Quitting challenge.. whos with me? :]

DAEDULUS · 12-08-2008 4:47am #1

ok so.. quitting after I finish my last 14 smokes.. probably tonight or so,then I am gonna begin quitting....
Hopefully others will quit with me, and we can give each other support in this thread

logging it as we go along would be cool.. :]
I dont plan on using nicorette or anything just the classic cold turkey..

If anyone wants to tag along I'll add your name to the list below as well as updating the number of days you've been off the smokes, hopefully by the time it says "[Off 5 days]" it will look nice enough to keep you motivated through the harder patches..
I'll keep updating your # of days unless you say otherwise, so keep fill us in if you cracked etc..

If I make it to my birthday on the 31st I'l be chuffed

Contestants: !!
1. DAEDULUS[Started 13 August]
2. SuperStarHoney[Started 11 August - 1 day so far]
3. Karen_*[Started 13 August]
4. Magicmatilda[Started 11 August - 1 day so far]
5.
6.
7.
8.
+

SuperStarHoney · 12-08-2008 1:57pm

Stick me down, I began my latest attempt yesterday August 11th.

Karen_* · 12-08-2008 2:50pm

:DOk stick me down!!!

Karen 13th August.

I have twenty fags left:D

Magicmatilda · 12-08-2008 2:54pm

Put me down had my last smoke last night.

Silver33 · 12-08-2008 3:47pm

hi there I'd be interested only thing is I've been planning my quit date for the past year! And I've chosen September ( after Electric Picnic smokathon) and with the use of Champix and Allen Carr.. Cold Turkey never worked for me..
I guess you lot will be well off them by then so?

Karen_* · 12-08-2008 3:52pm

We'll still be tortured no doubt so you can join us moaning in September!:D

Silver33 · 12-08-2008 4:03pm

Oh thanks Karen!

My initial date was for 1st sept but you need to take champix 10 days I think before hand... Don't want to be feeling possible side effects in middle of EP (nausea etc on top of hangovers) So thinking if I start tabs on 1st Sept should be fit to quit on 10th?? Not sure will check with doc..
am dreading it but also looking forward to it in a weird way... :eek:

DAEDULUS · 12-08-2008 8:37pm

ok.. updated the OP, have 8 smokes left at this stage.. when I created the thread at like 4am this morning I was expecting to stay up and have finished them by the evening.. ended up falling asleep so I guess I'm starting tomoro :F

Well I guess superstarhoney and magicmatilda have the lead then

1 day is hard enough as it is, so good job

Karen_* · 13-08-2008 9:15am

:eek:I still have ten ciggies left!!!

SuperStarHoney · 13-08-2008 11:33am

I thought I'd give you all some background on my attempt. Have been smoking since I was about 14 or 15, I'm 29 this month. I'd call myself a mid range smoker, probably round 15 a day and like everybody else a lot more than that when I'm drinking.

I stopped last June and although I had two slips (two cigs one night in Aug and one cig in December), I was pretty much of them until February this year. From February to April, I was making excuses to smoke here and there and since May I've been pretty much back on them full time.

I didn't use anything the last time I gave up and I'm not using anything this time, although I am working of the Alan Carr method (have read the book at least five times) which in my view is to be totally positive about the decision from the start.

Anyway three days in and I'm doing fine, I'm with AC on the physical cravings, they are minimal and my battle is definitely a mental one which hopefully I can overcome. I think the lessons I learned from my last attempt should help me finally do it this time.

Best of luck to everyone else!

Keyzer · 13-08-2008 11:36am

Haven't had one since last Friday - on the patches since I cam back to work though.

Doing ok but the boredom kills me.

Karen_* · 13-08-2008 3:05pm

I've five left!:eek:

nanook · 13-08-2008 10:11pm

Firstly I would like to congratulate everyone who has made the jump to quit, it's half the battle convincing yourself to quit.

I am going to the chemist tomorrow to pick up my prescription for champix and hopefully within the next fortnight I will be putting my name down.

Once again congrats to everyone.

