Did you quit smoking?

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   sandra rinckposted 13 years ago

   I quit.  I am proud and I shared.  I know a few other hubbers also quit but I don't know if you wrote about it. 
   
   If you did, what was the response from the readers?  Did you find it fascinatingly strange that some folks would call you arrogant for doing what seems impossible to them?

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      Mark Knowlesposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Good for you. Who called you arrogant?

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         sandra rinckposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         Someone called Pink Umbrella and someone else can't remember who.  And thanks.  I know it is good for me. You too by the way!

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            Mark Knowlesposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            Morons. Thanks. I had a real tough time of it - as the frog knows. But - I seem over the worst now. 8th month.

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               sandra rinckposted 13 years agoin reply to this

               What was your worst time?  Mine was at about 3 weeks later.

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                  Mark Knowlesposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                  I was ill from about 3 weeks to 16 weeks or so. One thing after another. All sorts of weird infections, teeth issues meaning about 6 weeks on serious painkillers and antibiotics LOL - and then the flu. I do believe I got banned from the forums several times in that time frame.
                  
                  Then came my crisis time - after all that at - about 4 months. Soooo close to smoking - but didn't.
                  
                  Guess it is different for everyone.
                  
                  I had been smoking heavily for 36 years and this was extremely hard for me to do. Still weird.

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      pburgerposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      After smoking tobacco for about 15 years, I quit about 25 years ago. It took me about 10 years to quit. I kept telling myself 'I'll quit' and tried a few times but always went back to smoking. Then, one day, I came home from the shop without having bought a fresh packet of tobacco. I refused to go back to the shop and never bought tobacco again. It took a few months more before I stopped asking people for a spare one...But the one thing that really helped was to look myself in the mirror and say 'I don't smoke!'
      
      And recently I gave up smoking marijuana. i smoked dope for 30 years, and grew my own for about the last five years. But a year ago, I started having chiropractic adjustments, and one day I realized smoking was doing my health no good. So, I pulled up a crop that nearly ready to harvest and threw it in the rubbish bin.  I haven't smoked since and haven't graved a smoke.
      
      And more recently I stopped drinking alcohol. About two years ago I would drink a bottle of vodka or scotch every weekend. Then I lost about 30 kilos of weight, took up playing squash and cut back my drinking to a six-pack on the weekend. After ceasing with dope - I just stopped going to the bottle-shop on the way home. I haven't had a drink of alcohol in about 3 months.
      
      I feel great!

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         Scentposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         YOU GO BOIY as they say back home in Joisey

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      wesleycoxposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I quit smoking three years ago, cold turkey.  This is the first I wrote about it.

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         lorlie6posted 13 years agoin reply to this

         Wesley, writing about it was a mistake for me.  I started "The Tobacco Diaries" (NOT meant as a plug) a couple of weeks ago and when I began smoking again, I couldn't bring myself to write at all.  It's a strange thing to put yourself 'out there' in this community.  I feel a sort of obligation to the wonderful people who gave me support and encouragement, and now there's a strange kind of guilt. 
         I imagine I could write about relapse, but every time I begin, I seem stuck.
         Yikes!

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            Faybe Bayposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            That's why it's the tobacco diaries Lorlie! It is to chronicle how hard it is to quit and stay quit! What good is it to any reader to have everyone succeed! Only that when they try and can't quit yet they feel more a failure.
            
            Remember our hero, writing the Basketball Diaries was real! The real deal! To be honest, I haven't been able to write due to anxiety attacks. I have them regularly, and my hands are cramping as I type in this forum.
            
            I am using the electronic cigarettes and I still can't write hubs since I don't have my ashtrays and my habit!
            
            Write it for all of those who relapse, they need to know they are not the only ones.
            
            Love you Lorlie! You can do this!

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               preyposted 13 years agoin reply to this

               great advice girl/

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                  Faybe Bayposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                  Hi, at risk of hijacking how r u?

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               lorlie6posted 13 years agoin reply to this

               Aww, Faybe-thanks!  I guess I'm just not sure how to write the hub.  It really is a struggle-sorry about the anxiety.  I also suffer from SAD and PTSD and KNOW that the conditions are far from controlled. 
               Cigarettes give me a wonderfully false sense of relaxation.  Crazy!

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                  Faybe Bayposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                  I know. That's why I have the electronic ones. They do not taste the same, especially when you are still smoking. But after a few days, when you feel you need a cigarette, you get used to the taste.
                  
                  That's the hub I was supposed to write and couldn't that and a half dozen more.

