((( The Stop Smoking Cigarettes Thread)))

mickeyrat

soulsinging wrote:

mickeyrat wrote:

soulsinging wrote:

If I only smoke during finals and when writing papers (a pack every 2 months or so), does that mean I'm "quitting" in the in between times or that I'm just a non-smoker that has a few on special occasions?

Justifying harmful behavior? You know better than that.

If occasionally smoking was considered against the rules, there would be no more AA.

Maybe not. If it came do to stop smoking or drink I would quit, since it doesn't ....... The real question is do you wish to stop? if so then the people on this thread are willing to help.

soulsinging

mickeyrat wrote:

Maybe not. If it came do to stop smoking or drink I would quit, since it doesn't ....... The real question is do you wish to stop? if so then the people on this thread are willing to help.

I'm not sure what you're asking. The whole point of my post was, aside from being rather tongue-in-cheek, to see if technically I'm quitting or just occasionally starting. I'm not particularly worried about it... on the list of vices I could have, it's pretty mild. Just trying to lighten things up.

Music For Rhinos

occasional smoking is just that....smoking.

like i said, if that's your only outlet/vice...and you don't do it often, then stop.

it's your life but i would suggest finding another outlet like exercising or doing something with your hands like playing a musical instrument or playing video games.

anything but smoking!

soulsinging

Music For Rhinos wrote:

occasional smoking is just that....smoking.

like i said, if that's your only outlet/vice...and you don't do it often, then stop.

it's your life but i would suggest finding another outlet like exercising or doing something with your hands like playing a musical instrument or playing video games.

anything but smoking!

Smoking a cigarette takes about 5 minutes... the others take at least a half hour... I haven't got time for that

But I stand censured and scolded and corrected. I'm a smoker, but I don't plan to stop. I'm not worried about the 10 per moth I do have. I'm more worried about my fast food intake. Good luck to all those who are trying though!

MB_Angel10

My coworker and I are both quitting on February 1st... we've set the date, now it's just following through. I'm buying the patches this week. As a regular smoker for 19 years, this should be interesting and a really big B*TCH but I'm ready.

Music For Rhinos

Yo...
Where is everybody?? Thought I'd pop in with an update...

Day 40 no cigs!

Monday will be Day 42 which will be the 6 week or 1.5 month mark. I'm pretty psyched because I'm fast approaching my best ever mark was which 50 some days (51 or 52) back in April 08 to June 08. Determined to go well beyond that and hopefully never smoke again.

Also...Day 31 no pot/alcohol!

Got a full month of sobriety and I feel great. Gonna keep this going also, hopefully for life.

And not to toot my own horn, but I am/have been doing this all cold turkey and with no counseling or real support from anyone (besides you guys). So it goes to show you that anything is possible and it CAN be done...you just have to want it!

I'll check in later when I have more days under my belt.

I sincerely hope everyone is doing well on their path.

Peace and Love to you all.

PearlOfAGirl

Congrats. to Everyone!!!! I can't believe how great everyone is doing
This is so awesome... Yah!!! You guys must feel great

You'll really know it when you can't stand the smell of cigarettes anymore :evil: My senses have become Very sensitive since I've stopped

Keep on checking in and sharing your stories, love to hear them

((((((((((((((((((((((((((((( hugs & love ))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

Stella

Can I add, that the saying "every cigarrette is doing you damage" is a saying for a reason. It is, they do.
Further to my point (and I am not breaking confidentiality here as no mention of names - and not meaning to sound like a lecture)
The other day I took a call at work from a 28 year old, with two young kids and a new fiance, who was dying from cancer of the throat. 28, a smoker of 6 years. Not a heavy smoker either.. maybe 5-10 a day, with periods of non smoking in between. Please do not think you are invincible. These things happen because every cigarrette really is doing you damage.

People who have quit, be it with help/counselling/products or cold turkey. Well done. I hope you are all starting to notice the benefits of being a non smoker. We are all very proud of you. I am sure you all know the benefits of quitting, but please just ask if you want more information (it's what i do for a job afterall)

Stella

Here is some information that the QLD government and Quitline give out. No doubt most of it you already know, but some of you may find it useful.