Karen_* · 14-08-2008 9:13am

Right well I bought fags yesterday and have to finish them so am starting today. You will forgive me because yesterday was my birthday, I don't drink and was on a diet and couldn't have cake. So new start today? Apologies fellow quitters for falling at the first hurdle:D

DAEDULUS · 14-08-2008 12:37pm

wont let me edit OP

Contestants: !!
1. DAEDULUS[Started 13 August 1 day so far]
2. SuperStarHoney[Started 11 August - 3 days so far]
3. Karen_*[Started 14 August]
4. Magicmatilda[Started 11 August - 3 days so far]
5. Keyzer[Started 8 August - 6 days so far]
6.
7.
8.
+

Archeron · 14-08-2008 7:55pm

I would suggest that anyone has cigs left around the place, just destroy them immediately. As long as you are around them all the time, you will always find a reason to smoke them.
Destroying them is nicely symbolic of your intentions too, to rid yourself of this s*hite once and for all.

Terry · 14-08-2008 10:41pm

You only have a certain amount of time to edit your post.
Give me a shout if you want it edited again.

Madra Sneachta · 15-08-2008 11:44pm

As good a thread as any for a first post since I've been lurking around this particular sub-forum for about a fortnight.

I smoked my last cigarette just before midnight on Sunday August 3rd. Using the 24 hour patch, and all is going reasonably well.

If 12 days isn't too much of a head start, count me in.

worded · 15-08-2008 11:53pm

Swimming helps ppl give up smokes and saunas clear the nico from the body very fast.

After that its just habbit .. all in the head. Are you human or mice ...

Imagine the addict part of you as a little mouse and when it starts just put a glass bowl over it. See that shuts the bastard up.

Fight the good fight ppl and get swimming and chilling

Geo08 · 16-08-2008 1:44am

Hey count me in! Been smoke free since thus morn just gone - which feels like eternity

On the patches, keep getting up at advert breaks and remember i dont have any smokes so im reaching for sugar free polos - not quite the same :rolleyes:

Im sure it will get better but I want to light up my patch right now :pac:

DAEDULUS · 17-08-2008 1:06pm

i think this is getting to me :[
had little bit of trouble sleeping night before last but as far as not smoking goes during the day, i dont find it THAT much of a struggle

anyways, good work so far

Contestants: !!
1. DAEDULUS[Started 13 August 4 day so far]
2. SuperStarHoney[Started 11 August - 6 days so far]
3. Karen_*[Started 14 August - 3 days so far]
4. Magicmatilda[Started 11 August - 6 days so far]
5. Keyzer[Started 8 August - 9 days so far]
6. Madra Sneachta[Started 3 August - 14 days so far]
7. Geo08[Started 16 August - 2 days so far]
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
+

SuperStarHoney · 20-08-2008 10:18am

So how's everyone getting on?

So far so good for me. I've been doing a fair bit of exercise so not getting that many cravings, although I was out for dinner on Saturday night and had a strong one after but I just put it out of my mind and was fine after a while.

Going out for dinner again this Saturday and also thinking of having a couple of drinks so hopefully I'll be able to handle it. I need to get used to going out socially without smoking asap.

jprender · 20-08-2008 10:21am

OK, I have 9 cigs left and after that I am in.

Cmol · 20-08-2008 5:18pm

Count me in! I didnt even know we had a giving up smoking forum on boards... brilliant!

I gave up last monday (11th) using patches, im not strong enough for cold turkey and I know patches work for me... in saying that I forgot to put one on this morning - nearly cried when I was at the bustop and realised! Actually got through today ok, have put one on now that im home though....

I am struggling though, im an emotional wreck!!!! Im crying over absolutely nothing and have this constant unsettled feeling... really really hoping it'll go away soon, ive been like this since the weekend!!

How are you all getting on?????

Madra Sneachta · 21-08-2008 12:11am

Reasonably happy. The obsession I had with cigarettes in the first week is going, and I can now send time in the company of smokers without turning into a gibbering wreck.

