5/02/2009 quit date- Any advice?

[ph4ever]

Thanks so much everyone for your well wishes and advice. I truly appreciate them. I know it's not going to be easy but I'm determined to make it work this time. My mother died when she was 59 and she was a smoker so that's another motivating factor. I'm going to bookmark this thread for future reference take everyone's advice to heart. You guys are the bestest!!! (((((BN'ers)))))


Wayne - I'm beginning to think you're trying to lure me to Boise for another trip to the prison.

[OceanCityGirl]

Thanks so much everyone for your well wishes and advice. I truly appreciate them. I know it's not going to be easy but I'm determined to make it work this time. My mother died when she was 59 and she was a smoker so that's another motivating factor. I'm going to bookmark this thread for future reference take everyone's advice to heart. You guys are the bestest!!! (((((BN'ers)))))


Wayne - I'm beginning to think you're trying to lure me to Boise for another trip to the prison.

My grandmother died from lung cancer and my g'father died from heart disease. My gmother was in a good deal of pain. My mother and her sis both smoke. They both tried very hard to quit when they saw this. Quitting cigs is one of the best things mroc and I both did. Our kids have never seen us smoke and none of them do now. It's probably the one thing that if I caught them doing I'd kill them for, even if they were grown. They were our main incentive to quit.

[ph4ever]

Thanks so much everyone for your well wishes and advice. I truly appreciate them. I know it's not going to be easy but I'm determined to make it work this time. My mother died when she was 59 and she was a smoker so that's another motivating factor. I'm going to bookmark this thread for future reference take everyone's advice to heart. You guys are the bestest!!! (((((BN'ers)))))


Wayne - I'm beginning to think you're trying to lure me to Boise for another trip to the prison.

My grandmother died from lung cancer and my g'father died from heart disease. My gmother was in a good deal of pain. My mother and her sis both smoke. They both tried very hard to quit when they saw this. Quitting cigs is one of the best things mroc and I both did. Our kids have never seen us smoke and none of them do now. It's probably the one thing that if I caught them doing I'd kill them for, even if they were grown. They were our main incentive to quit.

Unfortunately my son smokes. He started about 3 years ago. I'm hoping that with the ever increasing cost of cigarettes he'll quit. His dad smokes too and I've often wondered if maybe both our smoking played a factor in his ultimately picking up the habit. I remember when he was so anti-smoking.

[Brown Eyed Girl]

You can do it, Connie and Don!! Lots of good advice has been given here, but I think the best thing is that both of you are in the mindset to quit and are motivated, that's more than half the battle right there.

I've mentioned before that I had a friend who quit using hypnosis. The hynotist had him substitute a bottle of water for the cigs, every time he wanted a smoke he took a drink of water. As a farmer, cigarettes were a lot more portable in the vineyards than water bottles, but he stuck to it and I couldn't believe how much healthier he looked within just a couple weeks of quitting. Substituting a healthy habit for the bad one will be a great help.

You have a great support system, with each other and here. I have faith. I KNOW you can do it!
(((((Connie and Don))))))

[alaura1974]

My father quit cold turkey, sooo I guess that will not help
all I got is a hug

((((((( Connie and Don)))))))))

I tried cold turkey several times. It didn't help. Don has had his patches for months, just never got around to using them.

Thanks for the hugs - I LOVE your hugs!!!

are you quitting together?

I thought so.... I hope so.... if not

make it into a competitive thing!!! Though I guess that could go either way! Really good, or really BAD!!





(((((((((((((((((((Don)))))))))))))))))))))))))

[srkmrd]

(((((Connie))))) (((((Don)))))

[citcat]

GOOD LUCK !!!!

If you used to smoke one pack a day at $7.50, then at the end of one year you would have spent $2737.50. Oh my gosh. Think what you can do with that money. A small part of the reason why I quit in 1977 (besides being tired of being sick all the time---I quit after a three-week bout with bronchitis) is the money I could save. And packs were 50-75 CENTS back then !!!!!!!

[Skibo]

Make a list of when you smoke, and have a substitute activity to replace each occasion. Don't use food every time

Now that I have said something nice...please don't stop your tax contribution will be solely missed on both the state and federal level.

[VanillaGrl]

I don't really have any advice since I haven't reallly smoked cigarettes since I was a teenager. I used to enjoy a nice cigar every once in awhile, but realized a few years ago, I really enjoyed the smell of them more than anything. There are times when I think that a cigarette or a cigar sounds really good, and yeah, I know...'one ain't gonna hurt ya'...but there are a couple of things now that keep me from indulging: One - Seeing how my dad is now suffering the effects from the many years he smoked. Two - I wear one of those lung cancer bands (stays on at all times) that says: Say It, Fight It, Cure It - makes it a little easier to say no.

Good for you for taking this step, girlfriend!!! I know you can do it. Luv and BIG HUGS from me to you! (((((((Connie)))))))

[buffettbride]

Oh Connie!!! It is so hard to quit. My best words of advice are just to be dedicated and stick with it. It is a far bigger mental battle than a physical one, but neither are easy. Deal with each craving as it comes and keep yourself busy. Find something to help with the oral fixation (I used sunflower seeds and tic tacs).

