Smoking... - Myrtle Beach,SC

I stopped smoking during a really stressful time in my life. I would cook something really fancy or go on a really long, intense, fast walk. You could take your little one out if she/he is still interested in sitting in a stroller and just go. Or find a field and you can each run around separately and/or together. Parks are good for that.

Good luck! You can do it!

1 mom found this helpful

I have not successfully "quit" but the gum is a pretty good sub when you need a little jolt. Just don't chew it quickly as it causes heartburn.
Try to swap out smoking for another hand-fiddling activity--maybe a craft or crossword puzzle. I have been told if you get a craving, let it come and it will go...just wait it out.
GOOD LUCK!

Congrats and good luck. My husband decided to quit when I wanted to get life insurance on him and if he was a non-smoker, the policy would cost $50 a month but the same insurance cost $300 a month for a smoker. He decided to quit so he would be around for his kids and that is what kept him going. I smoked occassionally in my early 20's. I quit by keeping busy and avoiding as much as possible situations that caused temptations. Another thing is when I was around people who did smoke I would let myself feel a little bit better than them. Not to sound conceded but it helped me not be tempted. Good luck.

Okay, I don't want to be morbid, and I know you already have heard all the horror stories...... but my Mother quit after many years of smoking. What got her through was my youngest brother. He came home from school one day and told her he didn't want her to die. Every time she wanted a cigarette she reminded herself of that day.

YOU GUYS GO!!!!! It's pretty awesome that you are doing this together.

When I quit I used the nicotine gum and changed some of my routines that included smoking. If you can elimate an activity where you always smoked, or do it at a different time of day, that may help. I changed from the evening shift to the morning shift at work, and found that setting a new routine was helpful. Nicotine replacement is great, so that patch will help you not "need" to smoke, your issue will be still wanting to, so find ways to replace that need or avoid times you most enjoyed a cigarette. Can't help you with the crazy kids, that you probably can't change!

You can do it! I have been off them for more than 20 years, and I was seriously addicted. Keep at it, you will feel much better and it does get easier!

M.

Just wishing you luck!! No advice. They say it only takes 30 days to kick a habit (or pick up a new one). So one day at a time!

Sometimes it helps to start a different habit...like some alcholics turn to smoking. I seem to recall gum chewing helped me some. Good luck!!

get a smokeless cigarette. i am not a sucsessful quiter but it keeps your hands busy. that way if you are addicted to keeping your hands busy it will help.

Cold turkey was my way to quit. I stopped and never put another cigarette to my mouth again. That was 10 years ago. No nicotine patch, no nothing. You need to detox from the nicotine. I say that you should go with whatever seems to work for you. Good luck, and don't give up. If you slip, get back on the wagon. It's so bad for you. And try lollypops. It will gove you something to do with your hands.

The hubby and I ended up using Chantix, the pill that helps you stop. We've been smoke free for 2 1/2 yrs now. I tried the gums, other pills and the patch with no luck at all.

But good luck and don't give up!!
S.

I quit 20 years ago after 30 years as a smoker. I tried many times. My family tell stories to this day of all the idiotic things I did while trying to quit--they are still amused. Due to hormonal differences men quit more easily than women. For me it meant using as many crutches as possible. I read an article which explained the many types of addiction/habit smokers may have--I had them all which meant distractions and helps! I used nicotine gum and cut down on size and frequency over time, made some cigarette look/feel alike to use for the tactile needs and the various gestures which were important to me. My children were actually a help--not that it was their intent! When their behavior meant I would have reached for a cigarette, I would try to concentrate on them--what's going on with them why are they doing whatever? Use the distraction and provide attention or discipline as needed. This was often a good time to read to them. When quitting remember to use the parenting skills you have and perhaps learn some new ones. For quitting milestones plan 'rewards' that don't involve calories! ; ^ ) If you're completely successful this try, great! If not plan, prepare, and try again until it works--it is SOOOO worth it! Good luck !

My husband and I smoked and decided to quit before we got married to get our bodies healthy and so that when we did have kids they would never be exposed to it. I have to say you really need to want to quit to actually do it. I had a strong desire to quit, just didn’t like the feel of the smoke going into my body anymore and hated what I know cigarette smoking does to you. To me something clicked that said why am I paying money to destroy my health? Staying away from temptation such as hanging with other smokers is essential to quit. Other than that I went cold turkey and have had no desire to smoke since. My husband’s journey was not as easy. He is a fidgeter and needs something to do with his hands when he is thinking about something. He also deeply relied on smoking as a stress reduction method. He slipped up a lot. He had to find a habit to replace the smoking, like playing with a rubber band or a stress ball. Also, instead of taking a smoke break he had to give himself a break to do something else. Ultimately, research and visuals of what smoking does to your heart and lungs gave him the needed gusto to finally quit. If you could get your hands on some American Heart Association nonsmoking videos or something similar it may help you to be more motivated.

