April 7, 201610 yr Dear users, I go by the name of Carlos, I'm yet again another member that has the same objective has the last one, quit the addiction! I'm currently on nicotine patches as my work position wouldn't profit me to go cold turkey, my attitude and character is a must in order to obtain the best results, Today I celebrate my 5th day without smoking and I couldn't feel happier, as time passes by, the more fulfilled I get. My current trick to be able to sustain my cravings is having an half pack of cigarettes with me at all times, in the package a personal promise is written and every time my stress tricks my mind and I try to pick it up, my conscious knows that what's written in there is way more important than the excuses that my body makes to allow my mouth to get another puff into my lungs. The goal is the same as all, be able to achieve the life that I once knew, healthy, even better looking and most definitely free. Many thanks, Carlos
April 7, 201610 yr Welcome aboard Carlos and congratulations on making one of the best decisions of your life. You mentioned stress and that was a big issue for most of us when we quit. It is important to know that cigarettes do not actually help us deal with stress. The only thing smoking during a time of stress does is temporarily relieve the withdrawal symptoms. Smoking in no way, shape, or form aids us in dealing with the actual stressor. Smoking only solves the problem created by smoking. And since nicotine levels drop significantly faster when we are stressed, the withdrawal relief diminishes quicker. It is a vicious cycle. Your attitude is vital. Remain calm...Withdrawal symptoms cease. Cravings go away. Nicotine addiction cannot throw anything at you that you cannot handle with relative ease. Simply commit to never putting a cigarette in your mouth and lighting it on fire. Simple. Go forth and don't smoke. Enjoy the ride.
April 7, 201610 yr Welcome, Carlos! So glad you have joined us! There is lots of wonderful information, here, and even more wonderful people. Let us know how we can help!
April 8, 201610 yr Hi Carlos, nice to meet you and congratulations :good: The old 'I'll keep half a pack with me at all times to help me quit' trick, eh? Tried that one myself also. In fact, even when I quit for good forever and a day ago, I keep a bunch in my drawer at work... I soon managed to find some other poor sap to pass them onto, once I felt I no longer needed such a security blanket. It is strange if you think about it - keeping hold of something that you have no intention of ever using again - but I suppose that people can be strange in general ;) Keep up the good work, and don't stick anything in your mouth and light it on fire! You will be chucking that half pack down the toilet in no time :good:
April 8, 201610 yr Hi Calos, welcome to the QT. I too first quit with a patch and I also kept a open pack of cigs in the house. I thought that keeping them around made me stronger, as in I can smoke when I want but I choose not to. However, I changed my min in a few days and threw them away. I found it better to try to avoid even looking a cigs and avoid people smoking in the beginning. Out of sight, out of mind. Now I don't care for the most part. Think about throwing the cigs away and keeping the promise note.
April 8, 201610 yr I was carrying a pack full of old butts to smell as recovery Aromatherapy, nothing beats an ashtray smell . I don't need it any more .
April 8, 201610 yr Welcome aboard Carlos... The journey on this fabulous train,will take you all the way to freedom... All the support to succeed...is right here... Congrats..
April 8, 201610 yr Author I appreciate the warm welcome and all the advice from you guys, it is truly inspirational. Can't go wrong with such amount of positive people in one place. Thank you.
April 8, 201610 yr Welcome Carlos to the train That half a pack in pocket sounds like a very hard trick to master! Good luck to you!
