My decision to quit will be January 9, 2015

[melissa66]

Hello. Brand new to EX and I am really just learning about how to track my triggers and write down each time I smoke. One goal today is to know my triggers but most of all to tell myself I no longer want to do this. The habit of lighting up and changing that decision in my mind is mind blogging! Smoked for 35 years and as much as I do not want to and think I should know better and just do it I find myself realizing how much this does control my every day life! As much as this is obvious to me I really need to journal and say these things out loud as I would not expect support or feedback about it from others.I encourage support and will begin to be sure to record every cigg today and still try to go just a little longer without. I hope I am not offending anyone! I am so excited to read everyones accomplishments and I want to be just like you! An ex smoker! Thank you for being patient as I learn how to make new friends through this website and honestly allow myself to really realize that this does not need to consume me and control me.

[candu2]

Welcome, Melissa!  You will be so happy with yourself as an ex!

[YoungAtHeart]

Welcome to our community!

I am so glad you found us!  We will never be offended by your blogging about your journey, your emotions, your trials and tribulations. It's all part of the journey you are on.

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. You should also do the tracking and separation exercises suggested on this site

After you have completed the recommended reading, it will be time to make an informed choice of the quit aid, if any, you will use. If you go that route, I personally recommend the aids that don't let the addict control the dose such as the available prescription drugs or the patch. But – any method that you think will work well for you will be best for you.

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

[melissa66]

Nancy thank you so much for your reply! I want to write every word down you said. I do that. I plan to read what you said and thank you so very much. I have to go but I plan to literally research your advice. 🙂 Thank you! 

[bethso]

Welcome!!  Since there is nothing good to ever come of smoking, you are soon to find out that this is the BEST decision you've ever made for yourself!  

My advice to you is to continue to educate yourself.  Arming yourself with knowledge regarding addiction is key to success.  Nancy has given you a great place to start.  Stick close to the blogs here.  The support you'll find here is phenominal!  Other than that, day by day we just commit to stay quit.

I smoked for 34 years and honestly, never thought  I would ever be able to quit.  Today I celebrate 50 days- happy and SMOKE FREE!  It was nowheres near the hell I imagined it would be!!!

Congratulations on your decision to quit for good.