I won't need cigarettes anymore!

[RunGirlRun]

Hey,

 

My name is Martina, I am from Europe (please excuse any grammar or spelling mistakes) and I currently live in Oklahoma.

 

I've been smoking for 12 years by now and it kept getting more and more cigarettes per day each year. In 2013, there were days were I easily smoked around 2 packages a day, I'd say the average was 1.5 packs per day. I always got a bunch of cartons at once and totally lost control over it. At that time, it was the first time I realized that smokers cough and I saw that smoking actually influenced my health. Besides the strong mental addiction (do I have enough cigarettes with me? Oh my god, I only have 3 cigarettes left in my package...), I started working out frequently and once I started thinking about quitting I often smelled the ugly smell of cigarettes on my clothes, hands and blankets. So on New Year's Eve of 2013 I had my last cigarette and I was doing good for almost the whole year. But I made a big mistake. I started having two or three cigarettes with a glass of wine once a month and I immediately regretted that the next day (horrible headache and cravings) but somehow I kept doing that. Well I even had a cigarette when I met up with friends for coffee or dinner. At the end I used every situation as excuse to smoke. By January 2014 I was back to smoking several cigarettes per day, except for work. After changing jobs in March I am back to my old smoking habits and I smoked around 1 to 1.5 packs per day. 

 

But I don't want to smoke anymore. It is ridiculous, costs a LOT of money, it makes me sick. I could list many many more reasons why I don't want to smoke anymore.

A few days ago I decided that I will smoke the remaining packs I have and then quit. Today I got a vapor which is going to help me quit by replacing the cigarettes. And I also have nicotine gums in case I need an extra "kick".

So I did smoke my last cigarette an hour ago!

 

How do I feel? Honestly, I don't know. Before quitting I was very excited but also very afraid at the same time. And now since I had my last cigarette I feel like my partner which I've been dating for many, many years just broke up with me. It sounds ridiculous, doesn't it? And I feel tired and kind of empty. 

 

I hope this forum will help me to fight my cravings, find new motivation when I need some and see that I'm not alone in this situation. On the other side, I hope that I can help you too!  :bye:

[buMbLeB]

Welcome to the board, Martina! You've already learned one very important lesson - there is no such thing as "just one" cigarette. I don't have any experience with vaping, but my suggestion would be that you use it and the gum as a transition, and not as a permanent replacement - I'm confident most of the people here will agree with that. Aside from that, try and read as much as possible so that you understand what this addiction really means and how to beat it. It's good to see that you're already thinking of helping other people - doing so is valuable for everyone involved! 

 

And congratulations on taking the plunge!

[bakon]

Seems you know what to do. I like cold turkey but you will find all methods on here. Nope is key

Not

One

Puff

Ever

[DCCXXVII]

Congratulations and welcome aboard RGR... just watch out with that extra "kick" of nicotine  :bad:

[Ria]

Welcome, Martina! xox

 

There are some AMAZING people here who will help you for SURE!!!!

 

Each of us is different (thank God) so what works for one may not for another... but ONE rule is UNIVERSAL!!!!!

 

N.O.P.E!!!! NOT ONE PUFF EVER!!!!

 

(which reminds me!....... :D )

[Tink]

Welcome to the train, congratulations on your quit :)

 

Personally I found education and support here the best quit tool, post and read up on nicotine addiction, I strongly suggest watching the Joel videos

 

Everyone finds their own path to help them quit and at this stage I think that's really important to help you make that first step wether it's cold turkey or with nrt but with further education it's worth knowing about our nicotine addiction to make the right decisions further down the track or asap

 

Nrt will take some of the edge off the cravings but like any addiction your brain will crave more and more eventually

 

Take one step at a time, hour by hour, day by day

 

Drink plenty of water and fruit juice and read read read

 

All of us here were where you are today, just stepping off.. Have no fear

 

We got your back x

[Doreensfree]

Hello and welcome aboard ...

Congrats on making the best decision you could make...l

Read all you can....understand this addiction....Allen Carr the easy way is a great book....that has helped so many....

Taking the daily NOPE....it's a promise to yourself ...you won't smoke in the next 24 hours....the days pass by....

Staying close to the board....talking it through....we will support you all the way....xx

[Pippa]

Welcome Martina - quitting smoking is the best decision you will ever make :-)

 

What worked for me was reading , being on this board and planning up front what you are going to do if a crave hits - for me it was exercise ( you can't smoke at the gym even if ya want to ... Just say'n) and licorice - but to each their own:-). !

 

Most importantly - stay close - we are all here to support you :-)

 

Looking forward to sharing this journey with you :-) xx

[Frezflops]

welcome and congrats on quitting....I prefer the cold turkey myself, but whatever works for you as long as you quit everything eventually. Heres to the smoke free life ahead of you. You got this!!!! Remember to breathe deeply and drink lots of water and juice

[Still winning]

welcome to the quit train. Lots of info and people here to support you. x

[action]

Nice to meet you Martina :)

 

No, your analogy doesn't sound ridiculous at all, but very normal indeed.

 

You have seen first hand what can happen if you let the addiction back in for only a minute... We are all nicotine addicts, and we must not ever let our guard down. After time, the cravings will subside - I hardly ever have any thoughts of cigarettes now, which is nice :)

[beacon]

Hi Martina, welcome!

