You can do it just no turning back you go for a while just keep going I finished the 130 NML and craves are very light and not that common now just got to hang in there for a while and it gets so much better I know it's hard sometimes but it lets up you just have to push through the bad spots it's so worth it (: I'm not giving up on you
You can do it Lois! It may not be the easiest thing but it's a lot easier to quit than walk around strapped to an oxygen tank! We can't do it for you but we will be here to help you! You need to accept that there is no magic bullet. It's all about staying strong and saying NOPE when you want to give in to the urge. Education and attitude will help you quit and stay quit! But you have to put some work into it.
Read the educational links so you understand the different stages and symptoms you will face, how to get through them and how to re-learn life without cigarettes. And most important, you are going to HAVE to reach a date and throw away EVERY single cigarette you have and not buy any more!
Start delaying your cigarettes when you get an urge.
Start the process of changing your routines and habits. Move to a different area than you normally smoke. Switch up the times you smoke and delay them.
Start cleaning up all smoking areas so you won't have the smell around when you quit. Start preparing to rid yourself of ALL cigarettes, ashtrays and lighters.
Prepare yourself mentally. Don't allow yourself to think negative! If you allow yourself to think you are going to fail, you probably will. Put a solid "I'm Going to Win!" in your head. Write it down and tape signs everywhere to remind yourself that failure is not an option!
When you have an urge, do something! Don't allow yourself to continue to think about it or tell yourself that you want a cigarette. Tell yourself this is nicotine addiction raring it's ugly head and DON'T give in to it. The urge WILL PASS! Just fight it while it's there.
Take it 1 minute at a time! Those minutes will turn to hours and hours will soon turn to days. Before you know it, you will have a few months under your belt and will rarely even think of a cigarette.
Don't allow yourself to get hungry or thirsty! Drink a glass of water and eat a healthy snack if you feel an urge coming on.
Don't allow yourself to get overly tired. Your body will actually need more rest as it tries to heal itself from the addiction.
Beware feelings of anger or feeling lonely. Remember, you are not alone! Every member of this group has been exactly where you are and we will be here to help you in any way we can. If you feel that you are about to break, come to us FIRST!! Let us help you through it.
I spent the first two weeks here reading and learning and traveled many a crave with this as my diversion.....
If you find someone whose advice rings especially true, you can get to their page by clicking on their avatar. Once there, you can read all the blogs they have written by clicking on their avatar and then on "Blogs' on their page.
The idea is to distract yourself through the cravings. Don't let that thought rattle around in your head alone! A crave will last about three minutes whether you smoke or not. Go for a brisk walk, march in place, do a few jumping jacks, clean a drawer, do a crossword puzzle, play a computer game...Here are links to lists of 114 things to do instead of smoke if you need fresh ideas:
The conversation in your head CANNOT be: "I want a cigarette. No! But - I WANT a cigarette. NO!" Instead, it needs to be "I want a cigarette. 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!
Stay close to us and ask for advice and support as you need it. We all here want to help you be successful!
Nancy
Quit 7/4/12
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