I am 25 years old, have been smoking since I was 12. Yeah, I know young, but I think most long time smokers start young. Anyway, I have made the decision to quit. My son is four years old, and I've always had the intention to quit before he was old enough to remember that I was ever a smoker, and now I feel that I've missed my deadline, but it's never too late. I'm using the patch, and that seems to help some. My doctor has called in a prescription of Welbutrin, she said that would help as well. Today is my first day as a non smoker, and I already feel tons better, and today hasn't been thaaat bad, haha. I'm just wondering if anyone has any ideas as to what I can do when it does get tough. I know that is coming. Also, my husband is quitting with me, and I'm afraid that we're going to end up hating or killing each other (kidding about the killing part, although we may feel like it). Any advice you could give to make it easier on our relationship would be appriciated as well. I'm also very concerned about gaining a ton of weight while not smoking. Thanks!
Edit: I have gotten a couple of responses that said to put the money up for a vacation or something else nice. That would be wonderful but one of the reasons we've decided to quit is because we can't spare the money. We need it for necessity! I know that you had the best intentions, but that won't work for me, at least not right now.
Chew gum or suck on pepermint sticks. Just try to stay as busy as you can so you will be occupied. I have quit several times but have always started back. But I plan to try again soon.Just stick to it and don't say oh one will be ok every now and then because that is what happened to me. Good luck! Let me know how it goes.
That is GREAT!! If you put your mind to it and you WANT to quit smoking bad enough you can do it. Just think of your son. My suggestion would be to keep yourself busy so you dont think about smoking, drink lots of water and maybe when it gets really tough you can exercise to keep your mind off of it. If you and your husband are quitting together in some ways it will be easier because you wont have it around you (or your child). Good luck and keep us updated. YOU WILL NEED LOTS OF SUPPORT :)
1 thing I have to say and always keep it with u ... GUM GUM GUM GUM GUM.... u will need it .. it takes the crave of having something in ur mouth away
I 2nd the putting what you would have spent away for later- like a vacation or new clothes..
My husband used to be a smoker and quit. He has said that you have to see yourself as a non smoker forever. He first smoked these herb ciggarretts without the nicotine... so first he was giving up the nicotine, but not the habit. And then he gave up the habit by doing other things when he would have been smoking. Maybe he just chewed gum while talking to smoking buddies or not- depending on what you did while smoking it will be quite a lifestyle change.
He also took up running (has since stopped) - but that helped him.
My mom used to smoke, and I remember her doing it ( I think I was 3 when she stopped) ... but I also remember that she doesn't now- and how she always said "it was so hard to quit so don't start" and I never did start.
I found it helpful to take up a hobby. Anything to keep my hands busy. I prefer scrapbooking and sewing, but you need to find something that you enjoy doing.
Hope this helps
I am a mom of a 2 year old. I was a smoker as well. You will definately be short fused for a week or 2. Try to keep this in mind as you go thru your daily routine. Try not to snap. Find something else to do. Walk to the bathroom, take a few minutes to regroup. Find sugar free gum or candy to keep in your mouth. If you need something to do with your had find a stir stick. Chew on it. If gets easier after the second week. If you have really made up your mind you will be able to quit. I quit because two of my relatives that smoked was just diagnosed with Lung Cancer. One died a month and a half after being diagnosed and my father in law is going thru treatment now. It is not fun. He always states no one made him put those cigerattes in his mouth. By the way I still want to smoke, I just don't. Good Luck.
L.,
I was a 22 yr smoker.I have not had a cigarette in over 4 month. I can tell you this drink lots of water.When I say lots of water you need to be drinking half your body weight in oz. Of water a day.This is what I mean take your total body weight,divide it x 2 what ever that equals drink that many oz. A day.Example 150lb divided 2 = 75 drink 75 fluid oz. Of water a day. This will flush the nicotine out of your system.I also had some hard candy.also most important lean on God . Pray through your cravings.he will get you through it.I did it with him and I lost like 6 lbs during this time do to the water flushing fat also out of my system.you can do this.I hope this helps you.I quit for the same reason you did.It helps to love yor kids.It motivates us to be better.I admirer your love for your child.I'll say a little pray for you.
Congratulations on the non smoking. I have been quit since the Monday after Thanksgiving ( Me and my Husband ). I quit cold turkey but not without a prayer to God . As for my husband he is still chewing the gum. I just wanted to wish you the best of luck with it. With prayer, faith, and some willpower you and your husband can continue to do what your doing.
My husband was a smoker for like 12 year, he decided to stop smoking this new year, he used the patch and helped him lots, he started in the strongest number, the biggest patch. When he was craving the routin that can be the worst part, he put an straw in his mouth and chewed it. We avoided the smoking areas of restaurantes and other places, so he wouldn´t be able to smell the smoke.
I you are really not in mood for something or you are feeling very angry on anxious, just distract your self with something, like taking a shower, doing your nails or playing with your kids. In the same way you are going to stop the craving on foods. If the craving is too bad, just eat something small and then chew an straw (my husband uses the ones that are thin for coffe).
In our experience this is what worked for my husband, hope its useful for you!
Hi L.,
Today is day 30 for me smoke free! You can do this. I found that days 1-3 were the hardest for me. I am using the Commit Lozenges. They work awesome! I can't say enough about them. My husband and I quit together as well. He was my support team and I was his. Whenever one of us had a craving during the day we would call eachother and give ourselves a pep talk. He likes the nicotine gum. You could try that too. My doctor also gave us a prescription for Chantix. We never filled it because I heard it can be pricey so we save it as a backup just in case we ever need it. I would say try the Lozenges. I smoked for 15 years and NEVER thought I could quit but I did. Also, keep LOTS of hard candy around to suck on. That helps too. I also always have a bowl of sunflower seeds going as well. It gives me something to do with my hands and mouth. I have some more ideas as well if you wanna chat. Feel free to email me ____@____.com
Good luck! You can do it! Stay positive!!! You are in my prayers!
