I quit smoking yesterday. encourage me please

[redwitch]

I am using the commit lozenge and it is nasty- though it does seem to help. I want to start a serious walking habit but it is so hot and humid this week - unless it is raining cats and dogs- that I can't. I think replacing cigarettes with a stress relieving workout should help. Any other suggestions?

[JimmyJazz]

1. There is a smoking cessation group which might be of some

help to you. But, I definitely think that exercising is a great start. Best of luck to you. What you are doing is probably one of the hardest things you will ever do in your life, but it is so worth it. Hang in there. It does get better. :hug:

[redwitch]

10. I have decided that DU will be my smoking cessation group

Hope you guys don't mind. You are always here, somebody is always on and willing to offer hope and encouragement. and thanks for the hug!

[JimmyJazz]

16. I'm sorry. I meant here - on DU. It's one of the forums or groups -

I can't remember which. You might want to check them out. Some of the names will probably be familiar to you. My post was not clear and I'm sorry.

[redwitch]

27. dear god where did all these forums come from?

I have lived a sheltered DU existence! thanks for letting me know- there are a million groups on DU that I didn't know anything about. I will go on over there post haste

[proud patriot]

2. I quit this last January

You can do it , I looked at the Finacial contribution
of tobacco companies to political parties . That helped
me .

[redwitch]

3. That was one of my motivations

I hate big tobacco, I cringe when I see a young kid smoking- I started young and have struggled for years. I am determined this time.

[proud patriot]

14. Well I'm here if ya need me

if i can do it , so can you .

[Left Is Write]

4. Congratulations and hang in there.

Working out should defnitely help.

[tinfoilinfor2005]

5. I'm in your boat

Is there a Curves or a similar workout place near you? I live in the tropics and it is too hot to walk in the summer, but I joined a place similar to Curves and it helps a lot. AND I brush my teeth A Lot. (Don't like to smoke once I've brushed my teeth) :)

[redwitch]

7. i am considering that- have to work it into budget

usually where I am the summer is pretty decent and evenings are cool. this week it has been awful. but, come winter I will need to have an indoor workout space because the sidewalks get so icy and it's too cold to be out for long.

[tinfoilinfor2005]

17. And these types of places emphasize a healthy lifestyle

as well. I've been going since November and I got rid of my arm flaps as well as sort of almost quitting smoking. (I live with a smoker and everyone at work smokes so I am fighting an uphill battle, but I'm now good for days at a time as opposed to hours...)

[LastKnight]

6. try taking up caffiene...

im aware that it wont do any good, but its permissible to be a caffiene addict... lol.

seriously though: i find running/walking in the heat all the more rewarding when i finish... and going in the rain is just plain fun... well i donno about fun, but i find it thereputic, or almost spiritual, just like its me and nature... nothing else... i donno, thats probably just me, and im a bit odd.

anyway;

best of luck on your good choice!

-LK

[redwitch]

8. coffee is a trigger for me

my body says yum, coffee, time to smoke. I am going very easy on the coffee for awhile!

[LastKnight]

9. oh, my bad... sorry lol.

not such a good idea then... sorry lol.

[redwitch]

12. that's OK

different things work for different people. my cousin (who quit years ago) said the mere act of starting her car was a trigger to smoke. She managed to quit smoking and continued to drive.

[KittyWampus]

11. Try Drinking Tea. Gives You Something To Hold In Your Hands, Put To

your mouth and is warm. You can make a bit of ritual about it.

Chamomile, dandelion, etc.

[redwitch]

13. I have been doing that

lots of herbal stuff here since hubby developed serious reflux! he even drinks soyfee instead of coffee (I think it's awful stuff but he likes it and doesn't feel too deprived)I'm going to make some sleeptime right now!

[KittyWampus]

18. I Had Reflux Awful This Early Spring. Went To Acupucturist. Soy Is Not

helpful. And I am pretty much vegetarian and used to consume a lot of soy. My diet has changed quite a bit, but I feel great now and have lots more energy.

If you'd like some quick, TCM (traditional chinese medicine) dietary suggestions for husband, let me know.

[redwitch]

25. i'll ask him

he is reading alot of info on reflux now, strange books keep appearing around the house... and thanks

[jandrok]

15. Keep up the good work.

I quit 16 years ago. I'm glad I did. I gave 'em up cold turkey.

Here's a good incentive to stay off 'em. Add up how much you were spending on smokes over the course of a year. It'll scare you so much, you'll never wanna take up the habit again.

