My craving is so ravenous, I feel weak!!! Help!!

[Doreensfree]

I'm not special....

I too arrived feeling just like you do....the support I recieved helped me through....

You can do it....stay strong....your friend has to smoke....she is still a smoker...

But you my friend are a beautiful non smoker....don't envy her....feel sad ....she is still trapped....

[El Bandito]

Hey Lila

 

Great work getting through the day.

 

Well done!

 

Every single element of your life gets better smoke free. Your coffee, your food, your breath, your skin, your wallet, your sexlife.

 

ALL are much better as a non smoker.

 

Most importantly you realise that you have looked the nicotine addiction straight in the face and said "no more. I am free. I am in charge. This is a very powerful feeling.

 

You are doing great!

[Runfree]

I made it through didn't smoke on day 4!!!! I can't believe it ! 

 

Lila,

 

Remember this feeling!  Remember what you're thinking and the joy in this moment  Cravings will still happen but your experience at conquering and knowing THIS feeling of relief and pride and success will help you overcome the next one and the next.  They become less and less, but have your toolbox at the ready.  

 

Way to go.

[Sunnyside]

Copy that post, I can feel the pride from here! Rightly so as well. That's another tick done on your calendar. If you keep doing that you watch it grow. You wanted so pluses to quitting.

 

 

 

I have NO cough, I have had two colds since I quit in April if last year. My teeth are white, my skin looks radiant, my energy levels are why beyond anything I ever imagined. My anxiety is better, my eyes look clear and not blood shot. My circulation is better, I don't smell horrible anymore. I sleep better?! My nail look gorgeous instead of a yellowish tint. I have to say the best thing about not smoking anymore is the freedom!! No more scurrying around trying to fit in cigarettes at every opportunity, I'm chilled and relaxed, something that supposedly smoking does for us!

 

keep going and I promise you will never forget it.

[Warrioringthrough]

Thank you El, Sunny, Doree and Run!! Such a huge help, I can never convey how appreciative I am for you guys taking the time, I relate best to others personal experiences more so then text book stuff, so hearing how personally you gained more life from not smoking excites me for the same!! I almost made it through day 4, I stay up late so a little ways to go, I always smoked the most at night while I write poetry, chain smoking, I was reading the Alan Carr book earlier, so true what he says about feeling like there's something enjoyable about smoking.

[Ria]

ALL valid points, Lila! xox and WELCOME! xox

 

I'm not going to say "it'll get easier" or any of the other platitudes, clichés or truisms... I'm sure you know them all... I knew them EACH AND EVERY time I lit up! ha!!

 

I will say, however, that knowing I have a choice, but CHOOSE NOT TO SMOKE, is sheer euphoria!!

 

Looking forward to reading your future posts!! xox

[buMbLeB]

Thank you El, Sunny, Doree and Run!! Such a huge help, I can never convey how appreciative I am for you guys taking the time, I relate best to others personal experiences more so then text book stuff, so hearing how personally you gained more life from not smoking excites me for the same!! I almost made it through day 4, I stay up late so a little ways to go, I always smoked the most at night while I write poetry, chain smoking, I was reading the Alan Carr book earlier, so true what he says about feeling like there's something enjoyable about smoking.

 

I was the same way with my creative endeavours, and probably figured that association was permanent. It's not, it's all part of the illusion, you'll probably write a poem about it some day.

 

Earlier you asked for benefits, so here's a few of mine: stamina way up, coughing gone, I don't see stars when I stand up too fast, I sleep so much better and deeper, I'm much more relaxed overall, I smell both great and well... 

 

I'll think of some more later. Welcome and way to go!

 

ps protip - go to bed early!

[MarylandQuitter]

I also still have my last cup with water and cigarette butts in it on the porch, I smell it when I want one to gross me out!! Please guys tell me how good your bodies feel after you quit, I need to hear the personal positive health gain experiences to keep me motivated I'm seeing a friend who chain smokes later and I want to be strong !!

 

Stop Smoking Benefits Timetable

 

Welcome and glad you're staying strong!!  Don't ever give an inch to this horrible addiction.  As time goes, it get's easier and easier.  :)

[GypsyButterfly]

Hello & welcome, Lila. It's not easy, but, it sounds like you're standing strong. I can't really add anything regarding improvements. I was only smoking the past five years & at most, a pack a week. I was down to half, when I joined a few weeks ago. If there have been changes, they're subtle, because, I haven't noticed anything. Other than, I need to find a new indulgence. Sending good thoughts & big hugs your way.

[Warrioringthrough]

Thanks so much Ria,bumble, Madyland and gypsy!! I appreciate your stories so much, I'm having another horrible craving now ughhh, I'm writing so it's a rebirth to write without a cigarette in hand, smoke in my face, ash accumulating until it feel on my paper, so gross, I keep telling myself that's not me or as much a part of me as i celebrated it as, I am shedding the old image I created around smoking and letting my inner bird fly out from under this lease on my neck, but it ain't easy ... I can't believe how bad I want one... It has me so by the balls... It really makes me sad...

[Warrioringthrough]

Just gonna breath, and take it moment to moment .... Did everyone gain a ton of weight when they quit like they say? I bet the skin looks so vibrant, my limbs were getting such poor circulation lately, I can't wait til a few months have gone by to see how i feel, I just can't stress enough like most of you, how weird it is to think of that I can't remember a time I didn't have a cigarette, since 12, I have no idea what good feels like almost haha, I wonder if my lungs or other things didn't fully develop cause I smoked and infringed on the growing process... I'm so curious to meet my body as a non smoker...

[Warrioringthrough]

But I am craving so bad... I hope I can get through, I don't want to ruin 4 days !!!

