Former Smokers How Did You Do It?

I've been smoke free for almost two years. It's been so long I lost count. I just didn't want to smoke.

Then I noticed I'd have one here and there but totally isolated just one night and that would be it.

Now, the last two weeks (almost) I've been smoking. I've bought like 5 packs. $50 freakin' bucks, I could have bought a pair of shoes or a top or jeans...But instead I bought cigarettes.

I'm so disappointed in myself.

So tell me what did you do? I thought I had all the tricks, apparently not so much.

Re: Former Smokers How Did You Do It?

Honestly? just stop.

I was a smoker and looooved every second of it.

Every once in a blue moon, I will crave one. I wanted one today because I smelled fall in the air and it made me want to get a pumpkin spice coffee and sit on a bench with a delicious cig.

I quit and then went back to smoking, just as you seem to be on the path to doing, Missy! (I eventually re-quit. Again.)

It's kind of like going back to an old boyfriend. You broke up once, you realized it was bad for you, and it sucked breaking up, but you did it. Just because he's calling doesn't mean you should go back with him, even just at random times...because then before you know it, you will end up right back in a bad relationship!

Just cut ties now, let the pain sink in and then stay away... not worth it!

Re: Former Smokers How Did You Do It?

my trick was to learn that even after YEARS - I couldnt just have one. I fell off the wagon SO MANY times even after years thinking I could just have one, that I could go out one night and have one with some drinks - then one turns into two, turns into three, turns into "well, I spent $10 on this pack, Ill just finish it" which turns into, well look, see I could just smoke a little I havent smoked in 2 weeks so I can totally have just one again this weekend and then its downhill from there.

I probably still havent learned my lesson and will go down that path again one day. Its a never ending battle, but good luck with it!!!!

Re: Former Smokers How Did You Do It?

If you really want to quit it means never having even one ever again.

I quit cold turkey in 1999 and haven't had one since.....I have thought about it but never gave in. My mom quit back in the 60s and she said every now and then something will make her think about having one. I don;t think that ever goes away.

Re: Former Smokers How Did You Do It?

i quit cold turkey in 2004 after smoking for 12 years, since i was 12! secret was i met my husband and he was anti-smoking. 2 weeks later i quit (had to make sure he was worth it ) there are plenty of times i wish i can have one...but 1. my DH would kill me and 2. the cigarette will kill me. id rather have the craving than me dead. sorry so blunt...but its how i have to see it.

Re: Former Smokers How Did You Do It?

You are all right and I particularly LOVE the bad ex-bf reference because that's exactly what it feels like!

I've quit, AGAIN, cold turkey. I've been okay craving wise and even went out for drinks and there were people who smoke (a lot) there and I didn't have one. Didn't even really feel like I wanted one.

So, I'm remaining hopeful that this will be it.

(did I use hopeful correctly in that sentence? that grammar post ruined me! )

Re: Former Smokers How Did You Do It?

Posted by LadyBugN2Buggies

Honestly? just stop.

Re: Former Smokers How Did You Do It?

Posted by LadyBugN2Buggies

It's kind of like going back to an old boyfriend. You broke up once, you realized it was bad for you, and it sucked breaking up, but you did it. Just because he's calling doesn't mean you should go back with him, even just at random times...because then before you know it, you will end up right back in a bad relationship!

Just cut ties now, let the pain sink in and then stay away... not worth it!

Re: Former Smokers How Did You Do It?

To answer your question though, the only way I could quit for good was to realize I couldn't EVER take another drag from a cigarette again. Every time I quit and smoked "just one" a few months later, within a month I was a full-blown smoker again.

Re: Former Smokers How Did You Do It?

Re: Former Smokers How Did You Do It?

I had to remove myself from all triggers for at least 6 months. i didnt go to a bar for that long!

then it got a little easier so I could go to bars but i wouldnt hang outside with the smokers. I definitely would steal sips here and there, even a full year and half later but for the most part, i quit cold turkey. eventually it gets to a point where you dont want to smell it and its gross. Sometimes when I'm super stressed, I wish I still smoked so I could just get that 3 minutes of peace. But it grosses me out now, I'm past the point of no return-5 years. GL

Re: Former Smokers How Did You Do It?

i did it cold turkey almost 3 years ago...6 months into it I had a slip up and had a cig..made me so ILL!!! I knew I could never smoke again because that ill feeling was horrific...I still dream of it though and really crave it now and then...I just take it a day at a time and the prices are enough to make me stay away:)

Re: Former Smokers How Did You Do It?

I agree with everything the PPs said, but here is another thing that i did:

I told EVERYONE that I quit smoking. Family, friends, people on the street, people in elevators, the guy behind the counter at CVS, EVERYONE. This did a few things.
1) Gave me a little confidence boost, because even people who could have cared less said, "Oh, good for you!"
2) Gave me a sense of accountability, because other people were invested in my success, so I wouldn't just be letting myself down, I would be letting them down! (I think this is why Weight Watchers worked so well for me also!)

Good luck!!

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Message edited 3/7/2013 2:40:07 PM.