Chain Smoker - Quit Date set

[gma2]

I am a 2 1/2 -3 pack a day smoker. I am using this week to wean down. Yesterday I smoked 12 cigs total from 8:30 a.m. to midnight. That is huge! For some reason I feel a difference in my "want-to" which might have something to do with taking back control of so many other things in my life. Lets hope and pray this is IT. I can't do the "gonna quits" anymore. I've had it.

My quit date is next Monday July 14th and I am prepared with 8 weeks worth of the Nicotine Transdermal System.

I probably will be needing help along the way; the last time I quit (cold turkey) I ended up on the floor, curled in a ball and sobbing til I couldn't breathe. I lit up. That was in 2003. Many, many health problems later, smoking is just something I no longer want to do.

I have an envelope that I'm putting $10 in for every 10 pounds I have lost (13 1/2 to date) and am going to buy designer skinny jeans when I get to my goal. You heard me...designer!  LOL

Anyway, was wondering if there is a treat sheet or something (non-food related) that a person can do for every day without a puff? [Yes, I'm a big kid - I want rewards! ] ;-)

Okay, there - it is now 'out' and that makes it legit. Looking forward to any help along my way here.
gma2

[gma2]

I was re-reading the posts (my memory is seriously shot) and realized I had put 12 cigs in my original post and I went HUH? (evidently my typing is seriously shot as well).

That is supposed to be 22 not 12, not that it makes a big whoop of a difference, but it did to me - wanted to set it straight. (12 would've been awesome! - um..impossible at that point - just cutting back this week).
Oh well, just wanted to straighten that out.

[nyychic]

I quit 2 weeks before Christmas and I havent' smoked since.  I would suggest that you read/listen to the book The Easy Way to Stop Smoking by Allen Carr.  It was very helpful.  Good Luck and CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!

[kathyjo]

When you two quit, I will be there to support you. In the interim, read through all of the articles at whyquit.com and be positive!

[bernie40]

Watcha!

Lots of questions, lol!  Ok here goes -

Preparation - really just getting myself mentally in the right frame of mind and trying not to smoke more than 1 in an hour, then 2.  My biggest problem is going to be my first one in the morning and the last one at night.

I'm going to use the nicorette patch and the inhalator and the gum!  Everything I can really, lol.

I have bipolar II, anxiety and goodness knows what else - I don't think I want to know lol.  I have just come of zyprexa because I had bad reaction to it, seeing pdoc on Tuesday and will be starting Topomax hopefully.  Also take zopiclone to sleep and take multi-vitamins and omega 3.

Weight issues - boy do I have those!  I gained loads of weight when I was on depakote for bp.  I am about 14lbs heavier than I want to be so I am very conscious that I do not want to put on any weight, one of the reasons I'm going for the inhalator so that I use that instead of eating.

I'm good today, feeling positive about it all and hoping that as well as a big difference to my pocket I shall see the benefit to my health and my skin :-)

I'm also a little scared - does that sound weird?  Only I've smoked for 25 years so its like I've always had a ciggy, so who will I be without one, what will I do instead... but I do know I definitely want to quit for good.

Have you sorted out the tracker?

If you want to message me feel free.

Helen

[gma2]

I am all over that!

If there is anyone else who is quitting, has quit, or is thinking about it - chime in here. We need help and have help to offer - don't be shy!

Okay...bd...questions for ya?

How are you preparing for this? I am weaning down this week and it is already promising – cut out over half of what I did already. I did this by having to physically and mentally get up and go into the kitchen where I have my cigs on the k. table with a notepad where I write down the time I smoke. I don’t allow myself to smoke less than a half hour apart. I was supposed to start one hour today – forgot, so I am starting that in about 8 minutes at noon o’clock!

Are you doing any medications for this? (I start the patch on Monday like I said above)

Do you have anxiety issues? I am an Agoraphobic, Manic Depressive w/Panic and Anxiety Disorders. If so, how are we going to deal with this do you s’pose? I take Lorazepam (Ativan) for a “chill pill” and just weaned back on them as well to up to no more than 4 a day (long story that – was taking too many).

Do you have weight issues? I will be watching this closely because I am determined not to (although I guess it is inevitable) – have to stay healthy thru this tho, so maybe have to give a bit on that. *sigh*

That’s all for now, except:
How are you doing today?
Thnx agin
gma2

[gma2]

My ticker says Jul 9 for my quit date and I entered 14th in the settings - does anyone know how to fix that? The calendar doesn't go past today...hmmm. Maybe someone can help with that? Thanks

[bernie40]

Hi

I see your quit date is 2 days before mine.  How about we give each other support.  I know I need it after 25 years on 20 a day.

Good luck

Helen

[gma2]

Got the timetable; been all over the whyquit - bookmarked it and will continue going there - there is a ton-o-stuff on it.

I kinda figured that about the weight. Um - I don't have to like it now do I? lol

I am a natural fretter so that's automatically where I go - thinking about the worst case scenarios. In this case, tho, that would be failing and I decided to plant it in my scull that failing is not an option, so that was my first step. No more of this GQ stuff for me. Gonna Quit that is.

How in heck does the urge pass in 30 seconds? I've never heard of that! It's always like 3 minutes or more. Is that on the tryquit..I mean whyquit? JUST KIDDING! lol

thnx for your encouragement - is there a lot of smoke enders here or do they go away once they get done quitting? I'm probably gonna need tons so can you put the word out? (I'm just plain being silly now - I think it's nerves)

This will definitely become worse over time I'm afraid. I think I can be needy *sigh*, so I hope there is some help here with this.
gma2

[kathyjo]

Congratulations on your decision to quit!
You should read all of the articles at whyquit.com to mentally prepare you for it, but please be prepared to put on a little weight.......it will happen, sorry. Eventually it levels off but remember that smoking quickens your metabolism so when you quit, your metabolism slows down. Once it adjusts, then your weight will level off.

I suspect that you might look at the rewards by reading:
the "stop smoking recovery timetable"
The real reward begins the minute you quit. Every day after you will reap the rewards; breathing, smelling great, circulation returns, less colds & sinus infections.....I can't even begin to tell you the benefits! If you need something more concrete, then perhaps ask your friends & family to surprise you with something after every month that you don't smoke : )
Keep us posted and write often. It is critical to your quit to have positive people around you, supporting your quit.
Don't anticipate what your reactions will be, but should it be as it was before, prepare yourself, don't give in and remember that the urge passes in 30 seconds.
You can do it!
Kathy Jo