Suggestions on quitting by goat

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Suggestions on quitting

POSTED BY: GOAT
UPDATED: Sunday, August 27, 2006 06:59
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Thursday, August 10, 2006 4:33 PM

Has anyone here managed to quit smoking?

If so, how did you find the motivation to do it? I really want to quit but once I get the resolve to actually try, that resolve is gone within a day and I'm back to puffing my life away again.

I've tried convincing myself that I should quit because smoking is bad for me, tried bribing myself with anything from a new computer or mp3 player to ice cream but every time I've tried quitting I've failed. Today being no exception, unfortunately.

Anyone have suggestions or experience they'd care to share?

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Thursday, August 10, 2006 4:43 PM

KANEMAN

Smoke away my friend..You only live once...and without resolve why bother?

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Thursday, August 10, 2006 4:44 PM

FUTUREMRSFILLION

Goat

I just quit. I know that will piss some off. But the day I got married 19 years ago I quit. It stuck (now I did start again 7 years later for about a month) but then quit again and now I just don't smoke. I wouldn't mind a cigarette here and there, but I just don't.

We are The Forsaken - We aim to burn! and we don't need no stinkin levels!

one of the Forsaken TM

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Thursday, August 10, 2006 4:47 PM

DARKJESTER

I had a little extra motivation while I was quitting - I was living in my parent's basement after my divorce. I couldn't stand the idea of my mother smelling smoke on me after she told me she was SO proud that I was quitting... I kept a pack on my nightstand, and at work when the cravings hit I'd tell myself that I just had to wait till I got home. Then once I was home, I couldn't bring myself to light up, for the aforementioned "mama-guilt" reason.

Plus, I used the patch. REALLY helps with the physical cravings, but the psychological ones are almost tougher. I quit going on 5 years ago, and I still occasionally get the urge, especially after a big meal.

One other thing that seemed to help was not trying to quit. Like Yoda said, "There is no try!" Just keep telling yourself that you're not a smoker anymore. You're not trying to quit, you already have.

Those three things together did the trick for me. About the toughest thing I ever did though.

MAL "You only gotta scare him."
JAYNE "Pain is scary..."

http://www.fireflytalk.com - Big Damn Podcast

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Thursday, August 10, 2006 4:49 PM

JOSSISAGOD

I really don't have experience with smoking, I tried one cigarette, and, one puff later decided to never picked up another. My suggestion would be, cut at least one cigarette out of your day, after a week, see if you can cut one more, and so on, until you're down to one cigarette a day, then try cutting that last one out. This could take a while, I don't really think there is a quick fix for smoking. Also, while in the process of quiting, pick up a hobby to keep your hands busy, Modeling perhaps, and chew gum to keep your mouth busy.

Well, there's my suggestion, see if it works for you.

JOSSIS(Most Definitely)AGOD

Self appointed Forsaken! Been on the list for a while now!

98% of teens have smoked pot, if you are one of the 2% that haven't, copy this into your signature.
"Look at me, I'm STUPID!" The Doctor.

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Thursday, August 10, 2006 4:49 PM

ECGORDON

There's no place I can be since I found Serenity.

I smoked for approximately twelve years, and many of those years it was a heavy habit. Primarily either Camel or Lucky Strike unfiltered. Filtered cigarettes made me gag, there was such a metallic taste to it.

Like you I tried quitting quite a few times but kept going back to it, sometimes quickly, sometimes I might make it weeks or even a month. I never tried the patch or gum or any other method, but I did finally quit. Cold turkey.

I can't say it was easy. There were times I would have nightmares about having a cigarette in my hand and not being able to put it out, or if I did another one magically appeared already lit and waiting. But I did get through it.

I don't have any words of wisdom to impart. Everyone has to do it in their own way. All I can say is that I finally decided that if I really wanted to quit then I was just going to have to do it and stop talking about it. So I made a promise to myself one day, twenty-five years ago this November 17th, that I would never again even pick up a cigarette, much less light one up. I've kept the promise.

wo men ren ran zai fei xing.

