Winners never quit, quitters never win

**JAYBIRD33081** · 10-07-08, 03:05 AM

ok so after 16 years of smoking I decided to quit last Tuesday. I went from about a pack 1/2 a day to only 4 cigs in the last week and I am ready to rip someones head off now =) so for all those that have quit already what are some things that work and that don't work? i.e gum, the patch, (following smokers around and sniffing the sweet smell of smoke off them argg that probably wont help).

**Bob Loblaw** · 10-07-08, 03:14 AM

stay strong, baby! I have had a very light smoking habit for a few years now and am down to a pack a week. Probably never going to kill me, but something I want to get rid of nonetheless. I've conquered snuff for 2+ years now...I guess all I can suggest is willpower, but I know for me it only goes so far! A lot of my former dipping habit centered around "ritual". Wake up - dip. Eat - dip. Get done running - dip. Maybe try to make a conscious effort to so something ritualistic in place of smokes?

**jmur5074** · 10-07-08, 03:27 AM

Originally Posted by Bob Loblaw

stay strong, baby! I have had a very light smoking habit for a few years now and am down to a pack a week. Probably never going to kill me, but something I want to get rid of nonetheless. I've conquered snuff for 2+ years now...I guess all I can suggest is willpower, but I know for me it only goes so far! A lot of my former dipping habit centered around "ritual". Wake up - dip. Eat - dip. Get done running - dip. Maybe try to make a conscious effort to so something ritualistic in place of smokes?

I'm trying to quit chewing right now myself.

So far I've made it....about 15 minutes.

I know, terrible. I've tried quitting a couple times, but eventually I get so hostile and pissy I begin to hate myself, so I can only imagine how the people around me feel.

**TacticalII** · 10-07-08, 03:37 AM

I dipped a can of Copenhagen a day for about 11 years. I've been snuff free for 14 months. I also smoked a pack a day for a few years. I've been smoke free for about 6 months. For me, it was deciding that "I" was ready to quit, not my wife wanting me to, or my mom still nagging me about it. Every once in a great while (usually after a good meal) I'll crave a dip. The hardest is not bumming a smoke after work when everyone is standing around BS'ing.
I don't miss spending almost $6 on a can of snuff that lasted me 24 hours........30 days x $6 =$180 extra a month I get to spend on guns and ammo!!!!!!!!!

**JAYBIRD33081** · 10-07-08, 03:48 AM

i quit chew a few years ago. for me that was easy. but then i chewed the most when i was in the garage working on my car. once i moved to and apartment i no longer had a garage to chew in lol that and the old lady wouldnt kiss me anymore lol lol. yea i figured i was spending like 230 bux a month on smokes i just cant justify it anymore. That and we are doing defensive tactics at school now and my lungs are giving out on me way before my muscles are.

**OfficerResource.com** · 10-07-08, 04:03 AM

I used to smoke 1 to 1 1/2 pack of cigs a day. Oct 1995 I decided to quit. I quit cold turkey. I did use flavored sun flower seeds to help and I will say to this day 13 years later I am addicted to nacho cheese sunflower seeds.

**jmur5074** · 10-07-08, 04:17 AM

Originally Posted by JAYBIRD33081

that and the old lady wouldnt kiss me anymore lol lol.

I don't understand your problem....??

**Pinki** · 10-07-08, 07:13 AM

Good for you!!!!

**nsb22** · 10-07-08, 07:46 AM

8 years ago, I quit smoking. How? I started dipping. 2 years ago I finally quit that by eating a shitload of sunflower seeds.

**KSCop** · 10-07-08, 08:02 AM

The wife smoked for 20+ years....got tired of it and had the Doc prescribe Chantix....hasn't had and hasn't wanted a cigarette for 7 months now. It also curbed her attitude....thanks Doc!!

**Jenna** · 10-07-08, 08:04 AM

In the case of smoking, quitters always win!

Good luck!

**Captain America** · 10-07-08, 09:10 AM

Good for you , Jay. I found that the cravings for a cigarette were intense for the first two weeks, and every day after they were less and less. Don't forget to exercise because the weight will sneak up on you.If practical, when every you can , and you get the urge, do a set of push-ups or sit-ups. I know you can do it, your going to feel so much better.

**10-42Adam** · 10-07-08, 10:54 AM

Keep up the good work. Although difficult, your body (and bank account) will thank you once that tough task is completed!