[buMbLeB]

But I am craving so bad... I hope I can get through, I don't want to ruin 4 days !!!

 

Pardon my direct -you need to stop thinking like that. This is fully in your control, you don't "hope" about things like that, you decide them. And you, my dear friend, have already made this decision. N.O.P.E.

 

Now, you "hope" it won't suck. Too bad, it already does, you can't control that. On the upside you're right in the worst of it, tomorrow will probably be a lot better. But then even later it will suck again, and you will only be the boss of you.

 

One last thing - there's a lot more at stake here than just 4 days.

[Warrioringthrough]

I'm committed it's just feels a little over whelming at moments... I appreciate direct! And thank you for even bothering to take the time to respond and give encouragement ..,

[buMbLeB]

You bet it feels overwhelming! But it won't last, as long as you keep faith. I'm fond of pointing out that you don't actually have to *do* anything here, just *not* do something, so whelm to your heart's content! Scream, cry, bathe, chat, sleep, it's all good.

 

And keep talking to us. This board exists to respond and encourage, and every single one of us either is or was exactly where you are now.

 

You picked a good name. Do what it says.   :)

[Runfree]

It's true!  The words you use either diminish or empower you.  it's a subtle thing but real.  I hope becomes I will; try becomes do.  And it takes a bit of practice :). 

 

Anxiety is best met with slowing down the spin happening in your head.  Step back and don't buy into the mental drama.  Tough love those addict type thoughts.  NOPE.

 

That said....  We all have our own style and way of doing this.  Do what works for you.

[El Bandito]

Another day down Lila?

 

Good work. Well done.

 

Weight gain?

 

If when you get a crave you reach for candy, you will gain some weight. If you do, don't worry, you can quickly lose it again.

 

If when you get a crave you go for a walk, then you probably won't gain weight.

 

Your food is suddenly going to start tasting AMAZING...your taste buds are waking up. That can make you gain weight!

 

Caffeine suddenly is a lot stronger but a lot tastier.

 

Don't worry about your weight, Your body is adjusting to a life with ingested poisoning, it takes a little while to rebalance.

 

You are a non-smoker Lila. You did it. Nothing can make you smoke a cigarette again. Only you can. Don't.

 

You are doing brilliantly, keep going!

[Doreensfree]

Well done Lila....

Don't forget your daily pledge....it really does help you along....

I won't smoke today...no matter what....

[Warrioringthrough]

It's day 5!! I get what you guys are saying totally right! Commit !!! I just didn't want to overwhelm myself so I chose softer words but my intent was strong. I woke up today and for the first time I didn't want a cigarette, I use to always smoke before my eyes were even open, the thought actually made me think how gross it would taste, and heavy my chest would feel. How nasty it is to wake up and need a cigarette first thing!! It feels relaxing today. My tongue never looked so pink!!! I smell so good, this feels so amazing!! I love this rebirth, it will enhance so much of my life and attract a whole world of new positive energy ...I already can notice my taste buds are a bit enhanced, it's amazing how I thought cigarettes were such a part of me at one point I was willing to just die with them...I watched my friend chain smoke in front of me and didn't feel envy, I felt proud of myself, although of course I had a craving but just sat with it and let it pass. If you really look at it when someone is holding a cigarette they look so unnatural this smoking stick that does nothing for us, we think it's calming us or a treat and it's so not its awful!! I feel like such a fool, But better late then never... For the first time something shifted in my head where I'm not seeing them as my beloved friend anymore, they were never my friend just in all the tough times in my life it was alway my cigarettes and me, I'm so glad my head shed old ideas, and to make everyone laugh my profession is in wellness haha now I can honor it finally, instead of sneak around with cigarettes and hope no one finds out!

[Warrioringthrough]

Makes sense El, I hear ya Bumble and Run! Thanks Doreen !! I'm back to work for the first time as a non smoker today!! Wow, the doctor I work with been asking me to quit for 10 years, she's gonna be shocked! I use to tell her I'm gonna die a smoker, I use to glorify it like a 1940s movie... Fred Astaire dancing with a cigarette in his mouth... Smoking is so glorified in movies, I use to feel part of a cool club... How foolish!!!

[Doreensfree]

We were all fooled.....

I just get angry now.....when I think of all the money I gave to the tabacco companies....

They got rich ...while I was killing myself....

Well done Lila....don't give them anymore...spend your well earned money ...on you....

[Warrioringthrough]

Made it through day 5, feeling strong... Had a few craves after I ate and after work I use to rush out to have my fix of 2 cigarettes, still in that crave but it's wearing off I'm breathing through it... A friend of mine who never smoked started smoking and asked if we can have one together and I was strong and said this is no way to bond ... Was tough but anything worth it is always tough.... I can't believe 5 days went by.... Can't wait til it's months and I don't crave so much ... I want to start working out but talking it easy to start...

[GypsyButterfly]

Good for you. Day 5. Taking walks are a good overall exercise. If you're near a park or anywhere that's more in nature, I'd suggest walking there. Even if you can't go very far at first. It will still be peaceful & serene.

[Warrioringthrough]

Hey it's day 6!! :) I feel more relaxed each day! Last night I went through a major crave, I made a soup and slowly sipped the broth to get over it. I was watching a hunter s Thompson documentary and he smokes like a chimney and makes it seem so a part of the artist imagine, it was trying to seduce me but I didn't give in!!

[Warrioringthrough]

I feel really empowered, some moments I can't imagine I ever smoked other weaker moments, my body has the natural inclination to just want to go for a smoke cause it's so use to that motion, obviously it's gonna take work and commitment which I'm giving my 100 percent....