AIBU to have a sudden realisation...

[ScarletLady02]

It's been 7 years this week since I gave up smoking! So people, if you want motivation to quit, then please just know it CAN be done!

[Hobby2014]

Congratulations! I bet it's one of the best things you've ever done. X

[ScarletLady02]

Yep! I know it's fucking hard, my DH still smokes. I just woke up one day and wanted to do it. I genuinely feel that you have to want to do it or it won't work...

[Tiswineoclocksomewhere]

That's fantastic - well done!

[ScarletLady02]

I just felt a little proud and wanted people out there who are struggling with it to know there is light at the end of that smoky ol' tunnel!

[BuggarMeGently]

Wow. It's been just over 8 months for me. Two slip ups...do you ever crave cigs?

[InkleWinkle]

Well you have every right to be proud!
And a role model for other people.

[StrawberryTartYum]

Well done! I'm 3 months now but still want one every day ... How do you cope when you've had a drink? It's my first night out tomorrow since I stopped and I'm not sure how I'll do! Congrats again!

[HemlockStarglimmer]

Twelve years and six months this coming Monday. No slip ups

Every other time I've tried to stop, after a year or so I've had the occasional one given by a friend and then maybe two and before too long I'm buying my own again. This time it seems to have stuck. Marrying a non-smoker is a big help. Losing my oldest and dearest friend to lung cancer is another huge incentive.

[GrandpaPig]

How bizarre?!
I've had exactly the same realisation today, about exactly the same time frame!
(I discovered I was pregnant the same day I suddenly felt nauseous about smoking and just stopped. That's why I know my dates)

[ScarletLady02]

I still get cravings from time to time...I'm not going to lie. I smoked for around 8 years so still longer than I've given up for.

I gave up just before the smoking ban came into effect (the March, and it started in July), I remember it well. My main reason for giving up was my looks if I'm honest. I remember watching 10 Years Younger and seeing the doctors saying how much smoking aged you...sounds silly and vain but it gave me the kick up the arse, plus I wanted it over and done with by the time the smoking ban came in.

If I'm honest, I did it at the right time...I really wanted to do it, so the will-power just sort of happened for me. I get that not everyone is that lucky, my DH has tried so many times.

[RedFocus]

3 years for my dh and I. Don't miss it at all. Well done op

[BuggarMeGently]

How long were we all smoking for? I had my first one at 5 believe it or not...an was 31 when I quit!

[HappyAgainOneDay]

ScarletLady02 I agree. I can tell from my friends' faces who used to smoke (women anyway). It's not just the extra wrinkles on their faces, smoking also makes the voice more gruff so you can always tell whether someone smokes or used to.

That said, my mother smoked heavily but she looked about 55 when she was 80 ...... She'd given up only when she had to have a mastectomy.

I've never smoked.

[HexBramble]

Well done you OP - you have every reason to feel proud.

Hemlock, you too. Your poor friend

[Joysmum]

Yay, good for you.

I have up 18 years ago and I still feel ex smoker rather than non smoker because if I had one puff I reckon I'd go back to it.

When I think of how much it'd cost to smoke now . I gave up prompted by money, rather than health, because it reached £2.25p for 20 B&H! The money is costs to smoke is enough to fund my horse owning dreams!

Of course the biggest reason for giving up ought to be health but it simply wasn't for me.

[MostlyMama]

Well done OP, I stopped in November last year and still going strong. Feels good :)

[Cactuar]

Well done OP!! I have given up for about a year now and is definitely the best thing I have ever done. The great thing is I no longer even get cravings (which I always used to on my previous several attempts at stopping). I always used to think that once you were a smoker you would always crave cigarettes for the rest of your life even after stopping (my dad says he still fancies a cigarette after 20 years) but it does not have to be like that. You kind of have to reverse brainwash yourself into thinking how disgusting cigarettes actually taste and smell. I would really recommend the Alan Carr book as that really helped me.

[InAGrump]

Bravo OP! For me (stopped for 2 years), smoking is an all or nothing thing. Once 2 months had passed, I was able to see that I liked smoking, I probably really enjoyed 10 of those cigarettes a week, but to find the great cigarettes I had to smoke 200 other ones, and my health is more important than those cigarettes.

I mean, I really like cream cakes, but I'd be killing myself if I ate 20 a day!

I smoked more than 20 a day

I still have a lot of cream cakes

[juneybean]

Fantastic well done!!

[poorbuthappy]

2 years and 1 week here. No slip ups which is a bloody miracle because I loved smoking.
Problem is now I have to tackle the weight.
So next week I am applying my Will power to food and running.

[ScarletLady02]

I did put on a fair bit of weight when I first quit (about a stone and a half all in all I think). I'm still not back to my "pre-quitting" weight but I was 23 and I've had a child since, so I'm not too bothered.

Well done to everyone else!

The only thin that pisses me off is that when I go out I either end up in the smoking area anyway, or I'm the "drinks minder" for everyone while they go out. Nearly all of my friends smoke.

[mrssnodge]

I social smoked for 15 yrs, all my friends smoked regularly and although I enjoyed at the time with a drink, I could not stand the way it made me feel afterwards( pLus hangover), I never got totally hooked, could always take it or leave it- I only stopped after I stopped going out regular, and now after 10 yrs Im one of those- anti smoking- cant stand the smell types!
When I now see my friends who still continue to smoke, I see the bad skin, yellow teeth, _( one of those has lost 5 teeth due to gum disease) Im so glad I gave up- now if I could just give up my crisp /wine addiction!