I'd love to get a record amount of "answers" to my question so please tell me how wonderful I am for quitting smoking!!!!  Thanks xxxxx
205701
excellent, well done you! i gave up 12 weeks ago!! we rock ; )
491916
Don't give in to them!  I found it helped me get through by telling myself that I could smoke as many as I wanted tomorrow and that I just had to get through today.  When tomorrow came I would say the same thing.  It was really hard to start with and so tempting to just have a cigarette, but after a few weeks the cravings had gone completely.  \n\nI found that counting days, then weeks and finally months gave me a mental milestone to say I'd reached.  I have not smoked for 16 months now, but I still tell myself that I can have another cigarette 'another day' if I really want one.  \n\nI know it's dreadful at the moment but if you stick with it it will be worth it. Just one little piece of advice that you can ignore if you like...try not to replace gigs with food or alcohol.  I did this to start with and put on over 14lbs!  I've lost it again now, but if someone had told me that advice 16 months ago I'd have been grateful!\n\nGood luck!
419682
I have tried twice before and got 46 days the first time and 30 days the second time and used the nicotine gum to do it BUT the most important thing I did and forgot to keep doing therefore I started up again and that was to change people,places and things.\nIn the beginning I stayed away from people who smoked and stayed away from places where I was use to smoking  ie my favorite eating place.Drank water with my meals as I use to drink coffee with my meals and would smoke while drinking coffee before my meal came and after I had finished my meal.\nI avoided my usual smoking break time outside with other employees.\nI tend to be a realy high wired person so as I started out with my efforts to quit smoking I made up my mind to run in low gear and to quit putting pressure on myself and to quit letting others laziness and imperfections bother me and to take it all in stride.\nThe only thing I can figure I did wrong was I got too comfortable with my efforts of not smoking and in doing so I forgot to keep up the work of avoiding familar people,places and things that encouraged my desire to smoke.\nI didn't want to gain the weight that most people say you will do when you quit smoking since we tend to exchange one habit for another so I made sure that I had plenty of fresh fruits and veggies on hand.\nI also made sure that I had plenty of my favorite gum on hand to help me get through those tough moments when the nicotine gum did not seem appealing or when it was too soon to have another piece.\nMy family,friends,employer and fellow employees were very supportive in my efforts.\nMy clothes,my house ,my car started to smell so much and my mouth was losing that bottom of the ashtray taste during my efforts to quit and I intend to quit again. .  . and this time FOREVER!\nPeople will certainly climb your backside for smoking and will rag on you forever but when you quit smoking they rarely give you as much credit or praise. . most of them do not really realize just how hard it is to give up smoking. . they say it is as hard as getting off of heroine so be sure to not let this discourage you. \nOne of the most important things to remember is that you want to quit smoking more than you want to smoke.\n\nThey say that the first 72hours of not smoking is when the nicotine leaves your body so the next time I quit smoking it is going to be cold turkey as I can't afford the gum or the patches for months on end and thusly dragging out the quitting smoking process and I will reminding myself that I want to quit smoking more than I want to smoke.\nI also want to set a good example for my grandchildren who are under the age of 4.(It is extremely hard to explain to my grandchildren why their Grammie smokes.)\n\nGood Luck \n\n\n\nP.S. IF you want some extra support,you can email me.
135743
cold turkey is the way to go - i am on day 93 today.  counting the days since i have had a cigarette has gotten me through a lot of cravings as well.  i tell myself that even if i smoke just one, i have to start again at day zero.  it has been a big deterrent - and i feel great.  i am also planning to have a party on day 100 - and maybe keep on having parties every 100 days for the rest of my life if i stay smoke free.  it's really just a great excuse to have people over.
164370
I'm an ex-smoker, and I know how difficult it is to quit.  You've actually got two bad habits going with cigarettes instead of one.  The first is the smoking habit itself, and the second is your addiction to nicotine.  My advise...switch to smokeless tobacco.  First you need to get cigarettes out of your life without having to detox from nicotine at the same time.  Once you've got that under control, then work on reducing the amount of smokeless tobacco you use until you've kicked the nicotine.  The patch and the gum is worthless if you're a true hardcore smoker.  Try Skoal Bandits...less spitting, and you won't be barbequing your lungs.
