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Original poster

Today is the day I QUIT!!!

27 replies

Blurry29 · 01/01/2012 08:36

Ok...

Today is D Day, DH and I are quitting smokIng, for good.

Never tried to quit before, never really wanted to quit before TBH

But I've now got to the stage where I hate it, I actually hate it!! I hate smelling like crap, I get paranoid about where I smoke (which I took as a sign that it was time to quit)

I won't smoke in public places (because I think it looks horrible)

I never smoke in my house anyway but hate going to relatives that smoke in their homes (their choice but I don't like it) etc etc etc

We're going cold turkey!! And at least we are doing it together.....

Anyone else quitting or has already quit??

Any words of wisdom to share?

DH and I have already agreed to help each other if we get stressed or narky etc

We have also agreed to not let food become the new habit etc

We want to feel healthier for our DS (5) and we want to save the money.

I am nearly 30 smoked for 15 years and DH is nearly 39 and has probably smoked for nearly 20

Any advice or tricks to remeber would be great

Happy new year xx

OP posts:
bagelmonkey · 01/01/2012 08:39

Good luck!
From now on you are an ex-smoker.
Don't give up. If you have a lapse, just remember you are an ex-smoker and move on. Don't give up on giving up, IYSWIM.

Happy new year.

Pippaandpolly · 01/01/2012 08:39

Read Allen Carr's book-it's brilliant. Horribly written, really irritating and repetitive style, but it basically just repeats all the reasons not to smoke over and over again until you find yourself agreeing! I went 'cold turkey' from 20 a day this way and honestly didn't want another cigarette. It wasn't will power because I wasn't craving. Good luck!

tooearlymustdache · 01/01/2012 08:44

I gave up smoking 7 years ago after many a couple of failed attempts - it's hard, i won't deny that, and there are the odd times when i could cheerfully spark up another, but the smell really does put me off!

you need to get rid of all ashtrays/lighters/cigs, take a look in the bottom of you handbag - i bet there's a small 'dune' of tobacco that has dropped out of packets, clean that out too.

and like bagel says, you are now an ex-smoker, and don't sweat it if you lapse, but count the cash you're saving

good luck!

Original poster
Blurry29 · 01/01/2012 08:44

Thank you everyone. SmileSmile xx

OP posts:
ToothbrushThief · 01/01/2012 08:59

Well done
Fresher breath
Better health
Your lungs will start to clear
Your arteries and veins will stop being choked
Your risk of mouth cancer will return to normal
Better skin
You won't smell like the carpet in a pub
Money!

What more reasons do you need?

StealthPolarBear · 01/01/2012 09:01

Well done OP. By this time next year cigarettes won't even cross your mind.

talkingnonsense · 01/01/2012 09:05

Put the cigarette money in a jar and see how quickly it mounts up- then buy lovely things/ days out with it.

dukeofpork · 01/01/2012 09:09

Keep yourself our of situations/places/people's company in which you would normally smoke. Just for a couple of weeks if possible.
Good luck!
And I second the Allen Carr book. A friend of mine went to one of his seminars and found it brilliant - but expensive!

onanightlikethis · 01/01/2012 09:13

I quit on Christmas day. Just decided I didnt want to smoke anymore. No cravings, feel better already. Hubby is still smoking but I'm not tempted. Stick with it.

HeidiHole · 01/01/2012 09:19

You will find it easier because YOU want to quit. Nobody is forcing or nagging you, you're doing it because you have decided too! thats a great starting point.

I agree with talkingnonsense, put the money you'd spend into a jar and watch it mount up. You WILL do this, just keep with the willpower!

pacinofan · 01/01/2012 09:22

Just wanted to add 'good luck' - I quit New Years Eve 1999, haven't looked back. I was a smoker for around 15 years, very light and erratic smoker during teens but prob around 15 a day when I quit. I'll be honest I adored cigarettes but my dh loathed it. I knew I'd struggle to quit when and if I got pregnant so decided to just do it. I just went cold turkey, used no substitutes (they were very expensive then, don't know what they are priced at now). I remember the first week was the worst but it got so much easier from then on. If I can do it, you can too!

Think if I was giving up today, the one thing I would do is have a jar in a prominent place and physically put in the £6.50 every day (think they cost that now?) You'll have loads to spend on whatever at the end of the month!