I hope you will remember how you feel after a few months of quitting so you don't deceive yourself into thinking it really does calm you, it's the opposite actually, and you'll feel so much better tasting food, smelling things around you and you will just be so glad you did it even if you are tempted down the road again. Don't go back once you quit. And you can do it. Cold turkey. Change routines, habits, everything you do.
When your 3 1/2 year old goes 'crazy' go for a walk, read to him/her, play a game with them. Go for a drive or anything that is not part of your normal smoking routine. I know someone who just quit and is now exercising and feels better doing that. Find something to replace it. Something good.

I have no advice, but only encouragement. You can do it!!! I know life is stressful, but try and find something else to fill the time. Find support everywhere and use it. That helps me with lots of things.. Good luck to you both.. I am sure it is a hard thing to quite, but think of ALL the health benifits from quitting and protecting your precious little one from the things that can happen with second hand smoke!!! My parents smoke for many years, actually my mom still smokes ( outside though) and growing up I had so many ear infections and ended up having 5 surgeries on my ears. The ear dr told my parents for years to stop smoking because it was harming my ears!!! I never would have thought that smoking could cause those things, but it makes sense to me now...BEST OF LUCK.. You can do it. Both of you!!!

Congratulations!!
I quit almost two years ago when I found out I was pregnant. Still haven't started back. But, I can tell you that almost every day, I have the craving. Sometimes it's really bad. The trick is to turn your attention to something else. If I stay busy with other things and keep my mind in tune to other things, then I can get over the craving. And, it's all will-power.
Also, just found out (after my mom fell and broke her ankle) that she has "smoker's bone". That means that her bones are having a hard time healing because they just disintegrate. It's from years of smoking. Apparently, the bones don't heal themselves as well as the lungs. I also watched my grandparents die a slow death from asthma, enphysema, COPD and ultimately lung cancer. After that, I decided that I really, really like breathing too much to keep smoking. It really is a very horrible thing, and you should remind yourself of that every time you feel a craving coming on.
Good luck and God bless.

I've been a non-smoker for almost four months now. One day I just decided to quit. Right before, I had received an email from a well-meaning friend that described third hand smoke (basically smoke is on your clothes, hands, etc. and your kids are still exposed even if you wash your hands, etc.).

I have 3.5 year old twin boys so I understand what you mean about going crazy! Really for me, it was all about praying and KNOWING that I didn't "need" to smoke. It's a choice, just like anything else. Once I started realizing how much I was using it as a crutch, it started changing my view/habit. I still crave it like a junkie would crave crack but I can "see" know that I used it as a way to:
a) take a break (I'm an adult, I can take a break whenever I want!)
b) not talk when I was out (Sometimes I felt uninteresting and shy. Smoking was a way to act busy because my mouth was doing something)
c) something to do when I'm bored

I've had three slip-ups in the past 4 months. And each time, I didn't really want it once I had it. The biggest thing is do NOT buy them. As long as you don't cave and buy them, you'll get through it. For me, that meant never going inside a gas station. And telling myself before going in to a grocery store that I would not buy them there.

I am not and never have been a smoker but I want to offer you encouragement. You can do this!!!! You will feel so much better and you will be able to smell.
My FIL quit after 44 years and he feels better now than he did most of his life.
Hang in there.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!! I hope you receive all the encouragement you need to be successful with it.

I'm not a smoker, never have been, but we're going on vacation with friends who are, and the husband's had a heck of a time quitting because of stress, lack of true desire to quit, and not being able to replace the activities.

So, I think you've received good advice.

Just don't ever forget the reasons you're doing it - health, family, etc.

As a cancer survivor (my cancer had no known causes), I can tell you that you're doing a great thing for yourself. No one would ever want to go through chemo, and by changing your life now, you have such a better chance of avoiding a diagnosis for so many different cancers (other than lung).

GOOD LUCK!!! I wish you both nothing but success!

I smoked for 10yrs and used the Nicotrol inhaler when I was ready. It was helpful for me to have something in my hand when I needed the "motion" of smoking. Gum never did it for me. I needed the physical action of bringing something to my lips and back again. Took about 2 weeks on that before I didn't need it anymore.

If you're truly READY to quit, you'll do it. Prepare yourself with outlets for tantrums, tired days, boredom, etc... I also chewed a lot of Skittles during work hours. Again, gum didn't cut it. I needed to repetitive action, so that helped.

Figure out what part, other than the nicotine, that you're addicted to. That will be out of your system in a matter of days. The rest is just replacing the old habit with a new one.
Good luck!