Tobacco/Smoke-Free Roll Call

[MossRose]

Tobacco/Smoke-Free Roll Call

I'm sorry I keep butting in here (pun intended), but I forgot to mention that I also used alternate nostril breathing when I got a craving to smoke. Google it. It really helps and I was a total skeptic. Got me calm enough to work through it.

[skullbabyland]

Tobacco/Smoke-Free Roll Call

K9 and Lead... good luck with cutting down/quitting... any progress made is good progress!

Day 24 cig-free. I'm happily surprised that I've stuck with it so far.

[skullbabyland]

Tobacco/Smoke-Free Roll Call

Day 25

[skullbabyland]

Tobacco/Smoke-Free Roll Call

Day 26

[Anonygurl]

Tobacco/Smoke-Free Roll Call

I'm on (approximately) day 12. I forget the exact day I quit. It's kind of amazing because after the 8th or 9th day I haven't had many cravings. I chew the gum and even notice that I've forgotten to chew any for long periods of time. I think I miss the breaks outside the most. It was my alone time. I got to step outside, guiltily, and have a 4-5 minute break. I want to start doing that again.

[skullbabyland]

Tobacco/Smoke-Free Roll Call

Anonygurl, good for you! I agree, it's easy after the second week or so.

I'm at a milestone today... Day 30 cig-free!! Yayyy (pats self on back) lol

[K9Lover]

Tobacco/Smoke-Free Roll Call

Yay Skull!!! :happy: You rock!!

I quit again, but I am not posting any stats for a while....I find it easier to not be constantly thinking about it!! I'll check in here every couple days...just to spy on you guys. LOL

[skullbabyland]

Tobacco/Smoke-Free Roll Call

Thanks K9 Wishing you good luck with quitting, do check in here from time to time!

Day 31 cig-free

[skullbabyland]

Tobacco/Smoke-Free Roll Call

Day 32

[SlipperyPete]

Tobacco/Smoke-Free Roll Call

Quick update - the Wellbutrin and lozenges worked. I've been dip and lozenge free for about 5 days now. Good luck to everyone else

[K9Lover]

Tobacco/Smoke-Free Roll Call

Skull - Do you still get cravings? About a year ago I managed to go EIGHTY-TWO days and then stupidly caved in, thinking I could quit again "no problem". Yeah right. I have no idea how I manage to go a week or so then just give in. It's less the nicotine addiction for me than the psychological one. Any advice on getting over the "mind games"? I gotta do this...seriously, as I am not getting any younger. LOL

[skullbabyland]

Tobacco/Smoke-Free Roll Call

K9- good questions. Now that I think about it, I do not get cravings for cigs anymore- though I do get slight cravings for the nicandies, and then I just pop one. They last a long time, like 30 min. So that more than satisfies the craving. And I am sure I am addicted to them, but I'm ok with that as long as I don't smoke cigs. I'm going to be stepping down this week from the 4mg nicandies to the 2mg, and I'm sure that won't be too bad.

As far as the mental games- I found that much more often that actually enjoying a cig, usually smoking represents a 5-10 minute break from work- which is sometimes a nice, needed break and sometimes procrastination. It's good to recognize the difference, even if you still indulge. Either way, I found that a good way to indulge in a break is TV shows, such as half hour comedy shows that I enjoy, which are actually 22 minutes without commercials. Shows like the Daily Show or something- they give me a fun, entertaining break, and 22 minutes is pretty easy/quick. Or cut the show in half for 2 11-minute breaks. That kind of thing. Granted, depending on your job that may be easier said than done. But if you have a tablet or something most shows can be streamed free online during a break. I also usually pair the show with a quick snack. Snack+comedy show= break.

Sometimes instead of a show it's just surfing some goofy or entertaining websites. Just anything to be distracted/entertained for a few minutes, really.

So yeah, I go through a lot of shows, and snacks. But I'm good with that as long as I don't smoke a cig.

That being said, the most important thing is not living a lifestyle where smoking is everywhere- which is usually around drinking. So I don't go to pubs/bars/rock shows much anymore at all. Though my sobriety is still new so that's incentive to stay away as well. The minute I have a beer (along with all the other problems that brings for me, being a drunk) I also light up a smoke. So that's the biggest no-no, for me. For that reason plus all the other obvious ones.

[skullbabyland]

Tobacco/Smoke-Free Roll Call

Day 34 cig free

[MossRose]

Tobacco/Smoke-Free Roll Call

Skull and Slippery - way to go!! K9 - the "mind games" are the toughest. I used to think of of smoking as a "reward." I know that sounds stupid, but I would finish a task and feel like I deserved a cigarette. It could have been anything - just weeding the garden, paying bills, a break at work, or cleaning the kitchen. But when I was done, I wanted to smoke to "complete" the task. Same thing after eating a meal. It was like dessert - a reward. It sound odd, but once I pinpointed the "reward" factor, it was easier to get through the cravings. I understood what games my mind was playing with me. This probably doesn't make any sense. So take what makes sense and throw away the rest. And I totally understand no counting. That's how I was with drinking. I found counting days to be almost counter-productive, although I know it helps most people. For me it was just a daily reminder. Anyway - hang in there, you can do this.

[skullbabyland]

Tobacco/Smoke-Free Roll Call

Day 35