Quitting smoking pointers....

JamesBianco · Posted: Sat Jul 21, 2007 4:43 am Post subject: Quitting smoking pointers....

<---day three Wink

Would love to hear what some of you do/did to pass the tough times...

The times when you feel if you don't have a smoke, you are going to lose it!

Gina501 · Posted: Sat Jul 21, 2007 5:04 am Post subject: Re: Quitting smoking pointers....

Hi James. Day three - terrific! I am proud of you!

Like I said, I never smoked. But my dad did. Until I was about 2. One day he went to the doctor for something unrelated but found out it WAS related. And then the doctor told him that if he didn't quit his habit, he would not be around to see me grow up. He left the office, threw the pack away, and never smoked another cigarette again. He's now 65 and I'm 38.

I don't think everyone could do that....but when it gets tough, think of your sons.

JamesBianco · Posted: Sat Jul 21, 2007 5:16 am Post subject: Re: Quitting smoking pointers....

Gina501 wrote:

I don't think everyone could do that....but when it gets tough, think of your sons.

You father certainly was strong, I admire his ability, and look to that as an example that it can happen!

As far as my kids, they chase me when I light up trying to break that nasty cigarette and stop me. They are definitely the most important reason to quit!

Thanks for sharing that about your dad.

Smile

nuccia · Posted: Sat Jul 21, 2007 5:22 am Post subject: Re: Quitting smoking pointers....

Come on James..you can do it! Its hardest the first week when the nicotine is leaving your system they say. After that, its all its psychological they say. Suggestions..

Keep your hands and mouth busy..(take it whatever way you want, just make sure its legal, ok? lol)

I used to tell myself that it was only for one more hour and that if I really wanted one, I would have one..I just kept doing that and before I knew it, a month had gone by. But I never would say I quit..this way I never felt pressured.

Keep busy..have anymore records to extract?

A hint from the Lung and Heart Association which freaked me out..

Put the contents of any empty ashtray in a jar and carry it with you. whenever you feel the urge to smoke, open it up and have a look/smell. They say the smell is enough to make you throw up. Never tried it but of a friend of mine did and he said it worked for him. Shocked

nuccia · Posted: Sat Jul 21, 2007 5:26 am Post subject: Re: Quitting smoking pointers....

More tips..

Break your normal routine. Stay away from the places where you usually smoked.

Wash everything in your house/apartment. All the carpets, clothes, etc. Maybe paint the walls.

Log your progress..thoughts. Maybe you could share them one day?

Munch on carrot sticks..

Go to the gym...

Go to Church..(hey, how did that get in there???? LOL)

JamesBianco · Posted: Sat Jul 21, 2007 5:45 am Post subject: Re: Quitting smoking pointers....

nuccia wrote:

More tips..

Break your normal routine. Stay away from the places where you usually smoked.

Wash everything in your house/apartment. All the carpets, clothes, etc. Maybe paint the walls.

Log your progress..thoughts. Maybe you could share them one day?

Munch on carrot sticks..

Go to the gym...

Go to Church..(hey, how did that get in there???? LOL)

Excellent Ideas!! That ashtray in the jar one is very original.

I have already started the cleaning part ... to keep myself busy.

Smile

Poipu04 · Posted: Sat Jul 21, 2007 5:50 am Post subject: Re: Quitting smoking pointers....

I would print out Riccardo's post about his relative that died of lung cancer and read it next time you feel like having a cigarette. If this is a helpful route, I am sure that all of us on gente could post our own stories of loved ones who died of lung cancer. I bet you that there is not one among us who does not know at least one person. I can think of three right off the bat.

Have you also checked support web sites? I bet the American Lung Association or the American Cancer Society has pointers and forums on the issue. Also I heard that the makers of the patch have a support network.

Poipu04 · Posted: Sat Jul 21, 2007 5:55 am Post subject: Re: Quitting smoking pointers....

www.cancer.org/docroot...okeout.asp

Check this cite out

It is from the Great American Smokeout. It looks like it outlines a program.

