Stopped Smoking

[ACE2M]

I have been a non smoker for 2 weeks and a day and feeling good about it.

What happened to the various people from other threads who gave up? Did you all maintain it?

[barhell]

Good luck ACE2M, since this post me and the wife have been non smokers and it still feels good.

One bad point i've found is i've supersized myself, just this week i've topped 17 stone at least 3 of those have been added in the last 2 years.

So Monday last week was turn around point, i have quite an active job but i used to snack way too much, i've cut out snacks and alcohol and in a week lost 7 pounds. I figure if i can beat nicotine i can beat cakes and beer got to get back to 14 stone at least.

[doubleup]

I've been off for 6 weeks or so.  I'm using nicorette inhalators - which I've found a pretty good substitute when playing online.  Also you get £80s worth each month for £4 if you register at a chemist.

I'm slowly cutting down the inhalator use, so hopefully get down to just using it when I have an occasional craving.

The smoking ban makes it a lot easier to keep off imo, as the pub was where I always failed b4.

[G1BTW]

I've been off for 6 weeks or so.  I'm using nicorette inhalators - which I've found a pretty good substitute when playing online.  Also you get £80s worth each month for £4 if you register at a chemist.

I'm slowly cutting down the inhalator use, so hopefully get down to just using it when I have an occasional craving.

The smoking ban makes it a lot easier to keep off imo, as the pub was where I always failed b4.

yeah the pub was always the killer for me too, so hard to have a pint without lighting up.

I got a pack of twenty a wee while ago, smoked 2, made me feel sick and dizzy, put me actually right off the idea of smoking. That's after 10 serious failed attempts in my lifetime. I'm really happy with that, I've reached the magic mid-30s were u start running out of time for lung repair. Uncle died just recently at 60 of lung cancer, lifelong 30 a day man.

As for the losing weight, sadly it doesn't come off when you start smoking again, you just add it on when you stop :/

Rice and soup diets seem to work pretty well.

Good luck.

[Biddy 62]

I'm giving it a go.Double up how do you go about getting the inhalers?? The smoking ban in the pubs is the killer for me its such a pain going outside but it might just do me a favour though.

[doubleup]

Double up how do you go about getting the inhalers??

I just asked at a chemists for a stop smoking prescription - (I'm in Scotland tho so just assume that the rest of the uk has the same set-up)

[cia260895]

sigh back on it again for me moment of weekness when shit hit the fan,supposedly going to  a clinic tomorrow with the mrs where amongst othe things they test yr lung capicity to show how yr doing,hoping he provides the stimulus to stick to it....

gl to all who are going through it atm it is tough but it'll be worth it and if you fall off just make sure you get back on sooner rather than later ..

[trafficjam]

I started smoking at 18 and stopped after after about 18 years.  The reason I stopped was because I had a really bad bout of flu and it took me about three weeks to get better. I decided that as I hadn't smoked during that time now was the time to stop.  I put on quite a bit of weight but that soon levelled out and after a year I was back to my old weight.

After about 7 years of no smoking I was working full time and in the evenings doing dressmaking as I was wardrobe mistress at my daughter's drama school.  At a very busy time just before a production someone lit a cigarette near me and the aroma was delicious! I breathed in the smoke and said what  would do for a cigarette now.  I was offered one and BAM I was back smoking again, this time more than ever!  It goes to show, you only need one cigarette - must be like an ex- alcoholic.

I was now a full time 20-30 a day smoker and continued for a further 27 years.  Over the years my breathing has got worse and I also have slight Asthma, especially in the Spring.  Last year in April I decided to stop smoking so I went to a no smoking clinic.  If you sign up they give you the patches free.  I used the 24 hour patches and I did very well, of course many a time even with the patches I wanted a cigarette but if you persever the feeling doesn't last that long. The clinic will supply you with patches for about 3 months and after that you are on your own.

When I finished my course I was breathing a lot better and could go up a flight of stairs without stopping for a breather.  I did make a big mistake though!  I decided to go on a healthy diet and exercise.  This was very strange for my body after living on cigarettes and coffee most of my life. I started eating fruit, lots of it and drinking lots of water instead of coffee.  That was my downfall, I put on a lot of weight and my legs and ankles swelled my whole metabolism went out of control.  After about 6 months of no smoking it only needed one person to say, you were healthier when you smoked.  I was feeling ill, was down in the dumps and could not control my temper so of course after a small tiff with the hubby off I was to the shops and bought some fags and a lighter.  It was like nectar to my lungs.

Now since smoking again I was back to the 20-30 a day in no time.  I still was having health problems just as much as when I was not smoking but the swollen ankles had gone down but seemed to have moved to my stomach.  My breathing was bad again too, in fact I get up in the morning and have to lean out of the window to get air in my lungs.  I told the doctor I was back smoking again and she said perhaps my health reaction was because I stopped abruptly whereas I should have cut the patches down to a lower dose and cut them out gradually.

So once again I am now back on the patches and have been on them just over a week.  I am determined this time but to do it gradually and not alter my diet drastically like last time.  I do feel like a cigarette sometimes and when I tell my husband he says 'you have a fag girl if you want one' so you can see what I am up against to try and control my willpower.

What annoys me most is my husband smoked from the age of 13 until he was 78. He had to go into hospital for tests and was in there for about a week. He was so scared that on the day they were going to do the tests he walked out of the hospital with all tubes attached and came home. I had the hospital phoning me as he had disappeared and when I said he was home, they said he must come back to have the tubes removed.  He refused and I had to do it for him.  He is 81 now and has never smoked since and the lucky sod had hardly put on any weight!

I wish everyone who stops smoking all the best and hope I can keep it up this time.

[thetank]

I stopped nearly 3 years ago now and still going good.

Occasinaly the thought will enter my head that I want a cigarette, but it's not a craving, just a thought, and it will go away just as quickly.

Quitting was really hard, no way I want to do that again so I've definately given up for good.

[Biddy 62]

Yes its a powerful drug, i'm just preparing myself for stopping. I'd to laugh on sunday at our local game, if i'm gagging for a fag i'll deal then go for a quicky. When i got back this week i looked at my mucked cards   shit i thought but i was up against pocket and pocket J's no help for either and no Ace so i would have gone out. For once a positive smoking story.

[pokefast]

Great thread.

Was wondering if anyone has used Allen Carr's book?

If so how did you find it?

I thought it was excellent  and i agreed with most of it but struggled to get the points to stick in my mind.

[cia260895]

Great thread.

Was wondering if anyone has used Allen Carr's book?

If so how did you find it?

I thought it was excellent  and i agreed with most of it but struggled to get the points to stick in my mind.

i read it and it is full of useful stuff

[ ] it worked

[littlemissC]

13 weeks for me now put on nearly a stone but started swimming and gym yesterday so hopefully going to shift the weight in a month

[Dingdell]

Great thread.

Was wondering if anyone has used Allen Carr's book?

If so how did you find it?

I thought it was excellent  and i agreed with most of it but struggled to get the points to stick in my mind.

Tikay used it and it worked brilliantly. Then the smoking ban came in and he started smoking again.... 

[ACE2M]

Great thread.

Was wondering if anyone has used Allen Carr's book?

If so how did you find it?

I thought it was excellent  and i agreed with most of it but struggled to get the points to stick in my mind.

its what i have used and so far its brilliant - i am the ultimate cynic but i let myself be un brainwashed and re brainwashed without my usual scepticism and it really has helped. I have tried to become a non smoker many times before and found it so torturous that i can't recommend allan carrs book highly enough, it made it easy.