Interview With an Ex smoker

[Tink]

CPK posted some questions in another thread, hopefully we can answer some of them, the answers maybe of use to someone and having them all together will show the similarities and the differences in quits

 

 

1) What was the hardest month in your quit, and why?

2) What was the best month in your quit, and why?

3) Did certain foods increase thoughts about smoking?

4) Did you experience anxiety that you thought was related

   to not smoking? How did you handle it?

5) How long did it take you to lose pounds gained while quitting?

6) Did your sleep patterns change after you quit smoking?

7) At what month did you 100% feel you were forever done with smoking?

8) What worked best in the early months that you still do?

9) Did you experience depression you thought was related

   to not smoking? How did you handle it?

10) If over a year quit, why do you continue to visit and post on QT?

11) When was the last time you had a smoking dream/smokes dream?

12) What is the very best thing that has happened to you since

     doing the sticky quit?

 

 

 

[Tink]

#1 months 6 - 10months, I had set my sights at the beginning of my quit to beat my last quit of 6 months, when this time came I was elated but after that it went downhill rapidly as I was in the what now? state of mind - lesson learned -mindset can make it easy or hard!

 

#2 the first month was the easiest, i found it a doddle because it was all physical, that i can deal with better,  after 3 weeks or more its all mental which is harder for me

 

#3 all meals were hard but anything high in sugar seemed to set off worse but alcohol was my biggest nemesis

 

#4 yes lots of anxiety that came at different stages it really was a roller coaster of emotions, I went for walks, listened to hypnosis videos, posted her in social as a distraction, upped my exercises, breathing exercises helped and giving myself time out before responding to a situation (time normally when I would have smoked)

 

#5 I planned my quit very carefully, 6 weeks prior I did a total sugar detox so lost a lot of weight before my quit date, I did put it all on and a bit more but I didnt worry about it, I was definately eating more but tried mostly to keep to healthy snacking, when I felt more stable I went on a paleo diet, the quit really did come first, weight second

 

#6 yes sleep patterns all over the place I think it was about 6 weeks before it settled down to normal

 

#7 honestly it took me a whole year just to learn what I needed to learn from either interacting here or going through it myself, when the year came I felt again the what now? but not as bad as at 6 months, so really in the last few months its properly in my head that this is it I will never smoke again!

 

#8 Breathing exercises, drinking water, listening to affirmations and videos on youtube, walks and time outs

 

#9 depression no but anxiety see #4 mood swings mostly kind of like PMS symptoms

 

#10 I come here three fold 1) it took me over a year to get my mind set right and if I left here I may have strayed off the path 2) to pay it forward, to hopefully help someone with my experience, not one suit fits all but as long as its out there at least people can try it on and see if it fits 3) the social side of the forum a lot of these people were with me going through some crap stuff and vice versa this builds a bond and I will always be grateful to them, they made me laugh, they made me cry and they kicked me up the butt when needed, they are friends, after 2 years I will leave, this was my pledge

 

#11 I never had a smoking dream, but its very unusual for me to remember my dreams anyway

 

#12 in no particular order, smelling better, feeling better, more money and meeting rez and changing my life

 

My quit is amazing, it feels amazing and was and is definately worth fighting  :wub:

[cpk]

Thank you, Tracey. This was like a beautiful biography of a succeesful quit, and #12 was like BOOM! -- yet said with such quiet gratitude. This was all very helpful. Your experiences helped me to see that although my quitting smoking has made me feel very uncomfortable, all the stages I am going through are normal. I haven't experienced anything out of the ordinary. It is tedious and painful, but maybe because I am making it so at this point.I can do a lot more to help myself, and, in truth, I need to do a lot more to help myself. I appreciate your sharing.

 

PS I have been experiencing anxiety, but I think it is just new energy I don't know what to do with. I had gotten so used to feeling half sick as a smoker all the time. So the "What next?" you talk about is something I am experiencing. I am now trying to understand that my anxiety is actually ENERGY. :)  I need to find new ways to use it.

 

Thank you again for taking the time to answer all these questions.

