I've stopped smoking for three days now and need some advice on the way forward?
413762
Scientists say that the first 72 hours are the worst because the body is going through nicotine withdrawal. So from here on out it's mind versus matter. Can your mind beat out a cigarette or can a small little thing that causes big time illness beat you? Stay busy, and stay focused! Good luck!!
1131615
The absolute BEST way is quite honestly COLD TURKEY.  The reason is...it takes 72 hours or 3 days for all the nicotine to get out of your system and once you live through those three days then it's just mind over matter as your body's NEED for nicotine is gone.  The patches, gum etc. anything with nicotine in it and the "tapering off" just prolongs the agony of nicotine withdrawal.  \n\nYou have to replace that "bad habit" with a good one so be prepared BEFORE you quit....and know what you are going to do INSTEAD of smoking.  Remember the average 'craving' lasts 3 minutes.  \n\nI used whatever it took to get through the first 2 weeks, sugar free suckers, licorice root (you can buy at the bulk store usually) to chew on, sugar free gum, tic tacs, and believe it or not straws the extra tough ones that come in drinking boxes (I chewed through about 7 of them and just keep cutting off the chewed end) and you can also "inhale" through the straw and then slowly exhale.  Drink a ton of water, now instead of smokes and a lighter I carry bottles of water with me everywhere.\n\nI also learned how to knit to keep my hands busy, you could do crossword puzzles, circle words, Suduko puzzles, or some kind of manly crafty thing like leather working or wood burning I suppose....\n\nAlso I downloaded a little counter from the site I posted below....I was so determined not to have to reset my counter back to zeros I wouldn't have another smoke!\n\nGood luck, you'll need it.....but trust me when I say looking back from the other side it is SO WORTH IT!!\n\nIn three days you'll start to notice how bad smokers really smell and you'll think OMG I used to STINK like that too, in 2 weeks when you run your tongue over your teeth they won't feel like they have fuzzy slippers on them anymore....and if you can make the 3 week mark without slipping at all......I believe that the statistics for maintaining the smoke free lifestyle are about 60% for those that can make it to the 3 week mark!\n\nGOOD LUCK!\n\nOne year, ten months, four weeks, 8 hours, 28 minutes and 34 seconds. \n13947 cigarettes not smoked, \nSaving $4,602.53. \nLife saved: 6 weeks, 6 days, 10 hours, 15 minutes.
66492
You know its time for a change.  You can't just change this habit.  Its about how you are going to deal with the stress that comes up in your life.  You got to face your problems without running to some instant fix.  *the cigarette*  \n\nSecond, you got to take a proven route.  Look up Smoker annoyomous in your area.  Take the patch or gum.  You need someone that will support you in your tough times.  Maybe someone who also stopped.   When your tempted, remind yourself about the things  you hate about smoking.  So expensive.  The bad lungs.  Whatever reason you want to stop.  Remember it when your tempted
774402
try not to worry about anything straight away stress will only make you feel worse but you do need to go to the lung specialist and take it from there , im not going to tell you to give up the cigs because i smoke myself it would be good if we could all give up , but good luck i hope it goes well .
13390
Usually, your body is starting to get used to not smoking again within a month.\n\nThis should make you feel less tired already. If it is making you more tired than when you were smoking, you should see a doctor.\n\nSlowly picking up working out will be good too. Have a long term goal. For instance, expect to be a changed person in 6-12 months. Don't expect miracles before the end of the year.
630155
Congratulations on quitting!! As a former smoker I know exactly how you feel. For me quitting was one of the toughest things I have ever done. It is very common for people to start up again after quitting, especially when confronted by stress in life. The best things you can do are the following: throw away all smoking related things(ashtrays,lighters etc.)Try to avoid places where people smoke. What helped me alot was chewing on plastic straws,gum etc. I tried the patches and the nicotine gum and they really did not do anything for me. You just have to set your mind on this goal and tell yourself you can do it. Reward yourself somehow for every day you go without. Good luck!!
420726
quit smoking now.. you won't be allowed during Basic anyway.  Might as well get a jump on it.  As long as you can meet the minimum standards on the first day, you'll BE in shape by the time you are done.