I'm using the NiquitinCQ 24 hour patch, and it seems to be working reasonably well - It takes the edge off the cravings, but still requires strength.

I've also bought an inhalator to use if things get too much. I've used it once, and it's good to know there's a buffer zone there.

Too often in the past, I've had that overwhelming urge to smoke combined with the sheer panic of feeling "Oh my God I'm going to be this miserable for ever, what's the point?".

The inhalator is the valve on the pressure cooker.

I'm also using the Quitkeeper http://www.dedicateddesigns.com/qk/, which can provide a timely boost at times of pressure (Bloody hell, I've saved €150 ALREADY :eek:)

In the words of a well known supermarket chain - Every little helps!!!!

Cmol, trust me, I know the feeling you describe all too well, and didn't make it past three days several times in the past because of it. All I can say is it is getting easier, and my level of self belief is beginning to grow even more.

mickos · 21-08-2008 11:58am

put me down I smoked my last on monday 18th. Struggling today but I'll get through.

Cmol · 21-08-2008 10:02pm

Im using the 24 hour patches too as they seem to be the only ones I can get here? Taking them off at night though, they mess with my sleep!

Im finding it hard to believe that there will come a time where every second though isnt about cigarettes!

The wierdest thing is the moments I forget that ive given up and go to get a cigarette... the feeling of dissapointment is overwhelming!!!

Might look into getting one of the inhalers too, like you say, just for backup more than anything!

10 days down!

Madra Sneachta wrote: »

Reasonably happy. The obsession I had with cigarettes in the first week is going, and I can now send time in the company of smokers without turning into a gibbering wreck.

I'm using the NiquitinCQ 24 hour patch, and it seems to be working reasonably well - It takes the edge off the cravings, but still requires strength.

I've also bought an inhalator to use if things get too much. I've used it once, and it's good to know there's a buffer zone there.

Too often in the past, I've had that overwhelming urge to smoke combined with the sheer panic of feeling "Oh my God I'm going to be this miserable for ever, what's the point?".

The inhalator is the valve on the pressure cooker.

I'm also using the Quitkeeper http://www.dedicateddesigns.com/qk/, which can provide a timely boost at times of pressure (Bloody hell, I've saved €150 ALREADY :eek:)

In the words of a well known supermarket chain - Every little helps!!!!

Cmol, trust me, I know the feeling you describe all too well, and didn't make it past three days several times in the past because of it. All I can say is it is getting easier, and my level of self belief is beginning to grow even more.

Harpy · 26-08-2008 2:55am

hey can you put me down aswell started yesterday, the 25th..
this is a really good idea..

Madra Sneachta · 26-08-2008 9:35am

I mentioned the Quitkeeper in a previous post. Here's what mine says today

I have been quit for 3 Weeks, 1 Day, 9 hours, 30 minutes and 37 seconds (22 days). I have saved €198.86 by not smoking 537 cigarettes. I have saved 1 Day, 20 hours and 45 minutes of my life. My Quit Date: 03/08/2008 23:59

My other incentive is that if I stick with this, there's a cruise ship leaving Malaga in October 2009 and visiting Ajaccio in Corsica (on our 18th wedding anniversary) and Villefranche in France, as well as spending two days at sea in the Med.

I last smoked on the night of the 3rd of this month, and have practically saved €200 already! I'm putting €60 a week into a bank account, the contents of which will determine whether or not my beloved and I are on that ship.

molly2 · 27-08-2008 8:48am

Hi,
This is a brillant idea. Can you add me to the list - Planning to stop smoking tommorrow or today as have only 3 cigs left. Really want to give up as my lungs are in a bad way and keep getting colds and chest infections.

lemon_of_old · 29-08-2008 1:51pm

Same as molly2, had to get a bloody chest x-ray during the week cos of my frequent bouts of bronchitis. It's just embarrassing that a grown adult can keep doing something that's bad for them, even when they can see the effects. Ugh, so mad at myself. So for definite had my last one last night. As I won't get into town to buy any sort of patches or anything I guess going cold turkey for the start, but I like the mouse/human analogy. And chocolate. I'll use chocolate too. So put me down for quitting today!

