Yes, go ahead, pot a daily blog about your proress, i will keep you on the right track

.



I quit smoking 25 years ago at three packs a day. There are indeed a few useful tips to be applied without moderation.



1) Use whatever means you deem useful: Tablets, hypnosis, shrink, support groups, miracle pills, acupuncture, you name it.

2) The addiction to smoking is not only psychological, but also physical, but the physical weaning is much shorter (a few days) than the psychological.

3) It is much easier that one might think. The trick is to believe it

4) There will something missing in your hands, and you will need to find alternative behavior such as playing with a rosary, eating an apple, etc. Do not underestimate that!

5) Smoking is a way to structure time, to pretend to be composed or to look cool. Learn how to recognize these pattern and how they work to avoid them.

6) When it's getting too hard, exhaust yourself. Go out running, do 10 push ups, hold your breath as long as you can... For short, find a physical way out. Your mind is the pilot, sure, but it need the cooperation of your body too...

7) Smoking is an addiction. You are making a fantastic effort by giving up, so be gentle to yourself AND to others. Bad temper is not a solution and if you are really having bad times, refer to point 6 or take a walk. Put people around you on your side...

8) Avoid smokers for while especially those that are close friends. They may try, very unconsciously, to make you fail. And believe me, they will, totally unaware of this behavior, and swear that they don't. Your success is threatening them...

9) You do not quit smoking, you become a non smoker.

10) And NO, you are not going to smoke that f%ing cigarette. Every puff resets your nicotinic receptors and you cannot afford single weakness. Be assured of it.

11) Last but not least, will is not just a matter of strength, but above all, a matter of motivation. Work on it, with your family, your friends, here, again, whaterver or whoever will work.

12) Listen to Obama: YES, WE CAN...

Free, Jan 4, 2009 @ 19:07

Hey Dora,

I'm with Free here: post the blog if you can, it would be nice for us to see, and motivating for you to write. Do it - you can do it!!!

Nir
Nir Ofek, Jan 4, 2009 @ 21:57

Thanks Guys ! Happy to write a blog but worried I may bore you.

Ok so last night was to be my last ever fag, the grief of knowing this after 26 years of being a smoker was awful. Conflicts raced around my head about when I would have my last puff. Thoughts such as " I will have the last one before the movie at 9 pm and watch TV in bed...(as I smoke outside only and my bedroom is on the 4th floor of our house it is an effort to think about going up and down the stairs you see ).......but then I consider that the movie last 2 hours and surely I will need another half way through or at then end? " . Oh decisions decisions !!

Anyway turns out I had a terrible stomach ache and went to bed at 8pm , missed the movie and fell asleep !!! So that was sorted out quite easily eh ?

So have now been up for 2 hours, first words I was greeted to , were from my 5 year old shouting "morning  Mummy, dont forget you cant have a cigeratte today !!!" Mmmm thanks for reminding me sweetheart!

Hubby let me have a lie in , kids fed, dishwasher emptied, house quite tidy , he is smiling at me but with slight trepidation wondering if he dare to speak for fear of saying the wrong thing !  Maybe say nothing I think he thinks and he makes me a cup of tea...Good choice !!

Actually no craving for a fag but its the habit of having one. So decided to write  my blog.   12 hours left before bedtime , then that means day one no smoking !!!
dora2505, Jan 5, 2009 @ 10:37

Don't worry about how we feel about your blog, what's important is that you quit smoking as happily as possible. As I said, you are going to fight habits more than the real need for a cigarette.



One day no smoking already ? Celebrate ! This is a victory and big victories are made of small steps, the most important of which is the first :-) Celebrate the first day, the second, the first week, the first month and then stop celebrating because there will a time in a near future when non smoking will be your new norm and norms do no need to be celebrated.



Remember: no weaknesses... I know too many people who thought that one puff would not be that bad after all and got back smoking after the first one.
Free, Jan 5, 2009 @ 11:21

Yes your right and been there and thought a quick puff wouldnt do me any harm and started again. The withdrawl isnt as bad this time probably cos of these tablets, its the habit of going outside for one thats hard. I drink tea so think I will start drinking coffee, change my associated habits.
dora2505, Jan 5, 2009 @ 11:52

Morning guys ! still smoke free but the hardest part is missing sitting outside with a cup of tea and 5 minutes relaxing with it.

Its the habit thats the difficult part today, I miss it so much , like when cooking a meal last night I would enjoy the fag with a glass of wine. or when on the phone with friends.