K.
You go!! Both of you- that's great! Oh, and really really hard...you got that part by now I see. USE the WELBUTRIN!!!!! Seriously, I started smoking when I was about 13. So at 29 I get an Rx for this stuff for entirely different reasons- depression, obviously. Within a week and a half I didn't feel like smoking more than a third of each cigarette because they tasted SOOOOO bad. I hadn't intended to quit that way at that time, but my body kinda did it for me. After a month I didn't even think about them. Good Luck!!
GOOD FOR YOU!!!!
I was 14 when my mom quit smoking and to tell you the truth, since that day I've never thought about her as a smoker. So it's definitely not too late.
Take the money you would have been spending on buying cigarettes and put it up on a shelf in a see through container. Mark it Vacation - have your 4yo draw a picture of a beach scene (or wherever you enjoy time away). In 12 months you can probably afford to buy an island - or at least take that vacation.
Can't give you any advice but I will give you support and say YOU GO! Make up your mind and remember you are doing it for YOU but you also have a 4 yr old that is depending on you living a long life.
I have taken a class on nicotine replacement. If you are already using the patch and Wellbutrin then you are on the right path. For really intense cravings you should try either cinnamon gum, cinnamon toothpicks, or a sucker. These have worked well for many patients. Make sure that you follow your doctors exact orders in regard to the patch. If you step down too soon, you could relapse. As you probably know many people gain weight when quitting, I would suggest a family walk. This will help fight the pounds while also giving you some quality time with your son, after all he is the reason. Good Luck!
You can do it! I was on/off for years and it will get worse before it gets better but it is worth it. Counting to 10 and deep breathing are going be absolute neccessities for a while. Let everyone around you know so they can encourage and excuse any "snappy" behavoir. It is great the your husband is quitting with you. You will feel so much better, not to mention looking and smelling better. Now that I have quit for good, the smell makes me sick! I am also a believer that the power of prayer can do anything. God Bless.
HI! When I quit, I took up cross stitching and started sewing baby clothes. If you don't like that kind of thing, find something you like to do with your hands. Sounds stupid, but it does help. Good luck! You CAN do it!
I've tried and unfortunatley was unsuccesful. My mom was a smoker for 20 some odd years and quit cold turkey. I've heard from a few friends who had parents that smoked that hard candy, and drinking lots of water helped. They said to get pepermint candy or something like that to suck on. I wish you lots of luck!
L.,
I used the Welbtrin in 2000 and have been smoke free for 7 years!!!
I took it for the first few days, felt the urge, bought a pack, opened it up, lit one, took one puff and that was it!!! I threw that and the pack away and never smoked again! I have never missed it. I have been through heck since then with my husband having 3 strokes 3 years ago, I have lost 5 children since I had my daughter 6 years ago and I lost my mother and mother in law within 6 months of each other. And you know what? With all of that, I never wanted to go back. I have never missed it since then and I definitely avoid situations where people are smoking. Good luck good luck good luck!!!!!!!!!!! I wish you the best and lots of prayers. If you need a shoulder to cry on email me at ____@____.com. I'll talk you through anything.
E.
ask health care professional about using the nicrotte gum also to help control cravings and try to up ur daily exercise as this will help w/ the weight gain and boost ur mood.
Hi L.,
This is the first time I've responded to anyone, but your message hit me right in the chest. I am almost 38 years young with a beautiful 6 month old little girl. I started smoking when I was 18. In the beginning it didn't seem like a big deal. So many people smoked with me in college and in my 20's. However the years rolled by and at every major milestone I promised myself that I would quit.Slowly wrinkles started popping up and the reality of what I was doing to myself started to grab my attention. Many times I "tried" to stop but looking back I really didn't. I just messed around with it. My husband smoked too but just occassionally and can put it down with no problems. I was a pack a day smoker. First thing I did in the morning and the last thing I did before going to bed. When I discovered that I was pregnant last March, I tossed everything that night and concidered myself quit for the health of my child. It wasn't easy regardless of the fact that I was pregnant and it being the only logical choice to make. My doctor told me I could chew the Nicorette gum for a little while and when he told me to come off of it I almost pitched a fit in his office!!I even secretely told myself that I would smoke again after she was born! How dumb is that? Now that I am a year "clean" I want to tell you what I know for sure. Quitting is a flat out choice that you have the power to make. Once you start telling yourself that it's an addiction, and it has a grip on your life, YOU LOSE TO YOURSELF. There is no doubt that you can do this!!! If you stumble pick yourself right back up and CHOOSE to continue on. Also, there will never be a time that you won't have the urge to smoke. It still hits me! Sometimes every day, once a week etc... Now I can just shrug it off and laugh at it.Also, I cannot tell you how much better it is on the other side. All the excuses I made in the 19 years I smoked for not exerising or going to places wher you couldn't smoke are gone! Never entertain the thought that it can't be done. Once you do then YOU begin to stand in your way of progress. You know all the benifits of a smoke free lifestyle- all smokers do, so I won't bore you with repeating them. What's wonderful now is how I feel like I am part of a club that I was always excluded from. You can do it, You can Do it, You Can Do It!! Feel free to contact me if you're having a hard time and go buy that gum. The mint flavor isn't so bad. Best of luck and let me know how it's going.
