After smoking for 16 years I decided enough was enough and I needed to kick the habit. In true, and predicable fashion the date was set for 1st January 2009.

Different people have different ways of stopping this vile habit, mine was to go out New Years eve, get amazingly drunk on a mix of Vodka and Guinness and smoke 30-40 cigarettes. For 3-4 days afterwards, just the thought of smoking made me sick. Since stopping I have had a couple of pieces of nicotine gum, I’m not trying to say I'm a superhero (but I am as I wear my pants on the outside) but this time round I found it fairly easy. I guess it was just my time

It's been just over five weeks now and I no longer feel the need to smoke, I still have cravings but they are getting less intense as time wears on. I feel amazing, I can taste, walk up a hill at a pace with out seeing flashing shapes after a couple of minutes and no longer smell like the inside of a Moroccan donkeys arse!

It's still early days for me but this time I think I can do it.

Superb stuff SAB Stick with it, you'll have plenty cash now too.

Well done your doing really well

Little update.

It's been over four months since i stopped smoking and i can honestly say i have not had one cigarette. In March i visited friends in Canada for a couple of weeks to get my head straight after being made redundant and was surprised that I didn't find the need to smoke. In fact while I was they i made over £80 as they didn't think i would last two weeks with out smoking. Easy money!

So I'm now at the stage were my lungs are starting to clear and the "byproduct" is interesting to say the least!

Good stuff great to see you've stuck with it, well done.

Little update.

 

It's been over four months since i stopped smoking and i can honestly say i have not had one cigarette. In March i visited friends in Canada for a couple of weeks to get my head straight after being made redundant and was surprised that I didn't find the need to smoke. In fact while I was they i made over £80 as they didn't think i would last two weeks with out smoking. Easy money!

 

So I'm now at the stage were my lungs are starting to clear and the "byproduct" is interesting to say the least!

That is really brilliant, it also means you are more likely to be getting a birthday card from the queen.

We'll see

Still doing okay, SAB?

I'm nearly one year out and still get the odd niggle. But that is probably because my husband still smokes.

Still battling on, but i'm winning the war.

I do know what you mean, as i still get a craving for one every now and again but it doesn't come to anything.

Just got to get fit and loose some weight now.

Congratulations SAB, it is a great feelingisnt it I gave up on September 10th 2008 and havnt felt like resuming, and it doesnt bother me being around smokers either, apart from the smell on their clothes afterwards, I am shocked that I could have willingly gone around smelling like that

So, it's over 12 months now since I stopped smoking and the concept of smoking seems alien to me. I'm not going to go all anti smoking as we are all old enough to understand the impact of smoking on our health and others around us but I can honestly say I don't know why I ever started.

A lot has happen since I stubbed out my last cigarette, I have been made redundant, spent 7 months unemployed then found a job and now it looks like I am to be made redundant again. The past 12 months have been less than easy but at no point have I thought about smoking. I have a very addictive personality but stopping smoking THIS time proved to be fairly easy.

My advice to others would be it can be done, it's not a walk in the park and it may take a couple of attempts but it is worth doing. Find a Kick the "habit buddy" use the free NHS service or just keep telling yourself You are not ready to die yet. Plain and simple!

Hats Off

You Must Have Stoped The Same Time As Me

Its Just Been Over A Year

Still Trying To Shift The Weight Though

Yes weight is an issue, it's amazing how easily 2.5 stone can find it's way home. Last year was all about stopping smoking, this year is about loosing 3is stone!

Thats How Much Excess Bagage I Have

I've started running and cycling again to try and shed some of the baggage I have accumulated over the past 12 months, it's working but good god is it boring. I have also started a rather strict diet but fell over the wagon this weekend in a big way and am now paying for it.

How did you find stopping smoking?

I Found That Smoking Addiction Is All In The Mind

I Lasted One Day So I Said I Could Last Another

No Patches Or Gum

After Three Days I Was Fine

Stopping Smoking Is Easy

Its Staying Stopped

Even Now I Get The Ocasional Impulse To Smoke, Lasts Only A Few Seconds Though

Doubt I Will Be Truly Free But I Will Never Smoke Again

I hear what you're saying. I've not given much thought to smoking since stopping and now consider myself to be a non smoker, however I don't think I will ever be free from cigarettes. I still like the smell of smoke but do not like the smell of smoke on people. If that makes sense. One of the guys sat next to me at work is a heavy smoker and after a couple of weeks I had to move desk as the smell was overpowering.

It's hard but well worth it

What Annoys Me Is People Say Think Of All That Dosh You Saved

Not Noticed A Thing

I've not noticed any savings either! I gave up 1st February 2009. Still going strong to date. Have also put on 3 stone through the fact I'm eating more (mainly because I enjoy the tastes of food - it was an alien concept before).

Had the strongest craving ever tonight. Watching The Italian Job on tv (Michael Caine version) - 99.9% of the film shows people smoking. I actually put my coat on, and was half way to the shop, before I stopped myself! Happy that I didn't smoked - angry with myself for even contemplating giving in though!!

All that I can add, is that the weight gain is a bit of an issue;

particularly for a lady.

For myself, I gained about 8lbs; one of those flab things above the waist, not nice:(

Anyhow, I carried on undeterred (kind of, not happy about the weight gain).

Sadly, I failed whilst on holiday.

But will try again next week.

Oh My God, IT IS SO HARD TO STOP/QUIT SMOKING...what they hell do they put in that stuff: nicotine?

or is it all the additives?

Sorry to hear this A/C but don't stop stopping

Nicotine is the most addictive drug. If you injected the same amount into your vain thats in just one smoke, it would kill you

Keep trying Hun, and as Alann Carr says in his book, your not giving anything up, your setting yourself free. Do try and be happy about not smoking.

Lex

Sorry to hear this A/C but don't stop stopping

 

Nicotine is the most addictive drug. If you injected the same amount into your vain thats in just one smoke, it would kill you

 

Keep trying Hun, and as Alann Carr says in his book, your not giving anything up, your setting yourself free. Do try and be happy about not smoking.

 

Lex

No Problem Mr. Lex, Ida and I, are going to quit again this Wednesday; non smoking as a team!

My prob. was going away on hols. with my (31 year old) daughter;

not her fault, I am a veteran smoker LOL...lost the plot.

Think, I saw Alan Carr swimming around one of the pools, maybe?

I will defeat the demon weed!

Ladies doubles at stopping smoking

Is this the new Olympic sport ??

Good luck girls xxx

Ladies doubles at stopping smoking

 

Is this the new Olympic sport ??

 

Good luck girls xxx

We can but, TRY:

Over two months before and for both, all fine.

I only failed due to being around a lot of other smokers!

Competition Sport:; rather do 10 lengths in the (swimming) pool: easy peasy.

Quitting smoking is another story;

V. Difficult

You'll do it this time, I'm sure.

This is the worlds expert on quitting talking here, I used to do it 4 or 5 times a year !!

You'll both be fine

Lex