Quitting cold turkey CAN be done.

[voddiekeepsmesane]

Just want to give a big call out to those who are wanting to quit cold turkey and say it CAN be done no matter how long you have been smoking. I smoked between 20 and 30 a day for 30 years and as little as 8 months ago would have sworn there was no giving up for me. I got really ill with sinus, ear and chest infections between October and January just gone. 14 WEEKS!! So many times I went to the doctors and I don't think I was ever really taken seriously when I wanted further tests, was always referred back to smoking being the cause. I swore that never again if I got that ill would I be fobbed off with smoking being the issue. I went cold turkey 18th January the first 2 weeks were a little rough but my mindset was in the right mode so didn't seem all that bad. Almost 7 months on and all is good. I really do feel that anyone can get to their own point of realisation but only your own mind is holding you back. I hope this story may help someone own their own path.

Littlechocola well done you! You might be only six hours in (much more by now) but that's by the by and you just keep going forward with it. I think we've all attempted to stop before now and not managed it. Let this time be the time we are all finally free.

Thank you Stella. Huge well done to you too!
I really want this to be it now!

LittleChocola well done, just get through the first 72 hours then it gets easier - you can do it!!!

Well done everyone!

The give it an hour mantra is a good one - mentally put yourself somewhere where you are not allowed to smoke (I used to imagine my mum visiting) to get over the initial craving.

Work is great because I can’t smoke and work long hours!

Well it's 5 months since I gave up smoking. I feel great and it has changed my life. I needed something to replace cigarettes so I started exercising, which didn't achieve much to start with and I nearly gave up but you need to get fit to get fit! So now I have replaced my addiction to nicotine for an addiction to exercise, I have lost weight and feel fitter than I have for years. I still miss smoking it is still a daily struggle. But I will never smoke again. Hope there are still some of you with me if not then keep trying you will get there if you want it badly enough.

I found cold turkey worked, other methods didn’t for me and I’d start again. With cold turkey I’ve not smoked in over 10 and a half years

Ivy wow 10 years that's really an accomplishment. That is my aim. I am just looking forward to the feeling of fancying a cigarette to go.

6 months no smoking

Hey there Kitcat122, well done on six months, that's an incredible half a flipping year! I'm so impressed, you have done an amazing job what with embracing all that exercise too, congratulations.

I'm now 82 straight days (really looking forward to being able to say 3 months) a non smoker and although sometimes I fleetingly think I'd absolutely bloody love a ciggie I always manage to push the thought away and it goes pretty quickly. I think the truth is that I now love exercising more than I loved cigarettes and I couldn't exercise if I started smoking again.
I now go running several times a week, I take my dog on much longer walks (can't run with the dog as they're one of those stop and sniff every five seconds types and I've also joined a yoga and meditation group which is a really wonderful way of relaxing.

I'm so flipping pleased with myself!

Stellaheystella well done, you've cracked it. You will be at 3 months in a few days. I'm the same I now love exercise more than I loved smoking which is what stopped me Lighting up when I really fanced one. We should be really flipping proud of ourselves!!! 😀😀😀

Hi everyone so pleased that even almost a year on this thread is still a help to some. We'll done to all that have managed to give up and good luck to those who are going through the process at the moment.

How long before you stopped feeling so violent?

I’m back AGAIN two days in. Actually not feeling too bad just a little weepy and irrational.

Cheering you on Littlechocola

I'm 3 months not smoking, I've saved £834.71 and not smoked 1855 cigarettes.

Thank you Stella!
Well done you!
I’m drinking wine tonight so feel like I could smoke but kind of don’t want to (so won’t!).

LittleChocola it's really tough at first but it gets easier after the first week, so stick with it!!! You can do it, well done xxx

Thank you Kitcat, I am oddly enjoying most of it. The angry cloud isn’t as awful as it has been in past attempts and is possibly is things that would annoy me with or without nicotine!

Well that's 8 months done, actually forgot the 7 month mark. Finally not really thinking about cigarettes 😀

Kitcat122 eight months is awesome - and you not thinking about cigarettes now means you've cracked it forever imho, it'll be a year before you know it, well done.
I'm still not smoking although I have been seriously tested the past few days with the death of a close family member and I have the odd fleeting thought that a cigarette would offer me some comfort. When this happens I remind myself that even one puff would mean I was a smoker again and all the effort I've put into this would be undone.
Thanks for your post Kitcat122, it's great to know you're still out there and going strong

StellaHeyStella so sorry for your loss!! I haven't had any tragedy in my quit but at high stress times, when I have really wanted a cigarette I have reminded myself that a cig only lasts what one minute - then what? Another one? You know you'll feel shit. Try and concentrate on your exercise that is what will make you feel better. Good luck and a big hug xxxx

I'm 9 hours in to day 4 cold turkey. Rather shaky today but managing.
Focusing on my mantra which is:
I HAVEN'T GIVEN UP SMOKING. It just so happens that i haven't had a cigarette this minute and hopefully the next. I can't promise beyond that.

Tbh on day 4 its more like 15 ++ minute blocks. Thats an improvement I hadn't thought about

I'm 6 days into going cold turkey. I'm doing dry january too as I know that if I drink, it will only increase my urge to smoke! Yesterday (day 5) was really tough. Was thinking about smoking every 5 minutes or so. Honestly, it was like having contractions, but in my brain! Today has been better, been cleaning the house and just keeping really busy. I know this is going to be bloody hard. I've tried and failed to quit many times, apart from when I was pregnant when I quit before and during the whole pregnancy, but it felt a lot easier then, as I had a baby growing inside me. I wish there was a programme on TV about people quitting smoking, maybe with celebs on. I need some inspiration!