It took me many tries over a period of years to really get it, and I still fear falling off the wagon.

Try and remind yourself of the little things you notice that are GOOD about quitting, no matter how small (your teeth get whiter, you smell better, you sleep better, etc.)

[buffettbride]

Yes we are quitting together. I've had my patches for some time now and have been waiting for Connie to get hers. You can not rush someone into a decision like this and expect it to work. So after I told her what the new prices were yesterday she made the decision. I will be putting the first patch on sometime late this afternoon.

On a side note: I know that the patches work, I used them in 91 to quit smoking cigarettes. I was off of them for 15 months before I got stupid and picked up cigars.

Hubby and I had to quit together. It's great to do it with someone. You can be eachothers greatest strength, but also your greatest downfall because if one caves, so will the other one.

I used wellbutrin and the patch and it worked really well for me. I would get weird dreams if I didn't take the patch off when I slept, so you might need to do that too.

[ph4ever]

Yes we are quitting together. I've had my patches for some time now and have been waiting for Connie to get hers. You can not rush someone into a decision like this and expect it to work. So after I told her what the new prices were yesterday she made the decision. I will be putting the first patch on sometime late this afternoon.

On a side note: I know that the patches work, I used them in 91 to quit smoking cigarettes. I was off of them for 15 months before I got stupid and picked up cigars.

Hubby and I had to quit together. It's great to do it with someone. You can be eachothers greatest strength, but also your greatest downfall because if one caves, so will the other one.

I used wellbutrin and the patch and it worked really well for me. I would get weird dreams if I didn't take the patch off when I slept, so you might need to do that too.

(((((Mal))))) I've done the wellbutrin. It just made me a happy smoker.

[ph4ever]

Thanks again everyone!!! I haven't had the time to pm each of you to thank you personally. I just want you to know your support does mean a lot to me!!

[SMLCHNG]

I got my fingers and toes crossed for you ((((((((Connie)))))))!! I did it years ago, so being my grandaughter, I know you can do this.

[Bicycle Bill]

Make a list of when you smoke, and have a substitute activity to replace each occasion. Don't use food every time

Now that I have said something nice...please don't stop your tax contribution will be solely missed on both the state and federal level.

Don't worry. They'll find something else to tax. Like rum. Or beer. Or JB concert tickets.

-"BB"-

[Y-NO-9-O]

Hubby and I had to quit together. It's great to do it with someone. You can be eachothers greatest strength, but also your greatest downfall because if one caves, so will the other one.

I used wellbutrin and the patch and it worked really well for me. I would get weird dreams if I didn't take the patch off when I slept, so you might need to do that too.

I wasn't on the patch when I took the Wellbutrin and still had the wild dreams.

It is so great that you two are both doing this and at the same time are ready to do it. For the oral fixation part, go to Costco or Sam's or whatever warehouse club you have near you and buy the largest bag of lollipops you can find. You can brush your teeth twice as much for the time being. Toothpicks work well too. Maybe you can find some of that cinnamon oil and make hot toothpicks like we used to in the 70's. Remember how ticked off teachers got with THOSE?

As I said before, and evidenced here, you both have quite the support group in BN.

[ph4ever]

Hubby and I had to quit together. It's great to do it with someone. You can be eachothers greatest strength, but also your greatest downfall because if one caves, so will the other one.

I used wellbutrin and the patch and it worked really well for me. I would get weird dreams if I didn't take the patch off when I slept, so you might need to do that too.

I wasn't on the patch when I took the Wellbutrin and still had the wild dreams.

It is so great that you two are both doing this and at the same time are ready to do it. For the oral fixation part, go to Costco or Sam's or whatever warehouse club you have near you and buy the largest bag of lollipops you can find. You can brush your teeth twice as much for the time being. Toothpicks work well too. Maybe you can find some of that cinnamon oil and make hot toothpicks like we used to in the 70's. Remember how ticked off teachers got with THOSE?

As I said before, and evidenced here, you both have quite the support group in BN.

OMG I LOVED those hot toothpicks!!!! It su<ked when you dropped one in your shag carpet and found it with your foot though. OUCH!!!

[tikitatas]

All the best in your efforts, WCC and DON!!!!!!

[Marnin Grita Guy]

Connie, we have never met yet! I personally came to a realization almost 10

years ago. Smoking Sucks! It sucks your money away, it sucks your life away,

and it sucks your time away. I smoked 2 packs a day and more when I went

out to bars. I decided I needed to stop. I bought the patches, ate light foods

like chicken and tuna salad on crackers, ate fresh fruit and wore my patches.

I, at the time was working out of town and living in a hotel room. If I can do

that you will be fine. I went six weeks on the patch system and realized I had

beat that dog down.

If you need to talk let me know, or you can get my # from anyone here who

has it. I am an open receptacle.

[nutmeg]

I've go nothing in the way of advise on quitting as I was lucky enough not to have ever smoked.

But you do have my best wishes, encouragement and admiration. Good luck!