Anyway day 2 and fag free, tommorrow day 3 I hope

thanks for all your support.
dora2505, Jan 6, 2009 @ 13:00

[quote][b]dora2505 (06/01/2009)

[/b]Anyway day 2 and fag free, tommorrow day 3 I hope[/quote]

Nope, you don't hope. You decided so. Words are not reality, but they do give it a flavor... :)

If you made it one day, why wouldn't you do it a second one?

and a third?

and a fourth?

and so on...



Bravo, one more day and physical addiction is over.
Free, Jan 6, 2009 @ 13:09

Hi Tinkie good question . Never thought about that, but I was always only to be outside cos cannot smoke inside, so never for fresh air just nicotine air !!

 Also whilst what you say is an excellent idea for me to be in back yard int good yet because that associates me with fags. ok I hear you say go out the front then ?

However, Kids back at school on Thursday and I am going to start power walking, I not only need the exercise but need to re think my mind habits if that makes sense and channel my energies into something more productive.

So does the craving go away by day 3 ??

To be honest these tablets seem to manage that and I guess eventually I will need to wean myself on these. At the moment its the habits that are worse, twice now when a friend has phoned I find myself on my outside chair , ready to sit and light up and suddenly I think God what am I doing, it is automatic learned behavior !!  But boy its a fight.

Anyone got a spare set of rosary beads ?? Must buy something to twiddle , good tip Free thanks

You have been so supportive !!

It hasn't been as hard as I thought, still horrid and I miss my best buddy if you know what I mean, but of course he wasn't my real buddy was he ???

 Think having these tablets called CHAMPIX  really help but having some forum support as well is great !!

xx
dora2505, Jan 6, 2009 @ 18:00

9pm need a fag now big time

oooo just one wont hurt !!

Mmmm yes it will but torment killing me :crying:

desperate now !!

what a killer !!!
dora2505, Jan 6, 2009 @ 22:08

Hi Tinkie, keep getting a pop up message saying you want to chat and I accept it  but then my internet keeps saying error on page and wont let me

any ideas ???

x
dora2505, Jan 6, 2009 @ 22:21

that is amazingly kind thanks as is everyone who has bothered to help, its like a drug !!

the only thing that is stoping me is the thought of undoing my own good work cos tommorrow its day 3 , i dont think I will last you know !!

god it a killer !! scuse the pun cos I know fags are too !!

really kind of you to do that  !!!! ;)
dora2505, Jan 6, 2009 @ 22:39

[quote]that is amazingly kind thanks as is everyone who has bothered to help, its like a drug !!



the only thing that is stoping me is the thought of undoing my own good work cos tommorrow its day 3 , i dont think I will last you know !!



god it a killer !! scuse the pun cos I know fags are too !!



really kind of youto do that !!!! ;)[/quote]



Whatever you find that is working for you, keep doing it! You are doing an amazing job so far! And you will continue!

The psychological shift to becoming a non-smoker is hard. I have mostly quit smoking after seventeen years and for me the hardest part is that I really like to smoke. I love that first drag of a cigarette and the smell... But here's the thing, with every cigarette, I inhale more than 200 toxins. I am literally poisoning myself and those around me. How can I continue a behavior that has been proven to be toxic?



Find an activity that you absolutely cannot do and smoke at the same time. I quilt and embroider. It helps because I can carry the cross stitch with me (I only do little ones) and I don't want it to smell like smoke. If you live near one, make Starbucks your new hangout (it's non-smoking) or the Clubhouse. Somewhere around here, there's a list of non-smoking places, pick one near your house and make it your second home.



One of the harder parts to do is to ask your smoking friends not to smoke around you. As a non-smoker who doesn't want the possible ramifications of second hand smoke, you have a right not to inhale other peoples' smoke. (Of course, sometimes I will follow a smoker down the street because I like the smell; I obviously have a long way to go in giving up completely!)



Another thing, frame everything as a positive. You are a non-smoker. You are reclaiming your health. No negative thoughts.



You are a non-smoker and I am so proud of your success!



Here's an article for reinforcement:

http://curezone.com/art/read.asp?ID=4&db=12&C0=1
misskate, Jan 6, 2009 @ 23:21

Dora,

Another motivator for you: I heard today on WRS Radio that of non-smoking men, 82% said they prefer non-smoking partners, and 51% said they would not even consider dating a smoker.

So don't quite smoking for you, quite smoking for us men! :)

Nir Ofek, Jan 6, 2009 @ 23:43

Dora,



you're not alone in that boat. Your family is with you and you quit smoking not only for yourself, but also to give your children a chance to have an old mother and yourself a chance to see you grand-children grow...



Fact 1: NOT smoking extends life, GOOD life.