JamesBianco · Posted: Sat Jul 21, 2007 6:04 am Post subject: Re: Quitting smoking pointers....

Poipu04 wrote:

bet you that there is not one among us who does not know at least one person. I can think of three right off the bat.

I agree, having lost two grandfathers to lung/throat cancer, the result of smoking. I helped take care of one grandfather right up until he died (I was his only grandchild). It wasn't enough to force me to stop back when he died in 1997 for more than a month, no matter how close we were, it just didn't work.

Confused

Cathy · V.I.P. Joined: Jul 10, 2007 Posts: 2681

Stay away from stress!!! That is what got me every time. Avoid stress for at least 10 days and ease back. Munching helped me - carrot sticks and celery sticks. Orange juice will assist purifying your body of the toxins and assist with the addiction. If that does not work look at these:

Hey, maybe I should quit! DUH!! This is me when I quit smoking!

nuccia · Posted: Sat Jul 21, 2007 6:11 am Post subject: Re: Quitting smoking pointers....

And of course, there is this wonderful site..

www.whyquit.com

My cousin John Polito..who I found last year when I started my research, runs the site and I've sent it to several people. Some have said it helped.

I've started going through it and man, is it ever full of info.

JamesBianco · Posted: Sat Jul 21, 2007 6:16 am Post subject: Re: Quitting smoking pointers....

nuccia wrote:

And of course, there is this wonderful site..

www.whyquit.com

My cousin John Polito..who I found last year when I started my research, runs the site and I've sent it to several people. Some have said it helped.

I've started going through it and man, is it ever full of info.

Wow what a resource, thanks Nuccia! I have a lot of reading to do.

Biff83 · V.I.P. Joined: Jul 10, 2007 Posts: 1263 Location: Florida

James,

I smoked Camel nonfilters for forty years. They finally caught up with me two months ago when I had my heart attack. It's been almost ten weeks now since I stopped but I still do get the urge once in a while especially when I have my occasional beer or scotch. The longer you go without a smoke, however, the less frequent the urge. My son who's about your age also quit after I had my heart attack. He decided he'd like to be around as long as possible for his daughter Angelina.

I have quit twice before. Once for over a year and another time for about six or seven months. Hopefully, this time is the last. My boss has threatened to fire me if I start smoking again, and my wife has threatened divorce so I've got some additional incentives to remain smoke free besides my grandkids. I'd also like to be around to finish this genealogical journey I've started.

You might want to check with your doctor about using Chantix which is a new prescribed medication which blocks the "I NEED A CIGARETTE" urge in the brain.

Best,
Biff

JamesBianco · Posted: Sat Jul 21, 2007 7:04 am Post subject: Re: Quitting smoking pointers....

Biff83 wrote:

James,

I smoked Camel nonfilters for forty years. They finally caught up with me two months ago when I had my heart attack. It's been almost ten weeks now since I stopped but I still do get the urge once in a while especially when I have my occasional beer or scotch. The longer you go without a smoke, however, the less frequent the urge. My son who's about your age also quit after I had my heart attack. He decided he'd like to be around as long as possible for his daughter Angelina.

I have quit twice before. Once for over a year and another time for about six or seven months. Hopefully, this time is the last. My boss has threatened to fire me if I start smoking again, and my wife has threatened divorce so I've got some additional incentives to remain smoke free besides my grandkids. I'd also like to be around to finish this genealogical journey I've started.

You might want to check with your doctor about using Chantix which is a new prescribed medication which blocks the "I NEED A CIGARETTE" urge in the brain.

Best,
Biff

Thanks Biff, congrats on the two months, and for sharing your experience. I actually have a chantix perscription that my doctor prescibed last year which I never opened. I wasn't ready or willing at that point I guess.

I think I should open it and start...

Smile

Gina501 · Posted: Sat Jul 21, 2007 8:01 am Post subject: Re: Quitting smoking pointers....

James, remember we're here to help and support you.