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Original poster

Not had a fag all day-wean myself off with the last of my pack or not touch them?

38 replies

greensmurf · 08/04/2012 19:35

Hi all.

I'm totally fed up with not having enough money so I've decided to sacrifice my dirty habit to have more flexibility financially.

Was smoking 5 or 6 a day. Shall I have 1 or 2 until the pack has gone or throw them away. Will it make a difference cutting down? Any experiences are very welcomed.

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gordonpym · 08/04/2012 20:01

don't touch them. Well done. Throw them away, and come back here every time you fell like having one or put 20p in a jar

Hassled · 08/04/2012 20:03

If you've gone all day then you're that much closer to the yuck being out of your system - have one now and you're back where you were this morning. You've done bloody well - keep going now. By the morning you'll be that much further away from it.

sybilfaulty · 08/04/2012 20:05

Chuck them away. Smoking is awful for your health and your pocket. Have you read the Allen Carr books? worth a look to persuade you that smoking is a mug's game.

Best of luck X

Original poster
greensmurf · 08/04/2012 20:07

Oh thankyou so much for the support it's lovely.

"come back here" there's the support I was looking for. Are you on here a lot gordonpm? And have you been a smoker/

Many thanks.

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Original poster
greensmurf · 08/04/2012 20:12

Just trying to tell myself not to eat so much chocolate and biscuits too, as I don't need that either!

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gordonpym · 08/04/2012 20:30

Have been. So many years ago. When I was young and stupid. Went cold turkey, it was quite bad for a week, and then fine. Of course you can quit smoking but from time to time you'll feel the desire of a fag, but you can control that. We all have desire for things (from Gucci bags to a trip to Haiti) and we control them. So keep going

shodatin · 09/04/2012 00:50

I stopped years ago with the NHS system, which is easiest, and one useful fact we learned was that cravings will only last 2-3 minutes at a time, so have something available for when they strike (glass of water, yoga stretch, breathing exercise, juggling etc). You've already made a start, so don't " waste" that - I'd hide fags away and tell self you can have one again in a month, if you really want one then... good luck.

SkipTheLightFanjango · 09/04/2012 00:55

Go cold turkey! I gave up this way. If you really want to, and as you are only on 5-6 you are not too badly addicted, you can do it. I gave my brother mine...and watched as he smoked the last of my fags in front of me. Have been back on the smokes though (lasted 3 years) need to do it again. IME cutting down is just putting it off, as is using replacements. Give yourself a time and date..then just do it. You know you can. Good luck Smile

colditz · 09/04/2012 00:56

Don't touch! Break them, put them in the bin and squirt washing up liquid on them and never buy any more.

Cold turkey uis so much easier than constantly craving a fag you won't let yourself have because it's not 'time'

Original poster
greensmurf · 09/04/2012 12:14

Thanks everyone!

Well I've still not touched them, they are still there on the side. I'm thinking that if I throw them that I might panic and crave them more?!

I have missed it but I've been ok, not bad tempered. I think that when I've given up before that the first week has been the hardest so I am fully preparing myself for it to get worse.

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bibbitybobbitybunny · 09/04/2012 12:26

Right, Greensmurf, congratulations, you are now a non-smoker! Hooray!!! Thanks

Throw the filthy things out right now - you don't need them anymore, why on earth would you keep hold of them? Non-smokers do not have cigarettes in the house - you do realise that?

Now, what is your plan for when you get a craving? What are you going to do? If you have strategies in place you will get through them, I PROMISE. I always say sudoku saved me from smoking ... can you find something similar?

Well done ... keep calm ... and carry on!

bibbitybobbitybunny · 09/04/2012 12:27

"Of course you can quit smoking but from time to time you'll feel the desire of a fag, but you can control that. We all have desire for things (from Gucci bags to a trip to Haiti) and we control them. So keep going."

So wise and true gordonpym. Brilliant post.

BambinoBoo · 09/04/2012 18:23

Throw them away as cold turkey is the only way to succeed long term. The first 4 days are hell, but once you are through that it gets easier - I promise. Google the timeline for benefits of giving up smoking (I would link but I'm an IT idiot), it will really give you a boost that it's all for the better. But most of all, well bloody done. I have been there - 20-30 a day habit to not even fancying one when I've had a stressful day or had a drink - all previous triggers. Not touched one in 4 years now.

ballroomblitz · 09/04/2012 21:58

Well done but bin them!! You will have a day where something happens (for me it was the sudden death of a friend in the first week), you will crave one and if they are lying around the house there is a big possibility you will smoke them. Thank goodness I had thrown all mine out.