**Five-0** · 10-07-08, 11:02 AM

Stay away from alcohol. It forces the nicotine out of your system. If you have recently started "quiting" it will cause you to have strong cravings and you will loose your drive to quit when around other smokers that frequent a social drinking scene. I quit smoking and dipping. I can't stand the smell of smoke know. You are spot on when you said this was YOUR decision. YOU are the only one that can make this happen. The physical addiction to nicotine last about seven days. The pyscological addiction doesn't start to deteriate until about a month. Good luck and remember you are adding years to your life.

**2 Blue 4 U** · 10-07-08, 12:21 PM

Originally Posted by JAYBIRD33081

ok so after 16 years of smoking I decided to quit last Tuesday. I went from about a pack 1/2 a day to only 4 cigs in the last week and I am ready to rip someones head off now =) so for all those that have quit already what are some things that work and that don't work? i.e gum, the patch, (following smokers around and sniffing the sweet smell of smoke off them argg that probably wont help).

I quit about 5 years ago, successfully after a couple of attempts. I smoked over 2 packs a day, did try to cut back a few times but always went back to the chain smoking. Finally put my mind to it and I will tell you iIt was one of the hardest things I ever did. To this day the only thing that stops me from picking up a cigarette again is the thought of having to go thru the quit again. Getting thru the first few weeks is the toughest, the first week is referred to as hell week, the 2nd, heck week. Withdrawing from nicotine is no joke, at times I thought I was losing my mind, well the little of it that I had left. You not only have physical withdrawals but mental ones as well, I was obsessed with trying not to smoke. The obsession lightens up as well as the crave for the cigarette, but every once in a while I still have the urge to light up.

Do what ever works for you, gum, ice, sunflower seeds, keeping a straw handy or fake cigarette. The best for me was a strong gum, like Ice, I popped a piece in my mouth in lieu of the cigarette. I used to light up after I left a store or got in to my car, all habitual things, the gum replaced that. You can check out Quitnet.com, there are a few forums on that site that may help you get thru your quit as well.

Good luck!

http://www6.quitnet.com/index.jtml?

**CTR man** · 10-07-08, 10:18 PM

I smoked 1/2 to 3/4 a pack for 8 years. Quit in 1990. What made me quit? I saw my dad die from the after effects of over 40 years of smoking the damned things. I did not want to go down that same road. I fully believe that my dad would still be alive now had he not smoked. Even at the age of 84 now. He was 66 when he passed.

It really is a mind over matter thing. You have to do it for yourself. You have to be the one to make up your mind and do it. Sure I was a bear and hard to deal with, but once you get past the first month it gets easier. No amount of encouragement from others can do it for you. You may have to change your habits and possibly your friends if they choose to light up around you. The smell of cigarettes was the worst for me. Made me want to light up every time. Think of all the money you will be saving by quitting. What are cigarettes up to now, $3.50 to $4.00 a pack? Maybe a little less for the cheap stuff?

The Nicorette gum helped me somewhat lessen the effects but that was when it was new and obviously by prescription only. It may have been stronger back then. Who knows?

**JAYBIRD33081** · 10-08-08, 02:18 AM

Thanks for all your support on here. i knew i could count on you guys. lol my roomate and friends all of whom smoke all say " oh you will be back on camels by the end of the week" its like gee thanks guys. lol just in the last week its already saved me over $30. I was at walgreens yesterday and was gonna buy some of that nicoret gum but i just got some regular bubble gum instead i figured if i can keep my mouth busy it will be enough. Its funny though even though i just quit I now can smell smoke alot more. LOL i swear everything i own, clothes, truck, apartment just stink all to hell lol

**armsmaster270** · 10-08-08, 02:34 AM

I had a 2 1/2 pach a day habit had my last cigarette while my wife was registering me into the hospital for a stroke To help me my doctor prescribed xanax for my nerves to take the edge off. haven't smoked since.

**dapples** · 10-08-08, 07:03 AM

I was a chain smoker...3 packs day.....tried the "cutting back" routine...it never worked....just put them down during sn illness... I had to decide if I wanted to breathe R smoke.....I promised God that if I lived I would try to quit....being trying for 15 years...so far so good....I was concerned when I met Mavriktu that I would start again ( he STILL smokes)...but I didnt....I will even step out onto the patio with him and "have s smoke" once in a while.....I just never light the darn thing.....what worked for me was ....tootsie roll pops....then gum.....then sunflower seeds...now nothing.....

Good Luck!!!!

**Buttercup** · 10-08-08, 10:09 AM

Good luck to you - keep focusing on the reasons you want to quit. One of my friends used Chantix and had great success, but you have to find the method that will work best for you. Keep us updated on your progress!