I finally quit smoking

[Mr Exotic]

I struggled with smoking for a long time, I quit a couple times for 3-6 months but always found myself going back to it. Then I realized that at least for me smoking is like any other kind of drug addiction (kinda like alcohol) a little doesnt seem to hurt ya, but when it gets control of you and you are just smoking to smoke then thats when it starts fucking you up. To me the key to conquering my tabacco addiction was not totally cutting myself off but allowing myself to indulge once in a while, when I cut myself completely off I always would ultimately go back to doing it full time again. I havent had my own pack of cigarettes in well over a year. I probably average maybe 1 cigarette a day, some days I might have 3 or 4 and sometimes I go a whole week without any, its just a matter of having control over the situation. Ya getting thru the physical nicotine addiction part is the hardest, but after a few weeks that goes a way (I quit for more than a couple weeks multiple times), but what ultimately would bring me back in is missing the enjoyment of lighting one up and actually enjoying it. Now when I smoke I smoke for pure pleasure not because I have to have it or I am gonna kill someone, hahah. Now when I do have a smoke I enjoy it more than I ever did when I was a full time smoker, I dont hack my lungs up in the morning, I am not short of breath, and I dont feel like shit like I used from smoking over a pack a day. And beleive it or not what I learned from my smoking experiment I did to myself has kind of turned into my new philosphy on life. After I quit playing sports in my mid to late teens and then became a webmaster I let myself become a fat ass, I have applied that same attitude towards my eating habits and have lost almost 70 pounds in the last 6-7 months, I havent been at my current weight since I was like 14 years old. Most recently I have applied the take control philosophy on my business. I got to the point where I was making enough to live off of working maybe 10 hours a month and I became complacent because it became just too easy to not work and make a livable wage. So I took control over my work habits and I have worked more in the last month to month and half than I probably did the previous 2 years, haha.

Now I am not saying this will work for everyone, for most it is probably a bad idea, I guess I am weird, I dont know anyone else that has done it the way I do it, my mom and dad keep asking me if I am crazy because they dont know how I do it. My dad smoked his whole life and quit when I was around 10-12 years old, and he says if he let himself have one he would be to the store buying a carton that night. To each his own, different strokes for different folks, guess what it all boils down to is having control over the situation.

[digifan]

Congrats, it's a good job. My dad also quit for 9 years but he put on weight because he always had the urge to eat something or just chew (must be the oral fixation thingie lol). And after 9 years he started it again...

[Halfdeck]

I quit once for 2 years, but a relationship going haywire started me back up on smoking, just like how I crave a few beers after a long day. I remember days when I would just spend nights trying to stop myself from driving to the gas station to buy one more box of Camels. I would go clean for a few days and I'd think "One cig won't kill me." Before I know it I'm back to smoking 2 packs a day. One thing I know -- if you're an obsessive / compulsive, it's impossible to just be an "occassional" smoker.

How did I quit? 8 years ago, I gambled / played tourneys in pool halls 24/7 all over my state. If you spent time in pool halls, you know everyone is stoned in there and you're usually surrounded by lots of smoke. One day, I picked up the habit of chewing gum instead of smoking and after 1 year, I realized I wasn't smoking anymore. It took no thinking, no will power, no counseling -- just packs and packs of gum

[pornrex]

It seems there will always be something that gets us going. Case in point today, I had a scrap with my dad. I needed to borrow his car to go to the pharmacist to get a prescription (oddly enough, it was for my mom, his wife) filled and I said I would be back as soon as humanly possible.

Unbeknownst to him because he has his arrogant fucking useless brain attached to his new flat screen TV, it was snowing outside and as a result, I took a little longer than anticipated coming back home.

He started calling me on my cell and he even left me a very derogatory message. When I got back and gave my mom her meds, I heard the message and I was furious. I went to my place and started punching a punching bag I have set up just for such occassions and swore my head off too. But STILL I have not smoked.