I quit cold turkey 45 days ago. Honestly the easiest way I've found compared to messing around with NRT and I smoked 20 a day. It was hard for the first few days and I've had a couple of tough days since then but I just keep making the choice not to smoke. Simple.

I actually have a timeline type app downloaded on my phone which also counts the amount of money saved and cigarettes not smoked and it does make you feel like you are making progress.

Original poster
greensmurf · 10/04/2012 08:04

OMG thankyou so much for all these kind comments, it's made my day!

A MASSIVE 'WELL DONE' to bambino and ballroom!

It's now DAY 3 and I threw the fuckers in someones bin on my work round last night! I wanted to give them to someone but I honestly couldn't think of anyone to give them to!

Had a great feeling when I woke up this morning when it had dawned on me that I'd done another day! And it's all coming off my chest now, making me cringe!

Thanks again :) :o Thanks

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gordonpym · 10/04/2012 09:04

Good, very good. You'll find out that it is NOT that difficult to quit smocking. In my opinion it's a lot harder to give up coffee. There is so much info going on about patches, gums, books, groups, .... that makes us believe you can't do it on your own. But that's not true. Of course a little bit of help is always welcome, but if you have the will power (and Mumsnet!!) you can.

Original poster
greensmurf · 11/04/2012 07:39

Hi all!

Now on day 4. Finding it a bit tough. My coping strategy has been to munch on sweet stuff which can't go on as I've put on weight anyway.

I was struggling last night and I happened to climb in bed with my youngest daughter, we had some cuddles and I dozed after she feel asleep. Was there for a while and felt very relaxed therefore I felt a lot better when going downstairs.

Sometimes telling myself "I don't need them" isn't enough. Might have to do the same tonight and until I feel like I'm getting over it.

How long does it take to feel better?

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StealthPolarBear · 11/04/2012 07:45

I don't know but well done greensmurf. You're doing brilliantly.

Original poster
greensmurf · 11/04/2012 07:48

Thankyou stealth xx

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gordonpym · 11/04/2012 07:49

Day 4, that's awesome. You don't have to think "i don't need them", but I don't WANT them.
Don't turn to sweet stuff, it's not the taste you're missing, honestly. Try yoga. Two minutes yoga when you're feel the urge for a cigarette. Why is cigarette so relaxing? Because you stop and take deep breaths.
I like this yoga teacher Tara Stiles, and she has these 5 minutes routines, you can do everywhere www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL854C3B78F5ECFF6A&feature=plcp.
And think about your little girl. Would it be so nice to cuddle her if she smelled like an old ashtray? Well, she smells you too, and I am sure she prefers a nice smelling mum!
Try herbal teas, a new tooth paste, ..... five times up and down the stairs. You're stronger than cigarettes or chocolate! Come on!

ballroomblitz · 11/04/2012 12:39

Well done Grin The first week is the hardest and you've nearly done it.

Have you tried Allen Carr pdf here ? I read his book years ago and don't particularly rate him like others do but he does make some good points about smoking.

You are craving sweet stuff because nicotine keeps your blood sugar artifically high, hence why smokers are more likely to get diabetes. Try grapes (some people freeze them but my sensitive teeth wouldn't appreciate that) for a sugar fix. I also found fentiman's ginger ale helped me as it gives a bit of a heat and kick when drinking it.

Just remember that cravings only last about 3 minutes and take it minute by minute if you have to. It's not that you don't need them - you are making the choice not to have them because you are stronger than nicotine. The thought of a cigarette is always better than having one too. In fact the taste of a cigarette is vile and you will hate it, and yourself, if you have one.

When you're craving a cigarette, read up on smoking and nicotine and educate yourself about it as it helps to change your mindset. Join a stop smoking forum for that little bit of support from other quitters.

You can do it!!

Original poster
greensmurf · 11/04/2012 18:32

Thanks everyone. Yeah will have a look at Alan Carr thankyou. Never thought of going on the smoking board on here, I will defo do that.

Thanks for the suggestion of the grapes but wouldn't see the enjoyment of that think I would get frustrated more than anything!

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Original poster
greensmurf · 13/04/2012 18:23

Well it's a week tomorrow and still going strong!

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StealthPolarBear · 13/04/2012 18:45

Fantastic, what willpower! Must be the worse over. You're one quarter of the way through being officially quit!

Original poster
greensmurf · 13/04/2012 21:27

Thanks for replying stealth

It's a bit frightening as people say different timescales.

Glad I went cold turkey. Are you an ex-smoker?

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