Help

[susan188]

Hello.  I'm Susan.  Today is my quit day.  I have been a smoker for 28 years.  I have not smoked for the past 20 hours.  Any suggestions for getting through the first week?  When does it get easier?

[JonesCarpeDiem]

It doesn't sound like you have a plan?

it gets easier in 2-3 weeks.

could you tell us more about how you're quitting, past quitting experiences, etc.

[JonesCarpeDiem]

You laugh when you get a crave, laugh out loud.

you drink alot of water.

when you get a crave to smoke you say "I ddn't do that any more"

[JonesCarpeDiem]

"I don't do that anymore"

[Brenda_M]

Work through this list one by one (from Youngatheart's blog):

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

And read this book (Allen Carr's Easyway to Stop Smoking):

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

And stay close to us...you can do this! Welcome!!

[Nyima_1.6.13]

Hi Susan, glad you made it to blogs! I know joy gave you lots of reading links and it really does help to educate yourself about this addiction. Craves don't last very long and you have to find ways to distract yourself. In the beginning, I did a lot of mental gymnastics! I learned to recite the alphabet backwards, I worked hard at remembering all the state capitals! You get it any random thing you can concentrate on that's not super taxing on your brain. I also did some 'pretend smoking' or deep breathing! There are as many ideas as there are people and I'm sure you'll get lots of feedback here! Congratulations on your decision to quit! It won't be easy but it is doable!

[YoungAtHeart]

You have come to us a bit late, but better late than never!  Welcome!  The thing to do to make it easier is to educate yourself!  Start by reading Allen Carr "The Easy Way to Stop Smoking."  It is easy and entertaining.  Here is a link to a free PDF version of it:

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

As well, do all the reading on this site, on whyquit.com and quitsmokingonline.com.  It is also a good idea to read the blogs and responses here.  There is a lot of good information!  

Remember to distract yourself when a craving hits.  You cannot let that roll around in your brain.  Go for a brisk walk, take slow, deep breaths, laugh out loud (as Dale suggested!), do jumping jacks, play a computer game, read the blogs here, or write one, or respond to one............

Stay close to us and ask for advice and support as you need it  We all want you to be successful!

Nancy

Quit 7/4/12

[joyeuxencore]

A few helpful links dear and thanks for introducing yourself to the community! xo

My mentor here posted this yesterday:

http://community.becomeanex.org/pg/blog/read/5929289/a-point-to-ponder

http://whyquit.com/whyquit/GloryWeek.html

http://whyquit.com/joel/Joel_03_21_blood_sugar.html

http://whyquit.com/whyquit/LinksAAddiction.html

We can lift you up! xo

[eddieg121]

Glad you are here, first go  back to the main page and pick up the tools you need to QUIT, The community will always be here  This is a step by step Quit program.. It does ge easier.  Look around read the blogs, But please go to the main page and get you QUITABILITY tools. You will  be ok. NEVER STOP QUITTING!!

[Thomas3.20.2010]

At whyquit.com there's a Day 1 with all sorts of good advice like drink cranberry juice. I also kept myself very busy at something I couldn't screw up but took a lot of focus. Cleaning is a popular past time. eating 6 small meals instead of 2 or 3 big meals helps and snacking on fresh fruit and vegetables. Stretching helps the muscle tension and deep long slow breaths will keep you oxygenated. Also green tea helps you detox faster (assuming you're cold turkey). Read read read.....

[cloud51]

what everyone else said, and coming on here and reading just keeps you in a great frame of mind, being with other nonsmokers, and the encouragement is so valuable, i am over 150 days now and in the beginning came here alot, that allen carr book sealed it for me,kept me in the right way of thinking you can do it you are off to a great start!

[Dakota_Posse]

You've been given a lot of great advice Susan!    PLEASE use it.  If you are truly determined to quit then you've come to the right place.  We'd love to help you but YOU are the one who has to do the work and make the commitment to NOT smoke EVERY day!

It's doable.....we are living proof!  I am Cindy and I've been smoke free for over 820 days!   Promise yourself EVERY day when you wake that "For today....I will not smoke".  Welcome!

Cindy

[erict]

All I have to add in is the "never stop quitting" part.  The longest I've quit has been a year.  But I didn't follow-through with my quit, and I realized, it's truly a lifetime project.  That might sound daunting, but I prefer to look at it as liberating.  You can do this! 

[wishingstar]

I'm on day 3, So when the urge hits me, I take a deep breath, clean something, read on this site, play games. I made a few chages befor I started my quit . I have a hubbie that smokes,. So I can smell it on him and has accidently light up in fornt of me. My house has been smoke free 6 days.  < this going on my 3 day of not evean one puff attitude.

Do the reading it really help. 

[susan188]

Thank you everyone for your encouragment.  I am using the patches, the gum and occationally the electronic cigarette.  This is day two.  I am looking forward to the freedom that a non-smoker has.  I will be ordering Allen Carr's book today!