When it's getting too hard, go for alternative behavior: push-ups, take a cold shower, run, swim in the lake (yes, now), benji jump, shout, take a bat and destroy a pillow with all your anger and angst (clean afterwards, that's a side benefit: it keeps your mid busy doing other things), paint the living room, clean the dishes by hand, whatever....



Fact2: Jut one WILL hurt. Don't even think of it. If you really need something down your throat, drink a cask strength pure malt scotch.



You may think you will not last, but you know you will...



Fact3: (pardon me smokers, I'm trying to help someone, not to attack you) Kissing a smoker is like licking an ashtray...

Free, Jan 7, 2009 @ 00:36

[quote][b]Desir_ee (06/01/2009)

[/b]I was also told that “Licorice” NOT the sweet but the root is good / helpful to chew. I believe some pharmacies and health stores have it.[/quote]

It's may be a good idea, Desir_ee, but I would not mix Champix and Nicotine substitutes... They are helpful to relieve the physical addiction, and that is already taken care of by the drug. The is therefore no reason to give he body it's daily supply. Go for hypnosis, support groups or acupuncture instead.
Free, Jan 7, 2009 @ 00:46

You're right Desir_ee, Licoriceis not a nicotine substitute. I read "Nicorice"... It's what we call Réglisse in French or Suessholz in German. It can be found easily in all bio shops and sometimes even at tobacconists (!)
Free, Jan 7, 2009 @ 09:59

Morning everyone !

OK I didn't smoke...:D:P:D but boy oh boy I was soooo close. No reason and no stress just wanted one ! Thanks to everyone last night it is great having you.

day 3 now but I am going crazy !!

Thought day one would have been the crazy day!

Yes I am changing my routines and habits but a bit hard cos snowed in at the moment . That said I seem to have more time on my hands, there more consistently for the children instead of "just popping outside a minute kids" half way through an activity. Also no more guilt when I know they want something but have to wait whilst I just have a "quick fag". That was so hard and I used to feel a crap mother about that. Of course I am not because I do loads for them and with them but have to say my life was ruled by the addiction. Everything I did depended on whether I could smoke and when. It is this memory that reminds me to keep going. Damn hard though and why so bad on day 3 ??
dora2505, Jan 7, 2009 @ 10:01

Hi Dora,

Well, I'm in the same boat as you :) Smoked since I was 12, now 45, finally give up, yup, usual New Year thing :)

So, been 9 days and still going strong!!!! surprise, surprise, definately to myself :)

I have tried several times in the past, with this method or that one, at the end of the day, its totally about will power, and yes, its damn hard :)

The biggest difference for me this time, my girlfriend :) With her support and understanding I'm keeping strong and holding out, day by day, hour by hour.....

I was scared, thinking about my health, my future life. 2 packs a day nearly.....cancer, lung probs, wheezing, the list goes on.....SMOKING KILLS, it really does.

Life begins in the 40'ies :) Ours has begun Dora, one day soon, we will look back and feel how proud we are :)

Watching your progress, KEEP STRONG...

Mark
flightworld, Jan 9, 2009 @ 02:51

You two guys should exchange your phone numbers... There's nothing better than a supportive friend in the same boat as yours ;)



Flightworld, congratulations, you did the toughest part!



Dora, how is it going ?



One more tip: Hypnosis helps. A lot.
Free, Jan 9, 2009 @ 09:34

Good to hear I am not alone thanks for posting! :P

Day 5 mind .....you I feel a fraud in a way cos I am on CHAMPIX  tablets so still get some nicotine where as you are cold turkey with everything!!

But in some ways it is like a double wammy having to break an addiction and a habit so think I am doing the habit breaking first then in the next 2 weeks the nicotine one.

Hypnosis would be good, anyone know of English one in Lugano? 

Lets keep going eh? desperate for one this morning.  My biggest problem is the habits and associations which i never thought would be so difficult. I am so determined but its hard.

Mind you  I have already noticed the benefits socially , not having to keep leaving a room or being distracted thinking I gotta go out for a fag!!!

My little children are so sweet and funny about it all.

Hey keep posting everyone its so helpful to us all quitters :w00t:
dora2505, Jan 9, 2009 @ 09:43

Hi Free

I did check in but didnt see any replies so didnt want to bore you guys :cool:

thanks for asking everyone
dora2505, Jan 9, 2009 @ 09:50

Good morning everybody!

First thing: congrats to everybody on this thread who stopped smoking - and I mean everyody - even a couple of days means you are a non-smoker now, so congrats.

I know how hard it is, I was a smoker myself...

