I quit. It's harder than I thought.

[korygrandy]

Going on 36hrs without a cigarette. Quitting these little suckers is a lot tougher than I thought it would be. :grumpy:

They say there are 3 elements to this "addiction": emotional, logical and habitual. I swear I am having a tough time with all 3.

The wife is quitting as well. We both had a smoke in our mouth in our garage "smoking spot" this morning but somehow overcame the urge to light it.

I have a feeling it will get easier as the week progresses, and the weekend will be tough again as I will need to relearn to live my weekend without the habit. My plan tonight is to clear out our little "smoking spot" so that it is essentially non-existent so we aren't even tempted.

Reasons for quitting, are financial and health... I am still healthy at 31 but fear another 10 years of smoking would take its toll. They say "Health is wealth!"

Wish me luck! Okay now back to trying to NOT think about this every minute of the day! :blue:


This is the longest I've gone w/o a smoke that I can recall so I am on a good track here.

Does anyone have an experience to share? Perhaps one of you and your spouse quitting at the same time? We thought by quitting together it would give us more accountability and inspiration... but it appears we are both watching each other and waiting for one of us to crack!

 

[DayCruiser]

Re: I quit. It's harder than I thought.

Good luck! I hope it works our for the both of you. This is the single best thing you all could do to live longer healthier lives. On top of that, food will taste better is what I have heard. Never smoked here and glad I never started

 

[raven7]

Re: I quit. It's harder than I thought.

I've been smoke free for 1 year now, but only with the help from electronic cigarettes. Better for my health and wallet. I was a smoker for over 40 years. Not sure I could have quit cold turkey.

 

[Don S]

Re: I quit. It's harder than I thought.

I quit a 4 pack a day habit cold turkey in 91. If I can do it, anyone can.

All that other stuff just keeps you in the habit of doing something when you have the desire to smoke instead of just stopping.

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: I quit. It's harder than I thought.

I've been smoke free for 1 year now, but only with the help from electronic cigarettes. Better for my health and wallet. I was a smoker for over 40 years. Not sure I could have quit cold turkey.

Been doing the vaping thing now for a month. Im down to 3-5 cigs a day and my weight is going down. E-cigs are a very good tool to ease the process..

 

[kfa4303]

Re: I quit. It's harder than I thought.

YOU CAN DO IT Mr./Mrs. Korygrandy!!!!! Hang in there. I know it's hard, I smoked for years and years myself, but I was able to quit. Nobody said it would be easy, but it's no where near impossible either. As cliche as it may seem, avoiding smoke/smokers, getting a bit of exercise, not drinking for a bit and generally trying to stay busy are all crude, but effective tricks. If you wanna go the "scared straight" route, google diseased lung tissue from smoking related ailments and that'll pretty much do it. That's kinda what did it for me. I caught myself putting out a cigarette on my way into the hospital to visit my mom after her cancer surgery. It struck me that it really was the the epitome of idiotic, self-destructive behavior. Not to mention insulting to the folks in the hospital who had cancer without doing anything to give it to themselves. Ah, and there's the rub. You know in your head, that smoking is bad. You wouldn't let your dog do it. You wouldn't put bad fuel in your boat. Why, because you love and care for them. Now, the trick is to care just as much about yourself. It sounds silly, but ultimately that's what it comes down to. You have to insist on better (food, drink, health) for you and yours. Once that clicks, it gets much, much easier. And it does get easier. Every moments that passes without a cigarette, is a moment you've won. Give yourselves credit for the small victories, they matter. Each day that passes, you'll also have less and less intense physical cravings and then it's really more mental than anything. Old habits, even good ones, are hard to break, but having a new different habit/hobby to take its place helps. Maybe y'all should take up dancing, golf, tennis, whatever. That way it'll keep you busy, keep you moving and you'll learn something new, which is always cool. Your body will thank you too. Best of all, within 2 years, virtually all detrimental effects of smoking can be mitigated. It's been 5-6 years since I quit and I'm so glad I did. I feel better, I look better(ish), I've saved god knows how much money, and insurance premiums will go down. Who knows, maybe you'll save so much money, you'll be able to buy a new boat! Maybe a "Cigarette" model just to be cheeky Feel free to vent, gripe, or whatever. We're her for ya. You can do it, you can do it, you can do it, you can do it.!

 

[Wind dog]

Re: I quit. It's harder than I thought.

korygrandy
I wish you & the Mrs. well & hope you can quit. I'm a snuff guy myself & have tried a few times to quit, no luck yet.:-(

 

[LVChris]

Re: I quit. It's harder than I thought.

I'll add...after 30 some years of smoking I have been smoke free for a full year now and have NO urges. In fact I live in Vegas where you can smoke in any casino, and the minute I enter I get sick from the nasty smell...

If you knew me you'd be shocked. I was a huge supporter of smokers rights and still am in some ways, however quitting was the greatest thing I ever did...and I have to say it was easy, and I never believed I could or would do it.

Not an ad, but a glowing endorsement for Chantix. I know there are some side effects, but I got through them in the first month. And with the money and TIME I save not having to go buy smokes, or wait to get in boat until i finish my smoke...etc...I am really enjoying my addiction free life...ok still have one vice, boating.

 

[jkust]

Re: I quit. It's harder than I thought.

Never smoked myself but have watched many struggle to quit. I really hope you are successful.

 

[korygrandy]

Re: I quit. It's harder than I thought.

Thank you guys for the encouragement. It's one helluva stronghold and it really messes with you.

I just keep thinking back to when I was 18yrs old and that moment I bought my first pack of cigs, and how COOL I was that I could and WAS buying them. Man was I stupid. That's the dumbest mistake I've ever made!

