skydivejersey 0 #1 October 29, 2003 smoking. Started last weekend. Does it get easier or harder after the first few weeks. A friend of mine who is an expert at giving up (she must have done it about 50 times!) says she always find it hardest at week 6. Any thoughts from any reformed smokers out there? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lazyfrog 0 #2 October 29, 2003 I easily quit smoking approx 6 years ago, my girfriend was a non smoker, so it really helped. Then she left me, stayed without smoking for approx 9 months, but my next girlfriend was a smoker... just try and stay in non smoking environments, with children, in the nature etc... it helps. Also not drinking alcohol helps... No smoke, no drink, but you can still have sex. It'll even help, and be better---------- Fumer tue, péter pue ------------- ourson #10, Mosquito Uno, CBT 579 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skydivejersey 0 #3 October 29, 2003 Cheers frog. This is a cant really avoid it situation. Missus smokes. I live on a duty free Island where most people smoke. I only know about 3 people that don't smoke. I like beer and wouldn't want to avoid it - lets to it the hard way! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FliegendeWolf 0 #4 October 29, 2003 I found week 3 to be the hardest. It's funny, I quit in 98 and still have the occasional urge. Nothing like the nic fit, though. The best is when you finally realize that you can start to smell things! It's wonderful!A One that Isn't Cold is Scarcely a One at All Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
goose491 0 #5 October 29, 2003 Well congratulations Man! You'll soon be breathing through new lungs. Actually, I found the worse to come in threes: Three days, three weeks, three months... but that's all sub-conscious rubbish anyway Keep up the good work. My Karma ran over my Dogma!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dropdeded 0 #6 October 29, 2003 Right on. Im 1 day short of 4 weeks. Yeah, it gets easier. When I get to where I want one, I just think," Im gonna wait til next break", or, "I'll have one in an hour, just not right now". Its getting to the point where Im not even thinking about smoking when those usual "smoke breaks" come around. Works for me anyways. Hang in there, I've quit some pretty fucked up habits and this smoking shit is definately one of the toughest. But it does get easier. dropdeded------------------------------------------ The Dude Abides. - Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skydivejersey 0 #7 October 29, 2003 Well funny you said that I do think I can smell better already. Whats weird is that I seem to be waking up with a tighter chest than when I was smoking. How did that happend? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
turtlespeed 220 #8 October 29, 2003 It's not the time that matters, it's the beer. Once you have a beer, the cravings come back no matter how long you have been smokeless.I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skydivejersey 0 #9 October 29, 2003 I do miss those lets go kill a few minutes with a fag break moments at work. Not least cos it gets you away from the desk for a bit! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skydivejersey 0 #10 October 29, 2003 QuoteIt's not the time that matters, it's the beer. Once you have a beer, the cravings come back no matter how long you have been smokeless. There is definately a booze / fag association I recon. I have been trying to break this with a bottle of wine in the evenings but having nothing available to smoke. Seems to be working. Guess the real test is when I end up shitfaced. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nightingale 0 #11 October 29, 2003 my brother swore by carrots and pretzel sticks and the like... something about that familiar hand to mouth thing. he's been nicotine free for two years now, so I guess it worked. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
batbex 0 #12 October 29, 2003 My Mum swore by gameboy - she's get addicted to a game and then not have a free hand to smoke with, and her concentration was focused on the game the whole time - she did end up addicted to game boy for about 3 years though(she's now 13 years free of cigarettes) I usually end up eating lollipops - again the familiar hand mouth thing - but then in fairness every time I'm half way through a pint I break - if I could give up beer... p.s random question, sorry to break the thread! - but do you know where Simon is and what he's doing now? he appears to have disapeared from Edinburgh and someone said he's dropped out of his degree? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dropdeded 0 #13 October 29, 2003 It's not the time that matters, it's the beer. Once you have a beer, the cravings come back no matter how long you have been smokeless. ------------------------------------------------------------- Well, in two months, it will be 5 years since Ive had a beer I like beer dropdeded------------------------------------------ The Dude Abides. - Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nacmacfeegle 0 #14 October 29, 2003 The gum really helps control the craving if thats any use. Its a good idea to keep some handy, especially at work. Stick with it, you know it makes sense.-------------------- He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
