Quit Date

[RJM65]

I've been thinking of this for a while now and I've Committed to May 1,2024 to be my quit date.  I am very excited and ready, just ordered my patches and they'll be here tomorrow.  I finally feel ready because it's my decision and I'm not being hounded, if that makes sense.  I'm doing this for myself and my Beagle. 

[qsiesue]

Sending good mojo, juju and all positive things to your quit. You can do this!

[Barbscloud]

@RJM65  Welcome to the Ex and you found the right group of quitters that understand how hard this is  and what you need to do to be successful.   If you haven't done so already, it's not to late to educate yourself about nicotine addiction and have a plan to deal with cravings, tools to use and creating new associations to replace smoking.  We have our favorites.   I used Sour Patch kid, chewing on straws, playing video games and walking.   If you're able, walking is a great way to refocus your thoughts and get an added boost of dopamine needed when eliminating nicotine. And deep breathing exercises will help you get through some tough times.  

This link has some great information to get you started on the right track. https://www.becomeanex.org/guides/?cid=footer_community_linktobex

The habit (or psychological aspect) has more to do with when and where you smoke.  After a meal, in your car, when you're happy, when you're sad, etc.  That's where creating new associations comes into play.  What can you do instead of smoking when you're stressed, having your coffee, going to events, etc.?  Be creative!   Instead of smoking, go for a walk, take shower, chew on straws, hard candy, call a friend, and come to the Ex and read/post

Happy to see you've chosen an aid. They worked for me an many quitters.

And join many of us on the Daily Pledge to stay accountable to yourself and stay on track one day at a time.

So glad you found us. Reach out anytime you need some support on your journey.

Stay busy and stay close.  Look forward to celebrating with you on the 1st.

Barb

[YoungAtHeart]

Welcome!

Understanding the addiction and having a PLAN going forward will reduce the anxiety of quitting.  Get busy learning and preparing, and I think you may actually start to look forward to this journey!  You will do this one day at a time, so don't be looking further ahead than that. 

An important thing you can do right now is to educate yourself on what nicotine does to your body and mind. I was amazed when I learned that the stress reduction you feel when you ingest nicotine is caused by the brain receptors calming that have gradually built in volume jonesing for their next fix!  I highly recommend Allen Carr's “The Easy Way to Stop Smoking”  that brings light two other things you might not know.  You can purchase a digital version online or borrow it at your local library.  Here is a video to inform you further about nicotine addiction: Nicotine and Your Brain.

I quit many years ago , and I base my overall recommendations on my experience and that of others here over the years. If you decide to use a quit aid, I recommend those that don't let the addict control the dose such as Rx drugs and the patch. Lozenges and gum are fine, but don't sub them for every cigarette you used to smoke.  That will simply be substituting one addiction for another.  Have a plan to reduce use over time. Each cigarette you smoked contained about 1 mg of nicotine. If you use more than one form of NRT, be sure you aren't getting more than when you smoked.

To better deal with the habit part of the addiction, change up your routines so the smoking associations are reduced.  Drink your coffee with your OTHER hand in a place different from when you smoked. Maybe switch to tea for a bit.  If you always had that first smoke with your coffee, try putting your walking shoes on right out of bed, going for a quick walk, then taking your shower and THEN your coffee! .  Take a different route to work. Take a quick walk at break time where the smokers AREN'T.

After you have eliminated as many associations as you can, you need to distract yourself through any craves.  You can take a bite out of a lemon (yup - rind and all), do a few jumping jacks, go for a brisk walk or march in place, play a computer game.  Keep a cold bottle of water with you. Don't let that smoking thought rattle around in your brain unchallenged. You might visit Games: The active ones are at the top of the list going down the left side of the page.

Here is a link to a list of things to do instead of smoke if you need some fresh ideas:

101 Things to Do Instead of Smoke - EX Community

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.

You might want to join other site members by taking the daily pledge when you quit. It helps to hold yourself accountable and also accountable to others here. Find it at Home (top left), then first box titled Take the Daily Pledge.

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

[ReallyReal]

Congratulations on making the decision to quit @RJM65 .  It sounds like you are  ready to do this.  It can be hard in those early days but it is absolutely doable.  Research shows that rates of success in quitting go up when the quitter has a plan, uses NRT and has a strong support network--you've got those and you CAN do this. All of us here are cheering for you.  Please stay engaged here at Ex, post often for support, advice, asking questions, to vent and to celebrate milestones.  This site for me was hugely important in my quit, and still is.  This where I learned how important it is to distance and distract myself when the urge to smoke came up and I learned tools to help me do that.  There is a lot of really good information here that can help you as you develop your plan for quitting.  Wishing you the very best and again, congratulations!!

[Barbara145]

Congratulations on your decision to quit smoking. You have come to the right place.  I tried to quit smoking multiple times over multiple years.  I was not successful until I found this site. It is hard but with the support and information on Ex I made it.  Life is so much better without being a smoker. In October it will be 11 years for me.  You can do this.  We are here for you.

[CommunityAdmin]

Welcome @RJM65! My name is Quiana, and I am a part of the EX Team. Congratulations on your decision to quit! I wanted to reach out and personally welcome you to the EX Community! We are so excited you have joined us. This is a very supportive community so feel free to keep us all posted on your quit journey reach out and let us know if you need anything.

Here are some articles that might be helpful as you prepare for your quit date: 

https://www.becomeanex.org/ex-resources/about-quitting/get-ready-to-quit/right-before-you-quit/

https://www.becomeanex.org/ex-resources/about-quitting/get-ready-to-quit/3-ways-to-get-your-support-...

Quiana, EX Team

[MarilynH]

Welcome to the community @RJM65 you've made the best decision you'll ever make in your lifetime and it's definitely the best gift that any of us for giving ourselves the Gift of LIFE! 

[McMoney]

YOU CAN DO IT! I'll be rooting for you tomorrow and the following days. May 1 is a GREAT day to quit! 

[green1611]

Great decision @RJM65 

Starting May, you are free from addictions. 

Read, re-read books on quitting, watch. re-watch videos on how to quit, go through ample material given above, and on this site. You can, You will.

Wishing you good luck on this marvellous journey, though little tough.

[biscuit9]

Stay strong and committed.  Love that you are doing this for you and your beagle.  Will be thinking of you today.  Will commit to not smoking today, along with you.  

[Barbscloud]

@RJM65 Happy quit day!

Barb