Don - 4 packs/day...you give me inspiration!

kfa4303 - I appreciate everyone's support...and believe you me, I will be gripin and ventin up in this thread until I get through this...along with some other coping mechanisms. I do plan to reward myself for the small feats. Today it was going out to lunch...once we make it a month, I am going to book us a trip somewhere as a reward. I figure after a month you know what you've signed up for lol.

Tonight the plan is to just stay busy. Me and the wife have been propping each other up and it seems to be working this time. We tried to quit 2 other times...and never made it a full day.

LVChris - Those casino's are terrible. The only other room I think that's worse is the Memphis airport's smoking room...and yes I am one of the guys who ACTUALLY went in there to smoke.

 

[aspeck]

Re: I quit. It's harder than I thought.

Hey kory, if you run out of things to do to keep you busy, let me know ... I will share my honey do list with you!

Congrats on your decision! I will be praying that God adds to your strength and determination to quit.

 

[southkogs]

Re: I quit. It's harder than I thought.

Keep fighting it - both of you - My Dad was diagnosed with lung cancer a few years ago. He's survived it, but even survival has taken it's toll on him. He had smoked a pipe for over 40 years, and at the news from the doc he stopped cold turkey.

Hang in, and break that stronghold down. :encouragement:

 

[64osby]

Re: I quit. It's harder than I thought.

I've smoked for 30 years. I've stopped many times, always started back up.

My better half did a Groupon deal for the E cig. Started with it March 14th. So far so good.

I have never smoked in my house, so when I walk outside that was my "spot". Still feeling the urge here and there but the E cig has really helped.

Even my Doc was glad to hear I switched.

Glad to hear your quitting and don't stop stopping.

 

[catfish58]

Re: I quit. It's harder than I thought.

I quit cold turkey in '83. For me, the second week was harder than the first. Every time I left the house for the first six months I had a feeling that I was forgetting something. It wasn't until I went camping that I realized that what I had been missing was my Zippo. I had to leave camp to buy a Bic.

 

[Watermann]

Re: I quit. It's harder than I thought.

Tobacco addiction is a crazy thing to get past, I chewed snoose for 20 years and decided that my receding gums and sore mouth had gotten old. I quit but the first 2 weeks were worst of my life. I had nightmares, felt horroible and wanted a chew 24 7. Obsessed with the habit but tired of the symptoms it caused. I dreamed about chewing for a couple of years afterward but now over a decade later it's only a memory.

 

[angus63]

Re: I quit. It's harder than I thought.

5 yrs and counting. Did it for my wife and kids. That makes it easier on the soul, but it was still tough on the mind and body. With good enough reason, ain't nothing you can't do.

 

[raymondpickens]

Re: I quit. It's harder than I thought.

Quit Smoking Timeline - Benefits & Advice | Improve your Health and Wallet There are some interesting facts for you. I quit for two months about 2 years ago. It is possible, but very tough. I was invited by my best friend to be in his wedding and we went to l'auberge du lac.... yup a casino, I caved. I was doing great and actually passed up a trip to vegas because of that reason but I couldn't tell my best friend no. Forward to a year ago, after a breakup I put them down and started exercising, worked like a charm. If I got a craving I would just grab a straw and breath through it, amazing how easy it is to trick your brain. I gives alot of the same feeling, at least to me. After about 2 or 3 weeks at a competition bbq cook off, a friend of mine lit one and his phone rang so he handed it to me. Well I'll be damned I couldn't resist. So being strong and just saying no to yourself is the only way to do it. Nagging from a spouse just makes your want to smoke more. But I am inspired by your story and hang in there, I will be a grump for a while right there with you because I am going to try it again. Hopefully this time having a gf that doesn't smoke as well will make it easier. The moral of my story is dont kid yourself, one little tiny drag is too dang much! Cheers to trying to better our health. Oh and btw, in about a week or so your other half will be very happy with your new found stamina .

 

[dozerII]

Re: I quit. It's harder than I thought.

I quit via Laser Accupuncture in 1985, I was smoking 2.5 packs a day. They were $2.50 a pack back then. At 2.5 X 365 x 30 years that's $27375.00 I have saved at the old price, they are now $12.00 a pack up here. Plus I feel a whole bunch better. If that's not incentive I don't know what is.

 

[CharlieB]

Re: I quit. It's harder than I thought.

Pack a day for over 45 years, clean now almost 90 days so far.

Chantix helps, but changing your behavior is tough, I haven't smoked in the house for over 20 years, so the first thing I do going out the door was stick a cigarette in my mouth. Get in the truck? Stick a cigarette in my mouth. You know the drill. Open the toolbox? Walk the dog? Smoking went witih EVERYTHING.

I keep that last pack, half gone, laying right there next to the ashtray in the garage, lighter right next to it, just to test myself, every time I walk by, which one of us is stronger? So far, it's me.

I know if I cave and pick one up, even if I don't light it this time, then the next time I will light it, then the cigarettes will win, and I die earlier.

Right now my kidneys are down to 20%, I'm doing O.K. so far, may start dialysis this year, maybe not, I'm borderline.

As long as I don't give in, I should be alright.

I KNOW what you are feeling, and I also KNOW that the decision is yours, you have to decide yourself.

Some days I clean a stalk of celery and open a bag of baby carrots to have around, the crunch is good.

And I look at that pack every time I go out, to remind myself, I am stronger than a paper tube stuffed with tobacco.

 

[ronaldj]

Re: I quit. It's harder than I thought.

Whatever you do.Dont substitute food for cigs.
You could go the Kojack route and suck on a tootsie pop