Hello Quitters

[Evelyn]

Mint gum does a lot of cravings go *poof* too!

[Chrysalis]

... I got suckered back in by thinking I could just smoke one after 2 months. I know why they put 20 in a pack now ;) ...

 

That's a good answer, Matthew, very good. But let's go one step deeper-- why did you want to have "just one"? What did you need at that time in your life that you thought one cigarette would provide? Please understand that this is a very, very important question. Your answer to this question could well mean the difference between success and failure this time around. 

 

If you have read Alan Carr's Easy Way book, then you know that smoking really does absolutely NOTHING good for you. It doesn't relax you, it doesn't make you friendlier, it's not a "friend" that relieves your boredom. These are all lies that are part and parcel of the addiction. For many of us, our brain continued to believe those lies for many months after we quit smoking. But they are Nicodemon-generates LIES! If you smoked 2 months after quitting, some part of you still believed that cigarettes did something good for you and you wanted to recapture that feeling. We call that "romancing the cigarette"and it's one of the most common reasons for people to throw away a really good quit. For a pack of lies. Such a shame!

 

So based on your previous experience with quitting smoking, you know for certain sure that you CAN get through the physical cravings that last a week or two. You CAN get through the psychological/emotional cravings that appear and disappear for several months. But you have to be alert to your tendency to "romance a cigarette" because you know from experience that that can undermine you. And you also know from experience that allowing yourself just one cigarette will inevitably lead right back to full-time smoking. 

 

I strongly suggest that you view as many of Joel Spitzer's videos as you can. They are pinned to the top of the "Quit Smoking Discussion" forum and are a superb educational resource. For the "romancing the cigarette" problem, I personally benefitted a lot from his "Fixating on a cigarette" video.

 

Congratulations on a great start to your last quit! Stick close to this board and take it one day at a time!

[babs609]

remember Matthew--the discomforts of quitting are temporary but the benefits last a lifetime. 

Welcome to the board!  We are happy to have you here.

 

Keep water handy and also fruits and fruit juice....quitting smoking temporarily wreaks havoc on your blood sugar regulation for a few days and sometimes mimics a craving for a smoke. 

 

You've got this!!  Keep reading and posting

 

:)

[Still winning]

Great job!!  As was said before, cravings go, they are short lived. The benefits of not smoking are long lasting and worth some mental thoughts. Just think, for now, for this minute, at this time, I won't smoke and then distract yourself. Distraction and reading up on how nicotine addiction works are your best friends right now. 

 

Agree with the mantra thing too, whatever works for you. From "smoking is not on the table right now" or "I deserve better than this" or whatever "speaks to you". Also physical movement, switch from foot to foot all the way through to actual exercise are massive wins! It seems to knock a crave down. 

 

Amazing work Matthew!!  You absolutely can do this!!

 

x

[ChRiSpY]

Get yourself some sugarfree gum as well.

[Mike.]

Looks like we have the same birthday, uhh ... smobriety date.

 

We, can do it.

 

 

[SanDar]

Welcome! 

Stay close to the forum here and read, read then read some more.

You can do it  :)

[Nicole Diver]

I quit smoking at the 20 year mark myself.  It *is* doable.

Love Allen Carr.

 

Welcome and congrats.   Learn as much as you can about this addiction, knowledge will help you so much.

[DCCXXVII]

Hi Matthew... just wanted to say welcome :)

[Devil Doll]

How are you doing Matthew?

[Nancy]

Yes, how is it going today?

[Matthew]

Doing okay today. Had a slip up this morning with some old re fry buts I found....so gross. I am doing good with the candy and just trying to make it through the day...

 

You all are so very kind and I want to congratulate you all. This quitting business is no joke.

 

I don't smoke cigarettes anymore!

[joe]

Hi Matthew..

 

I am a Little bit late welcoming you to the party...

 

Without reading all the replies, I can say with confidants that everyone gave you good advice.

 

You have chosen the best group of people to help you get that (smoking) monkey off your back.

 

These guys/gals have a lot to offer...

 

Welcome to the QT

 

The ride starts out a bit bumpy, but trust us when we say it gets better..can't say exactly when, but it will.

[Kristin]

This is a great place to be! Welcome to the QT, and congrats on your awesome decision to become a non-smoker.

 

Everyone has given you great advice. For me a hot cup of tea instead of a smoke was a life saver. It provides a break in the activity you are doing and is yummy too.

 

Throw away the refrys, and setup a savings jar for all your extra cash instead.

[Pippa]

Hi Mathew - sorry I'm late but welcome and congrats on a great decision to quit - I have to say I also used tea as a substitute and also established licorice as a whole new food group :-)

[Nancy]

Doing okay today. Had a slip up this morning with some old re fry buts I found....so gross. I am doing good with the candy and just trying to make it through the day...

 

You all are so very kind and I want to congratulate you all. This quitting business is no joke.

 

I don't smoke cigarettes anymore!

How's it going today, Matthew?

[beacon]

Yes, how are you?  :)