Day 6

[dirttrackbunny]

Well, I did it, I've made it 6 days without a cigarette and day 3 without nicotine replacements.  I am really proud of myself but have a long list of things I'd like to complain about starting with :I am still having moments where I'd like to kill someone, but I think my bitchiness is finally subsiding as well.  Or, maybe I'm just getting better and keeping it inside.  My throat and mouth both feel like they are on fire today, I'm still tired all the time and feel like I could eat all the time.  I'm about sick of candy, gum and anything mint flavored.  My anxiety is kicking my ass and I feel distracted by the thoughts racing through my head mostly about how easy it would be to get in my car, drive to the store and by a pack of smokes and have just one.  But I know better, I know that I am not the 'have just 1" kinda gal, one will lead to 2, and i'll have to start this whole damn tortureous process over again. ... well there is my rant, I mean blog for today.....

[JonesCarpeDiem]

your symptoms vary from person to person but most generally subside in 203 weeks.

You've made it this far, stay on track and CONGRATULATIONS!

[YoungAtHeart]

Welcome to our community!

Congratulations on your decision to quit smoking and your first five days!  Rant all you want!  We are used to it here.  Everything you describe is a normal part of the withdrawal process.  Here is a link to information on early withdrawal symptoms:  https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/blogs/Youngatheart.7.4.12-blog/2014/09/24/a-repost-early-withdraw...   All of these things will continue for a bit.......most folks find that the first 2-3 weeks are the most difficult.  The only way out is through - so hang in there!!!   It gets easier and easier after that - I promise! 

The most important thing you can do right now is to educate yourself on what nicotine does to your body and mind. To that end, I highly recommend Allen Carr's “The Easy Way to Stop Smoking.” This is an easy and entertaining read. Here is a link to a free PDF version of it:

http://media.wix.com/ugd/74fa87_2010cc5496521431188f905b7234a829.pdf

As well, read the sections on this site, and read the blogs, responses and pages of folks you think might be helpful. You might visit whyquit.com and quitsmokingonline.com for the good information contained there.

The idea is to change up your routines so the smoking associations are reduced.  Drink your coffee with your OTHER hand. If you always had that first smoke with your coffee, try putting your tennies on right out of bed, going for a quick walk, then taking your shower and THEN your coffee! Rearrange the furniture in the areas you used to smoke so the view is different.

You need to distract yourself through any craves.  You can take a bite out of a lemon (yup - rind and all), put your head in the freezer and take a deep breath of cold air, do a few jumping jacks, go for a brisk walk or march in place, play a computer game.  Don't let that smoking thought rattle around in your brain unchallenged. Sometimes you need to quit a minute or an hour at a time.  You will need to be disciplined in the early days to distract yourself when a crave hits.  Don't let that smoking thought rattle around your head alone.  Get busy!  Here is a link to a list of things to do instead of smoke if you need some fresh ideas:

https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/blogs/Youngatheart.7.4.12-blog/2013/02/25/100-things-to-do-instea...

The conversation in your head in response to the "I want a cigarette" thought needs to be, "Well, since I have decided not to do that anymore, what shall I do instead for the three minutes this crave will last?"  Then DO it.  You will need to put some effort into this in the early days, but it gets easier and easier to do.

Stay close to us here and ask questions when you have them and for support when you need it. We will be with you every step of the way!

Nancy

[Terri103]

oh no!!!   I hope you know Dale is joking!!  hmmmm, maybe not!!   I am back on the wagon, only at day 3, I am still in a fog, I am not where you are at yet!!  But so glad you are bitching it out!  I will be there, and I bet my bitchin' when it comes will beat yours!  to get thru these first difficult weeks, you gotta give yourself some slack, ease up on other rules.  drive thru MacD's for a small fry, eat them slowly, that will last a while.  anytime you can squeeze in a nap---or even crawl under the covers for a bit.  Rant away, we can take it.  

[JonesCarpeDiem]

your symptoms vary from person to person but most generally subside in 2>3 weeks.

You've made it this far, stay on track and CONGRATULATIONS!

[TerrieQuit]

6 Days is great! almost through hell week! Hang in there! Do the suggested reading above and educate your self about this horrible addiction! You are doing just fine! Ranting is allowed, smoking isn't! Have a great day! :=)

Terrie  113  DOF

[summer-07-06-15]

Keep on.  All this will pass. Congratulations on 6 days.

[dirttrackbunny]

Thank you all for the support!  It's nice to not feel so alone in this, in my home I am the only smoker and at work it wasn't really anything anyone shared as it is frowned upon big time.  So finding this place has been a blessing 🙂

[Jennifer-Quit]

I used to blame my bitchiness on not smoking, but then I realized I have always been a bitch - lol  Hang in there - it gets better - I think Dale means it will get better in 2-3 weeks!

[nanawendy]

Welcome to the  community and congratulations on 6 smoke free days. Do the reading Nancy suggested and stay close to us..I promise you it does get better.  Stay committed and remember you can never have just one, They Travel In Packs. 

keep calm and carry on

Wendy

12/31/12