WHAT HAPPENS TO YOUR BODY WHEN YOU QUIT SMOKING

After 8 hours: Nictoine will start to leave your body
Your heart rate and blood pressure will begin to return to normal
The level of oxygen in your blood will start to increase

After 12: There will be almost no nicotine remaining in your body

After 3-5 days: Sense of taste and smell improve
You will feel and sleep better and your breath, clothes and hair will smell fresher

After 1 month: Your immune system will begin to show signs of recovery
You will experience less shortness of breath and be able to exercise more easily

After 2 months: Your lungs will no longer be producing the extra phlegm cause by smoking
Blood pressure returns to normal
Blood circulation will improve and blood will flow more easily to hands and feet

After 3 months: The cilia in your lungs will have recovered to efficiently clean your lungs and airways

After 1 year: Your risk of dying from coronary heart disease will be half that of a continuing smoker
After 5 years: Your risk of cancer of the mouth, throat and esophagus will be half that of a smoker
After 10 years: Your risk of lung cancer will be less than half that of a continuing smoker
After 15 years: Your risk of coronary heart disease and stroke will be almost the same as that of a person who have never smoked
If you live in Queensland Australia, and just want to talk with someone about smoking, quitting or challenges, i would recommend calling quitline. They do great things. Same for people in the rest of Australia.... I don't know what other countries offer in terms of support though

Keep up the good work everyone. !

yellowled24

shit, thanks hun!!!

Kaine and I are both cranking along, but he has been having some strange side effects :?

Not being able to sleep, getting sick alot easier...are these both withdrawl symptoms?

Stella

YellowLed,

Side effects of not smoking.. interesting concept. I guess it takes a while for your lungs to clear out so for the first few weeks you cough up a lot more crap (over 4000 chemicals in each cig), takes a while for the lungs to get that shit out, so... he could be sick in that sense. Smoking decreases your immune system, so maybe he is just unlucky and has gotten sick around the same time of quitting. Correlation does not equal causation.

Regarding the sleeping. could be a few things. Is he drinking more caffeine or chewing more gum, caffeine keeps you up, chewing too much gum could have him running to the loo therefore keeping him up. does he feel anxious about quitting?? ie, is it worry/anxiety keeping him from sleeping?

Are there other things happening in his/your life that could be having the same effect (eg: selling or buying property, relationship issues, work stress etc).

Hope that gives you a few things to think about

yellowled24

Stella wrote:

YellowLed,

Side effects of not smoking.. interesting concept. I guess it takes a while for your lungs to clear out so for the first few weeks you cough up a lot more crap (over 4000 chemicals in each cig), takes a while for the lungs to get that shit out, so... he could be sick in that sense. Smoking decreases your immune system, so maybe he is just unlucky and has gotten sick around the same time of quitting. Correlation does not equal causation.

Regarding the sleeping. could be a few things. Is he drinking more caffeine or chewing more gum, caffeine keeps you up, chewing too much gum could have him running to the loo therefore keeping him up. does he feel anxious about quitting?? ie, is it worry/anxiety keeping him from sleeping?

Are there other things happening in his/your life that could be having the same effect (eg: selling or buying property, relationship issues, work stress etc).

Hope that gives you a few things to think about

Hit the nail on the head there mate, regards to property and job stress.....

He doesnt chew gum or drink coffee/tea but he does have a bit of Coke at dinner...maybe thats giving him a buzz....will tell him what you suggested and see how that goes Yeah, I think he is unlucky in the regards to getting sick now...he thinks he's getting tonsilitis :?

Thanks

PearlOfAGirl

Hi Everyone!!

Just wanted to check in with everyone to see how your doing I'm so glad you are doing well ~ there were a couple of set backs for some people, but everyone for the most part are going to give it another shot....

I celebrated my (5) month anniversary on the second Am totally psyched about that!!

Have a great week & I'll be back to see how everyone's doing I'm really proud of all of you...This has to be the best thread ever posted


((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((( love & hugs )))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

Music For Rhinos

Day 42 - no pot/alcohol (6 weeks)

Day 51 - no cigarettes (2-3 days shy of my best ever record, 5 days shy of 8 weeks)

Stella

Awesome work!

pinot768

YAY to all who are trudging the happy road to non-smoker's ville!! I am at day 52 - woo hoo!!! It is awesome! I don't get any cravings, and so far have not put on more than just a couple of pounds. Now, for Lent I will be giving up the Diet Coke habit that I have, as well as the candy. I figure if I can lay off both of those for the next six weeks, I will be much happier and healthier

Sawyer

i'm ciggy free since new years.....cannot believe it

pinot768

Sawyer wrote:

i'm ciggy free since new years.....cannot believe it

Me, too, Sawyer - pretty freakin' cool, isn't it??

Music For Rhinos

Day 61 - no cigs (best I've ever done....will be 2 months in 2 days!)

Day 52 - no pot/alcohol (also best I've ever done. I feel great!)

pinot768

Music For Rhinos wrote:

Day 61 - no cigs (best I've ever done....will be 2 months in 2 days!)

Day 52 - no pot/alcohol (also best I've ever done. I feel great!)

WOO HOO!!!!! Big round of applause! No alcohol for me in over 18 months. Never was a pot smoker, but with my naturally addictive personality, I am sure I would have loved it and had a tough time giving it up as well I do feel so much better since I quit smoking, though!