Quitting...starting today..

[Velvet]

Hi. I'm starting to quit, today. I've made a list of reasons to quit. Money and Health being the top ones, of course. I'm taking someone's advice, in another thread (can't remember who) to narrow down instead of cold turkey. I know, myself, and cold turkey will not work. I will spend every waking moment thinking about cigarettes if I go cold turkey. So I am limiting myself to 7 per day. Then every other day, take away one of my 7. The mornings will be the toughest. It's hard to change your routine of getting up and ready for work. That's when I smoke the most. I never smoke in my home and new laws prohibit smoking at public places. So barriers are already in place, that I have no control over. I'm just hoping it will be easier than last time.
anyone want to join me, or have other suggestions that have worked for them?

[Autumn]

....I'm glad you decided to quit!

I'm such a pack-rat, lol. The other day I was rummaging through some drawers, and I found a kit that I bought a few years ago to try to quit smoking. I forgot all about it. It came with filters to help reduce nicotine intake.

I wasn't sure if you would be interested, but thought I'd mention it anyway. The company that manufactures the product doesn't have a website of their own, but I found a few different sites where you can review the product in greater detail, or order online. I bought mine at Walgreen for $17.99.

Here's some info from one site:

One Step at a Time® Cigarette Filters


One Step at a Time cigarette filters lower your nicotine dependency in gradual increments.

The system consists of four filters, each to be used 7 to 14 days. The first filter eliminates up to 25% of nicotine and tars; the second up to 50%; the third up to 70%. By the fourth filter you will be eliminating up to 90% of the nicotine and tars.

http://www.quitsmoking.com/onestep.htm

They do work pretty well, and they are reusable. You can also buy replacement filters, but it isn't necessary if you clean them as directed. I used to soak mine in rubbing alcohol. You wouldn't believe all the crap these filters catch. It's unbelievable.

It didn't work for me, but I think it's either because I wasn't ready or I needed more time to adjust to the lower dose of nicotine before stepping down.

Anyway, good luck! Check in once in awhile - I'll be around.



P.S. There are also several brands of different type filters you can buy, which are disposable. You can find them at any major drugstore.

[Done-With-It!]

Her Chyness is right behind you. February 14... ;-)

Good for Miss Velvie!!

[Chy]

Way to go Velvet! Yup right behind ya! I think hubby is on board to... phew..

[Velvet]

Autumn, that sounds like something I might try....
today I didn't do as well as I thought I might. I smoked about 12, but only 1/2 a cig. each time. That seems to work for me. I don't know what it is, but they aren't "tasting" as good as they once did. I don't look forward to that "cigarette break" anymore. Probably cause I'm freezing my ass off, smoking outside. Sorta takes something out of it, when you have to go outside to smoke....winter, and all.
Thanks Done....I'm gonna give it a good try. David wants to quit also, so I've got a we'll try the buddy system.
Hop on board Chy.....

[Chy]

I'm going to get those filters I think, that's something I've been looking for as when at work very rarely I use the gum, I know if I can go 7 hours at work I can do this to. I may even start on those as soon as they come in and be officially quit by Feb. 14? I'm also going to get this I found on Autumns link to as for me it's the hand to mouth fixation habit thingy. LOL. http://www.quitsmoking.com/ezquit/index.htm

[Velvet]

I know what you mean Chy, about going 7 hours without at work. So it should be "not to bad" to continue through the day.....right????
My second job is at the corner gas station, where I sell Cigarettes, all night. Almost every customer says they are quitting, when they are handing me the money. They just went up 10 cents a pack, here. Marlboro is 4.24 a pack. I usually get the buy one, get one...I think I'm getting a deal....ha. I was so busy at work, last night, that I didn't get a chance to sneak a cig, by the dumpster...when I got off, that's all I could think about...was that cigarette. So I smoked a half and it was real yuck...so I think I'm brainwashing myself pretty good!!! lol

[Maxine]

Hi....

Quit cigs on August 4th...

Now, can anyone tell me how to get off these lozenges? I'm still an addict.

I tried the slowly easing off method, but things got crazy and I decided that if the lozenges were the worst thing I was doing, I was okay.

But....I'm still an addict.

Maybe I should just lock myself up for a couple of days and throw the lozenges away...

[Velvet]

don't they taste yuckie, Maxine? So, did you just go cold turkey, on the cigs?
Congratulations. I'm gonna do it.

[Maxine]

Not really cold turkey when I'm sucking on nicotene pills all day.

They don't taste bad at all....mint flavored.

My aunt was diagnosed with lung cancer on August 3rd....I had my last cig on August 4...she died August 11.

Nuff said.

I was in the right place emotionally.

Decided I was sick of destroying myself.

I've quit so many times (once for 3 years) and have gone back. So, as with everything else.....just for today, I find it not necessary to smoke.

Congratulations to you for wanting a healthier lifestyle.

Hang in there.

