What tips can you offer for someone's first day smoke free?

1. 94

   peeplesposted 10 years ago

   What tips can you offer for someone's first day smoke free?
   
   Last night while having a CT of my gallbladder I had a nodule in the bottom of my right lung spotted. I smoke half a pack a day and have decided enough is enough. Tomorrow will be my first day smoke free. So what advice can you offer for the first day?

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2. 75

   Diana Leeposted 10 years ago

   Today marks eleven months for me being smoke free. I could have never done it without help.  I used the Chantix program for five weeks. It is a twelve week program, but the brain blocker drug that it is upsets your sleep as well as promotes crazy dreams when you can sleep. Five weeks was enough for me.  I'm still not smoking, but gained weight back I was hoping I wouldn't.  My sister quit without any help.  It's up to you how you choose to do this. The big thing is, "Don't give up.  If you fail and light up, try again to see how long you can go before the next urge.  My worst battle was the first three weeks.  I lit up once each of those three weeks, but I tried again.  I'm so glad I did this. I smoked over thirty years, a pack a day.  If I can do it, anyone can.  Keep them out of your sight and try keeping your hands busy.  It helps.

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      Relationshipcposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I personally wouldn't give myself the excuse that if I fail I can try again. It just would give me a reason to excuse having a cigarette, which is why most people can't quit. Make no excuses! But, that is just my opinion.

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   2. 94

      peeplesposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks Diana. I guess it goes to show everyone quits different. I'm dreading day one!

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3. 87

   Relationshipcposted 10 years ago

   For me, I read Allan Carrs easy way to quit smoking and quit that day without any struggle at all. I would pick it up.
   
   But if you don't want to, basically it all boils down to the fact that cigarettes are not doing anything for you. All they are doing is replacing the nicotine in your body so that you can get on with your day and do other things.
   
   For instance, I know it seems that having a cigarette can help you relax, but really you just need to have a fix of nicotine so that your body can fully relax on its own.
   
   So, if cigarettes do nothing for you besides fill up your nicotine meter  - then what good are they? They make you sick, make you stink, cost money, and hurt the environment [http://www.ucanquit2.org/facts/Environment.aspx]
   
   Trust me, life is much better when you have control over your life, not the nicotine.

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      peeplesposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      These are all reasons I'm quitting! I guess I just needed a wake up call to do what I have been telling myself to do for a while! Thanks!

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4. 0

   christiananrkistposted 10 years ago

   Toothpicks and sunflower seeds. The addiction itself isnt difficult to overcome. Its the habit. The best tip I can give you is to keep yourself busy. Especially the first week. Just get out and do things if you can or have time. Walk, ride bikes, workout, go to a park or anything. While at home always have some tooth picks or sunflower seeds on hand Maybe even carry a few toothpick with you. Flavored if possible. this really helps with the habit of smoking. Hope this helps. It helped me when I stopped about 6 years ago. What also helps is if you can limit your time around others who smoke.

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   1. 94

      peeplesposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      My husband is quitting with me. He bought sunflower seeds earlier. I got me a pack of straws to chew on but toothpicks sound like a good idea! Thanks

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5. 73

   Rosana Modugnoposted 10 years ago

   First of all, congratulations for choosing a healthier lifestyle for yourself and your children.  Secondly, Sept 13, 1997 was my last cigarette.  I threw away my pack, never looked back not a day.  How did I do it?  I visualized the smoke entering my body, and literally destroying my insides.  It was never the same after that.
   
   My advice to you is simple;  Visualize your life better, breathe in air and really FEEL it enter your body and appreciate it for all it is, chew lots of gum, drink lots of water, stop hanging around people that do smoke, take yourself off those lists of mailers that come in for cigarette coupons, celebrate every day by treating yourself to something nice and every week buy yourself or do something as a gift for doing it.  Get your family involved, tell your friends, so they will be sensitive to not smoking around you.  This is an addiction, so the more you stay away from it, the easier it will be for you.  Clean your car out, change all your sheets, wash all your clothes now because as soon as you quit, you will notice that your sense of smell will change.  Oh, and buy a new toothbrush!  Things will taste different as well.  Good luck.  I'm so proud of you!  You are an awesome example to your children. 

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   1. 94

      peeplesposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks Rosana! I hope that I can make it half as easy as you made it sound!

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6. 92

   LongTimeMotherposted 10 years ago

   You could keep yourself busy for at least a day figuring out how much money you'll save in a year - and how you'd rather spend it.
   
   I took up pottery when I wanted to keep my hands too busy (and muddy) to reach for a cigarette. Made some nice pots. lol.

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7. 82

   Lee Teaposted 10 years ago

   Oh peeples, there's this chart floating around online that details your detox off of cigs through the first 8 hours, through the first day, the first 3 days, then a couple weeks and then months.  Step one is 8 hours after your last cig, your red blood cells begin to return to normal oxygen levels. 
   
   Find this chart! Print it and hang it up where you'll see it all the time!  There are phone apps that will chart progress from your last cig for you as well - a GREAT way to chart your progress through the first hours and beyond.  And an even better way to transition your focus to something more productive
   
   I have a hub on setting goals you can accomplish too - if you're interested in charting your progress yourself you can look it up.
   
   Be well!
   Lee @ Lee's Teas

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8. 88

   Bishop55posted 10 years ago

   Distract yourself every time you get a craving, cravings last on average 3-7 minutes, so once you get through that, you can forget about it until another craving strikes.  Just stay strong and focus on all the wonderful benefits and reasons you have for quitting the nasty habit.  You can do it!   Stay positive and stay strong!  And avoid any triggers!  It will get easier.  It takes 21 days to change a habit and 3 days to break it.  Get past that first 21 day mark and you'll be smoke-free forever in no time!  I'm hitting 6 months August 28th.  I love my white teeth, no more stench, and I'd never go back to smoking ever again!  I smoked for 17 years on average 1-2 packs.  Save that money for your next dream vacation!

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