The lent thread.

Terry

All those giving up for lent, pop in and let us know how you are getting on.

Terry

Anyone?

youcancallmeal

Day and a half for me now. Cold turkey and I'm all shaky but I havent given in yet I had been planning on quitting next Monday after the weekend but seeing as yesterday was national no smoking day and the start of lent I said why not! I've even got 200 duty free smokes at home leftover from a holiday a while ago, I really need to get rid of them.

little lady

Had the last one at about 10:30pm on Tuesday, not missing them to much except when I drive somewhere. Haven’t found myself craving them either but it’s early days, wait till next Monday and I’ll be in bits.:mad: Saturday night is going to be hard, will be out in town and I’m sure with the drinking and stuff it will be quiet difficult.:eek:

Fingers crossed that we all can give up and stay off them.

Redshift

I quit yesterday, hasn't been too bad so far. just keeping busy and telling myself it will pass and taking it one step at a time.

Terry

Keep it up, folks.
It gets easier as time goes on (or so I'm told).

little lady

Just wondering how people got on at the weekend and if anyone fell of the bandwagon like I did :mad: I got back on though:) . I had 3 on Saturday night and they made me very ill, it has kinda put me off them, not missing them at all since then and even thinking of them I feel queasy, whaoooo this could be the turning point I have been waiting for.

youcancallmeal

Unlucky about giving in on Saturday Just be careful when your out socializing next time

Myself I Went out Friday and Saturday night and it was a nightmare, even went home early on Friday cos I couldn't stop thinking about them and my stomach was in bits for some reason? Didn't fall off the wagon though. Things have started getting easier today but some of the cravings are still there. I reckon once the physical cravings are gone I reckon I should be grand.

Redshift

I managed to hold out, I found yesterday the hardest to deal with and it was the only day off work I had since quitting. More time to think about it I guess.
Over all It has been no where near as hard as I expected, so far at least.
To anyone else who quit especially littlelady and youcancallme>al; you're doing great, keep it up, you know it's gonna be worth some temporary discomfort.

meditraitor

Two weeks today,

Feeling a hell of a lot better,

Redshift

meditraitor wrote:

Two weeks today,

Feeling a hell of a lot better,

Hey, well done on getting this far; you're playing a blinder
I'm at the same stage as you and feeling much better too; i've smoked for so long I forgot what it's like to be a non smoker. I had also forgotten that food is well yummy since I can taste it properly again.:)

Archeron

Redshift wrote:

Hey, well done on getting this far; you're playing a blinder
I'm at the same stage as you and feeling much better too; i've smoked for so long I forgot what it's like to be a non smoker. I had also forgotten that food is well yummy since I can taste it properly again.:)

I had a weird experience with food when I stopped smoking in that I discovered after many years that I dont actually like chinese food. I used to eat it for years, but I think it was the texture I liked more than the taste. Once my taste came back, I discovered I didnt actually find it that nice at all.

meditraitor

Redshift wrote:

Hey, well done on getting this far; you're playing a blinder
I'm at the same stage as you and feeling much better too; i've smoked for so long I forgot what it's like to be a non smoker. I had also forgotten that food is well yummy since I can taste it properly again.:)

Thanks man, best of luck to you too



I used to take 2 1/2 sugar in my tea and now I can only handle 1, good for my teeth:D

Scubadevils

I stopped smoking 10 days ago and although there have been some close moments, I really believe this time I have finally kicked the habit. Nothing to do with lent in my case, just coincidence!

I have tried several times in the past using various methods and usually failed within a day or two. Each past failure has been with using nicorette gum or patches etc and I always found that it was easy to think...I'll have a quick smoke and take more gum later. That quickly became I'll smoke in the evening, chew gum during the day and then before I know it I'm back smoking even more!

I had been smoking at least 20 a day and would have my first in the morning within 5 minutes of waking and last just before bed, this has been the case for at least the last 10 years of my 15 years or so smoking.