Very best of luck,

namechangerbat · 01/01/2012 09:22

Good luck!! Smile

DharmaCeutical · 01/01/2012 09:24

Ooh, you're an ex-smoker - that's brilliant.

johnworf · 01/01/2012 09:39

Ex smoker of 4 years here. I too went cold turkey and now I'm one of those fascist ex smokersWink

Agree with what's already been said. Just adding that you may get a hacking cough for a couple of weeks as your lungs clear. Don't be put off, it will go.

If you find you are struggling, speak to your practice nurse/ smoking cessation clinic at your GP surgery. They'll give you loads of help and support.

Good luck!

starsintheireyes · 01/01/2012 09:53

Giving up day here too. very hard so far, have missed the cup tea and morning ciggy. keeping strong, have to quit for financial reasons.

Grumpla · 01/01/2012 10:01

Remember that each craving only lasts a few minutes! This is why things like knitting, sucking a mint etc can be really helpful - you only need to distract yourself for a couple of minutes each time.

Other things to do when you crave:

Have a glass of water.
Go and stand outside and take some deep breaths of fresh air.
Do the washing up.
Have a nice cup of tea.

I definitely used to use cigarettes as a "break" from work - remember you still need to have that break especially if you are working on a computer. Get up and walk around, get outside if you can.

It's great that you are both trying at the same time, but don't forget that if one of you slips up that doesn't mean the other one gets a "free" ciggy!

Also don't feel that if you have one, you failed and you might as well give up giving up.

Every single cigarette you don't smoke is a bonus for you, and your DS, and your wallet!

Remember WHY you are doing this. You don't want to leave your child orphaned because of an entirely preventable disease. Keep a photo of your DS in your wallet and look at it if you find yourself drawn to the fag machine...

FairToMiddlin · 01/01/2012 10:14

Just remember that the only thing you are "giving up" is paying a lot of money for the privilege of slowly suffocating yourself.

rowingdowntheriver · 01/01/2012 10:23

Great decision and good luck! I gave up a few years ago and someone told me the following which really helped me.

The first 3 days are the hardest, once you get through those you will not be thinking about smoking nearly as much. After 3 weeks it is significantly easier again and then after 3 months you will barely think about it.

For the first few days or weeks try to make it as easy as possible for yourself by minimise doing things that you associate with smoking.

Also helped me to try to be healthier in other areas of my life at the same time like doing some exercise and eating a bit healthier as it made me feel more committed to being healthy generally and feel like there was even more to lose if I were to have another cigarette.

giraffesCanGoFirstFootingOnNYE · 01/01/2012 10:27

good luck

Tenebrist · 01/01/2012 10:47

Well done. I admire any parent who puts their dc first to stop smoking. My dm did it when I was 6 and it was the best present ever.

Agree with jar full of savings - you need to see how much you wasted. But I'd also allow yourselves a little instant treat from that money. Maybe a DVD or pair of earrings. And stay strong!

startail · 01/01/2012 11:02

Good luck You Can Do IT!

My dad smoked 60 a day, he gave up because he wanted to see his DHDs grow up. You can do it for your son!

startail · 01/01/2012 11:03

DGDs - dear grand daughters.

sybilfaulty · 01/01/2012 11:05

Well done for being an ex smoker! Second, third, fourth the Allen Carr recommendation. I've stopped for over 10 years now and it's a lovely feeling not to waste money on fags, esp now that you have to stand in the rain to "enjoy" them if you are out with friends.

One thing which helped me is this - remember that there will be trying times ahead when you are craving fags or when things go wrong. If your car breaks down and you light a fag because you are fed up etc, it doesn't solve the problem and make the car start working again! Anything you have to do which is hard and which might seem easier with a ciggie will be just the same, except you will be killing yourself at the same time.

Your son will be so proud of you and you should feel very proud of yourself. You go girl! You rock!

Original poster
Blurry29 · 01/01/2012 14:07

Just downloaded Allen Carr's book about quitting . Thanks again everyone and good luck to those also quitting xSmile

OP posts:
MilitaryWag · 01/01/2012 14:30

Oh god I am quitting to. Have 6 cigs left in box and some patches on stand by. I am really going to struggle as I am an absolute addict and enjoy it (as bizarre as that sounds) I am rubbish when it comes to things like this but I cant have another year go by as a smoker.