[babs609]

1--the first month (for obvious reasons)

2.  the first month  (it's when I became a non smoker)

3.  no

4.  no..I had anxiety....but I had it before.  I knew, thanks to education...that my anxiety had nothing to do with quitting smoking. 

5.  hard to say because I was 30 lbs overweight before I even quit and then when I quit I gained another 40.  2 years into my quit I got serious and lost all  the weight and then some...took me 11 months

6.  Absolutely no change in sleep patterns for me....I was lucky i guess.

7.  the first month  (the first day) I knew I would never smoke again.  No Matter What.  Even if I struggled...even if I pulled all my hair out of my   head..smoking was not an option.  Period.

8.  deep breaths when I'm stressed...meditation

9.  no depression..I was elated...empowered

10.  for accountablility--so I don't forget all the truths about nicotine addiction and let the junkie thinking back in my head.  I also like helping people and paying it forward helps keep me at NOPE..and I love love love helping eradicate smoking 1 person at a time. Saving lives and the lives of those that love the smoker

11. Last smoking dream was about at 6 months quit 

12.  Freedom baby!!

 

I don't think I had an easy quit because I am stronger than anyone...nor was my addiction weaker...believe me...I could not sit thru a movie without going outside for a smoke.  I was hooked!!  I think I had an easier time because I accepted the fact that smoking was not an option...and I left no wiggle room for it either.  That's it in a nut shell.  That's what made it easy peasy for me.

[BAT]

1. About a month and a half into my quit for about one minute.

2. First month. I got the monkey off my back for good that month. Plus I made some great new quit friends  :)

3. Nope

4. Yes, a little, but not enough to fret about. The trick was I stuck to the boards like glue.

5. Well that part I really haven't worked on that much. I'm kind of a lazy ass since I'm on call 24/7 

6. I was off work for about 4 months after I quit and I felt great, slept like a baby, but now that I'm back at work and on call 24/7 .... well not so good.

7. 1st day, I was ready in my head. Never looked back.

8. I'm still stuck to the boards like before. 

9. No

10. Because I'm addicted to you people now  :P

11. Way way back

12. I can say "I Don't Smoke"   ;)

[El Bandito]

Ha!

 

I posted a duplicate thread

 

Tracey

 

Great minds think alike

 

or

 

Fools seldom differ

[Doreensfree]

CPK posted some questions in another thread, hopefully we can answer some of them, the answers maybe of use to someone and having them all together will show the similarities and the differences in quits

 

 

 

1) What was the hardest month in your quit, and why?

2) What was the best month in your quit, and why?

3) Did certain foods increase thoughts about smoking?

4) Did you experience anxiety that you thought was related

   to not smoking? How did you handle it?

5) How long did it take you to lose pounds gained while quitting?

6) Did your sleep patterns change after you quit smoking?

7) At what month did you 100% feel you were forever done with smoking?

8) What worked best in the early months that you still do?

9) Did you experience depression you thought was related

   to not smoking? How did you handle it?

10) If over a year quit, why do you continue to visit and post on QT?

11) When was the last time you had a smoking dream/smokes dream?

12) What is the very best thing that has happened to you since

     doing the sticky quit?

Mmmm,I probably am the boards oldest fart....but I think refined elder lady sounds good...ok...here goes ...

1... The hardest month for me was ....the first three....I had to learn to everything ...without the crutch I had used for over 52 years...

2...the best month was my first....i was taking control of my life....I arrived at the boards broken and facing amputation...the moment I arrived,I was warmly welcomed and was given hope....

3...no....but enjoyed all I could eat ..

4...no....my anxiety was all due to smoking and being told ...if you don't stop.....your going to lose your two feet....this scares me more than any quit...

5 ...I have only gained a few pounds....and I'm happy to have them....how many pounds do two feet weigh...I'm much happier this way...

6 yes....sleep was well messed up ,for quite a while...months.....but it does right its self....

7...I was done with smoking the moment I had to make a choice....smoke...or spend whatever years you have left in a wheelchair...

8...these folks here ....I owe them everything...I love them....the support has been on going....they let me believe in myself...

They made me believe I could do it....

9 no depression....but those last few cigs smoked....we're very sad and unhappy ..crying all the way through them..