turtlespeed 220 #15 October 29, 2003 I am going to buy the gum at lunch - thanks for the inspiration.I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skydivejersey 0 #16 October 29, 2003 Yeehaa smoke free living...! Bec - have sent you a pm re Simon. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DBCOOPER 5 #17 October 29, 2003 I once had a flight surgeon tell me that if I really like the nicotin that much just use the gum all the time.Gets rid of the bad stuff when you get it in its purest form.Replying to: Re: Stall On Jump Run Emergency Procedure? by billvon If the plane is unrecoverable then exiting is a very very good idea. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EricaH 0 #18 October 29, 2003 My mom quit over 28 yrs ago & still has at least one craving every day. There is no can't. Only lack of knowledge or fear. Only you can fix your fear. PMS #227 (just like the TV show) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skydivejersey 0 #19 October 29, 2003 28years. Can't take that long to deprogram the brain can it. I don't know if my willpower will last 28 years! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FliegendeWolf 0 #20 October 29, 2003 Quote 28years. Can't take that long to deprogram the brain can it. I don't know if my willpower will last 28 years! Well, the thing is you aren't really deprogramming the brain. After you quit, your brain still associates smoking and the nicotine rush as a reward. Especially when your brain associates particular places with smoking (like in the car, for example), after quitting, there will be that association: car=>smoke=>reward. That is why 30 years later if you find yourself receiving the same cues, you can feel an urge to light up. The rewards of smoking aren't dissociated from your brain.A One that Isn't Cold is Scarcely a One at All Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skydivejersey 0 #21 October 29, 2003 I'm going to have to find it some different rewards. Good brain. Good brain. Here have some beer. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GARYC24 3 #22 October 29, 2003 Well, several months ago I posted about quit smoking..I didn't completety quit..Started off just smoking on drive to Dz and before/after a skydive. and drive home.. Today will be 24 hrs of honest non-smoking! Not even a butt from ash tray (smoked them already har har) It will be an easy start for me this time, because I don't feel good..all this smoke and smell from local fires play a facor on quitting too. I done all the tricks, excuses. and what not.. If ya quit you quit, if ya quit for 10 yrs and then smoke one; so what!..Doesn't make you a failure.. I'm quitting because I can feel their making me sick, I'm getting older (gotta take care of myself, no one else gonna do it!) and all that kind of stuff. Have fun with quitting ! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RevJim 0 #23 October 29, 2003 QuoteWell congratulations Man! You'll soon be breathing through new lungs. Actually, I found the worse to come in threes: Three days, three weeks, three months... but that's all sub-conscious rubbish anyway Keep up the good work. I totally agree with the "threes". It seems (seemed?) that way to me too. Only you forgot 3 hours. Yes, hours. When you mentally decide you are going to quit, 3 hours has pushed your body over the limit for its nicotine supply. It does get easier, really. At 6:30 a.m. tomorrow morning, it will be 4 months for me, smoke free. Quit (last drag) at 6:30 a.m. June 30th, 2003. To me, that's now the MOST important day in my life, followed by 4 child births, an Anniversary, and my own birthday.It's your life, live it! Karma RB#684 "Corcho", ASK#60, Muff#3520, NCB#398, NHDZ#4, C-33989, DG#1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
turtlespeed 220 #24 October 29, 2003 I'm having a craving right now. The reason[(only opinion) but it makes sense] that we have such a hard time with quitting cigs is that we are actually addicted to the chemicals in them. I have tried to smoke the all natural cigs, and I end up smolking more of them because they don't fill my body with the stuff it's used to getting. So, I hope that the gum will curb the cravings enough. . . I'll let you know.I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AndyMan 7 #25 October 29, 2003 Quote My mom quit over 28 yrs ago & still has at least one craving every day. I quite about a year ago, and had a few setbacks early on. I haven't had a craving in over six monthes, a setback since the early spring. _Am__ You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites