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!

Sorry, should have said Murphs!

Evening all, hope everyone’s had a good day.
Well done Francis, 1 week is a big achievement, and I def noticed easier breathing after then.
I’m continuing with the patches and am trying to get back to running. I gave up after a knee injury and have piled on the weight and can well do without piling on any more!

Welcome User7! How has everyone’s day been? I had another meeting with my stop smoking specialist, she is very pleased with me 😊I’ve saved £160 already so I treated myself to a new top today, will put the rest of the savings towards spending money on holiday. Well done for cutting down on the booze mindyours, I’ve cut down too, I want to avoid getting drunk because it could all go horribly wrong!

Hi, can I join? I started smoking at the grand age of 30! Been smoking 20 a day now for 15 years. I gave up on the 1st jan and have been using patches. Not caved yet and it's definitely getting easier. I'm determined to give up. Good luck everyone.

I'd like to join too. The support on here has inspired me.

My secret smoking is a constantly bothering me. My kids and partner don't know that I do and it's a constant source of guilt. I can go a few days and then I cave. I think part of it is the chance for 5 minutes alone in the garden or the chance of a catch up with colleagues at work.

I have a packet which I want to be my last and intend to start tomorrow with lozenges.

Ah great news purple penny, you should def treat yourself. Booze has been my downfall every time I’ve tried to quit before, I’m having a bit of time off alcohol for the mo.
Great to have you join us Denman and let’s play darts. I’ve also found the patches to be good, I started on the lowest dose but on advise from the chemist am on stage 2 as she said to complete the programme. Great it’s getting easier for you.
Like you darts I mainly am a secret smoker and constantly hiding is more tiring than I thought and is freeing not to do it all the time!!
Don’t know about you all but am sooooo glad it’s the weekend !!

I started on the highest dose and have to be on them for 6 weeks.. then it goes to step 2 for 2 weeks then step 3 for 2 weeks. I'm also stashing the cash I would have spent in a pot and there's so much in it already! I keep getting it out and looking at how much money I was burning, so it's really motivating me.

Can I join please? You’re all so very good! I’ve been following a long for a few days.

I managed a couple of 2-dayers in the second half of the week before last. Then did 4 days (feeling really motivated and strong) before caving on Thursday night and have now been stopped again since Friday morning. I’m finding it all a bit complex - like, it’s really not as bad as it could be but also, I have this ‘f* it’ personality type that is making me want to give in. You’ve all been so helpful in the background!

Anyway, I haven’t told anybody I’m stopping because that just doesn’t work for me. I’m using patches but forgot to stick one on today. It wasn’t bad at all until a few hours ago but I’ve been popping Nicorette lozenges and talking myself down from a ledge for since around 6pm.

Welcome all the newbies! Keep us updated with your progress, the first week is generally the worst. I went out for a lovely meal on Friday night (it did feel strange not popping out for a smoke) and we ended up getting quite drunk! We didn’t have a smoke and I don’t think I even thought of it but I’m still going to cut back on booze, I find the hangovers tough! Have you all had a lovely smoke free weekend?

Name changed but been on the thread for a while. Am three weeks in now and do want to say to those in their first week - it honestly does get easier.

Thanks for the reassurance! Really relying on that being the case.

I’m just sort of at a loose end. Like somebody said earlier, I structured my entire day around smoking. I didn’t even realise until 5 minutes ago but I even wrote off the inconvenience of train delays by going outside the station for a smoke to pass the time!

It’s all so stupid. Literally the most pointless thing I ever did was start smoking - and I’ve made a lot of poor decisions!

Hello everyone. It's been a while since I posted but have just caught up with this thread. A huge well done to everyone who has joined. It's a scary decision to make so it's fab to see so many who have taken that first step. I'm on day 28 and it is easier but although I've lost the nicotine from my body, the psychological pull to smoke is definitely still there. I had to battle with myself on Friday night not to have one but luckily I won. Still, if you do cave, don't beat yourself up, just get back on it. Murphs1 did that and she's going strong, amazing!!
I'm seeing friends on Friday night so it will be interesting to see if they notice me not smoking, as I haven't told anyone. I'm going to drive instead of drink which I think will help my resolve, but it will be the first night out with mates since NYE when I quit so quite a big step I think.
Keep going everyone, one step at a time! You are all inspiring!