10....I'm not ready to leave....I still enjoy being here....if my story helps one person ...that ok....

11...no dreams....

12....I have my feet....until you are faced with this delemia....it's something you take for granted....walking...running...dancing...

CPK...smoking has already disstroyed my hubby,s life....severe emphysema....he is already wheel chair bound...and needs full care..

Having my near life changing scare...and watching him daily.....

This is the best insight to keep the quit....

We are both finally done with the dam things

Xxxxx

[Pippa]

CPK posted some questions in another thread, hopefully we can answer some of them, the answers maybe of use to someone and having them all together will show the similarities and the differences in quits

 

 

1) What was the hardest month in your quit, and why?

2) What was the best month in your quit, and why?

3) Did certain foods increase thoughts about smoking?

4) Did you experience anxiety that you thought was related

   to not smoking? How did you handle it?

5) How long did it take you to lose pounds gained while quitting?

6) Did your sleep patterns change after you quit smoking?

7) At what month did you 100% feel you were forever done with smoking?

8) What worked best in the early months that you still do?

9) Did you experience depression you thought was related

   to not smoking? How did you handle it?

10) If over a year quit, why do you continue to visit and post on QT?

11) When was the last time you had a smoking dream/smokes dream?

12) What is the very best thing that has happened to you since

     doing the sticky quit?

1. I struggled quite a bit months 3 and 4, initially I was excited but by then I was over it !

2. Not really sure - all of the months had good bits - but probably 6 and 12 months were major milestones for me- I had always planned to celebrate these months so that made it special

3. No foods gave me smoking thoughts but I lived on licorice as my crutch early in my quit

4. I experienced craves and was short tempered early on ( as hubby can attest) but no real anxiety - although my tantrums may have made others anxious !

5. Still losing them - but I quit and entered menopause at the same time - plus did I mention that I also established licorice as a food group ?? So it is not surprising I put on some pounds :-)

6. I have always been a terrible sleeper - so I can't blame quitting for that- although this board became a great distraction for my insomnia .... And it actually meant people were online at the same time as me for a change !

7. I'm still vigilant but I made a commitment to myself from day 1 that I would never go though this again ... So I guess month 1

8. I basically lived on the quit board early in my quit - reading, playing games, posting pictures of cats ! When I wasn't online I visits my other home - the gym ...... Distraction, distraction, distraction :-)

9. No depression thankfully

10. Staying active here makes me accountable ... How could I possibly let people down by smoking - plus I like to think I can help others along the way

11. I didn't have smoking dreams

12. I love travelling - so being smoke free makes that easy, plus not having to go outside in the heat / cold, also my health has improved ... The benefits are too many to list :-)

[Still winning]

Saw Bandits thread first and have answered there :) xx

[Tink]

Saw Bandits thread first and have answered there :) xx

 

Oh that's how it goes eh? ;) x

[REZ]

#1 The first one for me!

 

#2 A year ago this month when I went to the UK to see Tracey!

 

#3 Not foods in particular, just after finishing a meal I would get a crave.

 

#4 Maybe a little, just kept busy. 

 

#5 Gained a few pounds but was thin to begin with so no biggie.

 

#6 Yes, Up all night but settled back down in a month or so.

 

#7 Somewhere around the 6 month mark.

 

#8 Wasn't one thing but a combination of a few things, exercising, this forum, mind set that I do not smoke.

 

#9 No, I was just too excited to be a non smoker.

 

#10 Play it forward and laugh at the goofy posts.

 

#11 Never had a smoking dream.

 

#12 I literally have a new smoke free life with Tracey.

 

 

PS - My quit started when I was real sick with a sore throat and could not smoke to start with so it probably helped! The longest I have quit before was about 2 weeks. 

 

 

[Tyme2B]

These questions & answers are very interesting....glad CPK posted these questions. Preparation for the future, not feeling alone, hope. It truly is a journey of hard work & dedication.