[NewIdentity]

Hello! I'm fairly new here but so far the support and information here has been awesome! I think everyone here can relate to what you've described in one form or another. Congratulations on your quit!

[sgt.barney]

You never really needed 'em in the first place, right?

 

You only thought you did.

 

 

 

Easy Peasy

[Nicole Diver]

Welcome and congrats on the great decision! It's time to get happy and healthy. We are here for you!

[MarylandQuitter]

Welcome and congrats on the best decision you could ever make for yourself.  Please remember that NRT is fine and works for some, but the goal is to get off of nicotine completely.  You're off to a great start but please watch all the videos that you're able to and do all the reading that you can to learn about this addiction.  Being smarter than cigarettes is how we beat this, not by being stronger.  :)

 

Prolonging Nicotine Withdrawal

Video explains how the 72 hour withdrawal symptoms that I discuss in many of my videos and articles is only applicable to true cold turkey quitters.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHx12A8-mFg&feature=youtu.be

 

Life As A Smoker Is A Balancing Act

While quitting may result in a person feeling some discomfort for a few days, smokers face discomfort on a daily basis from having to maintain a constant and comfortable nicotine level. Maintaining this level is a constant balancing act.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OfiH2iX_aIU

[Runfree]

Yay, another Run member.

 

Where'd you go Martina?  Check in please.  Let us know how you're doing.

[Devil Doll]

Welcome to the QT Martina! N. O. P. E. 

[MichelleDoesntSmoke]

Welcome!! Your English is good!

 

I bet everyone on this board can identify with the "lover broke up with me" feeling. I know I do. We can all do this. Stay close to the board. You have lots of support here!!!

[MarylandQuitter]

 

How do I feel? Honestly, I don't know. Before quitting I was very excited but also very afraid at the same time. And now since I had my last cigarette I feel like my partner which I've been dating for many, many years just broke up with me. It sounds ridiculous, doesn't it? And I feel tired and kind of empty. 

 

 

 

It's actually quite normal!  When I smoked I always say cigarettes as my friend, an escape or "my time".  When you hear a smoker or former smoker say "cigarettes are my friend" or "I thought cigarettes were my friend", it's no joke.  Feeling empty when you first quit is also normal.  The good news is that once you see smoking for what it truly is, you quickly realize that they were never your friend.  It was the addiction talking and early in your quit it's so important that you dive head first into reading about this addiction because we beat it by being smarter than it, not stronger.

 

My Cigarette, My Friend

 

http://whyquit.com/whyquit/joelcigfriend.html

How do you feel about a friend who has to go everywhere with you? Not only does he tag along all the time, but since he is so offensive and vulgar, you become unwelcome when with him. He has a peculiar odor that sticks to you wherever you go. Others think both of you stink.

 

He controls you totally. When he says jump, you jump. Sometimes in the middle of a blizzard or storm, he wants you to come to the store and pick him up. You would give your spouse hell if he or she did that to you all the time, but you can't argue with your friend. Sometimes, when you are out at a movie or play he says he wants you to go stand in the lobby with him and miss important scenes. Since he calls all the shots in your life, you go. Your friend doesn't like your choice of clothing either. Instead of politely telling you that you have lousy taste, he burns little holes in these items so you will want to throw them out. Sometimes, he tires of the furniture and gets rid of it too. Occasionally, he gets really nasty and decides the whole house must go.

 

He gets pretty expensive to support. Not only is his knack of property destruction costly, but you must pay to keep him with you. In fact, he will cost you thousands of dollars over your lifetime. And you can count on one thing, he will never pay you a penny in return.

Often at picnics you watch others playing vigorous activities and having lots of fun doing them. But your friend won't let you. He doesn't believe in physical activity. In his opinion, you are too old to have that kind of fun. So he kind of sits on your chest and makes it difficult for you to breathe. Now you don't want to go off and play with other people when you can't breathe, do you?

 

Your friend does not believe in being healthy. He is really repulsed by the thought of you living a long and productive life. So every chance he gets he makes you sick. He helps you catch colds and flu. Not just by running out in the middle of the lousy weather to pick him up at the store. He is more creative than that. He carries thousands of poisons with him which he constantly blows in your face. When you inhale some of them, they wipe out cilia in your lungs which would have helped you prevent these diseases.

But colds and flu are just his form of child's play. He especially likes diseases that slowly cripple you - like emphysema. He considers this disease great. Once he gets you to have this, you will give up all your other friends, family, career goals, activities - everything.

 

You will just sit home and caress him, telling him what a great friend he is while you desperately gasp for air.

But eventually your friend tires of you. He decides he no longer wishes to have your company. Instead of letting you go your separate ways, he decides to kill you. He has a wonderful arsenal of weapons behind him. In fact, he has been plotting your death since the day you met him. He picked all the top killers in society and did everything in his power to ensure you would get one of them. He overworked your heart and lungs. He clogged up the arteries to your heart, brain, and every other part of your body. In case you were too strong to succumb to this, he constantly exposed you to cancer causing agents. He knew he would get you sooner or later.

 

Well, this is the story of your "friend," your cigarette. No real friend would do all this to you. Cigarettes are the worst possible enemies you ever had. They are expensive, addictive, socially unacceptable, and deadly. Consider all this and NEVER TAKE ANOTHER PUFF!

Joel