Rather than let some stupid fucking useless dick head ruin my efforts to quit smoking, I found another outlet for my frustrations. I also sat down and re-wrote my reasons for quitting smoking. Basically, I am maintaining the broken pattern because I want to stay smoke free.

I am reading some posts about people breaking down and giving in to smoking again. If you still intend to quit, don't give up! You can still do it. Keep trying. Don't ever give up. Break your habitual routines that bring you back to where its too easy to allow temptation to get the better of you. If I can do it, you most certainly can as well.

I gotta get some sleep - come hell or high water, I am going to do some cardio (be it jogging or running) on Sunday afternoon. I will let you know how it goes.

[clickdude]

You have strong will, Congrats Man What an accomplishment

[flyeruk]

Well done pornrex

I quit 18 months ago after smoking for 15/16 years.

I'd started getting palpitations more and more, plus my Dad died from heart disease at 54 (his mother too) and I didn't want to die that young... I love life.

To help me quit, I smoked menthols for a couple of weeks then cut down to like 4 a day, then used that nicorette inhalator. I kept a pack of ciggies in the house and told myself if I wanted one I could have one.... luckily I didn't.

I still do fancy a smoke sometimes, but I know if I have one, that'll be it, I'll start again.

I saved about £1,600 (roughly $2900) since stopping so last month treated myself to a private registration plate for my new car as a reward.

Keep up the good work and don't give in to any temptation

Lisa

[digifan]

Goog going Pornrex!

Promise me something... you have been burying others into the unhealthy smog full of carcinogens yourself for 17 years, now you quit using a special and very emotional method (I just call it self hypnosis) but never hate those who are smoking still.. their time to quit may come anytime but don't push them
PS
My motto is to live and let live, that's all.

[Cleo]

Let me know what you get addicted to smoking cocaine and try to quit.

[digifan]

Originally Posted by Cleo

Let me know what you get addicted to smoking cocaine and try to quit.

But you did it, didn't you? Hats off

[pornrex]

Originally Posted by Cleo

Let me know what you get addicted to smoking cocaine and try to quit.

Never did 'smoke' cocaine. This is not a 'I quit smoking crack' thread, however, the basic principles are the same. If you are trying to quit smoking crack, I wish you the very best in your efforts. If I can offer you support in a manner that would help you quit, count me in. Nicotine is the MOST ADDICTIVE drug. It has not been the only drug I have been addicted to though.

Originally Posted by digifan

Goog going Pornrex!

Promise me something... you have been burying others into the unhealthy smog full of carcinogens yourself for 17 years, now you quit using a special and very emotional method (I just call it self hypnosis) but never hate those who are smoking still.. their time to quit may come anytime but don't push them
PS
My motto is to live and let live, that's all.

Duly (sp?) noted digifan and thanks for the great advice and reminding me to be humble too. I don't think that what I am doing here is anywhere near self-hypnosis though.

I don't harbor any ill will towards anyone that does smoke. Afterall, I used to smoke and that would be hypocritical of me. All I am saying is that if you are trying to quit, don't give up! If you are not ready to quit, that is your prerogative too. And if you are happy being a smoker, enjoy it - just don't blow any in my direction, ok?

The real reason I started this thread was to give you guys a daily update on my efforts to remain smoke-free. I am no Mr. Ex-Smoker chest thumping arrogant fucktard. I know that its still early for me and that it all could come crashing down. I also know that each and everyone of you comes to this message board to participate in some capacity to either help those that ask for it, or to be helped or to just generally be a part of a community, right?

I started this thread to re-inforce my efforts through the people that I communicate with on a daily and weekly basis here at |ggandj. Claire (my counsellor @ CCS) told me to get positive re-inforcement from my peers. So peers, positively re-inforce.

Anyhow, I gotta go stretch because its time for that jog/run I have been yip-yapping about. I will go easy. I don't feel like having a stroke or heart attack today.

