I quit smoking today...

[Dookus]

don't get on my nerves.

sigh... I quit once before. Lasted for over three years. Then I started again during an extremely tumultuous period, a couple years ago.

Had my last one a couple hours ago. I hereby state that I am *NOT* responsible for anything I do over the next couple of days.

[NightTrain]

1. Good luck!

It's a bitch of a habit to quit, or so I'm told. :hi:

[NewHampster]

2. Quitting's Easy, I did it at least 30 times

Then I used the patch and haven't had a butt in 10 years.

Seriously. The patch is a miracle worker.

[Dookus]

5. couldn't do the patch

it made me crazy. Dunno why... even if I cut it in half, it still made me so jittery....

I'm just quitting.... I have a few xanax around to get me through the worst of it.

[NewHampster]

8. Good luck Dook

Its had but worth it.

"Those who try to quit never will, those who quit do."

anon

[Dookus]

12. I know...

last time I quit, I loved being smoke-free. it was stupid to start again, but I was going through a horrible breakup and just caved.

I may go get some nicorette if I freak out - I never tried it.

[GOPisEvil]

3. Good for you Dookus!

Good luck!

[stevedeshazer]

4. I'm putting you on my 'ignore' list

You're on "red alert" status for cranky posts in the next few days.

Seriously, I'm kidding, and wish you the best. :)

[Not Me]

6. One suggestion

My former office mate decided to quit smoking a while back. Of course it was kind of required during his working hours, but he was having a tough time of it while at home and while driving. One of the things he said that really worked for him was he would brush his teeth like 5 times a day. With a really fresh mouth, he was disinclined to light up.
Who'd have thunk it...but it worked for him.

GOOD LUCK!

[Blue-Jay]

7. I'll smoke for you today, Dookus.

I haven't started my tax returns yet, so every cig in the next few hours is dedicated to you. I put it off until the last minute every year, even though I always get money back.

On that note, I believe it's time to stop DUing and start cypherin'.

Can I borrow your calculator?

(Oh, and good luck on the "no smoking" thing. I'll quit when we get the Senate back, although I MAY settle for a president named Kerry)



Stupid typo edit.

[Bluzmann57]

9. From an ex smoker

Hope you make it. It is hard, but with support, and a strong mindset, you can do it. Good luck.

[demosincebirth]

20. I quit 13 years ago,

after, about, 20 trys.

I was checking my life insurance, one day, and found out that it would cost me $20 bucks less a month if I was to quit.

I had better reasons to quit before, like my health. Oh well, it takes what it takes. I'm glad I did. Smokers in CA are outcast to the far edges of any group of humans, and at $5.50x2 packs a day, I'm saving a lot! I also gained 15lbs overnight.

[MuseRider]

10. Good luck.

I myself quit about 10 times before it took. I went cold turkey the first time. I tried patches but they really didn't help that much but the Commit Lozenges work really well I am told. Good luck, it is so hard but you can do it.

[Lalena]

11. Good for you! I quit 3 months ago.

I still miss it sometimes but I really do feel better and like not giving money everyday to some very nasty people. Congratulations!

[Dookus]

13. congrats to you!

[khashka]

14. Good luck Dook

I'll be praying for you - of course I'll also be smoking for you. So, uh, six of one?


Don't worry, we are there for you. Give up the evil weed and we'll be your best friend. Fuck it up and light up -we'll still be there.

It's a lot harder than most people think. Good for you.

[ScreamingMeemie]

15. Good luck Dookus!! I know you can do it. I'll send all the positive

vibes I can...and Jessie sends puppy kisses!

We're so proud of you!!! :hug:

[Dookus]

17. yay

puppy kisses! that'll help!

[VOX]

16. Good going, dookus! Hang in there on this...

There seems to be a certain hump (different for every ex-smoker, I guess) that, when you finally get past it, the idea of a cigarette just doesn't have the appeal it once did.