I am not a doc, but I am acutally a hypnotherapist, offering hypnosis to stop smoking (in German and English). If you want more information, check out my website (www.bp-schulz.ch) or call me at any time. A telephone call is for free (except from the normal telephone charges) and I can give information and mental support ;-)

Anyway, good luck for anyone who wants to stop! It's a great thing - yes, you can!!

Nastassja
BP-SCHULZ, Jan 9, 2009 @ 09:51

Well, I came across this thread and really happy to be here. The whole post is such an interesting read :cool:.

I am a non-smoker myself (actually I hate smoke, any kind) and will try to pursue my smoker friends to kick the butt drawing inspiration from this post. And inspiration is all you need to overcome this habit.

With such nice friends, I am sure Dora will never smoke for once in her life. Great work Dora :).
prit_n, Jan 9, 2009 @ 15:00

awwww !! Thanks

I will catch up and do another blog soon, been rather manic ....and out of my mind trying not to have one :pinch:,......lovely clean house though,  :P
dora2505, Jan 9, 2009 @ 15:40

hi dora
congrats...just hang in there..i quit smoking a million times, but finally two+ years ago I decided it was for good.....and beleive it or not..i found it super easy...and still do today...
just my two bit advice....
#1 they say cinnaon sticks are good to suck on cause they are the size of a cigarette..
#2 as free points out...whenever youfeel like having one...go out and walk around or better yet...run...or join SWISS marathon group...you wont feel like a ciggy anymore beleive me :-)
#3 you'll take years off your skin
#4 there are numerous sites out there that tabulate how many ciggys you HAVENT smoked...soemtimes it helps to know

good luck and keep us posted

diva
divagirl, Jan 10, 2009 @ 00:47

[quote][b]divagirl (09/01/2009)

[/b]...I decided it was for good.....and beleive it or not..i found it super easy...and still do today...[/quote]

That's THE key. Decision. And you oughta find ways to boost it.



Desir_ee, I know only one hypnotherapist in Geneva:



Dr Bourgeois, Philippe

Psychiatrie et psychothérapie

ch. des Tulipiers 7

1208 Genève

Switzerland

Bureau: +41 (22) 736-6565



An other physician may be able to help, but with other methods:



Dr Balandraux-Olivet, Martine

chemin Frisco 2

1208 Genève

Switzerland

Bureau: +41 (22) 735-6728

[email protected]

http://www.therapie-globale.ch/fr/therapie.htm



Another useful resource would be the CIPRET (Centre d'information pour la prevention du tabagisme) in Geneva.

They also provide a list of non-smoking bars and

a handful list of highly useful links in various laguages



For Ticino, see Associazione Svizzera Nonfumatori



For Zürich, see the Fachstelle fuer Tabakpraevention

Free, Jan 10, 2009 @ 02:32

Morning everyone ok. Thanks for all your replies, expereinces and advice.

 Divagirl thanks , your story sounds very similar to mine as I tried to give up a million times too but for some reason this decision was a very different one, it was my decision.

Think Flightworld is much braver than me as he is cold turkey I admire him much more....keep it going matey. I feel a tad fraudulent as the Champix tablets are giving me some nicotine substitute. But maybe I am doing it the right way as hey iots working for me. Not thinking about fags as much now, only every ten mins as oppossed to every one :P

Day 6 ...I think today. It remains hard when I perform an association with smoking, I am used to the "Oh I will just have a quick fag" Being on the phone is hard as i love to smoke and have a good natter. I am striving to change my habits, ha ha texting not answering phone much !!  But of course some things not always possible.

Still have the occasional nicotine withdrawal manic irrational spells, usually only last about 5 mins, but now maybe only 3 or 4 times a day.

Example...., you know the types of when I say No I mean Yes, I am fat, no one loves me victim scenarios, does my bum look big in this ?  The ones that men usually call P.M.T. quick example of my fleeting madness....Hubby phoned me up from work  at lunch time. His first words were “Hi”... mi,y first words , at the speed of 200 miles an hour and a rather loud tone were ...”I haven’t had time to go to the optician or post office for you, sorry and don’t give me grief about not going (as if he would even dare at the moment) but I am really busy cleaning the house, I have a pile of washing and ironing , and the kids bedrooms are a disaster zone, and its school pick up in only 3 hours and they all have mates coming to play and....”. He interrupts my endless trail of speech with “OK”. As if not hearing his reply , my voice with the same consistency and tone continues  “ and whilst we are on the subject REMEMBER I HAVE GIVEN UP SMOKING !! I advise you not to even ask me to do anything that may make me stressed out , at least not for the next few weeks OK “ he replies “OK!”. Finally I draw breath and he says “anyway Honey I just phoned to say hello and see how you are?”  “Oh” I reply, “Great thanks how you are?”