I nearly caved tonight but stayed strong! Was gagging for a fag at about 11 pm but thankfully none in the house.. on day 28 for me. Patches and will power. The day time is definitely getting easier. I struggle driving in and out of work as it was such a routine but not giving in.
Loving the extra money! I've been saving it and it's over £400 a month. Had a curry out Friday and a posh restaurant on Sunday out of my savings! Felt great paying in cash from the pot!

It's good to hear the success stories...you're all doing amazing.

Its 5 days in for me today. The lozenges are just keeping the edge off which is a miracle after a stressful few days. I so loved a fag but even that stressed me out because I hated myself for doing so!

The worst part by far is the offensive gas these lozenges give me, plus I'm sure they will rot my teeth!

LetsPlayDarts, have you tried the micro ones? They aren’t sugary and you just leave them under your tongue to dissolve. They’re a life saver for me!

I’m on day 6 and have just had my first dinner out with a smoker friend. It was tricky but I did it. No wine though - that’s where I fell off the wagon last week after 4 days!

Keep going everyone. We’ve got this. Its hard but I’d bet we’ve all been through tougher stuff if we really stop to think about it.

Hi everyone! Day 26 for me, I agree with Rocking, the psychological pull is still there, some days more than others, I had an argument with my husband earlier and I really wanted a cig, old habits die hard but I’m glad I resisted! Mimi, I know what you mean with structuring your time around smoking, waiting for public transport was always an excuse to have a smoke! Welcome to the newbies, how is everyone’s weekend going?

Hi Purple good to hear from you and well done !!! I went out with friends last night, smoking friends, first time since I quit. I was nervous but I survived without a fag! One surprising dilemma was realising I couldn't use ' nipping out for a fag as an excuse to get away from a conversation. Hmmm...Not sure I'm explaining myself very well there. I can be quite anxious in social situations even with good friends, and last night I had no escape as such so I was forced into longer conversations. It was quite a weird experience! Anyway, my friends were really pleased for me and one in particular is really keen to give up so hopefully I've inspired her!!
Hope you're all getting through the weekend smoke free and enjoying your new freedom.
Oooh one really cool thing that happened last week is someone told me i smelt nice! They didn't know i had quit so it seemed a genuine and honest comment. When you're struggling with that craving really focus on a positive benefit for 2 minutes and you'll beat it. Keep going strong folks!!!

Purple and Rocking, you’re doing so well. It has really helped me following both of your updates!
Rocking, I totally get what you mean - it really was such a ‘good’ excuse to get away from situations! And a crutch to get you through when you can’t get away.
I’m on day 10 and still going strong. It’s fair to say I’m not feeling the health benefits yet. Had to see a doctor about chest pains I’ve been having! He thinks it’s just my body adjusting to stopping. He prescribed some medicine for a week or so which may help my lungs clear (I don’t have a cough).
Anyway, it’ll all be worth it in the end. I am determined this time! I keep rationalising that if I can get to the other side of a painful break-up and let it go to the point where I don’t miss a person any more - as I’ve done a couple of times - I can definitely get used to a life without something that brings far less happiness!
I hope you’re all doing well. It really is such a stupid vice. So whatever your motivation, keep going.

Hi all, I haven’t posted for a while as it's been one thing after another here! But I’ve kept going and now we are a month in purple and rocking, can’t believe it!! Like you both the pull is still there but it is much less. Well done rocking on going out with smoking friends and staying smoke free, you’ve done it once so you can do it again now, I think sometimes it’s getting through these events which would have triggered us to smoke. Welcome to all those who have joined us. Mimi day 10 is a milestone as nearly 2 weeks, which for me was a big one. And fab denman and lets play darts are keeping at it! Well done everyone. We can do it!!
Have a fab smoke free Monday

Not gonna lie I massively failed (again, again) at giving up so feeling pretty sorry for myself and really rubbish. I’m wondering if quitting drinking would help, but also it’s just my inability to say no when people offer me a cig. Which they do at work a lot. It’s just so difficult.

Well done, Francis. I’m on day 13.

Spoons, you can totally do this. I cannot even describe to you how terrible I’ve been in the past. I’m cheating a bit by using patches but in the past I just used to rip those off to smoke. I have lozenges too but have stopped needing to use them. I’ll need them again when I reduce the nicotine dose though.

One thing that has helped me is getting to Max Kirsten (famous, celebrity stop-smoking hypnotherapist) hypnosis app. Hypnosis, in true terms, absolutely does not work for me. Nobody has managed to hypnotise me (many have tried) but listening still somehow helps to reinforce my resolve.