Is anyone else planning to quit smoking in the new year?

[Dollymac]

I'm going to give it another try at quitting smoking in the new year. My DC hate that I smoke and I hate the way it makes my health. Added to the fact I actually can't afford to smoke I think it's time I kicked the habit. I will be using a vape though as previous attempts with this seemed to last a lot longer than patches and going cold turkey ect. Anyone want to join me new years day in trying to kick the habit?

Hoping everyone has had a good day so far. I haven't had a cig now for 26 hours (not that I'm counting or anything🤣). I'm really in awe of the people who have or are managing to quit cold turkey. I wish I could but I know that no matter the way we do it it's still a huge achievement. sandy have you downloaded the app? Checking in on daily health benefits may help you right now. We are stronger than cigs so what are we afraid of?. Welcome newcomers and good luck! Love to hear how you are all getting on today.

Thanks for all the success stories too. Really helps to keep us on track and to know that we can do this.

Oh wow! You’re doing great!
Really good to read your updates.
It’s really tough and you should give yourself credit for what you’re achieving- fantastic! 🏅

It’s the best thing I’ve ever done and I’m still amazed that I’ve done it. You’ll feel the same very soon

Keep it up, you’ve got this

Well done to those getting rid of the ciggies, if anyone needs a bit of inspiration here's the latest video from Public Health England showing the gunk that gets in to your lungs when you smoke .
It mainly demonstrates the difference between smoking and vaping but does give some pause for thought if willpower is fading.
Good luck all!

Thank you Fox I'm feeling motivated today! Have you noticed you have more money now and are feeling healthier? Love to know what things have stood out for you as benefits!

Wow Arythmlessman that video has just made me feel disgusted in myself and also very very worried about the damage I have done to myself. I never watch these things and always switch off whenever I see something like this as I prefer to bury my head in the sand. I've just forced myself to watch this and actually makes me feel a lot more positive about stopping using a vape. I kind of felt I was cheating doing it this way but at least I know it's a safer way to manage stress.

95% less harmful- I’ll take that! There’s no way I could have stopped any other way.

Dolly some benefits I notice 6 months on:

No morning cough
No wheezing- I can walk up stairs without feeling (and sounding) like I might die.
I don’t get out of breath just walking around anyone.
I recently caught a chesty cold- When I was smoking, this would always end up being a chest infection- not this time!
No stains on fingers or teeth.
My skin looks loads better.
I have more energy.
I don’t wake up in a panic that I might die of some awful self inflicted illness. (This one is huge to me- the anxiety I had over it was unbearable)
Me, my clothes and car don’t smell- I can really smell it on other people.
I enjoy not having to see those awful images they print on baccy pouches these days.
I just feel much more positive and in control generally- like this awful thing that’s been hanging over me for my whole adult life has lifted.
I feel healthy!

It’s so worth it for all those reasons!

You can do it. You are doing it

Thanks for the congratulations Dolly . It’s been very straightforward.

Having said that I’m now an ex smoker albeit one that’s full of nicotine through vaping and I’ve no intention of reducing that or giving it up. Vaping costs me very little in comparison - maybe a couple of Quid a week with the occasional splurge on fancy new kit.

Jins Just done a back of a fag packet calculation and between DW and I we've saved £28000 on fags since we both switched nearly 7 years ago.
Maybe spent about £1000 on shiny stuff and liquid but it's been life changing, never mind the health benefits.

I hope i can be saying the same as you Fox in a few months time. I loved the fact I was able to watch telly in bed last night without having to get out of the warm and cosy to go outside and smoke every half an hour. Not feeling too bad today. Had a few urges so far but managed to vape through them. That's 2 days smoke free. My bladder isn't too happy with me having a dry mouth off the vape and having to run the loo every 2 seconds because of the amount of water I'm drinking. Hope everyone else is having a good day and if not, don't worry you can always start again tomorrow.

Hello, non-smokers! How you doing? Cheers to Jin, Fox and arhythmlessman for the inspiration! DH's inspiration came this morning when he reminded me he quit 10 years ago but still wants a fag! Helpful!
Feeling grumpy but getting there. Today is my 5th day of no fags. None. I really really want one! But I have so far managed to say no and mean it! The lozenges are actually pretty helpful.
Wouldn't believe the crap I'm coughing up! But my hair and clothes smell lovely.
I'm still stuck in the mindset of ooh, I'll go home and have a fag or oh lunch time=fag time. then I remind myself nope I don't do that anymore, find something else to do! (my boss has never seen me work so hard!)
Really hope everyone on here is managing ok and achieving their goals-I am so proud of myself for doing this-you should be proud of yourselves too!

Well done Taigh!

