Sheer willpower to quit smoking
I really thought it would get easier. |
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| Paula,
I always found the 6th week to be the hardest... this is jsut the mental stage now. The body has cleared all the toxins, all the physically addictive chemicals. Now it's in your head. This is the point where the thoughts like: "I'm tired of the cravings, I'm tired of the uncomfortable feelings, I'm just so TIRED of quitting already!" and "I can never have another cigarette for as long as I live" would creep into my head. I told that story to a motivational speaker, and he told me: "Ron you had it all wrong. When you had that thought, you needed to correct it to: 'I never have to have another cigarette again, for as long as I live!' ". I knew instantly he was correct. I said "Carl, if I had known you back then, I'd be a non smoker today." The next time I quit, sure enough I remembered Carl's advice. What a wonderful feeling! I never have to have another cigarette as long as I live! YipppEEEEEE!  I'm FREEEEEE!!!!! |
| That's the problem, Ron. I can't turn my thinking around. Part of me is so happy to be free of the "ball and chain" of smoking. But the other part still remembers how much I enjoyed it. I need to make the total leap. |
| OK, then, let's try some reward-based ideas.
What would you like to do that you couldn't do before as a smoker, or had to worry about as a smoker? One thing I was really happy about was that I didn't have to leave a movie in the middle to go outside for a smoke. Do you like movies? How about really long ones, like a 3 hour deal? Another was taking a flight somewhere; I knew it was going to be 4 or 5 hours minimum between the last one outside the airport through check-in, through waiting at the gate, the flight and baggage retrieval. Maybe you could take a little celebration trip! If you're served by Southwest, you can get a flight for about what you've already saved! Did someone say a weekend in Vegas? How about someplace WARM for a weekend!?! Hmmm let's see... Joan suggests a museum trip, a fancy (non-smoking) restaurant... What can YOU come up with? |
| you can do!!i havent had a cig in I think almost 4weeks,the cravings have died down.what is working for me is the patch,and every time i want a smoke i think "Ok Tanya is this smoke worth 2mths off your life w/o being around for your kids?"So far it works. Sundays when the boyfriend is home ALL day seems too be the day i need a cig the most..uhmmmmmm wonder why???  your stronger than that cig trust me,yu really are!! |
| I'm only 5 days without a smoke the cravings aren't too bad but the tablets the doctor gave me are helping, and I"m reaching for the chewing gum every time a craving hits.
I didn't smoke for about 6 months last year and silly me started again. This time I'm determined it's permanent. I just keep thinking about all the sheepies I can buy with all the money I save  |
Sammy's Mum wrote: I just keep thinking about all the sheepies I can buy with all the money I save Great idea!!!
You can do it! I found expanding my lungs as much as possible when I got a "tight" feeling really helped a lot, too. Breathe in as deeply as you can and hold it for a couple of seconds... then "sip in" as much more as you can, even if it's just a tiny bit, hold it for a few seconds and repeat a couple of times. Then let the air out slowly, and feel all that tension in your lungs just go right out of you. Sometimes I let it out fast and that felt good too. Let us know if we can help! |
Ron wrote: Sammy's Mum wrote: I just keep thinking about all the sheepies I can buy with all the money I save Great idea!!!You can do it! I found expanding my lungs as much as possible when I got a "tight" feeling really helped a lot, too. Breathe in as deeply as you can and hold it for a couple of seconds... then "sip in" as much more as you can, even if it's just a tiny bit, hold it for a few seconds and repeat a couple of times. Then let the air out slowly, and feel all that tension in your lungs just go right out of you. Sometimes I let it out fast and that felt good too. Let us know if we can help! I'll give that a try Thanks Ron |
| I quit for a year, then started up again for a couple years.
I bought a bunch of patches but could never get them to stay lit. Then I met my Wife (Through an Ebay Transaction) and had to try to hide it for awhile. I was finally able to quit for good? 5 years ago before our Son was born, by telling myself this Cigarette wouldn't have to be the last..I'd bum one off a co-worker once a month whether I wanted one or not. Then, 6-8 Cigarettes (months) later, I could't stand the queezyness or smell, or taste of even one...I had another one 4 months ago, just to remind myself how bad they are... Even after reading all this, I have no desire to even be around 2nd hand smoke.. and seeing someone smoke on tv doesn't automatically make me think about lighting up one for myself. Good luck to you all! It can be done -Jamie |
| You ca do it, Pray pray pray!!!! |
| 6th week and going strong. I want to offer an idea that has worked for me when I crave for a puff. 10 push ups...... Thats it!!! |
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