Finally Doing It...

[kawichic]

I can do one pull-up.

[Tendofreak]

The only problem was the fact it was so easy that it pi$$ed me off. If I only new how easy it was to quit I would have quit years ago.

+100
I smoked for 18yrs...pack to 2 packs if I was drinking. Never tried to quit cuz I was scairt I wouldnt be able too and then it'd be that more "ingrained" into me that I couldnt quit. FINALLY at the age of 34...my wife goes "We need to talk.." (oh crap..you know what that means guys!!) So we both quit.....
First week was bad...long walks, more long walks, anything to get my mind off of it. The main trick I had was I carried a squeezable ball around all day to keep my hands busy. (broke one and had to buy a 2nd one...I still have)
After that first week......easy money.....I was so ticked off at myself that I smoked all them years and I didnt have to. I was really mad at myself and can still get mad over it!!
As for the money??? fergitaboutit. with kids, house, cars, bikes....that gets absorbed so quickly its not as if you ever spent it on cigs.
Good luck really.......those things are nasty.....coffin-nails!!

[insolentminx]

best of luck!

i had a friend who pretty much chain smoked.
then one day he found out his granddad died the night before from lung cancer which he'd got after smoking for most of his life.
my mate just threw the pack he had in his pocket away and hasn't smoked since.
he said it was easy once you think about the consequences.

just don't go near any cigarettes and you won't be able to smoke any.

[kawichic]

Bret and I just took a 4 hour nap - something we do not do - but it killed a few hours of nic'ing. I had a couple fireballs in my purse, so those helped. We just need to get more.

In a few, we're getting in the jeep to go to Wells and pick up Bret's check. This will be a big test of willpower...

[Guitar7272]

Originally Posted by kawichic

Okay, its 9:30am, and Bret decided that because of the rain, he would come home from work. [deep, calm breathing] HE'S DRIVING ME INSANE!!!! I'm trying to keep myself busy, doing the dishes, cleaning the bathroom, etc. I'm even contemplating taking a walk in this p*ss-pouring rain, just to get out of the apartment. And he's... ugh... he's following me around the apartment, picking at me. The boy likes to play with fire, I'll give him that.

The nail through the hand wasn't enough huh?

[kawichic]

Just did some food shopping together. Other than a big package of gum, and a package of twizzlers, I didnt get anything else. The idea of eating a full meal right now makes me violent because I know I'll want a smoke after. Why does this feel worse than the last time I attempted to quit???

[PSNinja]

When you think of smoking, look at these. Smokers' Lungs Good luck with this. I quit 27 years ago and still want one from time to time. Addiction is a bad thing.

[kawichic]

Unfortunately I dont have a sensitive stomach, and working in the healthcare field for 12 years has desensitized me to stuff like that. But thanks for the attempt.

[Badmedicine]

Uh oh, Lee hasn't posted for 3 hours, hope her and Bret haven't killed each other

[kawichic]

well, I'm still here... still nic'ing... still in a p*ss poor mood... its still raining and gray out... and I'm about to head into work where I would escape those playing on my temper by running out to the jeep to smoke... now I can't do that... looks like I'll be spending the money we'd save on cigarettes, on bail money...

[c_law23]

obviously you've done it before so you have some knowledge. Through my own trials i found quitting cold turkey to pretty much never work for me.

I found my triggers, for me they were smoking in the car and after i eat.

A couple weeks before i decided to start to quit, I stopped smoking in my car and gradually waited longer and longer before smoking after meals. I also waited as long as possible to smoke after waking up... I would get to work at 6:30 and not smoke until my break at 9 or 9:30.

I just slowly weened myself at that point. went from 20/day to 15 for a day or two, to 10 for a few days, to 7, to 5 to 3 to 2 and then 1 for a few days.

I know it sounds like a ridiculously long process, but it's a hell of a lot easier to not smoke 1 a day as opposed to 20. eventually when i would smoke that 1 it was so intense that it wasn't nearly as enjoyable.

then i also found that once i did quit for a few days, I couldn't believe how easy it was to quit. I dream about it now and again and feel the slight urge after a big meal, but every time i smell one i realize i have no desire to smoke.

I quit a year ago last month.

I know this doesn't help you much considering you are trying to not smoke already... i would say... pretzel sticks, carrot sticks and really really powerful mints worked for me too.

[kawichic]

Twizzlers and gum are my best friends right now. Every time I got snappy at work with a customer [to which I'm not supposed to be dealing with anyway] one of my *co-workers* would grab a twizzler from my bag and hand it to me, then apologize to the customer, saying, "She just quit smoking." By the end of the day, the *regulars* were having a good old laugh at my expense, and my *co-workers* were tip-toeing around me.

