Anyone giving up smoking for 2020?

[Murphs1]

I’m on day 4 no smoking in patches. Anyone else giving up for 2020?
I’ve smoked since I was 17 except when pregnant x2 and am now 45!! Time to knock it on the head. Would be great to hear from others who are taking the plunge!

My triggers are when I wake up, when I finish work, after meals and when the kids go to bed. So quite a few really!!! I love a glass of vino at the weekend, but am doing dry jan as most times I’ve failed quitting has been linked to a glass or 2 or rose! Wish I could still like you rocking but hey I will once I’m sure I can do one without the other.

Great to hear it's worth it in the long run! My main trigger points are when I get up and when I get home from work. I've discovered how much I built all my time at home around cigarettes and how much I depended on them to be productive. Hard to get stuff done. But I do feel quite a lot better so I'm just assuming I'll find other ways to get by.

Morning all, sorry colourbynumbers I didn’t see your post. That’s really encouraging, a whole year is great!
Yes I’m the same obligatory, when at home I almost use them like a reward, I say to myself I’ll just do that and have a ciggie and the next job, have a ciggie and on and on it goes. For me that is what I miss the least, almost planning the whole day around ciggies I have found exhausting without realising, and am not rushing around quite so much which is fab. Anyway have a good smoke free day everyone

Yes Murphs that's exactly what I used to do!!!

Well done everyone. I’m quitting again this month, just have to get through a couple of stressful things likely to tip me off the wagon.

I’m a very heavy smoker and I’ve quit three times for extended periods. Then a stressful event has screwed me up and I’ve started again. Just don’t fall into the trap of thinking you can have one or two here and there. Trust me.

Last time I quit I used a vaporiser with nicotine salts liquid and it was miraculous - had tried to quite with a vape before but this was so much easier. If anyone is looking for a way to handle cravings I can recommend it and will be doing it again myself this month.

Hi all, hope you’ve all had a good day.
Great you’re going to quit sinkgirl and you’ve got a strategy and know what to expect. Sounds like you’re good to go.
My day has been ok, lots of rushing around this eve and wasn’t really craving a ciggie but really missed not having one. And the thought of the in-laws turning up tomorrow for the weekend makes me want to go and buy a packet right now!! but I won’t.
I guess it’s almost like you need exposure to the situations where you would usually have a cig so you know how to deal with it if that makes sense!
Hope all well with everyone else, is a bit quiet here tonight!

I know exactly what you mean, Murphy. I feel like I have managed the week day/long Winter evening well so far but I am concerned about the weekend, getting through my first Saturday, first drink etc but obviously it’s best to go for it and will hopefully feel more positive afterwards. Good luck with your in-laws! I saw a stop smoking specialist for the 2nd time today, my carbon monoxide level has gone from 18 to 6 so I am very happy. Is anyone else taking Champix?

I did champion a few years ago - was working great til the dose went up and then I couldn’t keep it down. I know it works really well if you can though!

Champix obviously!

My trigger was the opposite actually: going TO work. I work in an environment where most people smoke and fag breaks are a treat to break up the shift. So going to work is hard. Nearly caved yesterday I was having a bad day and my goodness if I had had any cigarettes I think I would have smoked one. But I didn’t. I knuckles down to work and took my rage out on my tasks. And that has been the only time I’ve come close thank goodness. Day ten now woop woop we can do it ladies :)

I have gained 3lb... feeling a bit better though.

Just FYI for everyone...

Stopping smoking can trigger hypothyroidism- smoking suppresses TSH and thyroid antibodies and when you stop your thyroid hormone levels can drop. In fact I read one study that concluded that in most cases weight gain following stopping smoking was due to reduced thyroid function.

So if you do find that after you quit you feel worse, gain weight, feel exhausted etc it’s worth asking for a blood test. As far as I know, this is the only proven potential negative of quitting smoking!

If you’re already on thyroid meds your dose may need to be adjusted after you quit.

