quiting smoking

[opmania]

Have been a 20 pack a day smoker

For nearly 40 years and stopped cold turkey

On Monday 

So have made it 4 days without a smoke

Feel like I am going crazy 

And don't want to go near a shop for a while

Until I feel safe to avoid the impulse to buy

A packet

Not easy that's for sure

[imastawka]

You're doing really well.

I gave up cold turket 8 1/2 years ago

Drink lots of water,  distract yourself with things that are non-smoking related.

That is, things that are hard to do while smoking.

If you distract yourself for long enough, the craving will go away.

About 3 minutes is all it takes for distraction.

Try really hard not to dwell on it and pretty soon you'll find yourself

not thinking so much about it

Congratulations on being smoke free

[opmania]

Thanks 8 1/2 years you wouldn't want to go back 

After all that time

I am determined not to smoke

Again 

I am doing it for my 5 year old Grand

Daughter 

And that's why I have come

Back on the boards to take

My mind off smoking

It is working to a degree

Unless I get too wound up

By the goings on here

And will probably make me 

Want to smoke more than ever

Lol

[imastawka · Accepted solution]

I'm never going back.   (Have been diagnosed with emphysema.)

I smoked 25 or so a day for 40 years

I hope you have cleared out all the ashtrays and any reminders.

Also throw out the other smokers!    No smoking in the house!

Don't care if it's raining or cold.    And try not to over-eat.   It's easy to

just shove something in your mouth, but don't - have water.

Deep breathing also reminds you how good it will finally be,  to be smoke-free.

Soon food will start to taste better.  Really.

Good luck

[kopenhagen5]

Good on both of you. 

[tulip*place]

Hi, opmania.  It's been 17 years since I gave up. 

You will have to change your routine.  If you had a ciggie with a cup of coffee, change it to maybe a herbal tea and have it in a different location..   Have an emery board with you to keep your hands busy.   Replace the ash tray with a vase of fresh flowers.

It's not going to be easy.    Stay away from other people that smoke.  Good luck.  I felt light headed in the first few days. 

Have you tried giving up previously, if so how long did you last?

[opmania]

Has stopping smoking improved

The emphysema 

Have got rid of ash trays

And tipped butts out in green

Bin right on top of a pile of

Dog poop. 

I thought however desperate

I get I won't be smoking butts

In doggy do

Thanks for the tips

[lurker172602]

Get yourself a nice big glass jar and every time you successfully resist the urge to light up put $1 (approx. cost of each cigarette) in it.  Enjoy watching it fill up and use the money to do something special with your grand daughter.  

[j*oono]

Keep going Opmania.  You can do it.

According to my MLC app it is 3 years, 140 days, 5 hours and 46 minutes since I last had a cigarette.  I used to smoke quite a lot more than 20 a day, like at least double that.

If you have a smart phone this app is very encouraging.  It's called MLC which stands for my last cigarette.

My advice is opposite to what some other people found helpful.  For me it was to not try to change anything. Don't avoid coffee because you will then want a ciggie.  Of course you will either way.  Don't ban other smokers from smoking near you.  Get used to it.  Don't panic when the kilos pile on, and they will.  Breathe deeply, it helps and get some exercise.

[opmania]

Wow 17 years do you still feel like a smoke

Sometimes

I gave up when I was pregnant both times

And started again as soon as I stopped feeding

Babies

And stopped for 4 months about 20 years ago

Started eating too much 

Had to toss up if I wanted to die of  lung cancer

Or obesity 

So started again and never even tried to stop

Until now