Dearest and I quit smoking today, wish us luck!

[chitownmelli]

Well, we have been wanting to do it for a long time, we just haven't been brave enough to do it! I have been smoking for 12 years, and dearest, not quite as long. I smoke more as a nervous habit than anything, so I know that driving anywhere will be a challenge for me as I am easily irritated by other drivers. Also, we want to start heading up our bumpy and scary road to getting pregnant. It's very high risk to begin with, and after what I went through last year, I do not want to give my body another reason to hurt my feelings. (we lost a baby via ectopic pregnancy, and my other tube is also damaged, which is what makes this high risk, and i know that smoking increases the chances of it happening again) I allowed smoking to be something that calmed me while I was getting over that, which I know is a terrible thing to do, and I am glad that a year has passed and I am feeling so much better about it now.

So, I had my last smoke this morning at 6AM when dearest woke up to go to work. I let him take the last 2 with him. Neither of us will be buying any more after those 2 are gone. We will not be using the patch or any drugs or anything, just cold turkey for us. I have already begun over the past couple of weeks trying to make my cravings go away by relaxing and by using deep breathing exercises to help me (I am pretty high strung the way it is!) and I just remember that I am strong and can do anything I want to do. I picture how disgusting this habit of mine is, and imagine how bad my health can be if I continue doing it. And then I picture myself not smoking, and being healthy and happy, and playing with kids and all that great stuff! That works like a charm. After I put all of that energy into all that, I don't feel so much like smoking any more.

I am a little scared. I don't mind a challenge. I just hope that this isn't one of those things that from time to time feels like you just can't do it! I know I can do anything if I really want to, I also know what it feels like to REALLY want a cigarette! What a horrible feeling. Oh well, I have a partner in this, and I have all of you to help me along as well!

I plan on using this thread as sort of a "challenge diary." I will post our successes, as well as any particular challenges that we face with this. I will also be sure to post if we "slip." I think the only way to do this is to be accountable for actually getting it done, and I sure would feel bad if I had to tell all of you that after all of your support, I still couldn't do it.

I realize that once I hit the "submit new thread" button that this is official..... better get on with it then!

[grammaof4andmore]

You have my heartfelt empathy! After around 35 years of smoking, I had my last cigarette on the way home from work on May 31, 2004 at 5PM. That was the hardest thing I have ever done, but I suppose it is the thing I am most proud of too.

What helped me the most was to remember that I was taking control of my life. Before I quit, cigarettes had controlled my life (where I went, when I went, who I went with, etc, etc, etc) Qitting is sooooo worth it!!

Good luck!!

[queenofthehivemomof5]

Good luck! Its a hard habit to break, I know cause I smoke a little too when stressed and Im just not at that point yet.

Anways...good luck. You can do it!

[love2cook]

Good for you and your husband! You both can do it! Stay strong - don't give in.

Find something to fill that void. I had a friend who quit and he found lollipops helped him get through - because it was the feeling of something in his mouth. I had another friend who chewed gum when they quit. So, find what works for you.

[FLAZgirl]

Good for you!! Now you are really going to be racking up the savings! Both on monthly expenses and medical expenses. Plus, what an inspiration you may be to someone else to quit smoking. I used to smoke, but I quit when my daughter caught me smoking when she was five. I hid it from her, because I did not want to be an example to her to smoke. She was like, "Mom, you smoke?" And I said, "That's it, I'm done!" I did slip up a couple of times, but I didn't beat myself up, and throw in the towel, I just continued towards being a nonsmoker. I did it, you can too!! That was about nine years ago. Just keep looking to the positives sides of not smoking! Take up knitting or something to replace that habit when you are bored or stressing. Walking, or something.

[derketchup]

I quit cold turkey 6 years ago!

Just remember that all it takes is 1 cigarette and you're a smoker again. I have cravings for cigarettes about once a year, even though it's been forever. Usually smelling a cold ash tray makes it go away though (gross)!

I strongly suggest either hard candy or gum (preferably sugar free), especially if you know that driving is going to be a challenge.

Good luck!

[meems]

Wishing you all the best! I did the same, told everyone I could think of, it helps you to stay commited having to admit to so many if you fail!

I am coming up on my 11th month of being smoke free after a 30 year habit. I used every thing there was to help me though! Started with Chantix, praise the heck out of it, I wouldn't have been able to get that first nudge in w/o it! at 6 weeks I went through a VERY rough spell & grabbed some nicotrol inhalers someone had given me..well, it def got me over the hump, but now I'm still addicted to those...one's in my mouth as I type. BUT, Dr. said I can have those the rest of my life if I desire..no problem! What was amazing is my smokers hack went away within a week of quitting! No more stinkies...but, I do know I'm a junkie & can never have even one drag or I'll be back on them..I liked them too much!

[chitownmelli]

Thanks everyone. I appreciate the support. I think I will take some of your suggestions. I really like certs mints or lifesaver mints, whatever is still around LOL! so maybe I will get some of those. I know one problem I will have is I LOVE to eat. ANd I do mean LOVE to eat, I actually enjoy the taste of food soooo much....... I don't want to gain a bunch of weight. I am happy with myself no matter what size I am, as long as I keep it steady till may 10th. We already have my wedding dress lol, and I do not want to have it altered!!!!! Yeah, so, mints and my housework will have to help keep me busy. I am curious to know how Korey is doing. On the plus side, Lowe's (where he works) is a non smoking company, you have to seriously leave the property on your lunch break if you wish to smoke, so at least for his sake, it is more convenient not to do it!

May as well report my progress as long as I am here. The only smokes in the house are a 2 week old stale pack of Newports that my friend left here. Trust me, not even thinkin about it LOL! I've had a few little cravings today, and I have been sipping water rather than thinking about smoking. I know that I do not want to smoke, and that this is just my body saying, HEY! IT'S TIME FOR MY FIX! Oh well, too bad, not gonna happen, I'm the boss. I know that today is not going to be as bad as the next few days when my body really get's ticked off at me! I am not going to worry about that though, I am just concentrating on today.

I'll check in again later or tomorrow. Hope I haven't pulled out all my hair by then, I just started my shampoo stockpile!!! ;)

[kdownie]

Good luck to you both! You are doing a great thing for your health.

[arubagirl]

good luck, just think how good food will taste and how much better you will feel. best of luck!