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Anyone else want to give up smoking? Moral support needed!

102 replies

WideWebWitch · 22/02/2002 22:52

I gave up last year for 3 months and thought I had it cracked...Have also stopped at various other points, found it easy when pregnant. Did it last year by reading Allen Carr's Easy Way to Stop Smoking, but sadly replapsed a month ago. I really want to stop again, what has worked for people? I kind of go with Carr's theory that you shouldn't use nicotine replacement since you will still be taking the drug you are trying to kick. Apart from getting pregnant again (bit drastic!), any ideas?

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cherry · 22/05/2002 00:05

I had to give up work 10 days ago (for complicated reasons. I worked in a nightclub and the temptation to smoke was pretty bad as you can imagine. I had managed to give up thru the day anyway, and only smoked at work but would go mad! Anyway when I stopped working I could have so easily carried on smoking, even started thru the day again, but after the first two days (I think it helped not spending time with smokers anymore) I really didn't want to. I've had REALLY bad cravings but somehow I've got thru them without picking up the cigs. Everyone who's trying... you can do it it's not impossible! I put the money I would have spent on cigs in a jar, haven't counted it yet but I bet when I do I'll have a spending spree!

Rozzy · 22/05/2002 01:10

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Tillysmummy · 22/05/2002 09:27

Oh Dizzymummy and Leander, I've let you both down ! Smoked at my brothers engagement do last Sat after giving up ! What a woos !! Will have to stop again
Problems is that it seems I can happily smoke and then not do it for ages and just have the odd one or two here and there so feel like it's not that bad but I know really it is.

Riya · 28/05/2002 22:37

Writing for the first time and feel quite relieved to read about so many other mums struggling to kick the habit. Those of you who have managed with willpower - I'm so envious. I have tried everything, patches, self hypnosis, Allen Carr (which actually increased my smoking even during reading!!). I gave up smoking so very easily when I was pregnant with my dd but did start soon after. My lame excuse is that my dh also smokes and that I have a stressful job - pathetic and lame I know !
I suffered a miscarriage a few months ago and whilst the guilt of smoking being the possible cause made me stop for a few days, I was back on it. I desperately want to give up and have set myself so many deadlines. We are trying for a baby again and all the time I am so scared and worried that I will miscarry again. Someone told me there are hypnotherapists who claim to stop you smoking after 1 session which apparently costs under £100 and can be split between 2 people taking session together. Does anyone know of such miracle workers?

WideWebWitch · 09/06/2002 11:06

Ok, after going on about it for ages and trying a few times I stopped yesterday.

Read Allen Carr in the bath at 11am and haven't smoked since. I know it's early days but the cravings aren't really there, just as he says, the odd pang. But I am thinking "that's the pang smokers get, I am not a smoker and the nicotine monster is trying to trick me into lighting a cigarette. I will not." (If you've read Allen Carr you'll know what I'm on about).

Ds is really pleased having been to a body exhibition recently and discovered that smoking "gives you black spots on your lungs mummmy."

So, walked 4 1/2 miles yesterday, am breathing deeply through the pangs and AM NOT GOING BACK TO IT!!! I know from stopping before that I will feel much better physically soon, can't wait! Good luck to everyone else who's trying.

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Rozzy · 09/06/2002 11:10

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Rozzy · 09/06/2002 11:12

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Rozzy · 09/06/2002 11:19

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WideWebWitch · 09/06/2002 11:31

Rozzy, so what?!! Allen Carr is great, well done and keep at it. I've posted before too saying I've done it but I think I have this time.

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WideWebWitch · 09/06/2002 20:55

Well I could have killed dp at about one o'clock today when I really, really, really wanted a cigarette. I nearly jumped in the car and raced to the shop to buy some and somehow I didn't. Went for a walk instead where I moaned about the f***g countryside and having to walk through fields with DAMN COWS in them...

Whoever said they were glad they didn't know where the nearest chocolate factory was, me too. I am not drinking either as I think it'll help these first 3 days, neither am I eating dairy (allergic, haven't done for several weeks now so no chocolate, cakes, pastry etc etc) so I feel completely deprived. WHAT THE F* ELSE IS THERE?! Sex? Yeah, yeah, will do later. And 24, thank god on BBC Choice later. And Mumsnet for ranting. Sorry, folks but I have to let this out or there will be blood on my carpets. How do you do an evil grin?