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Thursday, August 10, 2006 4:53 PM

MANWITHPEZ

Important people don't do field work.

I'm still working on this. My last cigarette was 9 days ago, and its been hard, truly hard. I won't say that I'm a nonsmoker yet, because its a fragile thing, the want and need for a cigarette. Or rather, the ability to fight off the need is a fragile thing.

I was around someone who didn't used to smoke and, then the smell of them drove me away. I couldn't stand it, and at the same time, I had to ask "Is that how I smell?" Of course it was...And, I just did't want to be like that anymore. Plus, financial reasons, health reasons, etc...

And, the time will get to spend with loved ones. That's reason enough for me. As for a suggestion...I'd have to stick with the above one of tell yourself that you have quit smoking...there's not trying to quit...there's quit and smoker...that's it!

Only a Sith deals in absolutes...and the occasional Jedi...

Kaylee: "What's so damn important about being proper? It don't mean nothing out here in the black."
Simon: "It means more out here. It's all I have..."

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Thursday, August 10, 2006 4:58 PM

NCBROWNCOAT

My mom finally quit smoking at age 71 after almost 55 years of smoking, bad COPD (chronic bronchitis and emphesimia) and a bout of smoking induced neck cancer (she's one year out of both extensive surgery and intense neck radiation, if that's not a reason to quit I don't know what is)by using a combination of Zoloft (an antidepressant), peppermints and a good old fashioned lecture from her doctor. He told her basically she would die if she kept on smoking.

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Thursday, August 10, 2006 7:11 PM

COZEN

My experience (rant) with it is here,

http://strangefinger.com/bb/viewtopic.php?t=215

Short version: cold turkey, suffered the mind games, the mind games passed, at which time I became an idiot about it. Then I got over being an idiot about it, and I wish you well.

***
Relax, Pez, I'm over the idiot stage, right?

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Thursday, August 10, 2006 7:53 PM

SIGMANUNKI

I'm tired, so the below may be somewhat random.

I pretty much quit on a whim. Just though during my last cig of the day, that it was the last one in my pack, and that's that. Went out and bought some Nicorette gum the next day.

Now the deciding was the easy part, the next two months were a living hell for me and those around me. But, I pushed through.

Please keep in mind that I did try to quit several times before that and failed. You'll probably go through the quit and start up again cycle (you're probably already there right?). Point is, one time it'll take. Just keep trying, you'll be healthier for it. Hell, if this is your first time trying to quit, maybe you'll get lucky and kick it.

If I have one peice of advice going through it though, it would be tell the people around you what you are doing. It's only fair to warn them that they're going to have to put up with your sh... nicotine fits, for the next little while.

And make sure you have something to do with your hands. When I quit I was something of a gamer. Needless to say, many virtual things died those couple months

Oh, and a warning. When you quit, there is the possibility that you'll get nicotine fits out of the blue from time to time afterwards. I got them for a couple years after, and still get in very stressful times. Not everybody does, but just thought I'd give you a heads up that it's possible.

And now onto a more theoretical point of view. There are two components to smoking. Namely, the habit and the physical addiction. I know that there are herbal cigs around. So, what you could try (if you want to) is get the herbal cigs and Nicorette and kick the physical addiction first. That's the easy one, IMO. Then you could tackle the habit, which IMO, is the hard one.

Good luck

----
I am on The List. We are The Forsaken and we aim to burn!
"We don't fear the reaper"

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Friday, August 11, 2006 5:34 AM

FELLOWTRAVELER

I'm on day three of trying to quit (for the 400th time) as well, so I feel your pain, brother/sister!

I'm using Nicorette and the patch and it seems (so far) to be helping. Although, having my morning coffee without a smoke is absolutely brutal! And I don't even want to think about how hard it's gonna' be to get drunk without a cig.

Just keep in mind, the average smoker fails (something like) 7 times before he/she succeeds in quiting. So if you drop the ball, it's not a big deal. Just keep trying and good luck!