210848
I reccomend visiting the American Lung Association. Their web site link is below. There is a wealth of information and there is a link and phone number to e-mail or call questions to a health professional. I hope this helps. If you need more advice or support, I've been smoking since I was fifteen and am going to quit for good in a few weeks. Good luck. :^)\n\nhttp://www.lungusa.org/site/pp.asp?c=dvLUK9O0E&b=22940
377188
Quitting smoking is a great opportunity to learn about ourselves.\nCongratulate yourself  on having the desire to stop - then you are over the worst, but still need to maintain your resolve. It's just so easy to start thinking that just one won't hurt, but it does. Just one achieves nothing except feeling the need for another. Whatever you do, don't have just one. Beware - alcohol will weaken your resolve.\nHere's a few home-brewed tips that might be useful.\nIt's not just nicotine addiction - there are 50+ chemicals in cigarettes. Also the main problem is habit.\nWe have been used to having body sensations which we translate as 'my body needs something', which we have attempted to satisfy by having a cigarette.\nWhen we try to stop smoking, we still get these 'my body needs something' sensations, and we still feel that we want a cigarette. We have to train our body to be more selective. When we feel we need something, we have to work out what it is that we actually need.\nA glass of water is an excellent substitute if nothing else comes to mind, as it helps with the clearance of the toxic substances in our body. Another good substitute is a bag of salted peanuts, used in combination with the water.\nAnother thing to do is to find an activity which occupies the mind or body. Go swimming - nobody wants to smoke while they are swimming. Slowly, as our body adjusts and translates the 'want something' feelings into something other than cigarettes, then the feelings begin to go away. We know its not a cigarette that the body really needs, because as soon as we've had one we still have the feeling, and want another!\nWe will have a few bouts of feeling or even being short tempered. We must try to bite our lip, and control; ourselves. Recognise the short temper as being the removal of toxins which are trying to find a way out. They went in through the mouth, and they try to get out that way to. We must learn to keep our mouth closed, and force the toxins out the other way.\n\nAfter we have stopped for a while we will begin to feel that just one wont to any harm.\nAll that leads to is a desire for just another one. We must guard very strongly against the desire to have just one.
583796
I've taken a course to learn how to hold smoking cessation classes. You've got the best thing already....WANTING TO QUIT.\nIf you can hold off the first 3 days, you've got the hard part over with, according to most who quit. ALL symptoms should be gone in a couple weeks.\nJust keep trying. I personally recommend the "cold turkey" method because if you use a product to help you stop smoking that contains nicotine it will continue supplying your cravings for nicotine, prolonging the process. If you can find a stop-smoking product that does NOT supply nicotine in any way, it's probably safe.\n\nTry to distract your urge-most of them won't last more than a few minutes. Try:\n\nChewing some gum\nGo for a walk\nTake a shower (one place it's difficult to smoke!)\nAnd anything else that will distract you!\n\nYou can make it!\n\nP.S.  I'll email you with more info if you're interested. Add to your post saying so, if you want.
404914
I smoked from the age of 11 until I got pregnant with my daughter at 24. I was able to quit because I was pregnant and didn't want to put her at risk, but after I had my son, it seemed my reason to quit had disappeared. I only wanted 2 kids, so I knew I would never be pregnant again, When she was 2 and he was 9 months, i started again. I smoked for 3 more years, before I quit again. You have to find the inspiration to quit. I did it for 2 reason, my children, and because I watched my father die from lung cancer. I don't want to put my children through that torture if I don't have to. It may be too late, but at least I'm doing what I can to prevent it now.\nI quit slowly. First I only smoked outdoors, never in the house. In the summer it's fine, but during the cold windy days, smoking started to lose it appeal. I stopped smoking in my car. And I avoided alcohol. Then I started smoking half of the cigarette. I got to the point that a pack would last me 2 weeks, then 3 and at that point I stopped all together. The wole process probably took me about 3 months, but it was the only way that worked for me. I tried the patch and it made my arm feel weird, I tried cold turkey, but that only lasted a couple of days for me. The gradual method was best for me, but everybody is different. My step-uncle quit after 35 years cold turkey, but he would cut up carrots and celery and other veges and snack on them whenever he had a craving. It worked fo him, I had a friend quit using the nicitine gum. and I had another friend go to the doctor for a prescrition antidepressent that helped her quit. So far we are all still smoke free.\nJust try to find a reason that is very important to you, your health, the health of people around you, money, the smell on your clothes or hair, bad breath or whatever motivates you.\nIt's still not always easy (July of 05 was the last time I smoked). Stress triggers cravings and so does alcohol still, but I just focus on my reasons for stopping. If you can make it through the next five minutes without smoking, you can do it for a lifetime. A craving only last that long. Distract yourself in thos e five minutes by checking the mail, calling a friend, fold a load of laundry, or something that needs your hands to do it. \n\nYou can do it!!\n\nP.S. I feel better about myself now too, I don't feel like a lepper for smoking. I always felt a little ashamed whenever I lit up, not to mention that I have so much more money since I quit too. Not only do I save on the cigarettes and lighters, but breath mints, and air fresheners too!