That’s great going. The bit you’re going through now if definitely the hardest bit- get through this and you’ve cracked it! The ‘wanting a fag’ your DH describes is nothing like what you’re feeling now. Just keep on what you’re doing one day (hour, minute..) at a time. You should be so proud of yourself!

Jins Well done, that’s amazing!! I’m with you on the nicotine. About as harmful as caffeine so I’m not that bothered about still being full of it! I can feel that I’m rid of the nasty stuff. I walked up a big hill yesterday- I’m not saying it was easy because I’m not that fit but I wouldn’t have even attempted it when I was smoking. Now getting fitter is something I can achieve. I’m very grateful to you and the others who helped me stop smoking

Dolly I know what you mean about nipping to the loo all the time- it doesn’t last, your body gets used to the extra water and balances out a bit.

Hope everyone’s doing ok. Don’t underestimate what you’re doing here- it’s a huge, massive life changing deal!! Don’t beat yourself up if you slip up, just get back to it and keep going. All you’ve achieved is working towards where you want to be and I promise you it feels so good. You can do it

Great going Taigh very well done indeed. My mum uses the lozenges and she swears by them. I'm still going strong here. 4 days and 6 hours smoke free according to my app. Haven't had a craving so far today which has been great. I know from last time I tried, week 3 I was struggling with cravings and that's when I caved. I'm feeling like I'm in it this time and have my head in the game. I don't want to be a smoker no more.

Brilliant Dolly! So pleased to hear that. You’re doing so well. This is your time, you’ve got this.

Thank you Fox. Need to find another way to de stress now. I'm finding I have extra time on my hands too and my bank account isn't seeing any benefit as I'm passing time on eBay 🤣

Can’t help you with that one I’m afraid- I did the same thing with books- my bookshelves are overflowing! Substituting the compulsions I guess.. but hey, the books won’t kill me! (Unless the bookshelf collapses on my head!)

I found that smoking actually added to my stress levels. All that fretting about whether I’d got enough until the morning, finding a time to break away from the conversation, avoiding the wafters and tutters scorn. That’s all gone now.

The momentary relief from the first few drags weren’t what made the difference. It was the five minute break away from everyone that counted. Make space for those five minutes of peace.

Well done Dolly, thats fab!! Your mum giving up too? I nearly folded today and had a puff, god I was soooo tempted, but I threw a lozenge in my trap and busied myself. It soon passed!
I'm struggling with the de-stressing too, but one of my app says that pyschologically not smoking will reduce stress once the cravings have passed. thats like in a month tho!
I used to be desperate to get away and smoke one just so I coul get that 'aaaah' feeling of relief-thats the bit I'm struggling with! So I downloaded an app called headspace which helps you meditate and deal with difficult moments. So I'm trying that.
Jins makes a good point tho-I was always getting impatient, snapping at family cos I wanted away for a fag, hopefully that will stop now!
Keep going everyone, this thread is great!

Totally agree about the stress Jins- I happily noticed as much today. Even though I’m still getting nicotine from vaping, I never feel as desperate as I did when I was a smoker. I’m definitely not a slave to it in the same way.

Another reason to keep going everyone- it’s well worth it!

This is tough..
I've managed 9 days smoke free so far. Have a few friends round tonight for a drink - all smokers. Everyone is outside having a smoke just now. I've got a vape but really hate it

Oh yes. I think when the cravings stop I'll start noticing being less stressed. I'm always panicking about how many cigs I have left and hate going for meals where I have to sit for hours and can't get away for a sly cig and coming back smelling the place out. 5 days now 😁😁 Well done Taigh on beating the urges. You've got this!! Thanks fox and jins you are keeping me going like you did last time I tried under a different name. Jins it was you who gave me advice on buying my 1st and only trusty vape too.

Keep going Three you'll feel better for it in the morning!!

I’m glad I could help and I’m glad the vape is still trusty

I found the stop smoking but especially the vaping threads really useful when I started out. So much knowledge and so much support. I think it makes such a difference to ‘talk’ to people who are on the same path. Lots of my non smoker friends had gems like ‘just don’t buy them’ or ‘my sister quit with the Allen Carr book’ but the reality is that there is no one way to give up and it’s a personal journey.

Keep going everyone - you’re nearly there

Interesting you brought up Allen Carr Jins, the only RCT on their method showed it's no better than the likes of pharma intervention with support ie. piss poor and yet every thread on stop smoking has AC cheerleaders on it.
The Allen Carr Twitter feed also likes to endorse anti vaping junk science, must be losing ££££s to vaping.

I made it!!!
A whole night. People smoking, drinking but I still made it.
Thanks @Dollymac