[Velvet]

Thanks Maxine. I don't think I'll try the lozenges. I have been trying different behaviors, with myself. For instance, I no longer take my cigs with me when I go anywhere. I am still sticking with my set amount per day. I think I had 8 yesterday. But only 1/2 at a time. (so does that mean I smoked 16 tiny cigs?? lol) The smell is really getting to me, so I gotta try. My younger kids, 14 and 15 think they are disgusting...so I have them riding my back also. It's irritating, but helps.
Thanks for listening Maxine. I'm sorry about your aunt. That is how my dad quit, years ago. The neighbor, his good buddy, died of lung cancer. He quit the day of the funeral.
One day at a time.

[HStan]

wow everyone is quitting huh ....

[Velvet]

Well, things aren't heaven in "Ouitters land". I didn't get to sleep last night until 2 a.m....daughter having "I need to use" urges, because creep boyfriend..needle user, just released from jail....creep...that I won't allow anywhere near my property, won't return her calls...not staying clean like he told her he was going to....out with other girls and the Heroin...freaking creep......making my life more miserable than it needs to be...freaking useless creep...(really don't know why she can't see this....lol) Then it's the same arguement with her..."can I just have 20 dollars?" WTF...NO!!...I mean, NO. I guess you haven't heard me the last umtine times you've asked...NO. Then have to get up at 7 to take her to her Relapse Prevention class..no drivers license..no bus to that area of town...I get home, lay back down and my younger son says that the toilet is overflowing....fix that...the bed looks so inviting...lay back down..daughter calls.."we're done early, can you come get me"...get back, too late in the morning to lay down now...then daughter says, I really need to see "creep", could you drive me over...NO!! NO!! did I say, NO? oh yeah, I think I did. (some times I think she doesn't hear me) dog got into the mud..then the older son comes into the room, his girlfriend is having cramps so bad and is crying...so he says "do you think you can help, mom?" (does anyone else have a mom, besides my kids??!!) Then youngest daughter opens refridg. door and announces....."there's nothing to eat, I thought you went to the store this morning". Then of course, this happens to be the day that the younger ones have dentist appointments also. Trying to get last minute things done before break is over and have to go back to school/work. So, anyway, I'm having my 6th cigarette and it's only noon...so much for my 8 a day........
I'll do better tomorrow.......lol

[Maxine]

Aww...Velvet

Hang in there...do the best you can just for today.

Keep that sense of humor. It'll help get you through.

Makes me miss those days when my boys were young and driving me crazy. (Well, not really; just thought I would try to make you feel better!)

[Velvet]

Thanks Maxine. My kids are 26, 23, 15 and 14. (girl, boy, boy, girl) You can handle them anytime you are lonely for those "good ole days"...lol
I just did the dentist and my grocery store obligation. Whew...now for a cig.!..but just 1/2.

[purrdy]

Velvet i admire you!..i have thought and thought about this smoking milarky for years!!!! yes years!

i think its my quest for 2007!..i have no deadlines or essays to finish..im not depessed im over Christmas...everything is in my favou...EXCEPT my thinking and bleiefs that i would be setting myself up for failure

im like you i dont smoke in the house or car (GOD FORBID ITS A VW!!!!) i dont smoke during work hours...so why is the 2 in the morning and the 5 in the evening so difficult to break!!!! its awful...i simply do not feel motivated enough

the last 2 times i quit because there was somting at the end of it...first time ..fitness to get into the fire brigade..2nd time becauei was pregnant...jsut stopped...just like that..cold turkey both times!


i am going to be spending a lot more time reading these nicotine recovery sites now as i have been avoiding them..i need to read this stuff because i think it will give me the motivation to stop once and for all!..Velvet never give up giving up as they say..you are an inspiration..one day at a time

[Velvet]

Thanks Purrdy. I don't feel like much of an inspiration today. Yesterday...maybe. Tomorrow, hopefully. I don't worry about failure. If I fail....so what. I'll try again. I have cut down. But certainly have not even begun to kick this thing.
If you feel like joining in, I'd love the company.

[purrdy]

ok gilr im with you! ok ive siad it...will i post this?



I AM GOING TO QUIT SMOKING EVEYONE>>>>>>>


oh god did i really jsut say that?.....


ok list time



i clean my teeth all the time im running out of enamel
i hate the smell of it on my breath
i absolutely gagg at the semll of it on my clothes
i am a slave to it
its costs stupif money
its taking a toll on my life..
i cough until i am nearly sick
its giving me wrinkles
i hate it i hate it

i want to be free of it!


arrrghghghghghghghghgh...i want a cigarette!

[purrdy]

actually it feels very miuch like when i wanted to stop drinking..i did that because i had to......i simply had had enough!..im getting there..i need to really post nad read here EVERYDAY!...not mkae a half hearted attempt at jsut 'talking' about it


2007 is the year in which i will stop smoking for good

[Velvet]

Hooray!!
I've got a quittin buddy!!!

This will be good. Way to go purrdy!