Hi! I´m new!

[natalie_3]

Hi!

I think I must have introduced myself before starting to post but well...here I am. 

My name is Natalie, I´m 27 and I´ve been smoking for 11 years. I tried to quit once using Zyban but it didn´t last. About 2 weeks ago I realized I was smoking 2 packs a day...no wonder I was always broke! I also have high blood pressure and I´m really tired of being chained to this addiction, running at 3 am to buy a pack...you know. I´m also worried about secondhand smoke for my husband. I started a gradual cessation program and now I´m smoking 12 a day. But talking to some of you here I decided it was better to quit once and for all so tomorrow is my quit date! Just 3 hours to go! To be honest I´m totally panicking. 

I´ve been doing research and identified my triggers but some of them I simply don´t know how to tackle.

All of you have been lovely and your advice has been really helpful. You´ll be hearing from me often now :) 

-Nat 

[Frezflops]

Awesome decision......the triggers you might not know how to tackle handle them as they come if it is bad come here and read and post. I also suggest you post in pre-respond to your own SOS. Post in your own words what you would say to yourself if you are struggling. Read some of the others also that might help. Make a list as to why. you got this :)

[natalie_3]

Thanks!

I just look at the clock and feel more scared every minute. :wacko:  But this is something I have to do. And I want to do. 

By the way, congratulations on almost 2 years smoke free!! Awesome!

[Tink]

Hi nat we are here for you x

[Still winning]

The build up is more scary then the doing it. You simply take control, yes weirdly it's your own thoughts you need to control. I found once the decision had been made in my head that smoking was no longer on the table, I was forced to find other things to do. 

 

Ideas of things to do. Get a bottle of water, take sips when you crave. Hard boiled candy, by the time I'd finished a sweet the craving thought had gone and I could carry on with my day. Stock up on cleaning products :) Suck air through a straw if you need to do the habit thing. Repeat NOPE or a mantra in your head. Write down all the reasons you don't want to be a smoker and stick the list on the fridge. Write down a "treat" plan, at 2 packs a day that's a lot of money and treating yourself regularly is a way to look forward.

 

One more thing people said and I paid no attention to but hey, I should have listened is physically move. A lot of people walked or ran or did some form of exercise when they craved and it truly bats the thoughts out much easier there.

 

Keep posting. x

[action]

Hi Nat... by my reckoning, you are now a non-smoker.  I would throw out all of your remaining cigarettes, lighters, ashtrays, tobacco, etc... (if you haven't already).

 

Congratulations!

 

We are not going to lie and tell you that the next few weeks are going to be all rainbows and smiles - they could be hard.  But, I bet that they won't be anywhere near as hard as you are expecting!

 

I'm not sure if you know about the SOS system here?  It's saved a lot of quits when we are feeling vunerable - please, take time to read it here http://www.quittrain.com/topic/8-posting-an-sos/ and, posting your OWN reponse to your OWN SOS can be really helpful - you can do this here http://www.quittrain.com/topic/259-pre-respond-to-your-own-sos/ (I would highly recommend going through this entire thread, and see what everyone thinks will help them get past a crave!

 

Hmmm, what else... OK, a crave to want to smoke is only supposed to last a maximum of 3 minutes (although it can sometime seem like longer) - so start clock watching when you feel the need.

 

Your blood sugars are going to take a hit, so I suggest that you stock up on fruit juices and sweets/candy for emergencies.  You are going to need to protect your quit no matter what - it is the most important thing in your life right now.  Pre-warn your husband that you might be a bit grouchy for a little while, and I am sure that he will understand! 

 

And finally... stay close to the board - people are here 24 hours, and we only have one goal - to make sure you succeed in your quit! (and have fun while doing it).  Oh, and get a ticker!  Mine really, really helped me in the early days!  And treat yourself - make sure that you spoil yourself rotten to begin with - afterall, you are going to have loads of extra cash since you are not spending it on cancer sticks!

