I Want To Quit Smoking But...
By irishmist
@irishmist (3814)
United States
January 22, 2008 9:52pm CST
I want to commit to quitting smoking, but not sure I can do it again. Two years ago I quit for 4 months, and it was hard at first. It was not so much the smoking part. I was hungry all the time. Mind you I'm not worried about gaining weight. I could stand to gain a few pounds. It was just the empty feeling in my tummy. I don't want to eat just for the sake of curbing hunger pains, or when I'm not in the mood to eat. I felt really good when I quit smoking though. I had more energy, everything smelled better. I smelled better. Food tasted better, and I stopped coughing. So help me out here. Has anyone went cold turkey? I know there are products out there, but they are mad expensive. and if they don't work I'm out the money. I don't buy my ciggs by the pack or carton. I roll my own so it only cost me $10 a week.
5 people like this
9 responses
@johndur (3052)
• Pasig, Philippines
23 Jan 08
goodluck i hope you can do it this more longer and never smoke again.its good to hear someone quitting it because he know what harm it can really cost you.but me,i have been a smoker for 20years now and also planning to quit it when i feel like it.but i guess it is getting near to quit it for me.
@irishmist (3814)
• United States
25 Jan 08
Thank you. Quitting is hard. It really does hurt our health. It also takes a lot of planning and talking ones self into it. I really hope I can do it this time for good.
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
23 Jan 08
You and me both...I did quit very briefly last year and cold turkey..Like you I'm hesitant about using any quitting products especially medications as I get concerned over the side effects. My downfall was that, I did fine for awhile, but then would actually bum cigs off from people--but heck I was actually able to make that one or two cigs last a whole day...LOL. My second downfall was discovering the cheapie cigs, like Cheyenne...one of the reasons I quit was it was plain too expensive to smoke...around here cigs are about $7 a pack..then I found the cheap cigs. At a buck a pack...yeesh, so now smoking again
It does seem harder for me to try and quit second time round...I wasn't concerned about the weight gain factor either...my worse symptom when I had quit was that I was so drained and dragged out tired...I was told this is actually a common withdrawal symptom but it drove me nuts being so tired all the time--so I was the opposite in that regard from you..I didn't have more energy
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
25 Jan 08
That's exactly what happened to me...it seemed all my stresses that I had gone through with my mother were in the past now that she had passed away.... I was able to handle her affairs everything and tie up loose ends ...then it was in May when I suddenly got that bombshell that SSI was going to terminate my benefits...and all I had was $5.71 to my name....so naturally I had like a level 1200 panic attack...so started smoking up a storm again...thank goodness all was settled in only a month's time....but that was a "nice" stressful time for me in the meantime
@irishmist (3814)
• United States
25 Jan 08
I keep toying with the idea of quitting. I have to plan it out in my mind. At the moment nothing stressful is going on in my life. that was my downfall the last time I quit. I was doing good, then something happened and that was it. Perhaps that is what is blocking me. The thought of some type of drama when I'm trying to quit smoking.
I have thought about quitting smoking at work. As you know I have to live there every other weekend, and am stuck there. And I know nobody will bring me any ciggs. The problem with that is. The place is like a jail or convent. Lol that is hard to expalin, but it's not like being home. I know I'm going to try it soon. I have to do my working up to it thing first. I have however cut back pretty much.
@sherrir101 (3670)
• Malinta, Ohio
23 Jan 08
Congradulations and welcome to my life. LOL
I am in the process of quitting right now. There are so many *perks* for quitting and so few for 'not' quitting. I am also worried about the weight or the hungry feeling that I am having. But... is it just a substitution for something to do 'instead' of smoking? I am begining to think it is. I feel foolish carring around a toothpick or a straw. I do not feel like the feelings and thought that my brain is going through. I feel like I am goijng crazy, sometimes. I sleep so much more now.
My dad was a 'three pack a day' smoker and he quit cold turkey. From what I am told, he did great. Not saying that he probably wanted one like crazy.