April 10, 201610 yr Welcome. How you feeling? Hope all is good for you. I just wanted to explain something I learnt here. Stress causes all the nicotine to drain from your system (I imagine a blood thing but am not a scientist lol). So in essence, you instantly crave nicotine, you smoke and that craving is eased. When you are a non smoker, that physical craving does not happen! Because all the nicotine is already gone. To start, you might "think" I want to smoke because it was your habit, but the physical push to do so is gone. In time, the thought of "oh I would have smoked under these conditions" has gone too. Meaning non smokers, actually seem to handle stress MUCH BETTER then smokers. I mention this as it really got on my nerves that I'd told myself for years that smoking "eased my stress levels" and truly believed it when in reality, I am far calmer as a non smoker anyway as those peaks and troughs of nicotine in and out simply don't happen. x
April 10, 201610 yr Welcome Carlos!!! Such a great decision you have made! I love your note, but for me, having smokes around was not a good idea at all. I started a list of all the benefits and reasons to not smoke and kept it on my phone. I loved this because I could add to it anytime and check it out if I needed a reminder. Dear users, The goal is the same as all, be able to achieve the life that I once knew, healthy, even better looking and most definitely free. Many thanks, Carlos Also, I love your goals! You will achieve all of these when you stop smoking - and so many more! Call me shallow, but vanity was a big motivator for me as well, not only did I stink and look stupid smoking, but my teeth were yellowing, and I was getting those wrinkles around my mouth. I was skinny in an unhealthy way. ICK!!! I feel so much better now, healthy, strong and that nagging cough/throat clearing is gone! I used to work in sales and I was so embarrassed when I would have to clear my throat - that is GONE now!!! Also the freedom you gain gives you so much inner strength and self-confidence, which it sounds like would serve you well in your work. We'd love to hear how your quit is going and be here to support you!
April 11, 201610 yr I just wanted to explain something I learnt here. Stress causes all the nicotine to drain from your system (I imagine a blood thing but am not a scientist lol). According to Joel at whyquit.com (please check him out!) it's actually an acidic urine thing. I don't think we need to know anything more about that. But Marti's spot on about everything else. And like her, I'm a much calmer ex-smoker than I ever was as a smoker. We'd all love to hear how you're doing!
April 11, 201610 yr Author Currently on my 9th day,Everything has been fine so far, honestly I thought this time would be worse since I had a day to start, a reminder why not to give up but so far I haven't thought about any of it, I just feel fed up of smoking it's like when you hear that one song over and over again that it just starts bothering you, Been out for drinks with friends, before I couldn't see myself drinking without a smoke break, this time I drank, I went outside with my smoking friends, can't lie and say that it didn't affect me which it did but I thought It would be worse. Doing well so far.
April 11, 201610 yr Been out for drinks with friends, before I couldn't see myself drinking without a smoke break, this time I drank, I went outside with my smoking friends, can't lie and say that it didn't affect me which it did but I thought It would be worse. It's a funny thing. I thought being around people smoking would be a major trigger, but even in the first few days it really didn't bother me. I observed, made my decision, and moved on. Doing well so far. Right on track.
April 11, 201610 yr Currently on my 9th day, Everything has been fine so far, honestly I thought this time would be worse since I had a day to start, a reminder why not to give up but so far I haven't thought about any of it, I just feel fed up of smoking it's like when you hear that one song over and over again that it just starts bothering you, Been out for drinks with friends, before I couldn't see myself drinking without a smoke break, this time I drank, I went outside with my smoking friends, can't lie and say that it didn't affect me which it did but I thought It would be worse. Doing well so far. Brilliant...this is what I call...jumping in with both feet..when enough is enough..My fav..smoking is not on the table...ever...this means being around your smoking friends ect... Don't forget your treats... With all that lovely money your saving.. Well done.. X
April 11, 201610 yr Hey Carlos...I'm late to the welcoming party....but....welcome! It looks like you have a good grasp on what needs to be done to make this a successful quit... The addiction is sneaky!! Stay vigilant !!!
April 15, 201610 yr Author Ah! After 10 years of being a 1 way street smoker it totally feels good to celebrate my 2nd week! And guess who's starting to thank me ? Hey Carlos...I'm late to the welcoming party....but....welcome!It looks like you have a good grasp on what needs to be done to make this a successful quit...The addiction is sneaky!! Stay vigilant !!! Hi Joe, No worries, I appreciate the welcoming, same as any. Thank you, Carlos
April 26, 201610 yr Hey Carlos. How is it going? Did you get straight back on the train? We haven't heard from you. Check in and update us....
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