Another newbie on board

[Keith]

Greetings to all on the QuitTrain, as this is the Introductions section and am new here I thought I would reach out and introduce myself.  My name is Keith and recently quit smoking for the umpteenth time.  Because I was inches from stealing one of my wife's cigarettes, I thought I would sitnsurf for a decent quit smoking lounge and just happened to stumble across the QuitTrain and signed up.

 

As for those who have quit, quit and relapsed (as I have done) and for those just starting out on this smoke free journey.  I hope to meet/greet, give/take advise to the folks on this board.

 

Keith

[DenaliBlues]

Hey, @Keith. Welcome to the Quit Train! So glad you found us!

 

Lots of us have struggled to quit and relapsed many times. So you’re not alone. This is a really tough addiction to beat. But Quit Train is a wonderful forum where you can get useful info/perspectives as well as encouragement, distraction and connection. It’s helped me and many other people to quit smoking for good! 

 

The first part of withdrawal can be grim, but if you can make it through things get MUCH better on the other side. Talking things through with other quitters helps. 

 

What are you doing to manage your cravings?  And what are your motivations for quitting?

 

Let us know how things are going!

 

 

[SD2026]

Welcome to QuitTrain @Keith and well done on your quit so far! The early stages are tough but with help from here and using methods that work for you, you can do this. That's what I'm telling myself too and it's working so far.  

 

It can't be easy having the temptation of having cigarettes in your home.  Maybe your wife can hide them from you until at least the early stages of quitting are over to help you.  There are many excellent reading materials on here to help also and I'd recommend checking in on the NOPE thread each day to pledge not to smoke taking each day as it comes. If you feel you're going to cave in and nothing else works, post on here and someone can help. 

 

 

 

[Doreensfree]

Hi Kieth 

Welcome aboard 

We have tons of great information here to help you along .

Good place to start are the green pinned posts on the Main Discussion Thread 

I agree with asking your wife nicely could she smoke away from you , or you distance yourself when she does smoke 

You never know she may join you when she sees you freeing yourself 

Stay close to the board , ask as many questions you may have , we have heard it all 

You can do it , you just need to want it bad enough

[Reciprocity]

Hi Keith! Welcome aboard the Quit Train. Tons of info about quitting available here so check the place out. You'll probably learn some valuable stuff. Also, you'll never get the degree of support that this place offers anywhere else. There's no better place than here for support from other X-smokers who get what quitting is all about and the challengs we all come up against so, stick around ... it'll be worth it!

[QuittingGirl]

Welcome @Keith So glad you found us.  You have come to the right place for support because our members are great and full of advice and support.  I truly believe to be succesful in quitting smoking, you need a good support system.  Stick around here and read as much as you can.  You can do this!

[Keith]

Thank you for the responses! 

 

SD2026, the last time I seriously quit smoking was within a physical support group sponsored through my Health Insurance where we all met once a week on Saturday's.  Meeting together as a group we discussed our successes, trials and tribulations and that was a big help.  In today's world, I find it very hard to find anything similar to that type of support group in a physical setting.  Thank you for the invitation and recommending the different thread types found here.

 

Temptation of having cigarettes in the home? Maybe I am just different or maybe others can relate?  I look at cigarettes in the home as a security blanket. When there are no cigarettes to be had, it seems I need to go buy a pack not to be completely out.  When they are there, it is a choice not to smoke. I know, seems counter productive but is what it is.

 

DenaliBlues, not sure if I should post this here or perhaps a different thread?  Anyway, here goes: What are my motivations for quitting? As a smoker for 48 years, the health effects are rearing their heads. Wheezing when laying horizontally, issues with my limbs (blaming it on poor oxygen circulation from smoking), etc.

 

Craving management? I know from past experiences, it only takes one smoke to upset the entire apple cart. I've been quit now for 8 weeks and the first five were hell. From severe cravings, coughing 24/7, extracting the flu, sinus/ear infections (Running through head, man, quitting smoking shouldn't be this way). Knowing after 8 weeks nicotine has been long expelled from the body. These cravings I feel are not from nicotine withdrawal as that nicotine is long gone. I tell myself that these cravings are thoughts and these thoughts will probably come and go for the rest of my life so change them. This is my current craving management.

 

Thank you, Doreensfree for that advise on the posts and boards.  It looks like I have much traveling to do across this site. My wife does keep her distance when she smokes.  Actually, we haven't smoked in the house since the fist kid was born and now are empty nesters. The problem is I know where she hides her smokes and if I didn't? And wanted one bad enough, I would find them.  I feel everyone could agree with me there LOL. She is right behind me in regards to quitting and says she is looking at me as a role model.  She said the other day, if I can quit, anyone can. Yes, I will be sticking close to this board as time allows.

 

Thank you Reciprocity, this is exactly the board I was looking for. I feel I got lucky by deciding to choosing this board to sign up with.

 

Thank you QuittingGirl, and agree with you 100% a support system is by far one of the greatest tools for success in quitting smoking. Pulling this journey alone I feel is dangerous. We all know the lies we will tell ourselves just to have that one smoke.

 

Make it a great day everyone!

Edited 11 hours ago by Keith

[DenaliBlues]

3 hours ago, Keith said:

I know from past experiences, it only takes one smoke to upset the entire apple cart

^^^ This! Oh yes.

 

Because Addict Mind will spin all kinds of rationale to justify smoking again. But it’s just a trap. Because 1 is too many and 1000 is not nearly enough, right? It’s worth grinding through, because getting that monkey off your back forever is PRICELESS! 

 

In the meantime, let those cravings float by. Stay busy and distracted. Cravings are mere  commercials for junk you don’t wanna buy any more.  Change the proverbial channel! 

[Cbdave]

Gday

 

If you have just one you will be right back where you started, and where you started was desperately wishing you were where you are right now. - Marvitta

 

an oldy but a goody

[SD2026]

7 hours ago, Keith said:

"I tell myself that these cravings are thoughts and these thoughts will probably come and go for the rest of my life so change them. This is my current craving management"

 

I like this as part of your craving management @Keith! Seems obvious but at times the cravings really can take over and rational thoughts goes out the window!  It's just a thought can be my new mantra.