Giving Up Smoking and how to cope ?

Question:

I've wanted to give up smoking for years and never really tried ,well after much discussion with a friend a "non-smoker"ive set tomorrow as D-Day,I want to succeed and i know they will encourage me all the way but any suggestions from those of you who have given up on the first few days and how to keep my determination and will power going because i know it is not going tobe easy ,i've smoked for nearly 20yrs,but for the 1st time ever today i have counted how many i've smoked and actually cut down considerably in preparation and not bought any for tomorrow which is my normal pattern,I would appreciate advice from those who have been through this ,no insult to the non-smokers but i need peoples experiences of how to deal with the urges and willpower and emotions and feelings i know i'm going to have to fight to get through this

Answers:
1- You'll have to believe in yourself

2- check there for tips : http://index-go.com/health_fitness_medical_medicines/quitting_smoking.asp

Good luck !

Other Answers:
Good luck!
Keep telling yourself you can beat it and take it one step at a time.
Prepare the people around you cos' you'll get really nasty!

Go to your pharmacist.

They can give you things and put you in touch with people who can help you.

Try hypnotherapy - it's excellent for controlling cravings, and try finding another thing to fill your day with like a hobby that's cheaper than cigarettes. That's basically what I did.

My friend recited nursery rhymes when she had cravings.

Go for hypnotherapy, it'll take away the cravings and you'll feel like you're doing a positive thing.
Don't beat yourself up if you backslide! Just try again.

I gave up after a few attempts last year. The first 3 weeks are the hardest. Everytime you get the urge to smoke eat a grape or a cherry or something that isn,t fattening. Drink plenty of water. Try and think of a hobby you could do so you've got something to do with your hands. Put the money to one side that you would have spent on fags and buy yourself a treat. Honestly, after the 3 weeks you start to feel healthier and that will give you the kick to carry on. Be warned you will probably come down with a wicked cold and cough but bear with it. Hope it goes well and best of luck xx

This is going to sound so lame,but i gave up smoking this morning!!!!!!!!!!! its now been 17 hours!!!!!!!!!!!!
And its the longest Ive given up for in 16 years of smoking. It sounds a bit like me, i just decided at that point that ive had enough of smoking and I'm going to stop.
To be honest i know its only the first day but i have never eaten so much as i have done today!!!!!!!!!!!!
All i can say to you is stick with it, we both know we've made the right decision. Congratulations on deciding to give up , and i wish you lots and lots of luck. Take each day as it comes, and stay strong!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Never forget: It's just your mind who smokes

i gave up 5 weeks ago
you need to drink a lot of water to fluss the rubbis out of your body
try to avoid times and place's when you would have a smoke.
try getting a new hobby exersice is working for me ,
give your self extra resonse to keep going
take every day at a time
treat your self with the cash you would have spent on smokes
use gum or patches or what ever works
if you drink cut down your are more likey to smoke then
the urges will only last for a few minets at a time so try not to think about them as this stops them lasting longer because the mental urges are some times stonger than the bodys urges
and if you have any more questions please email me im happy to help
good luck

It is not going to be easy but it can be done.
Setting a day to stop is a good start, throw out all ash trays and smoking things.
If you like a *** after coffee or with a pint then cut these out for a few weeks.
Try and avoid smokers for the first few days
Drink a lot of water and have pain killers on hand because nicotine withdrawl can give you banging headaches, but these usually only last a few days. You may also feel really run down, tired and have cold like symtons i did
Find something to do with your hands, a stress ball is a good idea as you use your hand and get rid of frustration all in one easy go :)
If money is a part of the reason for giving up add a coin ( i had one free in a quit smoking pack, but you could just colour 1 in with felt pen) to your pocket so everytime you go to get money you are reminded how much you are saving.
You could also get a child grandchild/nephew etc to make you a little picture money for you to put in your wallet where papaer money goes saying how proud they are of you (guilt is a great way to build will power)
I was evil when i gave up smoking, but if you explain to family and friends what you are doing it will be a lot easier,
Taking up some gentle exercise will help lift your moods.
on a really pleasent note you may be suprised at how much "gunk" comes off your chest over the first few weeks
Also if you do have a slip up do not give up giving up,

my wife is giving up and she has done well for 5 weeks now.She is using niquitin cq LOZENGES AT 400 MILLS.it takes away all her cravings and she was a 20 a day smoker.Do not bother with a hypnotherapist they are a waste of time and money and they only talk to you.they do not put you under like a hypnotist so honestly do not waste your time trust me ive been and when i left their clinic i lit up a ciggy.will power is the way but the lozenges do work

I smoked for 29 years and then had to have surgery on my shoulder for rotater cuff. I was determined to have a successful recovery so I quit smoking. Five days into it I felt like I wanted to rip peoples heads off so I started smoking again and was so dissapointed in myself. Two weeks later I went and got the patch and started out with the strongest one they had. It was hard, really hard. I worked out alot!!! I worked out alot and I think people thought I was crazy for awhile. I had so much excess energy and also had alot of other problems going on, like a break up. Had been with the person over 10 years. It was really, really hard but I have been smoke-free now for over a year. My face looks sooooo much better. I really like it that I don't stink like cigarrette smoke anymore. There are lots of benefits but I was pretty mean for about six months. I would suggest finding a hobby you really enjoy when those times come. Good luck. My prayers will be with you.

At last someone trying to do the same thing.
all the best of luck.

Best of luck.

Do use nicotine replacement therapy if you need to - no shame! I used a patch for a few weeks (made me itch quite dreadfully, so I stopped), which helped while I got used to not smoking, and then it wasn't so bad getting used to doing without nicotine. I also used - and still do, sometimes, a fake cigarette called Crafe Away, which helped enormously.

Make a list of all the things you are going to like about not smoking (my no 1 was not having to plot and plan when I could have my next cigarette when I was out!), and remind yourself of these when the cravings hit.

And expect that it's going to be horrible! There are bound to be some on-line support groups, so do use them.

I have been clean for over 12 years, and I had a 40-a-day habit for 25 years, so it _can_ be done! But it wasn't pleasant - in fact, it was so nasty that I decided I could never do it again, which also helped keep me away from the cigarettes.

Oh, and for years, my "anxiety dreams" were that I'd taken up smoking again - such a relief to wake up and find I hadn't!

The first few days are hell - particularly for someone who has smoked for 20 years. There is no other way to describe it.

Stay active, drink water, eat carrots (for some reason, eating a lot of carrots helped me), chew gum (preferably the sugarless type).

Realize this is an addiction - and it is hard. Remember that if you fall back, you are going to go through the same stuff again in the future when you next try to quit.

Expect to try to quit again in the future - I had quit in the past for several years at a go. And I had tried quitting several times over the past 10 years to finally get it right.

There are different reactions you can expect to experience during immediate withdrawal, and in the weeks to come.

But don't start to congratulate yourself until you have been off for at least a week - if you start to congratulate yourself, you can easily start thinking you can reward yourself by having just one - maybe just to "take the edge off". Been there, done that - and it is the surest road back to deep addiction.

Let us know how you do.

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Giving Up Smoking and how to cope ?

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