My current success is down to a few factors -

1. Preparing myself now for at least 6 months (this was very important as in the past I didn't really want to quit but the last 6 months actually made me start to hate them)

2. Online hypnosis that only cost €40! www.freshstartmethod.com
- I was VERY sceptical about this to be honest but felt that for €40 it was worth a shot. I did it last Sunday week and this combined with preparation is why I am not smoking now.

3. As per instructions in the hypnosis session, taking 10 deep breaths every hour without fail for 3 days after you quit and also whenever you feel the urge to smoke. I spent at least the first 3 days taking 10 deep breaths almost every 15 mins or so but it worked in terms of diverting the urges.

4. I think everyone knows this one but I chose not to bother in the past - drinking water, lots of it. This has been a huge help also, I have had a bottle of water to hand all the time since I quit and combined with the breathing excercise it has been really excellent. My system has been to take the 10 deep breaths and then drink some water. I also bring a glass of water to bed and take a sip before going to sleep and then drink the rest when I wake - I look on this as being the start to another day without smoking and psychologically it really helps to start the day.

10 days later for me and I feel so much better for it. I genuinely believe that if I can do it, anyone can. It really has been so much easier this time. I know I am only 10 days in and you are at risk for a long time but I am so determined this time to do it.

Good luck everyone!

youcancallmeal

Felixdhc wrote:

I stopped smoking 10 days ago and although there have been some close moments, I really believe this time I have finally kicked the habit. Nothing to do with lent in my case, just coincidence!

I have tried several times in the past using various methods and usually failed within a day or two. Each past failure has been with using nicorette gum or patches etc and I always found that it was easy to think...I'll have a quick smoke and take more gum later. That quickly became I'll smoke in the evening, chew gum during the day and then before I know it I'm back smoking even more!

I had been smoking at least 20 a day and would have my first in the morning within 5 minutes of waking and last just before bed, this has been the case for at least the last 10 years of my 15 years or so smoking.

My current success is down to a few factors -

1. Preparing myself now for at least 6 months (this was very important as in the past I didn't really want to quit but the last 6 months actually made me start to hate them)

2. Online hypnosis that only cost €40! www.freshstartmethod.com
- I was VERY sceptical about this to be honest but felt that for €40 it was worth a shot. I did it last Sunday week and this combined with preparation is why I am not smoking now.

3. As per instructions in the hypnosis session, taking 10 deep breaths every hour without fail for 3 days after you quit and also whenever you feel the urge to smoke. I spent at least the first 3 days taking 10 deep breaths almost every 15 mins or so but it worked in terms of diverting the urges.

4. I think everyone knows this one but I chose not to bother in the past - drinking water, lots of it. This has been a huge help also, I have had a bottle of water to hand all the time since I quit and combined with the breathing excercise it has been really excellent. My system has been to take the 10 deep breaths and then drink some water. I also bring a glass of water to bed and take a sip before going to sleep and then drink the rest when I wake - I look on this as being the start to another day without smoking and psychologically it really helps to start the day.

10 days later for me and I feel so much better for it. I genuinely believe that if I can do it, anyone can. It really has been so much easier this time. I know I am only 10 days in and you are at risk for a long time but I am so determined this time to do it.

Good luck everyone!

Excellent, keep up the good work.
I have been off them for around 10 days now as well. I just keep reminding myself of all the negatives and it keeps me going. The only real problem I've been having is that I used to smoke a lot when I was hungry but now that option isnt there I am getting real bad hunger pains. Hopefully my stomach just needs to shrink or something

massplanck

Former 20 B&H A Day habit. Cold Turkey Method. Smoker for 12 years.


Had the last cigarette of my life at 1 am on Tuesday but Its pure coincidence that its lent. I have had a bad chest infection for the last 2 weeks and this has spurred me into action. I have wanted to give up for the last few years but to be honest being a (now former) smoker of cannabis meant that I had to give up two addictions. But i'm very happy with my choice.
...although i cant say it has been difficult so far (nor do i expect it to be as i have had it with smoking)

I wrote a list of the reasons why i wanted to quit and put them in in my wallet behind a piece of clear plastic where your id would go. They are always there to remind me if i need them. I just open my wallet and voila. I urge people to give this a go.
Reasons like health & money etc would seem most important but the one which really stands out on my list is "You dont want to be a SLAVE to anything".When you smoke you are not in control of your life. You are a slave to the cigarette & the cigarette companies. By not smoking I am choosing freedom over slavery.