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Friday, August 11, 2006 6:28 AM

NAUGHTYMAN

A quote from Mark Twain comes to mind:

"Quitting smoking is the easiest thing in the world.I've done it myself a thousand times."

"Come a day there won't be room for naughty men like us to slip about at all"

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Friday, August 11, 2006 7:06 AM

SCHOONER

In my own experience, the psychological cues to light up are a big part of it. Places, people, events can all be linked in your mind to the sensation of smoking, and that can trigger the psychological need. The situation just doesn't "feel" right without a cigarette.

Recognizing that these cues exist and what they are may help you. Then you can either change or avoid the cue, or just remind yourself that this is a trouble spot and make a special efort to not smoke.

Hope this helps. Best of luck in quitting.

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Friday, August 11, 2006 8:45 AM

PAGANPAUL

Goram it! I was scrolling down to see if anyone else had beat me to it, and sure enough there it was...

Quote:
Originally posted by naughtyman:
A quote from Mark Twain comes to mind:
"Quitting smoking is the easiest thing in the world.I've done it myself a thousand times."

OK, on to the serious part of the post.

Try SilkQuit. It's a computer program that provides feedback on your attempt to quit. It's free to download.

It:
* Calculates time quit in years, months, weeks, days, hours, minutes and seconds
* Calculates number of cigarettes not smoked since you quit
* Calculates money saved in your local currency
* Calculates time saved by not smoking
* Hot-paste your quit details into any document using a simple key combination
* Customize the text which appears in your quit details

Download it from
http://www.silkquit.org/sqmmiv/meter.aspx

* - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * -

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Friday, August 11, 2006 8:58 AM

DAYVE

suggestions on quitting... try buying only menthol cigarettes - that'll make you quit...especially if you have a cold - that combination cured me several years ago....

But actually, I thought you meant quitting Firefly..... and the best way to do that is cold turkey...

i'm gonna try it... adios people..... i'm outta here

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Friday, August 11, 2006 9:47 AM

STILLSHINY

Quote:
Originally posted by goat:
Has anyone here managed to quit smoking?

If so, how did you find the motivation to do it? I really want to quit but once I get the resolve to actually try, that resolve is gone within a day and I'm back to puffing my life away again.

I've tried convincing myself that I should quit because smoking is bad for me, tried bribing myself with anything from a new computer or mp3 player to ice cream but every time I've tried quitting I've failed. Today being no exception, unfortunately.

Anyone have suggestions or experience they'd care to share?

Sorry, I don't have either or to offer you, but you got my support & encouragement....for what that's worth.

"We had ties that could not be broken, except by the passing of time. Like a rock. A broken time rock. And you're very special to me, my broken time rock people." - Nathan Fillion

Stillshiny's Shop - Original creator of the -isms series

http://www.spreadshirt.com/shop.php?sid=4728

http://www.myspace.com/robdhiii

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Tuesday, August 15, 2006 2:36 PM

DARKJESTER

SigmaNuki wrote:

Quote:
Oh, and a warning. When you quit, there is the possibility that you'll get nicotine fits out of the blue from time to time afterwards. I got them for a couple years after, and still get in very stressful times. Not everybody does, but just thought I'd give you a heads up that it's possible.

One other thing I forgot to mention. You know how when you go awhile without sex you start dreaming about it? (I mean more than normal). Believe it or not, I still have dreams about smoking, even after almost four years.

MAL "You only gotta scare him."
JAYNE "Pain is scary..."

http://www.fireflytalk.com - Big Damn Podcast

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Tuesday, August 15, 2006 2:43 PM

KANEMAN

Quote:
Originally posted by goat:
Has anyone here managed to quit smoking?

If so, how did you find the motivation to do it? I really want to quit but once I get the resolve to actually try, that resolve is gone within a day and I'm back to puffing my life away again.

