Last night I had my last cigarette. Help me keep it that way!

[FallenSky]

As above, read Allen Carrs easyway book. I genuinely do get it, it obviously makes so much sense. I don't WANT to smoke. It's disgusting, it stinks, it's expensive and causing untold amount of damage to my body. But I certainly don't have this amazing feeling that is written about in the book, I'm not enjoying it even though I know it's a good thing.

If you are an ex smoker please talk to me about the first few days/weeks and how you made sure not to give in. I REALLY want to be a non smoker for the rest of my life.

I reinforced the words 'I want to be a non smoker' by changing my habits ie first cig and coffee on the balcony became yoga and juice on the balcony . Coffee break at work with a fag became writing my shopping list in the tea room with a cuppa.
Just break out of those in normally have one now ' times and do something different at those times -ie form new habits that are more constructive or better for you etc.

Those first few days are really hard, I spent a lot of time thinking about being a non-smoker, so I was constantly aware that I was currently not having a cigarette.

After that it gets better, every now and again it occurs to me, particularly when I'm with other smokers, how I used to get stressed and grumpy every few hours, every day, as the nicotine wore off. Most of the time I just don't think about smoking and whenever I do it's a positive, like everything smells nice today, or I walked up a steep hill without getting out of breath.

Tor me the best bit is when you get to a day when it doesn't even occur to you that you're a non-smoker, because you're just not thinking about smoking any more.

Good luck - you can do this!

What really kept me stopped was an image of me dying of lung cancer in a hospice and having to explain to my children that I was dying from something that I could have prevented, but I hadn't been bothered enough to do so.

I'm not for one moment suggesting that lung cancer is the fault of the patient, but that's the harsh image I kept in mind to make sure I didn't pick up another cigarette.

Years ago when I gave up there was an advert on tv where a man was smoking and the cigarette turned into a tumour which he carried on smoking.

It made me feel really ill just thinking about it so every time I wanted a cigarette I thought of smoking a tumour. Probably a bit niche but it worked for me!

Agree with pp, change up your routines so you're not doing the things your brain associates with smoking.

If you do slip up, please don't be too hard on yourself.

Good luck!

I went on a smoking break. When I quit, I had the idea that I was going to start again when I was in my 50s. It worked. I haven't had a ciggerette in 12 years and I don't intend to start. Although, I loved smoking and I love the smell (I will stand beside friends who smoke) I've no intention of starting again.

It’s been over 10 years since I had even a puff.

These first two weeks are so so hard, so WHATEVER your need to get through them and then things will get much easier

I also read the book, I'm 8 days down now.
I find that when I'm wanting a cigarette, I immediately change my thought to I'm so happy I don't have to do that any more.

This is my second time quitting, the first time was five years and not a single cigarette, nor did I miss it. I only started again after I split from my husband.

I'm confident it will get easier and I have whole chunks of time I dont think about it, and remind myself this stretches are only going to get longer.

Good luck, the futures going to be awesome.

I did the same as you bluebella! I stopped at 35, said I would start again at 60, after a couple of days I brought it down to 55, and then to 50 as it got harder 😬

My biggest incentive was the opinion of a couple of my friends who I felt would judge me for failing. Not the most honourable of motivations I suppose. But it definitely hardened my resolve.

I avoided alcohol for three weeks and rewarded myself with a new top after getting through the first really tough week.

I remember realising one day after about 3 weeks that it wasn’t my first thought when I woke up that morning and I really felt I’d cracked it.

I’m 50 now. I didn’t start again and I can honestly say I have no desire ever to.

Good luck! And remember if you cave temporarily and have one, or even a few on a night out, don’t beat yourself up, tomorrow is another day and you ARE still giving up.

Any support here?
I'm ten days in and having a wobble. My partner quit smoking and started vaping. I am tempted to try this

I quit 4 weeks ago today as I found out I was pregnant. It is my fourth attempt at quitting with my longest being 3 months with an e-cig. I’ve got to say I have found it easier without the e-cig. I’ve only gone cold turkey as there’s not enough studies yet on the damage vaping or e-cigs can do so don’t want to risk it carrying a baby.

First few days were really awful and it didn’t help we had friends over where I had to watch everyone drink and smoke without me on Day 3 (very partial to a few glasses of wine as well!). I’ve found the “firsts” most difficult. I.e. first few times in those situations where I would usually smoke. However after being in those situations a few times it’s like your brain retrains itself to create new associations so it’s really just getting through those “firsts”. Yes, it’s uncomfortable but the connections do weaken until it’s manageable and eventually there comes a point where you realise you didn’t think about it and hadn’t noticed. I just realised that I went to the shop yesterday and didn’t think about my cigarette on the walk home.

However I will say this has been a quicker process without the aid of the e-cig. I think it was initially a lot harder without it but the e-cig seemed to prolong those connections and I thought about smoking a proper cigarette a lot more. But that is just my experience.