I finally Quit!

[avonly]

I have put off my quit date several times, but I have finally quit today, I have decided not to use any tobacco aids.  I have been telling myself all the positive reasons for quitting!  So far I am doing okay, but the day is still young.  If anyone out there has some advice for the first few days, I would welcome the comments.  Thanks.

[YoungAtHeart]

Welcome to our community!

Congratulations on your decision to quit smoking and following through today!

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

[NewMe]

Nancy's advice covers most everything. Please do the reading, as it will change the way you think about smoking. Also, excellent material can be found on whyquit.com. Look for Freedom from Nicotine, The Journey Home. Most of us found some form of exercise to be most helpful in the first days, as you can use that to replace the hit of dopamine that smoking used to give you. I quit when the weather wasn't great outdoors, and used to do quick laps around the house until the crave subsided. Also, spend as much time reading on this site as you can. It is suggested that you start out by bookending your days coming here. You can pick up a wealth of information just reading the blogs. And if you find someone you feel you relate to strongly, you can go back and read their blogs from the past. Also, if you find yourself feeling weak and vulnerable, DO NOT think about going to buy some smokes. Instead, come here and blog. You can use the word Help in your title, and all sorts of friendly, helpful people will show up to give you advice on how to stay strong and stay quit. Welcome to the community. Lots and lots of great advice and support is available here.

[TerrieQuit]

Hello, and Welcome to EX! We are so glad you are here! This is a great place to quit smoking. You have been given links to great information and good advice above. Please do the suggested readings. Education, willingness to do whatever it takes not to smoke, determination and commitment are the keys to a successful quit!

I would like to recommend a group called The Daily Pledge Group. It's fun and will help reinforce your commitment not to smoke!

Just click on the link below and scroll down and take the person's hand before you and promise not to smoke! We are on page 4. You can state your # of days, post a picture or whatever you want! This is your quit be proud of it! Please join us!

http://community.becomeanex.org/pg/forum/topic/8436982/declare-your-independence-from-smoking/

This link is also on my page and is also a featured group on our home page!

Hope to see you there!    Terrie

I Won't Quit on my Quit!

If you would like to join the group, use the link below, and look to the left, there is a place that says join group, just click it!

https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/groups/daily-pledge

If you have any trouble getting into the group, just let me know and I'll try to help!

[Thomas3.20.2010]

I recommend that you drink lots of water and cranberry juice. Detox with green and/or black tea. Cut caffeine in half and eat several (6-8) small meals often. Chew gum throughout the day. BREATHE! If you meditate - definitely do that. Can you exercise? 

Find more tips on whyquit.com/Day One.

CONGRATULATIONS! You CAN do this!

[avonly]

Thanks for all the advice and help.  I made it through the first day.  I did a lot of what was suggested.  I exercised, changed my routine, drank tea instead of coffee and went shopping.  My biggest trigger is my front porch where I did all my smoking.  But it is day two now and I am going to check out some of the links you all sent me.  Thanks again.