I've tried convincing myself that I should quit because smoking is bad for me, tried bribing myself with anything from a new computer or mp3 player to ice cream but every time I've tried quitting I've failed. Today being no exception, unfortunately.

Anyone have suggestions or experience they'd care to share?

Throw away all your money...Stick your cigarettes up your ass..If you still want to smoke'em..Enjoy your brown lungs.

Goat my smoke and eatsshitisall

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Tuesday, August 15, 2006 3:14 PM

FARFLY

I quit in Jan 1999 after smoking since 1953. It was a financial decision for me. I had told everyone that I'd never pay more the one dollar a pack for cigarettes. Just before Christmas in 1998 I bought a carton of smokes for $9.50. The first week of January I went back to get another carton and they wanted $12.50. So I quit. No big deal, just cost too much and even though I smoked anywhere between one and two packs a day I found that I enjoyed not spending the money more than smoking. Now that they are in the three dollar a pack range I don't see why anyone would continue to smoke.

Once in a while I wonder if I would start again if the price came down, but that seems unlikely now. Also, being around other smokers doesn't seem to bother me as it does other ex-smokers I know. In general, ex-smokers are a real pain.

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Tuesday, August 15, 2006 3:22 PM

NVGHOSTRIDER

I once quit for three and a half months when I was twenty. I had driven my best friend to and from Iowa twice. Reason I started again...
... She came back. Haven't smoked over a half a pack a day since. Mostly I have one or two a day unless I'm drinking or traveling, but even then it may only be one or two extra. Kinda wish I could quit altogether, but then I'd only have alcohol and (insert other here).

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Tuesday, August 15, 2006 7:39 PM

PHOENIXSHIP

Just keep trying... I understand it usually takes a couple of tries.

"Why're you arguin' what's already been decided?"
Mal to Jayne, "Jaynestown"

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Wednesday, August 16, 2006 9:51 AM

JADEHAND

I smoked for near 10 years. One day at work I realized I was planning my day around when I could smoke. I just didn't like the idea that somewhere someone was profiting off of their passive control over me. Freedom is good. Ask Mal. So I took the pack in my hand and crushed it, threw it in the trash and moved on.
No, it wasn't all easy. and I did slip on a couple of really stressful points in my life by 1 pack each time. but by the end of those packs I was hating myself.
For me the majority of it all was Habit. So when I got the need to raise something up to my mouth, I went with Altoids. I was addicted to them too, but they don't kill me. Later, Gum. I think if you're always sucking down a mint or chewing gum, you'll find it easier. I did. Try what ever works. That's just what worked for me.

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Sunday, August 27, 2006 6:59 AM

CALIFORNIAKAYLEE

It's been a few days since anyone replied, but I thought I'd throw my two cents in.

I quit cold turkey in January 2000. I've had a total of five cigarettes since then -- two at two different parties, three at different points when I was stressed -- but have never considered going back to being a smoker.

The first months were the hardest, of course, but I did figure out one thing that I think is really important to know about smoking, that I've never seen or heard anyone else mention anywhere. Figuring this one thing out is the only reason I never took up the habit again, I think.

When you smoke, when you're actively puffing away, your breathing changes. You take a long, concentrated breath in through your mouth, hold it in for a few seconds, then let it out very deliberately. What I found in the months after I quit was that when I was stressed, if I breathed like this -- if I breathed like I was smoking, but didn't actually light up -- I got much calmer very quickly.

I still do that to this day when I'm stressed. I think there's something about the way that smoking makes you concentrate on/change your breathing that helps relax you (in addition to the psychological comfort of the action, and the drug effects of the nicotine). I'm not saying that this will work for everyone, but I don't see any reason not to try it. Lots of people use breathing exercises to relax themselves, and I don't see any problem with using what I "learned" from smoking as my breathing exercise.

The other important aspect is that experts say that you can't just break a habit, you have to replace it with a new one. So instead of smoking when I felt stressed, I replaced that habit with the habit of breathing like I was smoking. Seems to have worked for me.

~CK

You can't take the sky from me...

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