540982
First off, I must say GREAT for you for quiting!!!!!!!!!!! I also used to smoke, I Have Quit three times ( quit for about 2 years each time) I have stayed quit this time.  Although, I still have dreams in which I have smoked in... but I wake up with a guilty conscience... Anyways, great for you.  It just takes time for healing.  However, I liked doing the ty-bo exercise tapes and swimming... you don't realize how hard you are pushing yourself with these as much as running, oh also hiking on trails are fun.  Good luck!
416843
I quit about 16 month ago and at the last days, I smoked 20 cigarettes a day.\nWas it difficult? sure, it was the most difficult thing I have ever done.\nI had tried to quit many times and I had failed until the last at temp which was success full\nmy advice: do Not give up trying to quit, if you failed. you will succeed eventually.\nand Quit just for your sake
406994
ok, so this doesn't answer your question, but i hope it encourages/helps you in some way or another. \n\ncongrats on your desire to quit & honesty with your parents! and congrats to them for not totally flipping out on you. i have been in your shoes before. ok, so i actually started smoking at 16 & quit about 6 months ago at 24 years old. i have had many friends try to quit by rolling their own & they never do end up quitting. the only real way is to just quit cold turkey- in my opinion. you are probably more addicted to the habbit rather than the niccotine. i found that it was actually easier for me to quit without any help rather than using the patch, etc. the times when i used other "tools" i was never successful. also, it is good incentive to tell yourself that you can have a cigarette in a few weeks, but not right now. telling yourself that this is your last or that you will never have another one only freaks you out & always made me give in. so, i have had about 4 since i "quit" and they have been crappy & nice... but it was nice to know that i could have one once in a while without making it a habit again. well, good luck!
496517
I quit smoking last year on Halloween at this party we were at- ran out & then decided to quit for good.  I had terrible headaches but overcame them in time, but sought help online & hooked up with Nicotine Anonymous.  It is hard to quit as you can smell smokers everywhere & I still avoid our local casinos- but last year in Washington we passed a law saying no smoking in restraunts-25 feet away from a business etc.  That sure helped me-in fact I voted in favor of the law!   In the 80's my dad got lung cancer after smoking 3 packs a day- I quit smoking for 5 years- but took it up when he was in his final stages of dying. But I refuse to go back to smoking & reward myself all the time for not smoking- anything I want I can buy.  Please try to quit for you & your friend- www.Quitnet.com  - try this site.  My husband quit in 85 when we got together for my son who was 14- Trav is 33 & didn't even remember Rick smoking.   Now Trav's daughter Chloe ( our only grandchild)  will not remember me smoking as she is only 4.  When you  want a smoke- just pray & the urge will pass- it only last 10 minutes.  Meanwhile look around for a hobby  to occupy you hands!  Good luck- you can do it!
450018
I just quit cold turkey two months ago.  It is the best thing I've done.  Withdrawals are mild and not a big deal if you just resign yourself to feeling bad sometimes.  remind yourself all the time about why you've decided to quit, and breathe deeply.  It is a beautiful thing.
467874
Never heard of it and I think I have seen/tried/read etc etc everything I can about quitting smoking..The newest thing on the market is a pill call Chantix..go to www.chantix.com and rad about it.Those I know taking it swear by it..Good Luck
422122
Congrats on the decision to stop.  I quit a year and a half ago after smoking for 17 years and this is how I did it:\n\nI started out with 1 smoke every 30 minutes the first day, every 45 the next day, then every 60....I increased it by 15 minutes everyday until I was up to 16 hours between smokes.  Yeah, it took a while, but by the time I got toward the end, I actually forgot to smoke sometimes.  Also, I have convinced myself that it's not that I can never ever have another smoke for the rest of my life, but that I'm just choosing not to smoke right now.  That way I don't panic at the word "never" and it kind of puts me in the driver's seat instead of the nicotine.  Silly, yes, but it works for me.  In fact, I did try a couple months ago to smoke one just to see if I had really kicked the habit.  Yuck!  I can honestly say I don't want to smoke anymore.  Plus I smell it on other people and in their homes and cars and it STINKS!  \n\nYou can do it!
595468
I went to hypnosis August of last year and haven't smoked since.  I was really ready to quit and the hypnotist - a professional, not an entertainer - implanted the idea of anxiety any time I came into contact with the possibility of smoking.  I haven't smoked since.  Two of my workmates were also successful, but many have not been successful.  I think you must really, really want to quit.