Hi all, glad you’re all doing really well and getting through your cravings. I unfortunately cracked today and whilst cleaning up before the in-laws came to stay - not my most favourite way to spend the weekend - I found a packet of cigarettes I’d hidden with 2 in, and I smoked them. Feel thoroughly peed off with myself and wish I didn’t, what a waste, but have put a patch on and will carry on

Thank you for the info, sinkgirl, I’m worried about putting on weight! Murphy, it’s okay to fall off the wagon as you have got straight back on again, try not to be too hard on yourself, stopping smoking is so tough!

Morning all.
Murphs1 I completely understand but please don't give up giving up. Find 2 minutes to yourself and repeat the positives of giving up, don't focus on the negatives else you'll spiral down and you can't beat yourself up. You can do this, I truly believe that.
It's the weekend so there are different challenges and routines for us to overcome but keep at it.
Those worried about weight gain, please don't. Honestly it's really not an issue. I have gone up a dress size but I'm so proud of conquering other demons that I couldn't give a monkey's. When I'm more comfortable as a non smoker I'll get back on the wagon and get fitter, but it will be so much easier with healthier lungs and organs working more effectively. I swear I've eaten my body weight in carrots in the last 10 days alone!!!!

Thanks purple penny, am back on it, feel better today and have put it down to a slip. At least I haven’t done what I usually do which is say oh well and start smoking again.
They say not to worry about a bit of weight and the 1st few weeks you do eat a bit more, but you’d have to be morbidly obese for it to have the same effect as smoking.
Hope everyone else is having a good weekend.

Ah thanks rocking. I am going to continue, is easy to talk yourself into smoking but I need to do this. Waking up this morning with a cough, which had largely gone, just shows you what 2 cigs can do, that has put me right off.
You’re right about the weight gain, after quitting you’ll be healthier and fitter and more able to tackle it. Well done everyone.

Great to hear that post Murphs1. You sound so positive I love it! I have the house to myself this morning, so rare, and I am itching for a ciggie. I keep saying No one would know so it doesn't count, so it's very tough to stop myself. But at the moment I'm winning that argument!!!

Good on you rocking, you’ve done so well cold turkey, a craving only lasts 2 minutes at the most, apparently! It’s easy to talk to yourself into like u did yesterday and then you really regret it for 1 minute of satisfaction. Stay strong

Sorry like I did yesterday not you lol

Rocking, I tell myself the same thing, ‘Just have one, nobody needs to know!’ I have had more cravings this weekend but have managed well so far. I feel that time seems to slow down when you stop smoking. How was the rest of your day, Murphs? How is everyone else doing?

Morning all, well afternoon now but feels like morning! I had a late night with a few drinkies last night so feeling a little 'tired' today 😁😴
I actually went on a bike ride yesterday, mainly to stop me pacing and wanting a fag. It worked so I was very pleased with myself. Have had no cravings at all today, which I think is because I'm a bit hungover so a positive side effect!!
Can't believe I've got this far really. Looking back at my earlier posts I was so determined to stop but I'm not sure I really believed I would, but am feeling like actually maybe I have. I think my real test will be when I have a night out with mates as they all smoke so will be hard.
Hope you're all enjoying being smoke free this weekend!!!

That will be my real test too, I’ve deliberately not made any plans in Jan for that reason but I do have a friends birthday in Feb that will be a major test! A bike ride is a great idea, I do find that excercise helps, when I can get motivated to do it. I’ve had s busy day but my mood has dropped, don’t know if it is the Champix or nicotine withdrawal or both but hope it lifts soon. Enjoy the rest of your smoke free weekend everyone!

Morning all, glad everyone has done so well over the weekend, it’s tough but doable. I survived, and survived the in-laws as well! ! I do def find exercise helps to shake the cravings and puts you in a better mood. Well done everyone 😁
I’m going cold turkey today. I’m fed up with the patches and want to just get the nicotine withdrawal over and done with as feel like I’m prolonging it. So am counting this as a proper day one if that make sense. Have a good day everyone .

How's it going Murphs1? I've been thinking of you today and hoping you're staying strong without the patches.
Purple, I have no social outings arranged either for the same reason. Maybe we should go out together ha ha!
I was itching for a fag after work tonight and was gonna go for a run instead but the weather is awful so I'm going to cook instead. Healthy flapjacks with loads of dried fruit. Yum!!! I can eat those instead of my trusty carrots. I swear I have a slight orange tinge to my skin and it's not make up!!