STORM2K

Well folks I have been smoking around 30-40 cigarettes for the last few years, and have decided I HAVE HAD ENOUGH!

As soon as we get our visa situation sorted out (which is looking much more promising! We finally got all the papers and file next week! The lawyer said it looks good for us ) We have decided to try (Lord willing) for another baby. So It looks like I am going to have to stop smoking. If you have ever stoped HOW did you do it? If you have never smoked in your life, you will not understand how hard it is for someone like me who is smoking 30-40 to just stop!

So the big day for me will be next Monday, Thats the day I have decided to quit!!

You shouldn't start to begin with. My mom is slowly cutting down to 1 carton a week, but hasn't stopped. I've second hand smoked all my life.

Oh Bron! I'm so happy for you!!!!! Prayers worked again!

The best way to quit is cold turkey! The first few days are tough, especially as you through the normal routines that you would normally have a cigareete with. Each one is a milestone though.

I did quit for about 6 years - I was on my honeymoon with my ex-hubby and I didn't smoke around him, so....

I started backup when I found I was being laid off from work. DUMB, DUMB, DUMB!!

YAY Bronny! Good for you! Cold turkey is not the way to do it! That is the hardest way to go and the least likely way to do it. I am not a smoker myself and never have been - but I know people who have tried cold turkey and it hasn't worked for them. I'd recommend the nicotine patches for you to wean yourself off of the cigarettes.

I've quit several times. It comes down to willpower Bron. The patches help some but it you still have to come off of the patches. As far as I', concerned they just delay the inevitable confrontation LOL

Great news on the paperwork! We'll keep the prayers rolling here! Good luck on the second baby! The trying is fun at least! Maybe we can get Chad and Jenn started on a second one too

Bronwyn...

I came home from Vietnam, threw out my Marlboros, grabbed on to my brand new bride, and promised never ever to smoke again.

I've not smoked since, but it took me two full years to quit diving under the bed every time it thundered (true story!)

With a move coming up shortly, a son who must keep you very busy, and a hubby you love dearly, you should have no problem keeping both hands busy.

Meanwhile....that handsome son of yours and his brother/sister deserve all the fresh air you can give them. They are worth every bit of sacrifice.

Kick the habit all the way back to South Africa because YOU are worth it too.

PS....if none of those things work, then grab a handful of non-fat anything, sit down at your computer, and be the first to post 25,000 on Storm2k! The downside to this approach, of course, is that it makes it awkward to consider baby #2 inbetween the keystrokes!

I've stopped twice ... once for 5 months and once for 5 weeks.

The 5 months - I stopped for a girl (bet her that I could do it for, well I won't mention the details ... but she didn't hold her end of the bargain after several arguments ... I started back up again 5 months later).

The second time was when I had a terrible sinus infection and stopped ... it lasted 5 weeks but stresses and pressures from when it was the new position at St. Andrews P.O., led me back to the nicotine train.

Speaking of that, I need one now ...

Good luck in quitting, Bron. I need to quit myself.

Steph I agree with you and MF.. I think for me, cold turkey is the way to go. MF you make a load of sense when you say with the patch you prolong the inevitable! With me it is more of a routine thing.. when I sit down and have coffee, or watch tv, the first thing I do is light up.. So Im going to have to just kick it totally (All or nothing generally works well for me)

Two years hey Steve :o WOW. Well I know in my heart it really is the best thing for everyone, myself and those around me.

YEP I am really happy about my paperwork situation, prayer really has been answered in my situation. Of course I still have to wait on the INS answer, but at least the paperwork is all there and things are moving along for the better!

Good luck!

Sorry, I can't be of any help to you....I'vbe been a pack-and-a-half smoker for 35 years, and I have no intention of quitting....no matter how it may, or may not shorten my years (as far as I'm concerned, the sooner the better).

I haven't had to quit as I haven't started and don't plan to, so I guess I can't offer advice. But, humans when they have a strong will can do almost anything they put their minds to.

Sorry Bron....I've been smoking since I was 16 years old (when I entered boot camp), let's see, that's been 29 years ago. I've quit once, had to, I was in the hospital for 95 days straight when I had my car accident, the DAY I was released, I started back up and the rest as they say is history. I don't smoke in the house, that was a promise to Michelle 5 years ago, she's very athletic, funny, I CANNOT stand the smell of smoke!

Dennis

This is a good topic! I've quit numerous times. There are lots of techniques and aids. But it does come down to conviction and guts.

There's an antidepressant, wellbutrin, that acts on the brain chemistry. It really does lessen the craving for nicotine. I quit once that way.

