Quitting Smoking

[xud]

Hi, I have recently quit smoking AND drinking on the same day.
I have tried to quit smoking numerous times - without success.
This time I thought I would go for the double whammy. I had to stop drinking because if I quit smoking but not drinking I am constantly thinking about cigs.
Today is day 4 and still going strong.
Considering I must be the worlds worse nicotine addict it's not a bad achievement.
At £7 a packet and 6+ cans of beer every night I estimate I have saved a staggering £50 this week alone.
Within 24 hours of quitting I began to feel better. Now I do about 10 minutes a day on my treadmill, which had been lingereing in my garage for years.

I know how hard is is to quit but I would like potential quitters' to use this thread as a source of inspiration. If I can quit anyone can.
Mike

[chrissa1]

Good for you, xud. The massive improvement in your bank balance must be a great incentive.

[grasscarp]

Congratulations. Your lungs are breathing a sigh of relief. I am not a smoker so cannot join you. I did smoke when I was young because I thought you had to! Keep going Xud. Think of the money you are saving but more than that your health is benefitting - the one thing you need even more than money.

[smurf]

welldone its 10 years now since i quit smoking best thing i ever did keep it up

[david small]

Well done Mike. Congratulations on making the great effort. Don't get complacent as it's still early days. You've yet to face your first weekend. Good idea to exercise as well if possible. £200 a month = £2400 a year. That's a holiday and new wardrobe. I wish you the very best for your future, it's in your capable hands.

[Samuraisan]

Well done! Take a day at a time.

[B00]

3 years since I quite smoking cigarettes and switched to ECigs.

Yes, I still get cravings, some days I'd kill for a 'proper' smoke, but I'm still just about coping with it.

Hang in there!

[xud]

Oh yes, I forgot to mention that I bought his and hers E-cigs earlier this year, which I used on and off. I have even managed to ditch that too, in an effort to eliminate the hand to mouth action.
Funny thing is that I never had a quitting plan as per my patch manufacturer - who states that you should make preperations in advance, ready fo the big day.
What happened was Monday morning I woke up and felt so rough it was untrue. I had to take the day off work.
That was it. That was the trigger. Tuesday morning I bought some patches, slapped one on, and never looked back.
I'm 46 now and can't help thinking that when I'm in my 50s/60s it will be payback time, if it isn't already.

[sandyRoe]

Well done! I think I read somewhere that if you're a smoker quitting is the best thing you can do to improve your health.

[chanel5]

Well done! I quit twelve years ago and like you I just went cold turkey one day and never smoked again. A couple of years later I took a drag of a cigarette that a family member had left down in an ashtray. It was horrible, I hated the taste and I knew that I was cured of the smoking addiction. so hang in there and very soon you will find cigarettes and their smell totally disgusting.

[corylus]

Well done, I gave up smoking 8 years ago, suddenly decided that I didn't want to do it anymore. Stash the money you are saving every day in a glass container and WATCH IT GROW! I had enough for a new laptop in less than 3 months.

[jennyjoan]

well done - my sister went cold turkey too about 4 years ago and she never mentions it.

[hc4361]

Well done. :)

[Canary42]

As a one-time smoker myself (gave up in 1984) I applaud your action - well done and keep it up.

[pusskin]

xqd, you must be feeling so happy with yourself.
A month or two ago, i started on patches and wasnt very successful, as due to stress. Your post has made me have a big think and try again!!!

[jourdain2]

Keep going strong! I quit ciggies, going 'cold turkey', 35 years ago and I remember how hard it was. Watch out for the end of week 2, you have started to relax, think you've got it beaten, and it leaps out at you! I had to stop totally because I couldn't cut down consistently. No ciggies for 35 years, but be warned, sometimes I even dreamed about them. Last time was a couple of years ago, but it is now no problem. Alcohol is different!