So well done & good luck to everyone here who has taken the plunge.

NB: other things that help.. i have cut down drinking tea & coffee. I suppose these are the times & things that i associate most with smoking. I'm not gonna bother drinking or socialising for a few weeks either (i dont drink that much anyway) ... becoming a non-smoker is too important to me right now. I'm not gonna jepordise it by going for a few pints and loosing concentration. I have also been going for a couple of walks in the evening. Nothing too major. Just enjoying life again.

massplanck

one other thing.

I know alot of people here like to give themselves a pat on the back when they have been off the smokes a day, a week, a year etc.
but The way i see it is that i am just non-smoker now so I am not 'off' anything. So i dont think i will count days .. but i have made a note of what day i became smoke free.

massplanck

Archeron wrote:

I had a weird experience with food when I stopped smoking in that I discovered after many years that I dont actually like chinese food. I used to eat it for years, but I think it was the texture I liked more than the taste. Once my taste came back, I discovered I didnt actually find it that nice at all.

lol. i started smelling peoples bad breath & BO for the first time in years today!!!:mad:

Archeron

massplanck wrote:

lol. i started smelling peoples bad breath & BO for the first time in years today!!!:mad:

Lucky you!!

Scubadevils

Hows everyone doing?

According to my quitmeter, I'm now 3 weeks, 1 day, 22 hours, 36 mins and 55 seconds off the cigs. Thats 481 cigs not smoked and about €170 saved

Still have pangs but they are becoming less frequent and hours can now go by in a day where I don't think about cigs at all. Very proud I must say and even more determined every day to never smoke again.

Scubadevils

How did everyone do???

I am now 6 weeks, 3 days and 9 hours without cigs...thats 953 cigs and €333 saved :eek:

I have found it difficult the last few days, especially over Easter - I think it was the association thing over Easter in having a break, thats one more association though now faced I suppose. It was really tough at times, strong desire to smoke and really bad form...I only beat it by going back to taking ten deep breaths and telling myself its only psychological now as the actual addiction has long passed in terms of nicotine withdrawals etc.

Anyway, got past that I'm now focusing again on why I stopped in the first place and planning a long cycle at the weekend.

Seriously, I give a lot of credit to the fresh start method I mentioned before...I really dont think I would have done it without it.

youcancallmeal

Yea I went cold turkey February 21st and havent touched them since. I've had lots of encouragement and I know I should be feeling really good about it but to be honest I'm simply indifferent at this stage. Maybe thats a good thing though and it means I on the way to a permanent life without the fags. Now to just convice my group of about 12 friends, all of whom smoke, to kick the habit as well :rolleyes:

Redshift

Still on track here just the very odd craving now and again but it's usually gone as fast as it appears.
Sense of smell has returned with a vengance and lots of people have whiffy breath i'm finding;) I suppose I only notice it more now because I could never really smell it before.
I now also find that people who do smoke really reek of the old fags which sort of horrifies me because obviously thats what I used to smell like:o
Theres now going back now thats for sure because i'm more determined than ever to stay off them.

Fey!

Former 20-30 John Player Blue per day habit for 14 years.

I'm now coming to the end of week 12, having had my last cigarette on Shrove Tuesday. The lent thing was a bit of a coincidence; I didn't smoke on Ash Wednesday as it was national no smoking day.

I did the first 8 days on patches, then went cold turkey. A friend of mine brought me 1000 cigarettes from Poland 2 days after I quit; I gave them to my girlfriend as she has no intention of quitting, which does make things more difficult (she's on a diet, so I eat in front of her to make things fair!).

My weight went up by nearly 2 stone to 2 stone 4 pounds (I'm 6'5" and built big, so my ideal weight is about 17 1/2 stone), but I'm starting to get that under control by training twice a week.

One of the guys I train with recommended a "Power Lung" thingy they got in Argos to increase lung capacity. Might try it out.