There's a brand of cigarettes out now, called Quest. They have low nicotine, extra low nicotine, and nicotine free. I've done that, and after weaning it down, the cravings are less severe, but still there. On thursday I smoked the lows, friday, I smoked the extra lows, and saturday I smoked the nicotine frees. Then I went all day Sunday without any cigarettes. I went for a bike ride sunday, and really felt good. It bothered me some, and then this morning something compelled me to just buy a pack. Arrrrrghhhh! At least I bought a pack of the extra lows. My wife smokes Newports which are one of the strongest, (and one of the most expensive). They say it's worse than heroin. I think it's like alcohol, even years after quitting they say that they are still recovering alcoholics.

Amanzi, having someone to hold you accountable is another powerful motivation. If you want to do that, I'm sure that the people here would be glad to oblige. If you are talking about June 16th, we'll hold you to it. Please confirm.

I made an appointment for a physical for June 30th. I want to be able to tell the doctor that I quit. I'll commit to wednesday, the 11th. I'll buy a pack of nicotine free tomorrow. Then that will be it. OK everyone hold me to it. *gritting teeth

I'm sorry, I can't answer that question. I can't stand the smell of smoke. I have yet to pick up a cigarette...and don't plan on it.

Bronni, Good luck on the INS issue and the possible new addition to the family.

coriolis wrote:This is a good topic! I've quit numerous times. There are lots of techniques and aids. But it does come down to conviction and guts.

There's an antidepressant, wellbutrin, that acts on the brain chemistry. It really does lessen the craving for nicotine. I quit once that way.

There's a brand of cigarettes out now, called Quest. They have low nicotine, extra low nicotine, and nicotine free. I've done that, and after weaning it down, the cravings are less severe, but still there. On thursday I smoked the lows, friday, I smoked the extra lows, and saturday I smoked the nicotine frees. Then I went all day Sunday without any cigarettes. I went for a bike ride sunday, and really felt good. It bothered me some, and then this morning something compelled me to just buy a pack. Arrrrrghhhh! At least I bought a pack of the extra lows. My wife smokes Newports which are one of the strongest, (and one of the most expensive). They say it's worse than heroin. I think it's like alcohol, even years after quitting they say that they are still recovering alcoholics.

Amanzi, having someone to hold you accountable is another powerful motivation. If you want to do that, I'm sure that the people here would be glad to oblige. If you are talking about June 16th, we'll hold you to it. Please confirm.

I made an appointment for a physical for June 30th. I want to be able to tell the doctor that I quit. I'll commit to wednesday, the 11th. I'll buy a pack of nicotine free tomorrow. Then that will be it. OK everyone hold me to it. *gritting teeth

OK Ed, You have got it!!! You and I are going to do this together!

You are right Ed, nicotine addiction is harder to kick than other drugs that are not socially acceptable. I think it is because I have this continual inflow of nicotine into my system, and my body is used to functioning with that level of the chemical in it. Having a smoke in my hand is like an extension of myself... nearly every photo I see myself in, I have a smoke in my hand

So it is time to say good-bye to this NASTY addiction and start a new set of lungs.

Good point about being held accountable.. What a better place the world would be if we all put this thought into reality on a daily basis. That is a very good statement to keep in mind, about MANY things. We will all have to stand before our Maker one day and be held accountalbe for MANY things.

OK ED, hang in there. With the power of prayer and friends to keep us uplifted, we can over come this together....

I have never smoked a cigarette but good luck on your deciding to quit. You can do it, we are here to support you 24/7.

Good on you Bonnie! If there is one word of advice I can offer to anyone! DONT START SOMKING. Thanks for the encouragement

I smoked in High School (a long time ago) and developed a lung infection. I stopped and restarted in college. I started to hack and cough a lot and threw away an almost full pack of cigarettes (only cost 45 cents a pack in those days) and haven't touched one since then. I have however smoked lots of second hand smoke. My Mom smoked like a fiend and lived to 88, and so did my Mother-in-Law who is now 86 and has more energy than I do. Now, the state of CT has passed a no smoking ban in all restaurants and bars, The restaurant ban goes into effect on Oct. 1, 2003 and the bars in April, 2004. When you've smoked for years it's tough to quit, but definitely worth it! Good Luck!

Thanks fixitmhn. Glad to hear you quit!
There is a no smoking in public places here in FL too as well as back in South Africa. I guess these kinds of laws will just make it easier for me to quit!

Oh boy Amanzi, this is rubber hitting the road. Today went according to plan. As of this writing, there's 4 nicotine-free cigs in my box. Then that's it. Oops, make that 3.