I have done this before - twice before in the past. The first attempt last just over a year. The second attempt lasted 4 years. Third time's a charm?

The first time I quit, I did the *weening* thing. It doesn't work for me. I'm greedy. Just a few wasn't enough. I couldnt seem to limit myself because I'd always cheat and take one or two more. Yes, I'm a pathetic cheater. So the only way for me is cold turkey. The only problem so far with giving it up all together is that I haven't had a cup of coffee in two days. Coffee and a cigarette was my breakfast. Without the cigarette, the coffee just doesn't seem right. My doc will be pleased since she's been trying to get me to cut down on my *pots* of coffee intake per day. But f*ck me, the headaches I've been having. I am not quitting coffee. But for right now, the urge to smoke with my coffee cup outside on the back steps is just too strong. So I'm eating bowls of the kids' sugary cereal and taking numerous walks around the apartment complex when the urge gets real bad. I think I had stronger will power when I was 25. It seemed easier then - altho my ex-husband would tell a different tale.

I snapped at him last night when he only asked a simple question that required a simple answer. He got p*ssy and said, "What the hell is your problem?" I told him I was sorry and I had quit smoking. He said, "Oh, enough said. Give Bret my best sympathies." lol

[VindianaJones]

My wife Cara is on a special diet that has her not drinking coffee and that first weekend was quite hard on her. She had major headaches from the caffeine withdrawl. Anything that makes you feel like that has got to scare the crap right outta ya? If something can control your mind to the point where you are almost impossible to be around then that would be enough for me. I was very close to a full blown alchohol addiction a few years ago and when I seperated from my first wife I got to thinking about what I must have been like. It scared me so badly that I just stopped. Keep thinking of all the plus's rather than focusing on the negatives. As I said, do you really want something as small as a smoke controlling you?

[Seadog1967]

I normally don't smoke on the weekends or at home. (closet smoker LOL) Normally I only smoke when I'm in my rig going down the highway. Lets see if I take away the situation that I smoke in I should be able to quit. Ok I'm gonna stop working. Well shortly that is. LOL I'm trying it again too though. The other week on Vacation in Maine I had to do without and I've continued since then. Course if you see a crazed looking driver hauling as* down the highway get out of his way. He needs a butt. So I think most of the people joining in on the Ride end of July are non-smokers, Chris doesn't, Frenchy just quit, I'm trying too. If we both get nicotine fits should we be in the front or back of the pack. LOL

[Nate]

I was hooked on coffee until just over ten years ago. We made it so strong at work that my weekends were one long headache even though I was making the stuff at home. I quit drinking it cold turkey one weekend and suffered among the worst headaches for a few days so I can sympathize with those quitting any other addiction.

Even now, a Coke or anything with caffeine gives me a wild buzz. When a person realizes the effect that stuff has on one's body, it's frightening to think that I've drank it since a little kid. I don't think anything good can came from caffeine or nicotine.

Good luck, Lee and stay on course!

[KAW>BOY]

Lee, I can sympathize with you. I quit once for 2yrs, once for 3yrs, and once for 5yrs. It takes so long to quit, and just about five minutes to re-addict yourself!!!
Just listening to you describe how you were treating customers, and were living just being pi$$ed at the world, made me think of this poster I saw on the web the other day. Don't take it wrong, it's my attempt to cheer u up a little.

[KAW>BOY]

Well it didn't work, maybe next time, sorry .

Oh Ho, made it work!! haha haha

[kawichic]

No Tom, it worked. I've just been staying away from the computer and people in general. I can't believe how much I cant even stand myself right now. Bret says he's nic'ing bad too, but he must have better self control than I do because he seems calm. Although with him, sometimes *calm* is a very dangerous thing.

I've had a couple things happens these last 3 days that would typically have me lighting up a butt, and since I can't, these things are owning me. Like my mother telling me that my Nana [who was more of a mother to me than my own mother] will die in the next couple months due to a large tumor on her lung. She will bleed out and once that happens, her death will come very quickly. Oh! And she's not gonna tell Nana because what's the point. Yeah, Ma and I had a HUGE blowout over that one. Nana is of her own mind and has every right to know, regardless that my mother is her power-of-attorney, or not. Needless to say, Ma and I haven't spoken since.

Then last night, Bret and I took my son [who I haven't seen in over a week since he spent 4 days at my sister's camping, and then a few extra days with his father] to the fireworks in Alton Bay. From the time that we got there, until the time the fireworks began, which was when I told Bret I was leaving, my son did his best to p*ss me off by telling me how great his father is because his father buys him all kinds of stuff whenever he wants, and I don't. Ouch! And when he asked for an over-priced light saber from a vendor, and I said no, he asked Bret. And when Bret said no, my son then said, "I'm not happy," in a threatening manner. Who the hell is this kid? I didn't raise him like that!!!! Is this what a week with his father has done??????