[pornrex]

Well, I managed to go for that run that I spoke about earlier. It wasn't exactly a 'full out' run per say, it was more like sprints mixed in with some jogging. All in all, I managed to do about 5 km. Boy was I tired, winded and sore. But at the same time I am very relieved that I managed to survive the experience. I was moderately worried about that to be quite honest.

I'll keep you posted as to how the rest of the week goes, starting with Monday.

[Cleo]

Addictions suck…

From what I've read coke affects the brain the same way that cigarettes do. I've very happy that crack isn't sold in every convenience store, gas station, and everywhere else.

Food is another addiction that is hard to deal with.

[pornrex]

If you've got obsessive compulsive issues your going to suffer for it. Nothing sucks more than being a slave to your passions. I prefer to be in control but at the same time what I control now may not be what I am in control for tomorrow and beyond.

The real issue is gaining control of yourself, from what I've understood.
If you can learn to be 'on top' your well on your way to recovery. Strength of mind is apparently 90% of the battle. A smaller percent seems to be influence as well as physical dependence.

Cleo, I've read a number of posts in which you often go to the gym to work out and so forth. One day down the road, I hope to be at your level where I too can go but I know that before I can fly I must run and well before that I have to walk. Since I am still crawling, I can't go from step 1 to 7 just like that.

Try training your mind. You have an incredible work ethic for building and reviewing, so on and so forth. Try to allow that to spill into your health. Afterall, what's the point of working your friggin ASS off to make money if you won't be around to bloody enjoy it? Are you looking to garner the ultimate tombstone award: Richest dead person in the cemetary? Don't get me wrong, we're all gonna go one day for sure, nobody gets out alive. So why accelerate and handicap yourself for it? Are you in a hurry? Got an after life you want to live??

Think about it.

[Cleo]

I have an addictive personality.

I've traded drug addition for addiction to working out at the gym.

Food is a bit harder to deal with since you can't just abstain from it.

I still get cravings for coke and it has been over then years since I've indulged in coke. I also really enjoyed prescription drugs but have learned to just say no when offered them which I often am.

Strange that the two legal drugs, cigarettes and alcohol, I've never had a problem with. Never really cared for the affects of alcohol and I've never smoked a cigarette.

Congratulations on giving up cigarettes

[digifan]

Originally Posted by pornrex

Duly (sp?) noted digifan and thanks for the great advice and reminding me to be humble too. I don't think that what I am doing here is anywhere near self-hypnosis though.

I mentioned it only because I've seen so many quitting then hating those who have been still smoking/drinking whatever applies. It involves a lot of emotions so excuse me the warning

And I do believe it is self-hypnosis and this visualizing method can be used for a lot more good purposes.. like you want to lose weight so you close your eyes and visualize yourself as a healthy and thin person several times a day or a lot of healthy food or it's opposite, junk food with a huge red X on them lol, I have a friend, a doctor who has been using this method for more than a decade now and with surprisingly good results.

Keep up the good work and keep us updated

Time to get some rest here...

[pornrex]

I suppose if had an addictive personality, I too would choose working out over anything else, so that's a great trait to have if you are in control. My problem is complacency and at times laziness. I just have to keep building and submitting and building some more.

Yes food can be a problem; I can respect that. Aside from so many health benefits there are also some serious repercussions to over indulging too. But that goes for just about everything out there, be it smoking, toking, snorting, fucking, sleeping, eating or whatever. Now I understand when I talk to older people like my parents and neighbours they always stress 'everything in moderation' and then they turnaround and go eat a dozen doughnuts or watch like 13 hours of tv.

