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I think people are afraid to give up because they think they are going to have a really hard time of it. When my sis-in-law had a health scare she stopped and was surprised by how difficult it wasn't. There are so many scare stories around about how awful the withdrawal symptoms are that she was terrified. But then found that it wasn't actually that bad.
Maybe we need to be less hysterical and look at it from a positive angle - i.e. it is do-able.
PS: I stopped 'social smoking' the day I was introduced to the man who is now my OH. He obviously liked me, but as a keen sportsman, was put off by the fag I had in one hand and the beer I had in the other.
My prostestations of 'I only smoke when I'm out!' didn't wash and I had to do some serious mountaineering feats and some serious running before I convinced him I'm a healthy kinda gal.
I could only smoke if I'd had a couple of beers FB, otherwise it made me feel sick. And I only smoked when I went out. But as I went out nearly every night....
As time went by I could have a cigarette after only two beers, then with my first and finally as I ordered my first or on the way to the bar...
I remember when I had a really cool dope smoking boyfriend trying to have a cigarette for breakfast as he and all his cool dope smoking pals and their cool girlfriends did. Fortunately I wasn't cool enough, felt sick and just had some toast.
I don't know how I didn't become addicted as I tried hard enough in a kind of self-destruct mode. Humans are weird I tells ya!
My brother has been smoking for 25 odd years (he's now 40-something) and it's really starting to show when we're on the mountains and also the amount of air he chugs scuba diving. He'll use up a 15 litre bottle when I still have plenty air left in a 12. And he's a much more experienced diver than me.
To those who think it doesn't affect their training - it does. It must. But you probably won't notice it if you're only in your twenties.
Knock it on the head!
Anon, you can make nothing but an educated guess about the two people you have mentioned unless:
If you cannot answer affirmative to the either of above two points then it is nothing other than an educated guess...
well done anyone who has stopped.
Some interesting views here, some downright distorted and fueled by inexperience and need to "have a go" but that is true of many subjects. My knowledge of what works unfortunately is restricted to what stopped me for the longest time and not perminently. If off stay there -please.
Sharnie - there is always hope!
I started at 18 or 19 and packed in for good at 39 - over 20 years of total dependency on cigs.
When you decide you want to - REALLY REALLY want to - then you will do it- and you will find that the thought of giving up was worse than the actual giving up.
Best of luck to you
I have to say that was one of the things I missed most after packing the fags in - not being able to partake of a big spliff. I tried it a couple of times but wasn't sure what was giving me the hit - the dope or the nicotine and it made me feel ill so I packed the spliffs in. I know there are other ways of having dope but the spliff way was always the best.
as for saving money - when we packed it in we bought a big piggy bank and put the fag money in there daily. within 12 months we had a holiday in Sri Lanka and the Maldives on it........I really couldn't imagine the cost of smoking these days
Just wish there was a magic potion you could drink so that you would wake up and just not want to smoke!!!!!!!!!! guess that would solve it! Max i've ever managed is a month - every other time I have caved at about 2 weeks - the patches, inhalers and gum just don't seem to do anything!
HUGE quantities of admiration to all who have made it!!!!!!!
Ok time to admit it I still smoke, 10 a day habit
On monday we are moving to a new office where there is no provision for smokers except the street.
On Sunday I will be giving up Smoking.
This is also with the help of the Allan Car book. I did it before for a year and god knows why I started again.
That's part of what gets me down - if I make a year i'm still gonna want a smoke!?
Might have a look at the Allan Carr book though!
Oh - and good luck Tommygun2 - hope you make it!
Thanks Cathy - guess that helps to know! - think its less fear of not having cigs that puts me off - more a fear of suffering!! - almost motivated to have another go - soon - ish ....... maybe!
The worst thing is that I really should know better - I'm almost ashamed to admit it but I work with patients with cancer!
search out the associations you have with smoking and break them - that makes the whole process easier......
move house, change jobs, get divorced/married - these can be the big ones that can help you break the link between you and smoking but there are little ones as well like
when do you have the first fag? change that
do you always smoke at the pub? if so change pubs
do you smoke in the house? don't
may sound simple but it helps break the habit and there is nothing more habitual in my experience than smoking
Thats the veiw I'm taking FB
New office, different route to work, earlier train etc etc
Plus I really wan't to quit.
Well I'm already divorced - and that was expensive! Don't fancy gettin married again, and I don't smoke in the house - hardest ones to miss for me when I have managed more than a couple of days are the first one after a meal - and if I have a glass of wine in one hand ............
And I'm definately not giving up alcohol (and no I don't drink everyday) - gotta have some vices!
Reckon willpower does contribute a major amount to the success of those who manage it tho!
Reckon the really wanting to is important too - maybe that's the bit I'm missing? Know I should quit but if it was harmless I really wouldn't - I enjoy it!
I quit a month ago (again) and found this FREE book useful : http://www.aebersold.com/documents/QuitEasy.pdf
The author states that he's an Allen Carr practishioner.
I found it very helpful as it made me appreciate that most of my ciggies were 'rewards' for various things and really made me despise the 'habit' of my addiction. I must say though, that having non-smoking pubs is a huge blessing.
Managed to stop in January 2007 for 3 months, until 2 weeks before running FLM !!!!!! Got drunk in a very smokey pub surrounded by friends who were chain smoking and I caved in, bought a packet....and never looked forward.
I believe this time WILL BE better as I had been resenting the NEED for nicotine and was only really enjoying the first couple of puffs.