My only advice -- when you have a drink, that's definitely the time that you *will* want that cigarette -- so if you can soft-pedal any alcohol ingestion for awhile, that might help you to get off of the chain.

I say all this as an ex-smoker -- I've been there, my friend. This is a good thing you're doing for yourself.

Best to you -- :toast:

[Jackpine Radical]

18. Best of luck with it, Dook. A few hints that might help:

Exercise a LOT. Especially aerobics. This will do 2 things. First, it will make it clear how much better off you are physically without the weeds. (In fact, you'll get about a 25% surge in energy within the first 12 hours as the carbon monoxide clears your red blood cells & frees them to carry more oxygen.) And second, it will cause your body to produce more endorphins. Part of the addictive effect of cigs actually seems to be an endorphin addiction (the cigs stimulate endorphin production), so you can make things easier on yourself if you start pushing the endorphin levels in a healthier way.

Also, I found that I didn't have a "cigarette habit." I had a thousand little cig habits, and had to find a way to break every one of them. 1st cig in the morning--cig for answering the phone--cig upon getting in the car--cig after sex--etc. Think of how you're going to cope with each of these circumstances, make plans. Get a bunch of low-cal things to munch on. Carrots are wonderful.

Oh--and don't throw away your lighter. You'll still need it for lighting farts.

All of this from someone who quit smoking 20 years ago as of May 1.

[Dookus]

19. thanks...

yeah, I quit once before. There were all sorts of weirdities - I couldn't talk on the phone for the first week. But I got over it pretty fast.

I just got some nicorette gum. It doesn't suck nearly as much as I was told it does, and it DOES seem to be taking the edge off. Thanks!

[southerngirlwriter]

21. Good luck!!

:yourock:

[Bertha Venation]

22. DOOK!

:yourock:

I wish I could make you feel better, but I don't know how. But dude, my sister quit, Mrs. V. quit, my paternal unit quit -- you can stay quit.

You so totally rock, Dookus!

[bigwillq]

23. Good for you and good luck

Are you going cold turkey?

[Dookus]

26. yup

a spur of the moment thing. Said "I'm having one more ciggie and that's it". So I smoked one - only half of it, really, then threw the rest away - after soaking them in water so I wouldn't fish 'em outta the trashcan :)

[bigwillq]

28. Best of luck

Don't know if I could go cold turkey. I quit for a year and a half about 4 years agao but I cut down drastically then. Like I would have like 10 a day then 5 then 4 then I just stopped. I think that 's the only way I could quit again.

Props to ya though!

[Dark]

24. Good Luck!

I hope you succeed. It's hard to quit, but it's soooo worth it.

[amandae]

25. Good luck!!!

If you really want to stop, you'll be able to do it for good this time. Good luck and congratulations on your decision!!!!!

:hi:

[BiggJawn]

27. positive waves comin' your way, Dook!

It will be 13 months on Saturday for me...I climbed a 10% hill today on my bike and saw the heart rate hit 188...And I'm a 47-y-o Old Guy who gets Fat in the Winter, too....

Just visualize all those tobacco tax $$$$ you're not giving your fucking ReTHUG State Legislators anymore. That helped me a LOT!

[UTUSN]

29. G.Luck, You Can Do It, If I Get Old I'll Go Back

Smoked for 25-30 yrs. During that time quit at least twice for long periods of 2-3 yrs. The times I went back it wasn't a craving or irresistible, it was just wanting to because I enjoyed the heck out of it.

This time it's been about 8 years because back then the chest pains were getting noteworthy.

I'm thinking that if I make it to 65-70, I'll smoke because why-the-heck-not at that point.

Btw, during the times I quit, I've never sermonized others. I enjoyed the heck out of it and like most others who do.

D., you probably don't need tips, but fwiw:

The first couple of days are the worst. Flush out with water and juices. Milk, milk just doesn't fit with tabacky for me. If you fall off the wagon in the first few days, that first one is absolutely horrible and dizzying and regrettable. After the first week or so, it's a piece of cake.