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            mega1posted 13 years agoin reply to this

            We would all rather have you around writing and talking to us than hiding out and not writing - just cuz you need to smoke, don't worry about it!  I still smoke, like I said - on Sundays only - but only because I'm not allowed to smoke where I live and I never tell myself I am really quitting, because then I would be sneaking out back to smoke and get in trouble!!  Better to just tell yourself - let's see how well I can do, and give yourself lots of strokes for reducing the number to a few a day - and then it will gradually become less and less important to you.  Although - whenever I read the word "smoking" I want to smoke!  really.  we are complicated people - give yourself some slack and lots of good attention - don't feel bad.

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      Ben Evansposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I quit chewing tobbaco almost 2 years ago.  I was at almost a can every other day.  It was very hard.  I tried many methods cutting down, the patch, but cold turkey was the only one.  I quit once in the past for 2 years but I had probably had twenty slips in that time and then finally started again.
      
      Now I have no slips.
      
      Congratulations Sandra it will be one of the best things in your life to be rid of smoking.

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      alfaiziposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I didn't smoke and will never smoke as I hate the smell of it.

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   Cagsilposted 13 years ago

   I haven't quit and have no intention on quitting, and to top that, I haven't written one word about it either.

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      sandra rinckposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Okay Ray.  lol

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   ITSecurityAnalystposted 13 years ago

   I find no reason on quitting, perhaps I will reduce the freq. of smoking.

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   frogdroppingposted 13 years ago

   I will be soon. I've been building up to it for months. I'm going to quietly but firmly sneak up on myself, put that last filthy smoker out and just go right ahead and quit.
   
   At least - that's the theory.
   
   I have a feeling I'm going to be very very horrible to myself and anyone that is an innocent bystander/in my line of sight/a cat.
   
   It's a disgusting habit. I just wish I could feel disgusted enough with myself to throw them away. Cags and IT - both of you sound like some folks I know.
   
   I may write about it. If only to apologise to whoever haplessly strays into my view when I do quit.
   
   *looks to the future* If you're going to be one of my future victims - sorry in advance

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      Mark Knowlesposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      You can take it out on me. I was HORRIBLE for at least 4 months.

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         frogdroppingposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         
         
         I know you had a terrible time Mark. I certainly take my hat off to you. How the heck you didn't start again after all that happened, I'll never know. Still ... all in the past and you're the better for it

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            Mark Knowlesposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            Slightly heavier. But enjoying the biking.....

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               frogdroppingposted 13 years agoin reply to this

               
               
               Ahhhh slightly is good. Biking is great. You'll be as sexy as a hot nekkid waiter on ice before you know it

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                  Mark Knowlesposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                  Slightly - 30 pounds.

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                     Mishaposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                     He-he

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                        Mark Knowlesposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                        LOL - More of me to lurve.....

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                           Mishaposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                           Yep, of me - too

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                     frogdroppingposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                     
                     
                     You'll shift it Mark. The hardest thing you did was the quitting. My friend went away a few years ago and came back horribly overweight.
                     
                     She took six months to get frighteningly unhealthy. It's taken her the best part of three years or so to lose it. She didn't go mad, just became more active, watched what she ate a little more.
                     
                     And I'm not talking 30lbs either. Was a good bit more. She looks great now

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   kimberlyslyricsposted 13 years ago

   anyone have a light by chance? :

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   rebekahELLEposted 13 years ago

   that's crazy, they're just jealous or feeling the guilt. how could it be arrogant to stop a deadly habit?
   
   you quitters need to go over to dale's thread and encourage him if you haven't seen it yet.

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   waynetposted 13 years ago

   Yes I quit and never looked back...except...to...say...goodbye...dear Cigarettes....boo hoo!
   At least I replaced smoking with cider drinking!

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   rebekahELLEposted 13 years ago

   sandra, forgot to say congrats! that's a great accomplishment.

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   Dale Mazurekposted 13 years ago

   2 days for me now lol.  So far so good.  Im just expecting things to get worse as Im sure they will. 
   
   Im ready for whatever smoking has to throw at me.  I am not failing at this.
   
   Dale

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      Mark Knowlesposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      You can do it. If you want to quit - you will quit.

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         sandra rinckposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         I totally agree.  You will if you want to. 
         
         Everyone who quit has something to share.  I had been smoking since I was 13 years old, possibly 12.  So it was more than half my life. 
         
         How I inevitably put on weight is a mystery but it's a different kind of weight.  A good kind of weight.   
         
         I think it beats the skin and bones with booze and cigarettes look any day!  Still like my beer though and I actually like drinking more without the cigarettes. 
         