I have cut small peices of celery and carrots up and play with them and munch when I am home. I'll tell you what, for me it is so much easier at home than it is when I am out. I have no idea why.
I will quit rambling now. If ya want to talk and need some support, just PM me. I will be there. (((hugs)))
@irishmist (3814)
• United States
25 Jan 08
I'm not worried about the weight gain. I need to gain weight. It's the being hungry thing all the time. Last time I used to have a plastic lollypop straw with me all the time and pumpkin seed. Quitting should be easy for me. I live alone, and nobody at my job smoke. I think I'm afraid because I quit smoking before, and then failes and went back to it. Thanks so much for the support! I wish you lots of luck :) :)
@dta_kitty (191)
• India
23 Jan 08
They say that the best way to quit, is not slowly but abruptly.Self determination also.Have some friends help you out , like remind you to not.You cannot also do it in their absence.It needs your will to fulfill it.Try thinking about how much of a damage it is causing you.It reduces your actual life-span by at least 5 yrs.For a better future, health and to avoid complications, its best to do it right away.Substitute it by some food.The idea of a fruit or drinking lots of water is good.Keeping your stomach full in that manner will help I believe.Try reading about it.All the best.
@irishmist (3814)
• United States
25 Jan 08
I'm working on the determination aspect. I'd rather not have anyones help. In case I fail. I'd rather quit quietly. I know how good I felt the last time I quit, and I was really happy about that. I'm working myself up to hopefully the "QUIT DATE".
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
23 Jan 08
Keep trying irishmist, I probably tried at least a dozen time before I finally quit for good.
As for the empty feeling, you can chew gum or drink water. I did both and then that empty feeling went away. It will take time, it has been about 5 years since I quit and even now I sometimes think of picking up again,especially when I get really upset, but not strong enough that I do...
So keep trying, if you desire it, you will sooner or later, quit..:)
@irishmist (3814)
• United States
25 Jan 08
Congrats on quitting !!:) When I quit before I ate everything in site, and barely gained an ounce. The hard part is the routine of smoking. I think everything we do is associated with smoking, so thats the really hard part.
1 person likes this
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
25 Jan 08
"I think everything we do is associated with smoking, so thats the really hard part."
This is where you go to places and do things where there is no smoking. And with the ban on smoking in public places, it is becoming easier to find such places..:)
@Adoniah (7513)
• United States
23 Jan 08
Hello Irish, I quit with hypnosis over 11 years ago. It worked for me!! And I never gained an ounce if that is worrying you.
Shalom~Adoniah
@irishmist (3814)
• United States
25 Jan 08
My mom quit also with hypnosis. She quit after the second attempt at it. I know it had to be really hard for her. I'm not worried about gaining weight. I actually need to gain some weight. I only weigh 100 pounds. Stress will do that to you.
@barehugs (8973)
• Canada
23 Jan 08
Bear with me for a moment! Let's look at this problem in a new light. I believe we are all here for a purpose. Each has a different time to spend, and a different purpose to explore. I've never smoked and have always watched what I ate. I've always felt I'm here for a Long time. Now you are a Smoker who has already quit, but have regressed once already. Do you think you are here for a Short Time? Consider this carefully, before you go to a lot of trouble and expense. Perhaps, on an unconscious level you are here for a good time not a long time. But,If, on the other hand, you realise you are here for a Long Time. Now, at last, you finally have a reason to Quit Smoking.
@irishmist (3814)
• United States
25 Jan 08
Well I'm 48 years old. I feel I'm healthy. I have not been to the Doctors in years,and I don't take any meds. As far as I know I don't have anything wrong with me. I try to eat healthy and stay away from junk food. I exercise all the time. Diabities, heart disease, asthma and (I will spell this wrong) emphazima which my mom had. She got it after she quit smoking. I'm hoping I will be here for a long time. God willing . I don't want to spend a lot of money on quitting smoking. The last time I went cold turkey. I'm just afraid of messing up and falling back into the same old trap. I think that is what is blocking me.