I was nic'ing pretty bad, so I bit the inside of my cheek and sat stone straight, focusing more on my breathing than anything else. The things I would love for him to know, but at the same time, don't want him to know because it would hurt him so badly. Like, his father only agreeing to take him for an extra day this summer if he didn't have to pay ANY child support in the meantime. Well, I have to work, and can't afford a day camp or daycare, so I agree, in pure desperation. So from June until September, my ex-husband gets to keep $400 a month in exchange for spending ONE extra day with his OWN kid!!!! But I can't say that. I didn't say that. But I wanted to.

So back at home, we all went to bed since it was passed 11pm. This morning, my son wakes up at 8am, knocks politely on my bedroom door [now there is the kid I raised!] and asks permission to watch tv. I gave him a nod, then contemplated the night before. Heckle and Jeckle that boy is. And I'm nic'ing big time. When I got up this morning, I went into his bedroom and asked him what he wanted for breakfast. "I don't eat breakfast," he told me. This coming from the kid who has ALWAYS eaten a breakfast. So I said, "Since when?" And he said, "I never do at Daddy's." To which I said, "You're not at Daddy's..." To which he said, "I'm not eating breakfast." Not wanting to fight with him any longer, I started to leave the room and said, "If you don't eat breakfast, you get nothing until lunch."

Its gonna be a long a** day. But I can tell you one thing for certain. NEXT summer, my son is NOT spending extra time with his father. Apparently the court ordered 23 hour visit is enough! I should have rethought this when the judge questioned it, but all I kept thinking was, I cant lose another job because of lack of childcare. Next summer I will have to find another way around summer vacation because he is NOT spending more than his 23 hour court visitation with my son. Thank god the judge altered the divorce paperwork to say that it was *MY* decision what to do with the summer visitation time.

F*ck, I need a smoke... this is just ridiculous.

[demon_668]

Hey there...
You don't "need a smoke", you just really really really really really want one
Once day 3 is over, supposedly the physical addiction is over and it's supposed to be easier. I personally think this is BS, since by day 3 you've usually killed off anyone who's annoyed you, and the remaining people are smart enough to not pi$$ you off

I also believe that guys have a somewhat more "zen" way of dealing with nic fits sometimes. My wife would often ask how I was doing, knowing damn well I was 'fitting my brains out, but I was doing everything possible to not think about it. Guys have an amazing ability to ignore the things that bother us the most...
...and you thought we didn't listen to you cause we're stupid

[KAW>BOY]

F*ck, I need a smoke... this is just ridiculous.[/quote]
Lee, I'm at a loss for words to tell you how sorry I am, for what's going on in your life.
But first, let me tell you how I admire the way you can write out your story just like holding a conversation. I can't do that. I have to struggle for every word, then go back and edit, and so forth.
Anyway, sorry to hear about your Nana, I lost mine at an early age, and I lost my younger brother, then my dad, and then my Mother.
As far as a parent that uses a kid as a weapon to hurt a former spouse, well I can't tell you how low I think that is. I mean, what does he think you do the child support money, keep him in party mode all the time? I know all the things you have to get ready for in the fall is what you use the summer money for.
I had 3 kids, when my wife decided she could do better on her own. My youngest son was 9. She was so vindictive, it was unbelievable. She tried to turn the kids against me by telling them, how far behind I was in support payments, and how I didn't care for them.
She then moved 150 miles away, and moved in with a construction worker who couldn't work because he "hurt his back". Yeah, well my back hurt too, but I kept on working. No wonder she couldn't wait for the support to arrive every month.
Since she had moved that far away, it prevented me from picking up the kids and just going out for burgers and a movie, like they loved to do. I was on call at work 24/7 and rarely got 2 days off at a time, but when I did, and could, I would go to take them out.
Then she took me back to court, claiming I was, $10,000 in arrears. I had to hire a Lawyer, and then she had the audacity to show up in court with the youngest son in tow!! Now that made me PO'ed, bigtime.
Never the less, I knew by then how she was about the money, so I kept every canceled check, and every receipt for the times that I had given her extra money, and I had even taken out two $500 loans for her at the credit union.
Needless to say, she was quite angry at having to leave the courthouse without her $10,000.
I know this story ain't helping you any, but I know what you are going thru somewhat. It ain't no fun kid. Just when it seems like it is as bad as it can be, seems like that's when it gets worse.
One day in the future though u will look back on these days and just like that country song, by Trace Adkins, You're gonna miss this...
I know I didn't cheer you up much, but keep your chin up, and do what we all have to do...take it one day at a time.
Now I want to leave you with one more attempt at humor; Some people are like Slinkys. They have no purpose, but they make us smile when you push them down the stairs...