Cmol · 30-08-2008 9:51pm

molly2 wrote: »

Hi,
This is a brillant idea. Can you add me to the list - Planning to stop smoking tommorrow or today as have only 3 cigs left. Really want to give up as my lungs are in a bad way and keep getting colds and chest infections.

Im the same, if I get a cold during the winter I am GUARANTEED it will turn into a chest infection and severe asthma, I ended up in a & e on a saturday night last winter because of it... worst 8 hours of my life.

lemon_of_old wrote: »

Same as molly2, had to get a bloody chest x-ray during the week cos of my frequent bouts of bronchitis. It's just embarrassing that a grown adult can keep doing something that's bad for them, even when they can see the effects. Ugh, so mad at myself. So for definite had my last one last night. As I won't get into town to buy any sort of patches or anything I guess going cold turkey for the start, but I like the mouse/human analogy. And chocolate. I'll use chocolate too. So put me down for quitting today!

Again, same as above... ive also recently started a new job in a hospital and when im passing through radiology see quite a few elderly patients down for chest xrays.... theres nothing like seeing someone whose been smoking for the better part of 50 years to make you want to give up!!!!!!!!!!

Magicmatilda · 02-09-2008 2:10pm

Hiya, I didn't make it last time only lasted 1 day :mad:. So i set a date and have been aiming for it. Today is the date, tuesday after electric picnic and so I am back at day one. Feeling pretty good so far, had my last smoke last night and I didn't enjoy it, I think I opened my mind to the taste for the first time ever and god they are rotten. Anyway best of luck to every one here.

Cmol · 07-09-2008 10:32pm

Hey hey, how are we all getting on in here?!?!?!?

Im still off them, a month tommorow i think!!

Madra Sneachta · 09-09-2008 10:13am

Bunged up with a horrible cold, mainlining LemSip, but still off the smokes.

It ain't easy, but I'm now at the point where I'll go two hours without even thinking of them, and then get hit by a craving.

So far though, Niquitin is doing its job, and I've now saved almost €320!!

Karen_* · 09-09-2008 1:23pm

Well I'd love to say I'm nearly a month in but that would be a lie. Still puffing on the bloody things. I'm givign them up very soon so don't cross me off yet!!!

And well done to anyone who's off them. You are totally wonderful and I admire you greatly:D

Wibbs · 09-09-2008 1:34pm

Well after 20 years of 20 30 a day I've knocked them on the head. Off them now for 4 days. I've tried before but would cheat left right and center. I tried hypnosis(useless), allen carr(didn't do it for me at all), acupuncture(completely pointless(no pun intended), patches(they had the best effect I must say). This time I have patches but haven't bothered with them. I may do though.

I will say that any time I did try before I missed the smell and taste of them enormously and I was someone who really liked smoking. I know people say that's bull, but I did. Not every one of them, but at least half of them. This time? Nope. I think I've had maybe three twinges of loss.

turnsoutIwas · 10-09-2008 1:59pm

Yesterday I read a load of the posts in this forum and got myself real motivated. I went to the chemist and bought nicorette gum and this morning for the first time in I dont know how long I didnt have that first smoke.
On my 3rd gum now and its not as bad as i expected.
Smoking for twenty years and I do wake up because I need a smoke. I really hope this can be the end of it. I'm used to giving up stuff-used to have a big coke problem but dealt with that almost 2 years ago with a 3 month stint in treatment in Luton and I think if I could do that I can do this.

Cmol · 10-09-2008 8:02pm

Wibbs wrote: »

Well after 20 years of 20 30 a day I've knocked them on the head. Off them now for 4 days. I've tried before but would cheat left right and center. I tried hypnosis(useless), allen carr(didn't do it for me at all), acupuncture(completely pointless(no pun intended), patches(they had the best effect I must say). This time I have patches but haven't bothered with them. I may do though.

