Smoking

Wossi · 06-04-2009, 10:06

Yesterday afternoon I realised that I only had 1 cigarette left in my packet. I thought about walking to the shops and picking some more up but instead said to myself "why bother, let's see how long I last before neededing a smoke."

Fast forward to 10pm and I'm distracted, can't concentrate on anything and give in and smoke the last ciggy. Feel light headed and my heart races. Screw it, I think, no more.

So for the first time in 14 years of smoking I've gone over 12 hours without wanting a cigarette. Sure, I could easily give in and ask someone at work for 1, but with the new house coming up in June I'm going to need all the money I can so figured now is a good time to quit. I'm thinking of buying some grapes at lunch and everytime I feel I want to smoke I'll eat some grapes instead. Should distract me long enough, plus it's better than eating biscuits or crisps.

So wish me luck

Dymetrie · 06-04-2009, 10:12

*mourns the loss of another of his kin*

Good luck mate

Will · 06-04-2009, 11:50

Good for you and good luck!

phykell · 06-04-2009, 12:07

Best of luck Wossi - only advice I can give is to tell yourself that you are no longer a smoker, refuse to think of the things, don't discuss them with anyone, treat them as though they don't even exist, don't even say the word in your mind.

I did as you did - looked at the last one in my pack, smoked it and simply decided that I was no longer a smoker. I think Fishermans Friends lozenges helped me - probably the strong flavour I guess.

Jingo · 06-04-2009, 12:15

Prepare to enjoy food to it's fullest once more !

*Nyom nom nom*

Good for you - you're a non-smoker now and you'll benefit from it no end

cheets · 06-04-2009, 12:38

One thing I glad I never got hooked on, when I was a younger all my mates never smoked and we was always into sports playing for teams on just after school on the park, I have had a few cigs when I have been drunk but I could never smoke full time, it comes across as the most pointless and money wasting pass time going, plus what it does to your health.

Hope you can kick the habit.

Windle · 06-04-2009, 13:09

Welcome to the ranks of the healthier ex-smokers.

I quit about 4 years ago and my lungs, friends/girlfriend and wallet have been thanking me ever since.

If your serious about quitting, don't go out on the lash for at least a month. Or if you do, go with non-smokers.

The grape idea isn't bad, a lot of smoking is down to habit so anything to replace the "Ciggy break" is good. I switched to Cups of Tea, so I'm a bit of a caffeine junkie these days but it's better than the demon smoke.

iCraig · 06-04-2009, 13:24

I was totally stupid not too long ago and tried something. It was a moral support thing but still stupid at the same time, I took up smoking full time for 2 weeks to try and get addicted. And when quit. Why? The girlfriend is currently quitting and although she's a long term smoker, and my quick blast wasn't in comparison, I could at least relate to her somewhat now and share some of the issues properly. I did manage to quit and undoubedtly it's because it was a short term thing, if I'd have smoked for say, a year, I'd be doubtful of quitting. It is very difficult, no doubt about it.

As others have said, it's very much a routine thing, it was the breaks during the day that made it worthwhile, something to do. Client calls, open the front door, have a chat with them outside whilst having a smoke. I can TOTALLY see why people do it. Before long it's completely routine and natural.

Getting rid of that routine gets rid of a lot of the problems IMO, I replaced it with making and drinking a coffee instead (even more) and sometimes I didn't even drink all of the coffee, it was just the routine taking control again. Best of luck with it, keep the attitude in mind that you're a non-smoker. Not a smoker trying to quit, you've already quit by having the *last* one. You need that divide clear in your mind of the importance of what you've done.

Jingo · 06-04-2009, 14:13

Sean Lock:

Quote:

You think quitting smoking will save you money... No it won't... because I'll live longer! It's going to cost me a fortune in armchairs & conservatories!

Del Lardo · 06-04-2009, 15:49

Best of luck. I've 'quit' 5/6 times since I was 18 and it's never easy. I'm one of those annoying social smokers so until smoking is as bad as taking a wee on your mothers grave (probably not too long now) I doubt I'll quit for good.