[NV Whino]

19. Go to your local hospital

and visit someone in the last stages of emphysema. If that doesn't stop you smoking, nothing will.

[kwassa]

20. I quit in 1984 after 14 years of 2.5 packs a day of Marlboros

It can be done, I haven't looked back, the smell of cigarettes is now repulsive.

I forgot I was ever a smoker in a few weeks.

and, my grandfather had emphysema and that didn't keep me from smoking. I was also a distance runner.

[dxstone]

21. Mmmm, SleepyTime!

Love those Celestial Seasonings!
I quit just two weeks ago, for five days, and started again... but I quit again today!
I've been smoking for 30 years; I NEED a rest!
Another good idea, perhaps: Reading a good book! Reading fiction always makes the time fly for me...
Don't forget to breathe a lot, and deeply... instead of smoke breaks, take breathing breaks... sometimes that helps.
I was a heavy smoker, but also ran and stayed in shape all my life... I think a lot of damage can be undone, I don't buy that "lung tissue doesn't heal" argument... in fact, silly as it is to say, I KNOW that's not true cuz I'm living proof, I'm an EXPERT quitter, I've done it so damn many times!
Good luck, hon! We can do it!
d
:hug:
Another hug never hurts!

[Olney Blue]

22. Redwitch, this is great news....

:kick: :kick: :kick: :kick:

the tobacco companies don't deserve your money or your health.

(here are a few little kicks from our friendly donkey in honor of your kicking)

[BikeWriter]

23. I quit cold turkey in the mid 70s. You are adding years to your life!

[gardenista]

24. Drink tea made out of Lobelia inflata. It's supposed to really help.

I cleaned and cleaned my house when I quit smoking, laundered everything, got the smoke smell out of my stuff as well as I could. It was great to have my place smelling sweet when I regained my sense of smell about 2 weeks after quitting.

Walking is a great idea...

Lots of showers, preening, grooming...

Knitting or some other kind of needlework to give you something to do with your hands...

Yoga, which you can do inside, even when it's raining or humid, is great. That deep breathing will remind you of why you decided to quit, and will help cleanse you of toxins.

Best of luck! You will be so glad when you have a few weeks smoke-free behind you!

Oh yeah, last thing. Save the money you would have spent on cigarettes for somthing really wonderful at the end of the month. A great meal, a wonderful bottle of wine, or a gorgeous outfit.

[MrSlayer]

26. Take 5 very deep breaths whenever you feel the craving.

Long and deep and hold them. I find that working your lungs will relieve the craving when I'm in a situation where I can't smoke. Good luck to you.

[BartInPC]

28. Think of the good things that'll result...

My wife kept thinking about how she won't stink of cigarette smoke, and how much she wouldn't be spending on the cancer sticks anymore.

It does get easier...just hang in there.

She did the hypnotism and then carried around a pen that was cut in half and had no ink cartridge inside. This allowed her to suck in hard on it, and play with it like a cigarette when she was really craving hard for one. Before long she tossed it.

She hasn't smoked since the fall of '99. Very proud of her.

[redwitch]

31. was she mean and angry alot while in the early days?

I can be quite tense and not my usual self. thanks for the words of encouragement!

[BartInPC]

33. I don't remember anything too dramatic...

Then again, not having the house smell like smoke was tip the scales in her favor if she was to throw a fit now and then while working through the process.

Keep at it...it's worth it.

[NoSheep]

29. For walking in humidity: Drench bandana in ice water and wrap around neck!

[CornField]

30. I'm so very proud of you!

I put down my smokes last November. The first month was the most difficult, with the first week being the most difficult of that.

Things that helped me:
Orange Juice (big swig when I had a craving)
Straw cut to cigarette length (for the hand motion I missed)
Crunchy veggies
Gum (lots of different flavors/brands)
Alternate Activities (I rolled harmony balls in the car for 3 months)
Really Loud Music (for when I was really pissed off)
Writing
Schedule Changes (skipping lunch/drinks with my smoking friends, etc.)

All my best to you. I know you can do this. More importantly, you know you can do this.

[redwitch]

32. thank you

some very excellent tips and I will pass along any others that work for me too.

[deadparrot]

34. Congrats...here's a link

meant to encourage...I know it's tough. Hang in there.

http://www.s-t.com/daily/04-00/04-21-00/zzzadlan.htm