Quiting Smoking

I have never been a smoker, but my mom had been since high school. SHe quit when I was in high school. She went to a group hypnotist. I have seen them advertised through the community ed or parks and rec papers.

She did allow herself to have one at night out in the garage for a while. I think that it helped her to not have it all day if she knew she would get to have one at night.

I DO remember her saying that the hypnosis didn't make her cravings "go away". She still wanted a cigarette, but it gave her the strength to stop. She also mentioned many times that the habit of just having one in her hand was hard. Having a cup of coffee, without having a cigarette for example.

Try also putting the money you are saving each day in a visible place. My mom mentioned just the other day that she was so glad she quit just for the costs of it alone!

Just "don't quit quitting"! Even if you backslide it does not mean you have failed. We all have moments of weakness. Let it go and move on.

Good luck!!!!

When I was quitting and had the urge to smoke I would drink cold water through a straw, eat baby carrots, brush my teeth or get up and clean something.

A lot of it is mental. At least for me it was.
If you can somehow psyche yourself out, that you don't actually HAVE to eat, it will gradually get better.

AND, the most important thing is timing.
Meaning, DO NOT try and quit, when you are PMS'ing or having your period. It will be harder at those times.
Do it when you are not PMS'ing or having your period.

For me, I did not go cold turkey. But I, gradually, lessened the amount I smoked. And as I got to fewer and fewer, it made me realize, that I actually DO not "need" it and can actually survive the day without it.
And mostly, I just psyched myself out, about it. Convincing myself that I do not actually need it.
Even if you are on only 1 a day.... that is good. Don't fester about it.
Then once you realize you don't even need that one, then you can segue to none.

Yes, I was a smoker.
And I did not replace it with food.
I psyched myself out about that, too.
A lot of it, is just mental.

Try QuitNet.com, I signed up & it took a few tries before I actually quit but it gives you a lot of information. When I originally signed up I started my journal w/my anticipated quit date which didn't turn out to be my quit date, but it's been over 5 yrs now & when I see the # of cigarettes I haven't smoked or the amt of money I have saved in not by them, I feel really good about myself. As far as the cravings and all, they are hard and I still fight them at times depending on a situation, but my biggest crutch was that I had to keep an unopened pack of Parliaments in my cabinet for over 2 yrs b/c just knowing they were there, I was okay. It was when I knew I didn't have any that I wanted them the most. I still enjoy the smell of a cigarette first being lit, can't stand the smell of a smoker though. Go figure. The first year healthwise was the worst, I was sick non-stop, but my doctor kept reassuring me that it was most likely my body getting rid of all of the junk that I had put into it for over 24 years. Once you come to the realization that it is a mindplay and that we allow it to control us, you will see how much power we allowed it. How many times did you "need a cigarette'. I did all the time, i would stand outside in my pj's in the snow, or rain just to have one. Now I look at people and when they tell me they can't smoke, I understand when i was told by others that i was wrong, i just didn't want to. There is nothing worse then a x-smoker, and that is not what i'm trying to be, but the one thing to realize is that this is something that you do have control of. You can push that last cigarette off for another minute. I had quit several times, 2 x's w/both of my pregnancies and went back but what did it w/me was when I had a severe lung infection and I was sent to a pulmnologist, that scared me. And rather then my husband being sympathetic he told me that at least I had a choice, my mom who died of pneumonia @ 57 didn't. Those words stuck & that was the last day I smoked. People often blame stress as a reason to go back, I've had more then enough of that to validate being addicted to every street drug, but I choose not to. It's all a matter of choice. I wish you the best of luck and just know that there are going to be slips and times that you get upset, don't beat yourself up, do the best you can and start again later.

Since money is a big issue, I agree with Julie W. to put the money you would have spent on the cigarettes in a visible place, like a glass jar or keep a tally on a white board/bulletin board, poster, etc.

Keep a photo of your family with you at all times. Every time you want to smoke, say to the photo out loud, "I choose cigarettes over you" and then smoke the cigarette. There may be times when the overwhelming urge is to pick the cigarette. Go ahead and smoke it, but you must look at the photo the entire time as if they are watching you.

Will you have cravings? Yes. Expect that. But keep telling yourself that your family is worth it. They want you and need you to be healthy and not start experiencing health issues.

You are a amazing for taking on this challenge!! Way to go!! You are a strong woman!! Keep us posted on your progress!! We are rooting for you!!

It also helps to "ride your cravings". When you have a craving sit down, close your eyes and really pay attention to how you are feeling. The panicky feeling, how it gets worse before it finally gets better then eventually tapers down to nothing. Then when you get a craving remind yourself that it will go away, that you just have to breathe through it. Close your eyes if you can. So instead of fighting the cravings, embrace them, then you don't panic when you get one, you just ride it out :)

Proud of you for trying!! Love Liisa G.'s ideas! You can do it. Just think of the money you'll save! Like the visual of putting it in a jar! You can do it!! Hang in there!

1-800-QuitNow has resources for getting nicotine replacement therapy, if needed. There are also some phone apps with suggestions for warding off cravings. I believe one is called iQuit?
Good for you for making the effort!!! You can do it!!!!!

You might check around a bit in your community to see whether there are are any "stop smoking" classes being offered. The hospital in the town I used to live in offered free stop smoking classes three or four times a year, just as a community service. Your doctor might also be aware whether there are other local organizations offering those. Gives you an instant support group of other people who want to kick the habit.

When I had cravings it helped when I drank some water, ate something fresh like an apple or chewed gum. Also brushing teeth helped a lot. I also thought a lot about the health issues that come with smoking. I think once you are past the first 3 days - only 3 days!!! - managing the cravings and saying no to a craving becomes easier. When I had a craving, I also told myself that I would smoke a cheater cigarette, but that I don't smoke it right now, I save it for later. So I saved the cheater cigarette for later and later, one day, two days, etc. and eventually the cravings were gone and I still hadn't smoked my cheater cigarette.

Try quitnet.com.

Also, quitting cold turkey is the best. The secret is to truly make the decision. Ad then, put in place coping activities. I read lots of websites on quitting and they really helped.

I've been quit now for 9 years,after a 2 pack a day, 18 year habit. You can do it!

My hubby quit a 2pack a day habit about a year and a half ago. His saving grace was Tic Tacs. A whole lotta Tic Tacs! Lol. He's not a gum chewer, so those helped with the hand-mouth part. Also switching up his routine helped. Some triggers couldn't be avoided, like driving, but others he could change. He also (still) uses the facebook app QuitNow! or the site, fewlaps.com. It keeps track of how many days smoke free, how much time and money saved. He really likes to see how much $ he's been saving!
Good luck!! You can do this!!! :-)