[Frezflops]

1) What was the hardest month in your quit, and why?The first month for the obvious reasons, new and all that

2) What was the best month in your quit, and why?after my fifth month thats when I knew I would not smoke again

3) Did certain foods increase thoughts about smoking? mmmm just after eating meals in general in the beginning no specific food ties

4) Did you experience anxiety that you thought was related

   to not smoking? How did you handle it? I experiance anxiety that I tried to squash down with cigs (I now realize that smoking was only adding to my anxiety not helping)

5) How long did it take you to lose pounds gained while quitting?I was losing weight whilst quitting smoking so already in process for me, I lost a total of 80 lbs although recently for some reason I gained 10 lbs back :( menopause I think a least that is what I am blaming it on lol

6) Did your sleep patterns change after you quit smoking? My sleep patterns were always screwed up so no difference there

7) At what month did you 100% feel you were forever done with smoking?I knew I had to quit the moment I quit my hubs had quit related to his heart stent placement and I did not want to smoke around him plus it was my goal along with the weight loss anyway so I just moved up my goal a bit. 

8) What worked best in the early months that you still do?Deep breathing, drink lots of water, exercise and running when I can

9) Did you experience depression you thought was related

   to not smoking? How did you handle it?No not really cause I always had moments of depression especially with winter seasonal changes or SAD, it is getting worse as time goes by. This year I tried to get outside as much as I could in the winter just dressed warmly and if it was above 28-30 degrees outside I ran, that helped a bit, a normal spring helps also lol

10) If over a year quit, why do you continue to visit and post on QT? for the friends I made on this forum, the entertainment value(bakon) and of course try to support those even though I do not post often, it also reminds me of what it was for me and why I do not want to go back to it. The connections made here with anonymous strangers over the net can be invaluable. I might not agree with everyone but that is life you are not going to like everyone or agree with them either but that is normal. In the beginning some members really got on my last nerve but they no longer do because I understand now where they are coming from and what they were trying to do or say. Sometimes it takes time especially over the net to truly "get" what the other person means.

11) When was the last time you had a smoking dream/smokes dream?I still occasionally get them I just dismiss them or laugh them off they mean nothing to me at this point....I wake up like WTF then I laugh silly dream. 

12) What is the very best thing that has happened to you since

     doing the sticky quit?I can breathe and I can run, and I am in general more healthier. Plus the money we have saved between the both of us has helped us enjoy life that much more :)

[Petra]

That's too many questions for me to answer.  So, I picked one. :)

 

10) If over a year quit, why do you continue to visit and post on QT?

 

This place is awesome and fun.  When I first quit, I LIVED on the forums!  They helped me keep my quit!  I'm not here as much now, but I still love to visit.  It still reinforces my quit. I try to offer words of encouragement sometimes. I try to celebrate big milestones sometimes.  I mostly have fun on the social side. I feel like some of my quit buddies are truly that, buddies.  :) I'm probably not as supportive to newbies as much as I should be, but I fool myself that being on the social side counts toward that. :)      

[Petra]

10. Because I'm addicted to you people now  :P

^^^^^ This. :)

[cpk]

Thank you, everyone...so very interesting! Hope more peeps post. It is so inspiring to see how each person's quit was unique, yet all with a common Nope...and VICTORY. Hope lurkers enjoy all this great stuff, and maybe will be convinced that this journey is the greatest of life journeys.

 

PS Peeps can answer one or whatever...like Petra did. Great idea, Petra. Thanks.

[Evelyn]

1) What was the hardest month in your quit, and why?

After my 3 months anniversery

2) What was the best month in your quit, and why?

4th month

3) Did certain foods increase thoughts about smoking?

4) Did you experience anxiety that you thought was related

   to not smoking? How did you handle it?

5) How long did it take you to lose pounds gained while quitting?
Going on right now

6) Did your sleep patterns change after you quit smoking?

7) At what month did you 100% feel you were forever done with smoking?

Month 4 1/2

8) What worked best in the early months that you still do?

Sticking with NOPE; no discussion possible

9) Did you experience depression you thought was related

   to not smoking? How did you handle it? No.

10) If over a year quit, why do you continue to visit and post on QT?
Because I need to have my NOPE out here so I cannot bargin with myself and hoping helping others! I plan to stick at least 2 years

11) When was the last time you had a smoking dream/smokes dream?

12) What is the very best thing that has happened to you since

     doing the sticky quit?