 

dora2505, Jan 10, 2009 @ 10:30

If it didnt stink, harm or kill us, then smoking, what a great, cool, relaxing idea:))))

Unfortunately, it is not the case...we stink like ashtrays, the amounts of illness associated with smoking, apart from even the cancer's, is massive! the figures are against us! 8 out of 10 smokers have some form of illness or major side effect due to their addiction.

Yup, the 100yr old in your pic is an exception, not the norm!!!!

Somehow, we have to plough through it Dora, as painfull as it is, we can do it, just get on with life, forget the smokes, think how you can taste things, smell things, your skin is starting to glow more, starting to feel your lungs able to take that little bit of extra swiss air :)

For me, watching a woman, unable to leave her home because of being hooked up to an oxygen mask till she dies, because of collapsed lungs through smoking is making me quit!

I have 3 kids, I want to see them grow up, smoking is going to stop that!

11days now and going strong..getting through the cravings, feeling very proud of myself and you Dora, keep it up :)
flightworld, Jan 11, 2009 @ 10:31

The photo was a meant to be a bit of a mickey take joke eg "didn't do me any harm" and of course your wise words are correct. What it does to us or for those who love us watch us suffer is not good. I am sorry to hear you have someone close to you suffering also.

 A week today for me. I have more energy but mainly cos mind is buzzing and needing to distract myself. But not half as much as a fewdays ago. Spending more time with friends and children without need to go for a cigarette. Watched a women walk outside IKEA and lit up, you could see the desperation for it in her face and sheer relief when she had it. How desperate is that I thought, I remembered that used to be me down to tee.

I really dont want to be a smoker anymore, this is the first serious attempt, after so many failed ones. This trime I am gonna do it. I really hope you do too Flightpath.
dora2505, Jan 11, 2009 @ 11:45

[quote][b]dora2505 (11/01/2009)

[/b]This trime I am gonna do it.[/quote]

Watch your language: You are doing it... ;)

We're with you guys...
Free, Jan 11, 2009 @ 14:18

Hi Guys still here and now day 10 smoke free.

Have been ill in bed with awful stomach bug for  few days hence not upto to talking about fags, miserable enough having that.

Instead I channelled my support on a Glocal forum about cats as a distraction and where I felt i copiuld be of help for a change.

Glocals is a really friendly site and so supportive thanks everyone. Not as manic now, in fact rather calm and really determined to give up.

I have come this far so no going back despite how much I liked it. Thanks to you all becuase it really did help I mean that

Also thanks Flightpath, the other day I was in town and I was really craving and missing a cigarette then I recalled your message about what our so called fag friend does to us !!! Those thoughts worked .

Have got a really funny video clip to post about life as a mum but need to work out how to save it on my computer and then use Free,s advice to post on here. Watch this space

Hey guys thanks again and if ever you need support ......you know I am also here xx
dora2505, Jan 14, 2009 @ 18:44

I've only just seen this but...I stopped smoking 8 weeks ago and went from 40 fags a day to none...patches, chewing gum helped....I'd tried to stop hundreds of times but always caved in. I started at 13 and had smoked pretty constantly for 25 years...the secret? A Chinese Doctor in Nyon who gave me acupuncture...I wouldn't have beleived it if I hadn't tried...if you need her contact details let me know and I can forward them to you



good luck (btw, I still think smoking bans are wrong - see other forums on this one!)



nickpenn, Jan 14, 2009 @ 19:01

but then what we do without you ?? xx :)
dora2505, Jan 14, 2009 @ 20:12

thanks for that, I live down in Lugano so too far away. Hey great to hear another person has stopped also. Makes me feel I am not alone. What changes do you find apart from the obvious such as smell and health? For me its been more time as I am not interuptted by the need to go outside for a ciggy. Do find it wiered when you take you take abreak though with just a cuppa. Changes observed by all those who have given up appreciated please :)
dora2505, Jan 14, 2009 @ 20:17

Lugano :)))) Lucky u! not like freezing cold Zurich :P

Yup, 3 of us klinging on still....excellent :)

It does have its moment, normally when you least expect them, strange enough!

Keep strong peeps...
flightworld, Jan 14, 2009 @ 21:59

week 3 tomorrow

but finding it tough today :crazy:

ooooo I am soo close to having one, the only thing stopping me is the thought of undoing the hard work of 3 weeks and having to start again,:sick::w00t:

Hey how are the rest of you doing, please please tell me and have you had moments like this and what did you do ?
dora2505, Jan 24, 2009 @ 18:46