One major downside is that I can now smell ashtrays, and I live with 4 smokers...

ntlbell

Fey! wrote:

Former 20-30 John Player Blue per day habit for 14 years.

I'm now coming to the end of week 12, having had my last cigarette on Shrove Tuesday. The lent thing was a bit of a coincidence; I didn't smoke on Ash Wednesday as it was national no smoking day.

I did the first 8 days on patches, then went cold turkey. A friend of mine brought me 1000 cigarettes from Poland 2 days after I quit; I gave them to my girlfriend as she has no intention of quitting, which does make things more difficult (she's on a diet, so I eat in front of her to make things fair!).

My weight went up by nearly 2 stone to 2 stone 4 pounds (I'm 6'5" and built big, so my ideal weight is about 17 1/2 stone), but I'm starting to get that under control by training twice a week.

One of the guys I train with recommended a "Power Lung" thingy they got in Argos to increase lung capacity. Might try it out.

One major downside is that I can now smell ashtrays, and I live with 4 smokers...

excellent keep it up.

Can I ask why ye came off the patch after 8 days?

Fey!

ntlbell wrote:

Can I ask why ye came off the patch after 8 days?

Because I didn't have one to hand. I have them in a drawer beside my bed at the moment, though, acting like a security blanket if my pangs become too great.

Fey!

4 months just gone. Getting easier.

Girlfriend and housemates all still smoking!

Archeron

Fey! wrote:

4 months just gone. Getting easier.

Girlfriend and housemates all still smoking!

Woohoo! Well done. Really great that you can do it when surrounded by smokers too.

Scubadevils

I can't believe that I am officially 2 years off cigs as of tonight at 10.30pm! Actually hard to believe, those two years flew by...

I check the quitmeter now and again but nowhere near as frequent as in the first few months, but interesting to see the stats 2 years on -

Based on the fact that I was in the region of 20 to 25 per day and more with drink, I would have smoked roughly 18,279 cigarettes over the last two years :eek: Taking a price of 8 euro a pack, that would have been 7,311 Euro!!!

How are others doing from this old thread?!

ntlbell

Felixdhc wrote: »

I can't believe that I am officially 2 years off cigs as of tonight at 10.30pm! Actually hard to believe, those two years flew by...

I check the quitmeter now and again but nowhere near as frequent as in the first few months, but interesting to see the stats 2 years on -

Based on the fact that I was in the region of 20 to 25 per day and more with drink, I would have smoked roughly 18,279 cigarettes over the last two years :eek: Taking a price of 8 euro a pack, that would have been 7,311 Euro!!!

How are others doing from this old thread?!

i can't remmeber if i gave up just before this thread or after but i'm still off them

lost track of how long it is i try not to think about it

but that's some serious money you saved (be nice if ye actually did save it

but i'd guess discogs have it

Scubadevils

ntlbell wrote: »

i can't remmeber if i gave up just before this thread or after but i'm still off them

lost track of how long it is i try not to think about it

but that's some serious money you saved (be nice if ye actually did save it

but i'd guess discogs have it

Yeah spot on, the money is long gone on CD's and vinyl! To a few locations though, I didn't give it all to discogs :pac:

buzzybb

im now 6 days off them with the help of patches. its great u can get these on medical card through the doctor.i was sick and was at the doctor and decided i wanted to give up.im surprised at how calm i am about it.usually before im always thinking about cigs but im not this time.if i feel fidgetty i go for a walk or do something around the house and before i know it the craving has passed.now the big challenge for me will be going for drinks this weekend!!:D hope i can go through the night without one! i used to smoke 20 a day so it is a tough habit! wish me luck!!

Scubadevils

buzzybb wrote: »

im now 6 days off them with the help of patches. its great u can get these on medical card through the doctor.i was sick and was at the doctor and decided i wanted to give up.im surprised at how calm i am about it.usually before im always thinking about cigs but im not this time.if i feel fidgetty i go for a walk or do something around the house and before i know it the craving has passed.now the big challenge for me will be going for drinks this weekend!!:D hope i can go through the night without one! i used to smoke 20 a day so it is a tough habit! wish me luck!!

Best of luck... plenty of water!!! Essential to beating them...