, so now it has had to be rationed. It has been that way since 1282.

Or it could just be me being me... Laughing

On Topic: Congrats for being tobacco free for this long. Very Happy

Master Baiter Joined: 03 May 2011 Posts: 237

I find it easy to stop smoking, and could quit permanently...if I stopped drinking as well. Unfortunately, I like a drink and that's when I want a cigarette. I first smoked when drinking (about 2 years ago, when I was 1 Cool

, and carried on doing so for a while after. Now, I can get through the day without smoking, but soon as I get a few drinks into me, the craving comes back. That said, I do enjoy my cigarette and coffee breaks during my days off, when working on an assignment. Simple pleasures. Smile

Luckily, I don't drink everyday. Usually 2-3 times a week, including Fridays. But even so, during those nights out I can get through between half and a full packet (20) per time.

I actually quit for about 8 weeks, recently, but now I'm back on them. I get about 4 pints into me and I want a cigarette. Couple more, I really want one. Few more pints after that, and I'm desperate for a cigarette. Sad