The next step - giving up smoking.

Stan_Lite · 10-05-2009, 20:55

As part of my "cleaning up my lifestyle" programme, I always stated that, when I got below 15 stone, I'd pack in the fags. Well, the time has come. I weighed myself yesterday and I was 14 stone 13.5lbs. As of sometime later this evening, I will be an ex smoker.

I'm really not looking forward to this. So far, I've changed a hell of a lot about my lifestyle. I've started eating a healthy, balanced diet, I've started taking regular exercise and I've cut my alcohol consumption drastically - this has seen my weight drop by over 30lbs since the end of January.

All that is a piece of piss compared to what I'm about to undertake. I've been a smoker since I was 17 (nearly 27 years) and have tried and failed many times to quit during that time. For the non-smokers amongst you, quitting nicotine is very very difficult. it is a highly addictive drug and it's hold on you is phenomenal.

I'm hoping the determination and will power I have applied to the rest of the programme will carry over into this, the final part of the plan.

I have some nicotine chewing gum in case the cravings become intolerable during the first few days but I'm hoping I can go completely "cold turkey". That's where you guys come in. I would appreciate the same sort of encouragement I've been getting for the weight loss/exercise phase of the plan.

I'll post regularly to let you know how I'm getting on and I will be honest. If I start to weaken, that's when I'll need the help and encouragement of my friends.

Thank you for reading

I'm scared

Tak · 10-05-2009, 20:57

You can do it Stan

Good luck xx

Knipples · 10-05-2009, 21:03

You can do it Stan, feel free to contact me if you're having a wobble.
Im sure you know this already but the actual physical cravings only last for 2 minutes at a time so if you can get through that two minutes by keeping yourself busy until you forget about it (until the next one comes along obviously - its just about keeping yourself distracted

)
Good luck x

Stan_Lite · 10-05-2009, 21:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knipples

You can do it Stan, feel free to contact me if you're having a wobble.
Im sure you know this already but the actual physical cravings only last for 2 minutes at a time so if you can get through that two minutes by keeping yourself busy until you forget about it (until the next one comes along obviously - its just about keeping yourself distracted

)
Good luck x

I've got a full day planned tomorrow including; moving furniture, my usual walks, washing and polishing the car, taking photos of shiny car, killing bad guys on the PC and basically anything I can think of to keep my hands and mind occupied.

Del Lardo · 10-05-2009, 21:10

Best of luck. I suggest you buy a bag of carrot sticks to munch on when a craving hits.

Stan_Lite · 10-05-2009, 21:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Del Lardo

Best of luck. I suggest you buy a bag of carrot sticks to munch on when a craving hits.

I've heard that tip before. I have a bag of my favourite Chantenay carrots in the fridge I can chew on if need be.

Aitch · 10-05-2009, 21:13

Good for you Stan. Keep posting and we can all remind you of the positive benefits of sticking to it

Mark · 10-05-2009, 21:15

Someone once pointed out a site that shows roughly how much you've saved by not smoking. Try putting the money you would have spent aside and treat yourself as a reward. If nothing else, it gives you something to look forward to for keeping at it.

Whatever happens, good luck and I'm really impressed with how far you've come. I've lost a little myself but not even close to what you've done.

Haly · 10-05-2009, 21:16

Good luck

When my Dad gave up smoking a pipe, he started eating pomegranates and found that helped a treat. It kept him busy 'preparing' it so to speak like he would have done with his pipe.
Don't know if it'll help you as it's a different sort of thing but never know

Kitten · 10-05-2009, 21:17

Good on you Stan, you can do it

As an ex-smoker, anytime you want to talk you know where I am!

10-05-2009, 20:55	#1
Stan_Lite Stan, Stan the FLASHER MAN! Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: In bed with your sister Posts: 5,483	The next step - giving up smoking. As part of my "cleaning up my lifestyle" programme, I always stated that, when I got below 15 stone, I'd pack in the fags. Well, the time has come. I weighed myself yesterday and I was 14 stone 13.5lbs. As of sometime later this evening, I will be an ex smoker. I'm really not looking forward to this. So far, I've changed a hell of a lot about my lifestyle. I've started eating a healthy, balanced diet, I've started taking regular exercise and I've cut my alcohol consumption drastically - this has seen my weight drop by over 30lbs since the end of January. All that is a piece of piss compared to what I'm about to undertake. I've been a smoker since I was 17 (nearly 27 years) and have tried and failed many times to quit during that time. For the non-smokers amongst you, quitting nicotine is very very difficult. it is a highly addictive drug and it's hold on you is phenomenal. I'm hoping the determination and will power I have applied to the rest of the programme will carry over into this, the final part of the plan. I have some nicotine chewing gum in case the cravings become intolerable during the first few days but I'm hoping I can go completely "cold turkey". That's where you guys come in. I would appreciate the same sort of encouragement I've been getting for the weight loss/exercise phase of the plan. I'll post regularly to let you know how I'm getting on and I will be honest. If I start to weaken, that's when I'll need the help and encouragement of my friends. Thank you for reading I'm scared __________________ Just because I have a short attention span doesn't mean I...

10-05-2009, 20:57	#2
Tak L'Oréal Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Portsmouth Posts: 9,977	You can do it Stan Good luck xx __________________ The look on your face when a toddler rips out your heart and shows it to you? Priceless.... For everything else, there's FWOOSH!

10-05-2009, 21:13	#7
Aitch The Bride Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Maidstone Posts: 749	Good for you Stan. Keep posting and we can all remind you of the positive benefits of sticking to it __________________

10-05-2009, 21:16	#9
Haly Do you want to hide in my box? Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 14,941	Good luck When my Dad gave up smoking a pipe, he started eating pomegranates and found that helped a treat. It kept him busy 'preparing' it so to speak like he would have done with his pipe. Don't know if it'll help you as it's a different sort of thing but never know __________________ Halycopter

10-05-2009, 21:17	#10
Kitten Spinky-Spank Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: 668. The Neighbour of the Beast Posts: 11,226	Good on you Stan, you can do it As an ex-smoker, anytime you want to talk you know where I am! __________________ "You only get one life. There's no God, no rules, except for those you accept or create for yourself. Then once it's over... it's over. Dreamless sleep for ever and ever. So why not be happy while you're here?" Nate Fisher

10-05-2009, 21:10	#5
Del Lardo Absinthe Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Cambridge Posts: 2,539	Best of luck. I suggest you buy a bag of carrot sticks to munch on when a craving hits.

10-05-2009, 21:15	#8
Mark Screaming Orgasm Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Newbury Posts: 15,194	Someone once pointed out a site that shows roughly how much you've saved by not smoking. Try putting the money you would have spent aside and treat yourself as a reward. If nothing else, it gives you something to look forward to for keeping at it. Whatever happens, good luck and I'm really impressed with how far you've come. I've lost a little myself but not even close to what you've done.