Questions For Quitters

[EvianBaby]

According to my cool little app, I am now smoke free for 4 days, 12 hours and 28 minutes. Although I did cave on Thursday and bought a pack of 10 (smoked half of one Thursday and the other half yesterday, the remaining 9 are still in my kitchen drawer), I'm using 24 hour patches with the occasional bit of vaping when the craving gets too much (mostly when everyone in my office goes out for a smoke).

Its odd though, I go from finding myself not having thought about smoking for a few hours to having an urgent need to smoke 20 at once. How long did it take you for the cravings to lessen?

I'm desperately trying not to replace cigs with food so my tea consumption had quadrupled. I'm not really a fan of gum so has anyone got any other good substitutes?

Also, did you noticed your complexion and other senses improving? How long before you saw an improvement?

Also, normally on the weekends I'm awake at 6.30-7.00ish. Today I didn't wake until gone 9. That's a huge, unheard of lying in for me. Do you reckon that's my body remembering that I don't need to get up to have a cigarette?

The app I have is really good as it has loads of little inspirational facts based upon my own smoking history but I think I just need some more hints.

Any hints or tips would be hugely appreciated!

P.s. this isn't a post so I can just get people to praise me, I'd really rather just stick with the facts. I'm certain I will fail at some point :)

[coccinelle]

First of all well done on deciding to quit smoking. When i stopped I found brushing my teeth when I had the urge beneficial as i was doing something and once my mouth was lovely and fresh the urge to smoke went. it took me about 2 weeks before the urge finally left but the idea did still come back for a long time; but that's what it was the idea and not the need. Just tell yourself, one hurts, never give yourself the excuse to light up for anything.

[cupid04]

Wish I had the willpower. I'd be a lot healthier and better off financially as well!

[ummmm]

My OH has given up and he sleeps in much more often now. He's never mentioned cravings.

Can't really comment on his complexion as he's always sunburnt :-)

Well done regardless

[coccinelle]

By the way, it will be others who will tell you how well you're looking as your complexion after a month is a lot fresher and your teeth whiter.
You might be right about waking later as your body isn't craving the early morning cigarette. Your body will go through some changes as it 'repairs' itself. Some people get a bad cough as the lungs are cleaning themselves out.

[Cloverjo]

I used an Inhalator. That was years ago, so I don't know if they are still around. It was a plastic tube that you suck on to give you a small hit of nicotine, when the cravings are getting to you. I thought they were better than the patches, as you have something active to do, and can hold it like a cigarette.

[cupid04]

I forgot to say well done. Keep up the good work!

[EvianBaby]

I'm not bothered with myself about the two halves I've smoked. They both sort of reminded me that it's not nice, but I obviously don't want to be doing that too much. I'd happily be one of these people who just has 2 or 3 a day but I know it'd never last.

Cupid, the money is one of the main reasons I have to quit. Near enough £300 a month is big spondoolies to me!

I think I'm kidding myself a bit that ill end up with a beautiful natural healthy glow. I didn't have one of them even when I was a baby.

Cocc, I hadn't thought about that but I've come out in terrible zits the past two days. Perhaps that's why.

[EvianBaby]

Clover, that's similar to the vaping. But I don't want to do that too much as I don't want to entirely replicate the feeling of smoking.

[B00]

Ive not noticed anything significantly improving other than my teeth which do appear a bit whiter, though not as white as I assume they could be on account of the extra coffee I'm consuming now!

Not noticed any difference in my sleeping habits either.

[cupid04]

Have you found yourself eating more. That's one of the things I'd worry about because I'm already overweight.

[EvianBaby]

Oh no Boo! You're not meant to say that! Take it back! Tell me you've turned into Jennifer Aniston or something!

Cupid, snap. Trying very hard to eat instead of smoke.

[coccinelle]

Cupid; brushing your teeth has no calories and sipping on lemon water or whatever either. You will put on some weight as your metabolism slows down (your heart rate isn't quickened with the nicotine intake) but take this an opportunity to go walking and breathe in some lovely clean air.

[B00]

lol, soz Ev, but no, I genuinely haven't noticed anything different, not even breathing wise. I still weaze like a fat bird racing to Greggs after any kind of exercise.

[kylesmum]

I know someone who used to have a bag of sunflower/pumpkin seeds to graze on, healthy and pretty tasty !
Have you tried the Graze boxes ? They're £2.99 and have lots of delicious little snacks...to erm graze on :D
I'm sure you can have a taste box free.
Cheaper than ciggies plus they're a little treat.
One day you *will* forget you ever smoked, you're doing a great job !

[catsrcool]

I gave up when it became illegal in public places like pubs etc. I found that avoiding anyone smoking reduced my craving. My GP suggested I use 1/3 of a straw as a placebo and it helped me just sucking on it. Everyone is different but it took me a couple of weeks for the craving to really subside. Your clothes will smell better along with your breath. Taste changes quite a lot I found I could taste subtle flavours better. As for the increased food consumption if you have got to eat make sure it is very low fat I had at various times ate raw apples, carrots and other fruit and veg and my weight hardly went up at all. Watch the tea consumption the caffeine in tea is a diuretic. Drink tap water. Don't give in and have a puff throw the cigarettes out. Good luck. You will be better off physically and financially. I smoked 30 a day that would cost me over £4300 a year now. Think what you could do with that money! The money I have saved has paid for one of these:
http://www.wexphotographic.com/buy-canon-eos-1d-x-digital-slr-camera/p1527778
amongst other things.

[mier]

Many years ago (decades, even) I gave up for nearly 12 months. Something happened to my senses. Gradually all food tasted wierd. I would smell raw meat and claim that it was off. I took a bite of cream cake one day and had to spit it out as the cream was so disgusting I was sure I would be ill if I swallowed it. Even tap water became repugnant. No-one else in the family agreed with me.

I returned to smoking and all food and liquids returned to their previous glorious taste. Because of my experience I have never been able to understand how ex-smokers have been able to eat more than before and put on weight.

Good luck to you.

[Yorky Lass]

I gave up about 10 years ago but can't say I have noticed any difference other than to my pocket.
I found a stress ball useful when giving up it gave me something to do with my hands when I felt the urge to have a cig.

[Eve]

I quit for a while on patches. I had an inhalator for the few big cravings and I kept the rest of the last pack I had bought at home so I never had the I want one, I don't have one panic to buy some.

I used to buy myself a venti starbucks drip coffee in the morning and slowly sip it so it lasted ages - I don't mind cold coffee though :) I found I wanted to eat less and people did say I looked a lot better for it though people have said I don't have the "look" of a smoker anyway!?! Mind you I haven't smoked full strength for many years and couldn't now, went onto lights then menthols and have smoked them for years.

I got myself some nice smelling stuff like nice lipbalm and stuff that smelled nice on my hair to realise the benefit of being able to smell it.

I felt much calmer as well, despite the "stress reliever" thing I would say before, I guess not having that need a cig craving, especially if you can't have one.

I walked more too, would walk to farther away bus stops and it also kept me away from people smoking as I couldn't stand the smell while I wasn't smoking.

[daffy654]

Well done on the giving up. Can I just suggest that if you have sugar in your cup of tea that you are careful with the increase in intake. 1 tsp of sugar has approx 25 calories and semi skimmed milk has approx 15 calories, this all adds up over the course of a day. If you take your tea black and sugarless then carry on :)

[divegirl]

Put an elastic band on your wrist then every time you get a craving ping it... really hard! Sounds mad but it works. Soon you'll look at the band and think 'oh haven't had to do it for a while' but leave the band there.

Lisa x