6 hours ago, Sandi149 said:

How long did it take for your cravings to go away?  I hope this will only last a few days and not weeks or months!  Geez, I don't know if I can get through it, if it lasts that long!

Each craving lasted like 1-3 minutes and were pretty frequent and intense for the first 2-4 days. Then it got better, then worse (but always get-through-able), then wayyyy better. These ppl on here would NOT be here if these craves/feelings linger. I wouldn’t have stuck around that’s for sure. A big part of it in the beginning was going to bed and saying wow I did a whole day, and try to do it again the next day. 

 

1 hour ago, DenaliBlues said:

even if the cravings don't evaporate right away, their intensity will definitely diminish as your "quit muscles" get stronger. They will come less often, and thoughts of smoking won't dominate your mind as much. Every hour and day that your quit grows, every crave that you make it through, is further proof that you CAN be free.  

And LITERALLY THIS ^^^^^^^^^

 

 

Keep asking great questions and thinking these great quit thoughts gf!

Edited May 24, 20233 yr by Brioski

   Welcome aboard Sandi. It's great that you decided to quit smoking. I will not sugarcoat this because it takes hard work and will power to kick this addiction to the curb. It is 100% doable as some of these folks with long quits will be attest to. I quit cold turkey over 3 years ago during the pandemic and it required a little work. As time went by this hard work turned into pure satisfaction of knowing I was a non smoker now. I learned that with a little faith and the belief that I truly deserve to have a happier and healthier life that I could do this. You will not find a better group of people to be on your side and support you like the people on this train.

   So, grab a seat on the train and indulge in all the videos and knowledge you can gain here on the train. Knowledge after all is power. We will always be here to support you. So, don't ever be afraid or embarrassed to ask for help. We have all been there and understand what you are going through.

11 hours ago, DenaliBlues said:

Hi, @Sandi149. Congrats on starting your quit - that's wonderful!

 

You CAN make it through this. How long were you a smoker? I was a heavy smoker for more than 40 years. I remember early in my quit I was really eager to know  "When will this misery end?!" Folks here on the board gave me the perspective that a decades-long addiction is going to take time to heal. 

 

But here's the good news: even if the cravings don't evaporate right away, their intensity will definitely diminish as your "quit muscles" get stronger. They will come less often, and thoughts of smoking won't dominate your mind as much. Every hour and day that your quit grows, every crave that you make it through, is further proof that you CAN be free.  I agree with @Brioski that distraction is key. Cravings are not commands - they are just super annoying commercials for garbage you don't wanna buy any more. "Change the channel" by giving yourself other tasks/activities/thoughts to focus on.   

 

FYI, I found that quitting smoking increased my caffeine sensitivity. A lot. Every body is different, so if coffee is working for you, enjoy!! But if you find yourself getting antsy or jittery, or feeling like you can't fully catch your breath, consider blending in some decaf...

 

Keep posting here, we're all cheering for you! 

 

Thank you!  This is actually the 2nd time that I am quitting.  The first time I quit for 6 years, from 2009-2015 using Chantix which for me was a wonder drug because it really made me forget to smoke.  Unfortunately, I went back and here I am again quitting for the 2nd and last time!! In total I think I was smoking about 40 years as well.

 

Yesterday was not as bad as I thought.  I did have cravings most of the day but I certainly wasn't climbing the walls.  I think the reason it wasn't so difficult yesterday is because I was doing the weaning method.  I went from smoking 3/4 a pack a day and weaned myself down to 2 a day and then yesterday none.  I believe that if I just quit cold turkey from the 3/4 a pack, I would have had a much harder time.

10 hours ago, Mac#23 said:

   Welcome aboard Sandi. It's great that you decided to quit smoking. I will not sugarcoat this because it takes hard work and will power to kick this addiction to the curb. It is 100% doable as some of these folks with long quits will be attest to. I quit cold turkey over 3 years ago during the pandemic and it required a little work. As time went by this hard work turned into pure satisfaction of knowing I was a non smoker now. I learned that with a little faith and the belief that I truly deserve to have a happier and healthier life that I could do this. You will not find a better group of people to be on your side and support you like the people on this train.

   So, grab a seat on the train and indulge in all the videos and knowledge you can gain here on the train. Knowledge after all is power. We will always be here to support you. So, don't ever be afraid or embarrassed to ask for help. We have all been there and understand what you are going through.

Thank you so much!!! 😄

Well done Sandi149 - you’ve taken the biggest step already! I’m a new quitter too - only a couple of weeks in and have found my cravings are much less now - some harder days but I’m just set in my mind that I won’t smoke a cigarette. In the first few days I felt so much panic that I would never be able to have a cigarette again - if only I could have just1! But I can’t have just 1 - that’s why I’ve been a smoker for decades. 
 

just imagine if in 2 short weeks you have lost the urge to smoke again! How good would that feel? You are so close now - make up your mind you can do it and just carry on - you’re already succeeding x

25 minutes ago, Slow progress said:

Well done Sandi149 - you’ve taken the biggest step already! I’m a new quitter too - only a couple of weeks in and have found my cravings are much less now - some harder days but I’m just set in my mind that I won’t smoke a cigarette. In the first few days I felt so much panic that I would never be able to have a cigarette again - if only I could have just1! But I can’t have just 1 - that’s why I’ve been a smoker for decades. 
 

just imagine if in 2 short weeks you have lost the urge to smoke again! How good would that feel? You are so close now - make up your mind you can do it and just carry on - you’re already succeeding x

Thanks!! I'm gonna take it one day at a time.  The mornings are difficult because I think I liked those cigs the best. 

 

I didn't smoke inside my house, I either went out on my terrace in the warm weather, down by my mom (she is a smoker and lives downstairs from me as we have a 2 family house), or I went down the basement.  So this time of day is really difficult because I would smoke a lot in the morning after my coffee.

 

Btw, where did you get that quit banner in your signature?

Mornings are difficult . It will pass and you know you can beat this because you have done it before. Stay positive and busy. Try to keep your mind off of smoking. Better days are not far off if you stay the course. Do whatever gets you through the moment but don`t smoke. You can`t have just one. it won`t work and you know that. Keep going forward and stay close to the board. You can do this.

43 minutes ago, garry mhudson said:

Mornings are difficult . It will pass and you know you can beat this because you have done it before. Stay positive and busy. Try to keep your mind off of smoking. Better days are not far off if you stay the course. Do whatever gets you through the moment but don`t smoke. You can`t have just one. it won`t work and you know that. Keep going forward and stay close to the board. You can do this.

 

I'm trying to keep my mind off of it, but as you know it's not easy.  It seems like I'm always thinking about smoking.  Nope, can't just have one.  It's a real shame that smoking is so bad because I truly enjoyed doing it.

 

Thanks for your encouragement! 😃

3 hours ago, Sandi149 said:

Btw, where did you get that quit banner in your signature

 

You can make a ticker for your signature by clicking on the link at the top of the forum page 😊

Every battle you win..your nearer to winning your war ..

I'm still hanging in there!!!  Haven't had a cig since after dinner Monday night!! So tonight will be 48 hours!!!  I'm amazed, but this is so hard!!!😣

Brilliant  S..

No.pain ...no gain ..here is a deserved pat on the back ..

That’s literally so great, Sandi!!! Proud of u gf, you’re doing a hard thing!! It pays off gf seriously ❤️

1 hour ago, Brioski said:

That’s literally so great, Sandi!!! Proud of u gf, you’re doing a hard thing!! It pays off gf seriously ❤️

Brioski, right now I am having a horrible meltdown, I'm crying!! I can't handle it, help me! It's not only the not smoking, it's I have some other things going on in my life that are making things difficult.  How do you deal with life things, just every day things while you are trying to quit?  How do you do it?? I feel horrible!!! (I'm just crying), forget about those little emojis

@Sandi149, you're going through withdrawels my friend. Your mind is having a tantrum wanting a fix. Just stand your ground and it will get easier. I promise you. Each time you get past a crave, you get stronger. You got this!

7 minutes ago, jillar said:

@Sandi149, you're going through withdrawals my friend. Your mind is having a tantrum wanting a fix. Just stand your ground and it will get easier. I promise you. Each time you get past a crave, you get stronger. You got this!

I know I'm going through withdrawals!!! *rolling my eyes* How long does this horrible feeling last??  I'm sorry if I'm acting nasty to all of you, I just cant help myself!  SIGH!! I am having lots of problems! 😞  

2 hours ago, Doreensfree said:

Brilliant  S..

No.pain ...no gain ..here is a deserved pat on the back ..

Doreen, I'm sorry but I don't like that quote!  I know you are trying to help, but I am struggling especially now!!! Thank you for your support!

Right now, I cant do this anymore!!! Grr!!! 

There is no need to apologize Sandi. We have all been where you are now. I know you don't want to keep hearing that it will get better. The addiction is going to fight you all the way so take it one minute at a time. Then one hour at a time and eventually it will be one day at a time and so on. You are going to have to fight for a happier and healthier life. No one is going to fight for you. We will support you all the way because we know how tough it is. Be strong!!

6 minutes ago, Mac#23 said:

There is no need to apologize Sandi. We have all been where you are now. I know you don't want to keep hearing that it will get better. The addiction is going to fight you all the way so take it one minute at a time. Then one hour at a time and eventually it will be one day at a time and so on. You are going to have to fight for a happier and healthier life. No one is going to fight for you. We will support you all the way because we know how tough it is. Be strong!!

I am really struggling and, if you read my posts from yesterday, you will see that I quit back in 2009 with Chantix to 2015...go read the post...but , thank you so much Mac for helping me!! I really appreciate it!! It's so difficult now!!! I want to smoke!! I really really want to smoke!!! Ohh this is not good!!!!

@Sandi149, what helped me when I had bad cravings is I would pretend I was holding an actual cigarette in between my fingers and then go through the motions of "smoking" it. Take big long draws of it to, it's so fresh AND it did awesome at tricking my mind into thinking it was getting the real thing, give it a try.

what makes it really difficult is that I have a horrible marriage and my husband is not understanding, even though he quit smoking back in 2018!  I don't want to bring that into this, but that is really making my quitting difficult in addition to trying to diet.  So, I have many things to conquer, and that's part of my life!   

@Sandi149, forget the diet right now! Take it one thing at a time. Quit first, then diet. Right now your body is going to crave things like sweets and I always listen to my body. If it wants sweets to help heal then give it sweets. Drink lots of juice and water, flush out the nicotine. Ignore hubby. Mine is a never smoker and thought after a month I should be over it. 

Your quit is all about you, you'll get all the support you need right here so never mind your hubby. You CAN do this!!!

39 minutes ago, jillar said:

@Sandi149, forget the diet right now! Take it one thing at a time. Quit first, then diet. Right now your body is going to crave things like sweets and I always listen to my body. If it wants sweets to help heal then give it sweets. Drink lots of juice and water, flush out the nicotine. Ignore hubby. Mine is a never smoker and thought after a month I should be over it. 

Your quit is all about you, you'll get all the support you need right here so never mind your hubby. You CAN do this!!!

 

Jillar, I am a Pre diabetic and I need to lose 30 lbs! So I have to watch my carbs and food intake....I can't eat sweets...no way, and I can't eat much carbs.  I definitely cannot have, juice but I can have lots of water...which I don't drink enough of. But, I do eat lots of fresh veggies, but unfortunately, it doesn't help with the hunger/and addiction! 😞

 

I know I should ignore my husband, but, he is a pain in the A$$ He gives me advice that isn't good for me!  How can a person who was a smoker and quit a few years ago, not be sympathetic and understanding to me....even though, he thinks he is!! *Rolling MY Eyes*!!! But he is a whole other story!

 

Anyone, here who is a pre-diabetic or a diabetic who quit smoking, can you give me any input?  Thanks!!!

Edited May 25, 20233 yr by Sandi149

Omg I’m so sorry you’re going through a tough one….it seriously is so hard, I cried and cried some days and to get through it I just let it all out which is something I hasn’t done in a long time. Watching tv or iPad or phone, eat something bad for u (I hear you on the carbs/sugar but I was told I’m prediabetic a few weeks after I quit and literally did not care for a few weeks, ate like shit. My dr totally agreed (gp and cardiologist lol), I’m also prescribed an anxiety med as needed and used that sometimes, talked to my dr, etc. You can so do it gf…how r u feeling now?

Edited May 25, 20233 yr by Brioski

Gotcha @Sandi149, no sweets. Not everyone craves for them after they quit so maybe you won't either 😊