 

I am so very happy for you, and I cannot wait to watch you on your journey to freedom :)

[Doreensfree]

Ross said it perfectly.....

We have all been were you are today....

Take it nice and steady.....look no further than today.....maybe hour by hour....maybe minute by minute.....

Stay close to the board.....when I first quit....I was on the board nearly 24 hours a day....

Do what you have to do to stay quit.....we will support you all the way.....

[SueBeDoo]

Hiya Nat and welcome, well done on getting started sooner then planned on your quit.

You won't regret it, it's not as hard as you think it will be and it's not miserable, you will actually smile and feel happy being a non smoker, it's soo worth it.

[Paul723]

Hooray! Only forward now! Craves don't really last very long, wait them out, or better yet, tell them to go away! In three days or so, nicotine and it's breakdown products will be clear or your body.

[SanDar]

Welcome Nat!

Quitting is the best decision for you. Stick close to the board here. There's a lot of information here and learning about our addiction is the best way to defeat it. 

It's not as difficult as we perceive it to be. And before you know it, you will be enjoying all the benefits of being smoke-free!

Glad to have you on board :)

[BAT]

Welcome Nat. You are doing yourself a huge favor.  :)

[JackiMac]

Hi Natalie how are you doing?  Stopping smoking is like facing a bully, your scared of him, scared of what he will do, and scared of the reprecussions but do you know what just like facing up to a bully once you do it, you will stop and think "hey that's was ok, why did I not do this sooner", do not allow yourself to think too far ahead, its just the addiction that is causing the panic, face it head on, tell it you are no longer its slave and turn away, believe you will be surprised.  One day at a time Natalie, we got you here, read, educate, commit and post as often as you like. xxx

[Tink]

keep posting today nat, absolutely no pressure sweetie just let us know whats going on and how you are feeling and we can guide you through it 

 

we have all been where you are today xxxx

[bakon]

well?

[natalie_3]

Thank you so much to all of you!!

It really helps knowing I have all this awesome people supporting me. So far, so good. I thought I´d go hysterical wanting a cigarette with my morning coffee but no. At least not yet  :P

I´ll keep you posted!

[Still winning]

Fab!!  Easier to simply not think too much and get busy/distracted if you start to think about it. x

[sherry]

Hi Nat, good to see yer do'n good this morn'n...now you know you can have coffee w/o a smoke :P ,whats next?.. just take it one "thing" at a time, you got this!! :good3: 

[jimmy]

welcome aboard nat  you can do this just take it 1 day at a time  the first 2 weeks a tuff but it gets better   next thing you know its been a year and a half   keep busy to help take your mind off of the  craves   congrats on quitting   :D 

[Sarah]

The people on this board are awesome and have saved me loads of times, I genuinely have love for lots of people here.

[ChRiSpY]

Fab!!  Easier to simply not think too much and get busy/distracted if you start to think about it. x

 

Could not have said it better... stay busy and don't dwell.

[natalie_3]

The people on this board are awesome and have saved me loads of times, I genuinely have love for lots of people here.

 

I can see that! Since my first post all of you have been lovely and really supportive. This community is awesome. 

[Sarah]

Ive had a couple of crying sessions in the chat room, had a few ups and downs so far

[NeedforSpeedHM]

Welcome Natalie!!!! And congrats on making such a wonderful choice for a new you and a new life!!! You can do it.. one minute at a time.

 

You are in the right place to get support to help you in your freedom.... I wish you all the best and please post as much as you need. 

 

Again, congrats and welcome!!!!!

[natalie_3]

Welcome Natalie!!!! And congrats on making such a wonderful choice for a new you and a new life!!! You can do it.. one minute at a time.

 

You are in the right place to get support to help you in your freedom.... I wish you all the best and please post as much as you need. 

 

Again, congrats and welcome!!!!!

 

Thanks! I´ll probably post all day LOL