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salalex · 09/06/2002 21:08

I'll join you in a rant WWW. I LIKE smoking and I know how bad it is for me, and I want to loose weight, and be a nicer mum instead of a shouty grumpy one ( Is the bad mother brigade looking for a chairperson? I'm your girl)and have a tidy house and some time to do stuff for me and I can't do bloody everything and if I could have a fag it'd all seem so much better!!! Well, I know it wouldn't but not having a fag is driving me MAD!!!!!!!

Mopsy · 09/06/2002 22:49

Didn't crack did you WWW? Visions of scowling wild-eyed woman in wellies stomping through the cowpats...

Been there (several times!) got the t-shirts. Have definitely cracked it now - even been in pubs and NOT SMOKED!!

It feels fantastic and I look much better too.

ps can I ask what were your symptoms of dairy intolerance/allergy?

WideWebWitch · 10/06/2002 08:12

No, I didn't crack and woke up this morning with aching lungs but no urge to smoke really. I know they are probably in shock at the lack of smoke. This is day 3 (well it will be at 11am) and I am not going to smoke. I know that most of the nicotine will have left my body by the end of today and it will get easier. (but am telling myself: It's a pang, it will pass. non-smokers do not get this) Luckily the house is a tip and I have loads of bills to pay so I have plenty of distractions.

Mopsy, had a homeopathic test years ago & was told I'm allergic. It's probably not a true allergy - more like one of those wussy faddy intolerances. Whatever, I feel bloated and my skin breaks out in a rash for sure whenever I eat any dairy. So it feels real for me.

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Mopsy · 10/06/2002 12:46

Go girl!

(Just think, now you won't get all those wrinkles round your mouth that make it look like a cat's a**e)

Rozzy · 10/06/2002 15:54

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WideWebWitch · 11/06/2002 10:16

Well I'm afraid I cracked this morning and bought 10. DP said "thank god for that, and can I just say something? You f*g B!!!!" (he's been walking on eggshells) Something clearly wasn't gelling and I've failed to follow the instructions. (Allen Carr). Dreamt I jumped off a cliff last night & metaphorically I just have. Ds is back at 12 and will try again then - am about to re-read the book. Aaaaaaaaggghhhhh. Feel fat, ugly, stupid and desperate. MUST do it again, today.

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Mopsy · 11/06/2002 10:27

Break them in half, walk outside and put them in a public bin that you can't ferret them out of again.
Keep busy, suck a pencil when you want a drag(sounds mad but it works).
Look at cat's a**e and remind yourself that's what you'll look like if you keep smoking.
(I do feel for you. I ate loads for the first two weeks or so but better than getting cancer)

WideWebWitch · 11/06/2002 11:19

Ta Mopsy. Smoked 5 and have ripped the others up. Ranted to a friend, ate a mountain of toast, am cleaning the house as we speak, will be very very busy and will not smoke. Do not want to look like a cats arse or any other kind of arse which is what I will be if I don't stop. Sorry to bore you all with it. Will post again in a few days when I have cracked it.

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Tillysmummy · 11/06/2002 11:43

Im afraid Im a weak, pitiful being. I've smoked on and off the last few weeks. A couple a night then stopped for a few days then had one again, then stopped again, then had one again and on and on it goes !

tigermoth · 11/06/2002 12:52

Success is one thing, but I think anyone who tries to give up anything harmful deserves a huge pat on the back just for trying Better to have tried and failed than never to have tried at all.

Dizzymummy · 12/06/2002 10:01

I still haven't cracked this either - still having a few fags in the evening when dd is in bed (gave up for about 2-3 days). I'm going to buy that book that everyone swears by and hope it works. Problem is while I don't smoke during the day I really look forward to a fag and a glass of wine in the evening and feel that I will have nothing to look forward to if I give this up!!. I would desperately like a totally fag free life though...

Tillysmummy · 12/06/2002 10:03

Dizzymummy, you and i are exactly the same person, Im sure ! I feel exactly as you do.

You are talking about the Allen Carr book and sorry, it doesn't work Well, didn't for me anyway. It encouraged me to stop on and off but hasn't encouraged me to give up my 1 or 2 totally yet .....

Dizzymummy · 12/06/2002 12:16

Tillymummy - Are you going to try to give up or keep having a few??

Mopsy · 14/06/2002 11:34

How's it going WWW?

WideWebWitch · 14/06/2002 11:52

Smoking like a b

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