Did anyone else on here make it their New Years resolution to quit smoking? If so, how's it going? Or those that have quit before - any stories or tips you could share?
My own story...started smoking at uni when I was 21 and have been smoking about 20 a day for the last 7 years. Have made several half hearted attempts to quit over the years but haven't lasted more than 2 weeks. I can list loads of reasons against smoking and virtually none for it so this time I'm 100% determined to break the habit.
New Years day I got up and slapped on a nicotine patch. I was fine for most of the day - had cravings but managed to occupy myself until they passed. After dinner though I had a massive craving that just wouldn't pass. I told myself it wouldn't be a total failure if I only gave in to ONE that day and removed the patch. Ended up having 4 that evening...not good but alot better than the 20 I would normally smoke.
Next day was a similar story. Managed to keep myself occupied for most of the day but the evening was tough. Gave in and had 5 that evening...getting worse!
Yesterday I decided I had to do it propoerly. Fair enough, 4 or 5 a day was better than 20 but I want to STOP...not cut down! Also figured that having cigarettes aswell as the patch would only make me MORE dependent on nicotene. Anyway, yesterday I managed to go without a single cigarette. Non smokers will say '1 day, big deal' but to a smoker, it IS a big deal. It felt so good to go to bed last night knowing that I had not had a single cigarette.
Today, first day back at work has been extremely tough. It's now over 37 hours since I last had a cigarette and I'm feeling good. BUT work is extremely quiet and it's SO tempting to nip outside for a smoke. I see other people nipping out and really want to go and join them but know that doing so would reset the clock to zero. I've been keeping myself busy all day browsing the web for advice etc but there's only so much reading you can do. Now I want to talk to someone but there's no one at work that would understand what I'm going through, well there's one person and she's not in today!
So...anyone here in the same situation or been there before?
ANY tips/advice/support/encouragement would be appreciated.
Peter - non smoker for 37 hours and counting.
My own story...started smoking at uni when I was 21 and have been smoking about 20 a day for the last 7 years. Have made several half hearted attempts to quit over the years but haven't lasted more than 2 weeks. I can list loads of reasons against smoking and virtually none for it so this time I'm 100% determined to break the habit.
New Years day I got up and slapped on a nicotine patch. I was fine for most of the day - had cravings but managed to occupy myself until they passed. After dinner though I had a massive craving that just wouldn't pass. I told myself it wouldn't be a total failure if I only gave in to ONE that day and removed the patch. Ended up having 4 that evening...not good but alot better than the 20 I would normally smoke.
Next day was a similar story. Managed to keep myself occupied for most of the day but the evening was tough. Gave in and had 5 that evening...getting worse!
Yesterday I decided I had to do it propoerly. Fair enough, 4 or 5 a day was better than 20 but I want to STOP...not cut down! Also figured that having cigarettes aswell as the patch would only make me MORE dependent on nicotene. Anyway, yesterday I managed to go without a single cigarette. Non smokers will say '1 day, big deal' but to a smoker, it IS a big deal. It felt so good to go to bed last night knowing that I had not had a single cigarette.
Today, first day back at work has been extremely tough. It's now over 37 hours since I last had a cigarette and I'm feeling good. BUT work is extremely quiet and it's SO tempting to nip outside for a smoke. I see other people nipping out and really want to go and join them but know that doing so would reset the clock to zero. I've been keeping myself busy all day browsing the web for advice etc but there's only so much reading you can do. Now I want to talk to someone but there's no one at work that would understand what I'm going through, well there's one person and she's not in today!
So...anyone here in the same situation or been there before?
ANY tips/advice/support/encouragement would be appreciated.
Peter - non smoker for 37 hours and counting.