[pornrex]

Originally Posted by digifan

I mentioned it only because I've seen so many quitting then hating those who have been still smoking/drinking whatever applies. It involves a lot of emotions so excuse me the warning

And I do believe it is self-hypnosis and this visualizing method can be used for a lot more good purposes.. like you want to lose weight so you close your eyes and visualize yourself as a healthy and thin person several times a day or a lot of healthy food or it's opposite, junk food with a huge red X on them lol, I have a friend, a doctor who has been using this method for more than a decade now and with surprisingly good results.

Keep up the good work and keep us updated

Time to get some rest here...

I have a friend that weighs about 300 lbs and has several health issues to contend with in addition to smoking 2 packs of cigarettes a day. This guy also has sciatic nerve problems in both legs, asthma, a heart condition plus he's had his gall bladder removed and has suffered through liver and kidney problems. He was very skeptical about my quitting smoking simply because he didn't see me prepare for it as I have explained to you all over here in this thread.

Yet, everyday he wakes up around 12-1PM, takes an hour to get ready to go to his office to work and complains about his 'health problems.' He says he's exhausted every possible avenue to improve his health and does not think that quitting smoking would do anything for him whatsoever. I really feel bad for the guy because he is in denial about the fact that smoking probably accounts for 50% of his health issues, if not more. He has been smoking since he was 15 (he's 41 this august) and cannot go two hours without lighting up. Before I quit we used to hang out all the time. NOW, since I've quit I don't want to be around him and his smoking especially at his place. I don't need the temptation nor do I need the second hand smoke and to be honest I should not have to put myself through that. Its for that same reason I won't ride with him in his car. And that goes for any and all other people I know. If I don't take this stand I will only fail.

Anyhow, enough said for one late night. I'll tell y'all how things work out for me tomorrow.

[ronnie]

Originally Posted by digifan

And I do believe it is self-hypnosis and this visualizing method can be used for a lot more good purposes.. like you want to lose weight so you close your eyes and visualize yourself as a healthy and thin person several times a day or a lot of healthy food or it's opposite, junk food with a huge red X on them lol, I have a friend, a doctor who has been using this method for more than a decade now and with surprisingly good results.

For making money too.. Course with anything, it's tough to really believe and see yourself as you would like.

ronnie

[pornrex]

Originally Posted by ronnie

... it's tough to really believe and see yourself as you would like. ronnie

Tough yes, but impossible, no.

I was at the grocery store earlier stocking up on apples, pears, and oranges and I ran into the bank teller I usually see where I bank. She asked how my efforts were going to stay smoke free and I told her that so far so good, knock on wood and all that jazz. She then told me that she 'wishes' she could quit too.

I've found out that wishing ain't gonna cut it because if it was that easy, we'd all wish for more money, the nicest cars, etc. Just like with work/business: you need a strong work ethic, discipline, the right guidance and perhaps a little luck and you can do great things. Wishing is great if I had a real genie in a bottle but unfortunately life is not like that.

I gotta 'run'.

[T Pat]

I've had one cig in the last 8 days, don't feel any different except for an urge to rip someones head off

[Cleo]

I'm going to give up eating. Food tastes way too good to only indulge a little.

[pornrex]

Originally Posted by Cleo

I'm going to give up eating. Food tastes way too good to only indulge a little.

Now your just being silly. If you want, try eating bran flakes or sugarless wheaties - then come back and tell us how good food tastes.

[PersignupDustin]

Congratulations player...

[blazi]

glad to hear you are still doing well with quitting smoking pornrex!

[pornrex]

Thanks people.

Its really weird. Sometimes these past few days I feel really wiped out while other days I can work through the night. I know eventually I am going to have to get into a disciplined routine of some sort because consistency is the key to just about anything. Although I did not have time for a 5k run today, I did manage to do about 3k jogging and I sprinted the last 100m to my place. I'm excited about entering my 3rd week of being smoke free. My counsellor tells me that I am still not out of the woods just yet, and that I should be wary of hanging with smokers, just for a short time more. I burnt toast this evening and just about tossed my cookies. |shocking|

Anyhow, tomorrow's a new day.
Time for bed.