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New Quit attempt Round 101

10 posts, 0 answered
  1. ocean
    ocean avatar
    286 posts
    Registered:
    29 Nov 2017
    31 Aug 2019
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    Hey guys,  I'm back AGAIN just getting started to plan a new quit.  I want to start on Tuesday after Labor Day as I'm back at work after a summer off (I teach).  My biggest hurdle is my anxiety as it's at an all time high and I'm feeling overwhelmed this week as my kids just moved out (college bound), and they left a huge mess at home.  It'll take several weeks to sort as I'm already back at work.  But needless to say it overwhelms me!  And work is always a mess until the first few weeks are over.  I'm just saying this because I'm scared to plan Tuesday a my quit day.  But I'll have NRT and won't smoke during the school day.  Then the week after I'll go smoke free. I have a lot of plans for this quit.  I've registered for fitness classes to help burn of some stress, They start the week after next and I need them because my after work until after dinner times have always been hard.  I am a complete slave to nicotine with many decades of addiction to this drug, but I want to beat it!
  2. brieffree
    brieffree avatar
    1477 posts
    Registered:
    28 Nov 2017
    01 Sep 2019
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    Hi Ocean

    Sounds Great! as you said Round 101, this time will be your time!

     I know you can! You quit before, so know you will be more experience to keep the quit!
    One day at time!

     
  3. renee, quitcoach
    renee, quitcoach avatar
    117 posts
    Registered:
    16 Jul 2018
    01 Sep 2019 in reply to ocean
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    Hello Ocean,

    Congratulations on Round 101. I think September 3, the Tuesday after Labor Day, 1st day of school is a great quit day. You will be occupied all day so this will help!

    Anxiety and being overwhelmed can be huge triggers to smoke, but you seemed determined to quit so I'm sure you will be able to resist.

    What NRT product are you thinking of using?

    I like how you want to be free of the addiction to nicotine and you can look forward to a lifetime of a healthier nonsmoking you!

    Renee
  4. treepeo
    treepeo avatar
    832 posts
    Registered:
    29 Nov 2017
    03 Sep 2019
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    Hi Ocean,

    Welcome back.  It's great that you have decided to quit smoking again.  You have a plan in place and it sounds like a good one.  You can beat this addiction, Ocean.  Just take it one step at a time.
  5. mari_m
    mari_m avatar
    92 posts
    Registered:
    03 Jan 2019
    04 Sep 2019
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    Hi Ocean, good for you for your decision to come back. Thought I needed to thank you for your previous posts on this site as they really helped give me strength to keep on with my quit..one day at a time. I have struggled with anxiety, sadness and some anger mixed in, so at times I was a bit of a mess! But I just hung on to the thought that better days are coming, so just ride out the storm, and it will pass. the 4Ds came in so handy too. I never really believed I had the willpower to actually quit, so I read somewhere that if you feel you just don't have it, just keep saying you do, and sooner or later you can talk your mind into believing it. I did plenty of talking to myself, and it did seem to help. and now I feel as if I am my own best friend. I hope your day is going ok, and know that we are all here for each other!
      - m
  6. anitamarie
    anitamarie avatar
    1 posts
    Registered:
    29 Aug 2019
    05 Sep 2019 in reply to ocean
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    You can do it, never give up..
  7. ocean
    ocean avatar
    286 posts
    Registered:
    29 Nov 2017
    14 Sep 2019
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    I haven't forgotten my plan, but it started off with hitches.  No excuse, I know.  I'm trying to be mindful, but forget, lol!!!  I'm reading a book called The Here and Now Habit, by Hugh G. Byrne.  It's helping me understand habits in a nonjudgmental way.  The power of habts is that they're simple and living on automatic pilot is blissful.  Like smoking, I don't think about it, as long as I'm doing it.  I started off the last 2 weeks by sitting down in a new room and looking at my habit tracker (I bought it at MIchaels) to remember to do the most basic new behavior.  It helps because I'd forget otherwise.  So I read a couple of morning meditations and think about my positive gratitude list, then run for work on automatic pilot and oooooops, I forgot to put on my patch.  So today I added put on patch to my new am habits to track.

    I've been on information overload with work and then running to physio or other events immediately after, so I haven't had any downtime to just let my mind go where it wants because it is full of new cognitive information, and needs a break.  Today I have that time, feels wonderful so I can re-focus on my new schedule for breaking this unhealthy habit.  I'd garner I have the next 2 weeks to work on starting new healthy habits to replace this bad one.

    I know from my past quits it is taxing to start new habits because you have to think about everything.  And creating new routines, replacement behaviours, and managing life can do a number on your brain.  But I'm so glad that I have a place to come here on SHO and establish this new routine!  I have put patches in my wallet, for those just in case I forget moments.

    I want to say that I've lost 25 pounds since the beginning of May to lower my cholesterol and triglycerides, step 2 is quitting smoking as per Doctor's orders.  I never had Doctors orders before, but I've aged into that population where s/he says I have permanent damage to my cardio system and can reduce further damage by lifestyle changes.  So I have been working it in ways that were easier for me to manage like weight loss and increasing my exercise, so now it's smoking, the hardest one for me!!!
  8. efram, quit coach
    efram, quit coach avatar
    235 posts
    Registered:
    29 Nov 2017
    16 Sep 2019
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    Hi Ocean,

    Fantastic to hear that your plan is still a go, and that you're already implementing some basic behavior changes. It's all coming together for you quite nicely. You have put so much thought into this, combining what you've learned about quitting already with what you know about yourself, and adding in the expertise from other SHL.ca members. Way to go!

    Congrats on making other lifestyle changes for your health as well. You have some great momentum!

    In your first post in this thread you called yourself "a complete slave to nicotine," but those shackles are getting looser and looser with each passing day.
    Last modified on 16 Sep 2019 16:41 by efram, quit coach
  9. jeyan
    jeyan avatar
    176 posts
    Registered:
    28 Nov 2017
    17 Sep 2019 in reply to ocean
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    Ocean, good for you!  Keep up your quit, Never quit quitting. We can do this.

  10. ocean
    ocean avatar
    286 posts
    Registered:
    29 Nov 2017
    08 Nov 2019
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    So I still haven't quit, but the weirdest feelings happened and I've just realized what they are.  I chew nicorette gum during the day when I can't smoke and I've found it very helpful to stay on task and not get urges to smoke.  But I'm having orthodontic treatment and I wasn't able to chew the gum.  I started having unsettling feelings, like irritation every day for the past 10 days until I realized that it's most likely withdrawal from nicotine.  Weird ha?  I've bought the tictac nicotine replacements now.  But I really miss chewing the gum!  I'm ready to go for it now, I'm stocked up and nrt helps get rid of irritableness which I experience when I quit.  It just shows how powerful this addiction is!
10 posts, 0 answered