         For me, I didn't' change anything in my life.  I didn't even toss out the old cigarette butts.  I don't ignore my friends who still smoke either. 
         
         Literally, for me all I did was not smoke.  For the first couple of weeks, I still went outside in the morning to drink my coffee.  I just did it without the cigarette... I did things like that. 
         
         The gross stuff was hocking up brown balls of goop.  ewwwww... lol.  But it is worth it.    And don't get me wrong, I have my days but they get easier.  You just have to trust that ex smokers are telling the truth, that it does get easier.
         
         
         Ps. Thank you Rabeckelle.   
         
         PPS.  Just saw how this posted, it was to reply to Dale.

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    liswilliamsposted 13 years ago

    well done for quitting!, I been there myself a couple of years ago. It was tough, but now I feel 100 times better..especially when biking! Keep going

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    goldenpathposted 13 years ago

    I quit in 1993.  However, it was a little weird how it all unfolded.

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    mega1posted 13 years ago

    I only smoke on Sundays now - only 3 or so  - but today, for some reason I started wanting one right after lunch, and usually I don't think of it until Sunday comes around.  weird.

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    ddsurfscaposted 13 years ago

    I did quit at the beginning of the year, still dont smoke, and I did write a hub about it.  The response was very non existent as nobody commented and I had little traffic either.

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       ddsurfscaposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       
       
       Quite a bit like the response to this comment....maybe nobody cares...HA...what a lonely thought

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    romper20posted 13 years ago

    Just recently, I wrote a whole article on an alternative to smoking cigarettes.
    
    Overall Great Hubber though  )
    
    RomperHubber

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    sagbeeposted 13 years ago

    I do not smoke, so no point in quitting lol... But I have seen many people around me who did quit ... it was hard for them initially but later on they did it with ease... If you have self confidence and determination then you can do big wonders easily...

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       romper20posted 13 years agoin reply to this

       very true, I feel its more of a craving within that gets 2 people. It's hard man... Ill tell ya first hand, if it wasn't for electronic cigs i dunno haha

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    Pearldiverposted 13 years ago

    I quit cold turkey 8 months ago now and had to stop drinking coffee for about 3 months so that I didn't make it worse.  I still feel like I could handle a smoke on occasion.. but I don't want to loose my sense of smell again.
    
    Good on everyone who has been successful in quitting... Didn't you really really enjoy it?  I Did.

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       TheGlassSpiderposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Which? The smoking, or the quitting?
       
       God, I LOVED smoking - in fact, I felt exactly the same as Cagsil did (see earlier in the thread)...but then, I started hacking up this disgusting phlegm in the mornings and decided that was just TOO much. On top of that I started taking care of this elderly gentleman who's been smoking all his life: He now sucks on three different inhalers twice a day, takes nebulizer treatments six times a day, is on O2 'round the clock, and is wheelchair-bound. I decided I didn't want to end up like that.

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       Ben Evansposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       i enjoyed the tobbaco.  When I was frustrated, it calmed me down and gave a nice little kick in the morning.  Dont get into the thought that you can still enjoy a cig once in awhile.  After awhile you will be at the same point you were before you quit.
       
       I quit once for two years and thought I could handle every once in awhile and it didnt work.
       
       I am now again stopped for 2 years and I wont touch tobacco ever again.
       
       Keep up the good work.

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    Dale Mazurekposted 13 years ago

    Today is day 20 and to be honest I have never been more proud of myself for anything.
    
    20 days without a cigarette makes me feel even better then the best month I ever had working online.
    
    Many people have admitted to me that they didnt think i would make it.  Thats okay because I proved them all wrong.
    
    Congrats to all quitters
    
    Dale

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       Ben Evansposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Good job Dale.  The hard part is behind you.
       
       No matter what if you need a smoke dont.

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    jiberishposted 13 years ago

    Congrads to all who quit smoking.  I quit every night right before I go to sleep, I have no will power!

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    Cagsilposted 13 years ago

    There is always a high risk of hijacking happening.

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       Faybe Bayposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Hi my Cagsil! I am still talking about your web site to anyone who will listen.

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          Cagsilposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          Okay. How are you doing today?

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             Faybe Bayposted 13 years agoin reply to this

             mild anxiety attacks. tried to write and couldn't. You look good!

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                Cagsilposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                Yeah, I tried to write earlier and didn't get anywhere.

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                   Faybe Bayposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                   Oh good, then it isn't just me. Maybe it's the weather or the time of year.

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                      Cagsilposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                      Maybe.

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                         Faybe Bayposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                         Oh shoot now it is a hijack! Look what you made me do Sorry about that I have to go get some sleep or at least try to.

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