1067893
how bout take it slow... instead of 3 cigs a day smoke 2 then 1 then eventually one a week then one a month and then never. chew gum instead. how bout start tomorrow. theres no price on life.
35500
you need to mentally prepare yourself for it. Think about the fact that youre going to do it and the things you will do to keep yourself busy, Then go out and buy the patches, (the steps depend on how much you smoke now)let them sit somewhere that you can see them all the time, then set a date, get rid of all smoking materials and stick to the date. The patches help with the cravings but its the habit that will get to you the most,esp since smokers tend to smoke after eating, while driving, on the phone, on break at work, its very hard and I still get the craving for one but I think about my family and one day not having to walk around with an oxygen tank or not being able to breathe. I have been smoke free since december 19 and im very proud of myself, I reward myself with many little things that I enjoy. Yes there were times where i would start crying like a baby b/c I wanted a cigarrete so bad but now I know that I wont have to go through that again and I know Im making the best choice for me. If I dont take care of myself nobody is going to take care of me.
279719
Cold turkey.\n\nPlease visit http://www.whyquit.com and read about nicotine replacement therapy (gum, patch, etc.) to see why it doesn't work well.\n\nRead a few sections of "Why do people smoke?" and "How to quit smoking."  The site even tells you what to expect (accurately) during the surprisingly short physical withdrawal period and how to minimize the symptoms.\n\nVisit http://www.whyquit.com\n\nIt is really quite eye opening.
4547
I like FirstL's answer.  I found some tips:\nhttp://www.insuremylife.org/quitsmoking.html
861860
Yes young Miss - you're right not to try and give up cold turkey - try the 'patch' or gum as a replacement. \n\nAlso analyse where and when you do have a cigarette - at home???/at work???/ At lunch???/In pub???. Try and avoid (as much as possible) those places where you find you derive most pleasure from cigarette - this may be for instance immediately following a meal - with a cup of tea or coffee. So for a while change habit - instead of tea and/or coffee - have soft drink.\n\nAvoid places where smoking prevalent. Warn friends and family - that you are giving up and that they, if they are smokers, should NOT offer you one or light up around you (if this can be avoided). \n\nWill also need to tell friends/family - you may be angry and irritable for a while because of giving up - tell them not your usual attitude merely that it is symptom of nicotine withdrawal.\n\nFind friend/relative who is either a non-smoker or preferably one who has themselves given up to be your councillor and supporter - they will need to be contactable by you fairly constantly for the first 3 months after you've given up. If nobody else available - willing to help myself if you give me a call.
281374
try to get addicted to something less harmfull. Or if you want to just quit, ive heard that cold turkey is the easiest, interms of withdrawels. Or the patch, or the gum. But remember, if you have not been smoking for a VERY long time, when you quit, in time your lungs will be about as healthy as they were before you started smoking. Don't give up on it even if it is hard.
990392
I'm there with you! I actually quit about 2 months ago, and then 2 weeks ago I was under a lot of stress and started back up again. I kept smoking one or two a day and kept telling myself, I'm not smoking again, I'll quit tomorrow, but I haven't. I think that you really, really have to want to quit. Not for your family, or your health, but just because you don't want to do it anymore. My dad, who is 54, quit a few weeks ago, and he has smoked since he was 16. He is using the patches. I'll pray for you and you pray for me! Good luck!
926707
you should not have a problem since you have bot smoked that long. get some nickoret gum and throw the cigarettes away and tell your self that you're finished with them. you have to tell your self that you are stronger than a pack of cigarettes.
3239
stop smoking!! Wish me luck...
478389
I too am trying to quit smoking.  I was smoking full flavor 100's and smoking about 1 1/2 packs a day.  I have lowered to lights shorts and smoking now only about a 1/2 pack a day.  My suggestion would be not to grab a cig as soon as you get up in the morning and everytime you eat.  Try not to pick one up just because your bored or think you need one.  Wait until you just can't take it any more and you HAVE to have one.  Pay attention to how often you smoke.  If you just had a cigarette 30 minutes ago, make yourself wait another 30 minutes.  Also, set a goal that by a certain day you will be a non-smoker.  And write down the reasons that you want to quit.  Post the goals and reasons on the fridge or somewhere that will remind you constantly why you are doing it.  Good luck sweety!  You can do it!