I will say that any time I did try before I missed the smell and taste of them enormously and I was someone who really liked smoking. I know people say that's bull, but I did. Not every one of them, but at least half of them. This time? Nope. I think I've had maybe three twinges of loss.

Whoop! Go Wibbs!

We can sit in the corner at the next beers and pretend were not desperately craving a cigarette after that 5th drink

the GALL · 11-09-2008 8:15am

it's great what you guy's are doing
keep it up
im off them a little over two months and haven't felt this good in a long time
more money
better sence of smell
teeth not have a yellow
ill live an extra 41/2 days
did i say more money

well done guys

Kazooie · 11-09-2008 10:31am

Off them myself since Sunday evening.

I'm actually surprised how it's not so bad this time. Tried to quit last year and it was a nightmare. I guess I have more motivataion this time around.
This board has been really helpfull too. Thanks guys!

pseudonym1 · 12-09-2008 2:00am

Well done I am logging in regularly to keep tracks on how ye are getting on and sending my good wishes!

Silver33 · 16-09-2008 3:56pm

Hi I had said I'd quit after the Electric Picnic but between one thing and another I haven't got into the Doc to get prescription for Champix.. I am now thinking not to try it... don't want nightmares... So am considering the nicotine mint things and the inhaler.... I've started Allen Carr..

I just need to pick a day now... maybe tomorrow... or else Monday... God I need to kick myself to do it! Looking forward to it but dreading it at the same time!

JackieO · 16-09-2008 6:23pm

Ok, I'm in aswell. Have given up a few times before and always ended up back on them. GOing home to read Alan Carr tonight and pick my day. Might try the nicorette aswell although with me I also think its a purely mental challenge.

corban · 17-09-2008 12:52pm

just had my last one.... skagging already but this time i'm serious... good luck everyone...

17-09-2008 9:47pm

Best of luck to the quitters. I quit five years ago and it's the best thing I ever did.
One bit of advice I'll give is to take it one day at a time. Sounds cliched but I swear it's what works.
Don't think ahead to the weekend, or the gig, or the wedding coming up or whatever. Just live in the here and now and tell yourself you won't smoke today.

I promise, one day, not too far in the future, you'll suddenly realise you haven't thought about smoking all day.... and you won't be able to get the grin off your face!

It's the best thing you'll ever do.
No ex-smoker ever regrets quitting... most smokers regret that they didn't.

wee g · 18-09-2008 2:45pm

Hiya, I would like to join you on your quest to be non-smokers!!! I am taking champix and am now at day 4:p. I have no idea how i have done it as was a fairly heavy smoker and am just so chuffed with myself and the tab obviously. Looking forward to catching up with you soon and good luck.

Gx

Contestants: !!
1. DAEDULUS[Started 13 August]
2. SuperStarHoney[Started 11 August - 1 day so far]
3. Karen_*[Started 13 August]
4. Magicmatilda[Started 11 August - 1 day so far]
5. Wee G (started 15/9/08 - 4 days so far)
6.
7.
8.
+

pseudonym1 · 19-09-2008 6:26pm

I m on day 2 - fear I ll never be able to drink alcohol again though.
Liqurice is supposed to help detract from cravings - so gonna try it - really dont know if I can quit without becoming really fat.. Not my first attempt
Anyway here goes! :eek:

dubgirl15 · 22-09-2008 11:29am

Count me in!! Starting tomorrow!

Varkov · 22-09-2008 11:55am

I've a full box sitting on front of me at the moment, so I'll be trying again on Wednesday.

Tried a few months ago and only maanged to last a couple of days. No willpower at all.

wee g · 22-09-2008 12:13pm

Day 8 and i still can't believe how easy im finding it so far. No craving at all. Champix are the best. was away for a wedding anniversary weekend and hubby still smoking, didnt bother me at all. after meal i felt something was missing but still didnt realise till later that it may have been cos i didnt have a fag. I would recommend champix to any one of you. Good luck and keep me posted xx

Gx:D

Quitting challenge.. whos with me? :]

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