06-04-2009, 10:06	#1
Wossi Absinthe Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: In the middle Posts: 1,385	Smoking Yesterday afternoon I realised that I only had 1 cigarette left in my packet. I thought about walking to the shops and picking some more up but instead said to myself "why bother, let's see how long I last before neededing a smoke." Fast forward to 10pm and I'm distracted, can't concentrate on anything and give in and smoke the last ciggy. Feel light headed and my heart races. Screw it, I think, no more. So for the first time in 14 years of smoking I've gone over 12 hours without wanting a cigarette. Sure, I could easily give in and ask someone at work for 1, but with the new house coming up in June I'm going to need all the money I can so figured now is a good time to quit. I'm thinking of buying some grapes at lunch and everytime I feel I want to smoke I'll eat some grapes instead. Should distract me long enough, plus it's better than eating biscuits or crisps. So wish me luck

06-04-2009, 10:12	#2
Dymetrie A large glass of Merlot Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Letchworth with a Lightsaber Posts: 5,819	mourns the loss of another of his kin Good luck mate __________________ Khef, Ka and Ka-Tet....

06-04-2009, 11:50	#3
Will BBx woz 'ere :P Join Date: Jan 1970 Posts: 2,147,487,208	Good for you and good luck! __________________ *No No!*

06-04-2009, 12:07	#4
phykell Vodka Martini Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 833	Best of luck Wossi - only advice I can give is to tell yourself that you are no longer a smoker, refuse to think of the things, don't discuss them with anyone, treat them as though they don't even exist, don't even say the word in your mind. I did as you did - looked at the last one in my pack, smoked it and simply decided that I was no longer a smoker. I think Fishermans Friends lozenges helped me - probably the strong flavour I guess. __________________

06-04-2009, 12:15	#5
Jingo Smother me in chocolate and eat flapjacks with it! Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: North Somerset Posts: 1,854	Prepare to enjoy food to it's fullest once more ! Nyom nom nom Good for you - you're a non-smoker now and you'll benefit from it no end __________________

06-04-2009, 12:38	#6
cheets Long Island Iced Tea Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 442	One thing I glad I never got hooked on, when I was a younger all my mates never smoked and we was always into sports playing for teams on just after school on the park, I have had a few cigs when I have been drunk but I could never smoke full time, it comes across as the most pointless and money wasting pass time going, plus what it does to your health. Hope you can kick the habit.

06-04-2009, 13:09	#7
Windle Columbian Coffee Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 77	Welcome to the ranks of the healthier ex-smokers. I quit about 4 years ago and my lungs, friends/girlfriend and wallet have been thanking me ever since. If your serious about quitting, don't go out on the lash for at least a month. Or if you do, go with non-smokers. The grape idea isn't bad, a lot of smoking is down to habit so anything to replace the "Ciggy break" is good. I switched to Cups of Tea, so I'm a bit of a caffeine junkie these days but it's better than the demon smoke.

06-04-2009, 13:24	#8
iCraig iCustom User Title Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 2,250	I was totally stupid not too long ago and tried something. It was a moral support thing but still stupid at the same time, I took up smoking full time for 2 weeks to try and get addicted. And when quit. Why? The girlfriend is currently quitting and although she's a long term smoker, and my quick blast wasn't in comparison, I could at least relate to her somewhat now and share some of the issues properly. I did manage to quit and undoubedtly it's because it was a short term thing, if I'd have smoked for say, a year, I'd be doubtful of quitting. It is very difficult, no doubt about it. As others have said, it's very much a routine thing, it was the breaks during the day that made it worthwhile, something to do. Client calls, open the front door, have a chat with them outside whilst having a smoke. I can TOTALLY see why people do it. Before long it's completely routine and natural. Getting rid of that routine gets rid of a lot of the problems IMO, I replaced it with making and drinking a coffee instead (even more) and sometimes I didn't even drink all of the coffee, it was just the routine taking control again. Best of luck with it, keep the attitude in mind that you're a non-smoker. Not a smoker trying to quit, you've already quit by having the last one. You need that divide clear in your mind of the importance of what you've done. __________________

06-04-2009, 15:49	#10
Del Lardo Absinthe Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Cambridge Posts: 2,539	Best of luck. I've 'quit' 5/6 times since I was 18 and it's never easy. I'm one of those annoying social smokers so until smoking is as bad as taking a wee on your mothers grave (probably not too long now) I doubt I'll quit for good.