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1. craig87

   

   6 posts
   Registered:
   09 Aug 2022
   09 Aug 2022

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   Hello,
   
   Firstly, apologies for posting here, I am from England, but there doesn't seem to be any other no smoking forums left. 
   
   This is my second quit. 
   
   A brief history.
   
   I began smoking at 13 years old. 13 years later, at the age of 26, I was on the receiving end of a horrendous cold/flu. I hadn't been able to smoke because it made me feel so bad. 5 hours go by, I decide to see how long I could go without having a cigarette. 5 hours turned to 5 days, 5 days turned to 5 weeks, 5 weeks turned to 5 years!
   
   I had done it! I was free! What a relief!
   
   I done this "cold turkey", but found it very helpful reading other peoples post on "No Smoking" forums, but they all seem to have gone! Are the remaining smokers so few that forums are no longer needed? If this is true, then brilliant!
   
   Anyway, 5 years had passed, then I done the most stupid thing you could do. I had a cigarette on a night out. The next day I felt fine, there's no way I could go back to smoking full time. I don't even fancy one. Next time I went out I had another couple of cigarettes. Next time I went out I bought a box, and told myself I would just buy the occasional box to have a couple on nights out. This went on for 3-4 weeks. I was speaking to ex-smokers who were now vapers. Long story short, I somehow persuaded myself that Vaping was all of the "good" and none of the bad and decided to buy myself a vape kit. We all know that there is nothing good about smoking or vaping! That was 4 and a half years ago.
   
   I am now 35 years old. I have smoked for 13 years, vaped for 4.5 years for a combined total of 17.5 years. Half of my life. Enough is enough. 
   
   Yesterday, 8th August 2022 sometime before 8 am, I quit nicotine for good.
   
   Its been a little over 24 hours, which have had some difficult moments. Worst moments were at lunch time and in the evening after dinner. I would keep reaching for my vape, even though it wasn't there. I didn't sleep very well at all last night, either. Not sure if it was the heat, or withdrawal pangs but it felt like I was awake every hour. Still, I have woken up positive, ready for day 2 as a non-smoker!    
   
2. jb63

   

   111 posts
   Registered:
   28 Feb 2022
   09 Aug 2022

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   Welcome and congrats on quitting smoking. This is a great place to read ideas and other peoples journeys. I check on here all the time it really helps. Did you quit cold turkey again??  I used the patch for 10 weeks. I am a little over 5 months smoke free.  The first few months are not easy. But it does get better. Keep us updated on your success. The best advice I got from here is NOPE. Not one puff ever !!!!
3. dublinguy

   

   349 posts
   Registered:
   09 Dec 2021
   09 Aug 2022

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   Welcome Craig87... ur not alone... Im from Dublin in Ireland and this was the only forum I could find too. Its nice that they let us join in and everyone is very friendly and helpful here.
   
   Im like u with the starts and stops too. I managed to quit them completely for 6 months but in June just gone I had a moment of weakness and Ive been struggling since to get back on track and stay on track since. Got a stash of patches and I will chuck em again its just gonna take some time.
4. wimporswim

   

   65 posts
   Registered:
   29 Nov 2017
   09 Aug 2022

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   Hi Craig87,
   I don't care if you are from alfa centory! (sp?) - you're not stupid, just being human.  Hang in there. 
5. treepeo1

   

   255 posts
   Registered:
   06 Feb 2020
   09 Aug 2022 in reply to craig87

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   Hi craig87,
   
   Welcome to our group!  Glad you joined us.
   
   I think all of us can relate to what you are going through.  Trust me, you are not alone in your struggles.  I always tell people not to get complacent, because just when you think everything is fine, this addiction comes back to haunt and tempt you.
   
   It is great that you realized it is time to quit again.  I know it's hard, but you can do it.  Find things to distract yourself.  It's best to do things you enjoy.  Read a book, listen to music, go for a walk.  Anything to take your mind off the cravings.  Drink lots of water to help remove the toxins from your body.  Make a list of all the reasons why you want to quit, and read it often.  And above all else, remember NOPE (Not One Puff Ever).  If you never take that first puff, you will be a non-smoker forever.
6. craig87

   

   6 posts
   Registered:
   09 Aug 2022
   10 Aug 2022

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   jb63, dublinguy, wimporswim, treepeo1. To all, thank you very much for your messages and words of support. 
   
   I have indeed quit "Cold Turkey". I had it in my mind that I need to quit for a few months. Then, on Monday morning I saw a TikTok video of Allen Carr talking about how easy it was to stop smoking. From that moment, I decided that I am a non-smoker. There is no better moment to quit than now!
   
   I spent most of Monday reading Allen Carr's EASYWAY book, it is brilliant, I can not recommend it enough. It helps you to see things for what they really are.
   
   Day 2
   Was fairly uneventful. I have an office job which is particularly quiet over the summer months, so not an awful lot to distract myself. I spent most of my time at work reading through lots of posts on here from other peoples journeys. 
   
   I have a peculiar feeling in my mouth that I can't explain, perhaps its a bit dry, perhaps its not as dry as usual. I'm not sure. This constant strange feeling in my mouth is making me think about it all day. any guidance? I feel like this quit would be a breeze without this constant reminder. 
   
   I have been hungrier than usual, and also drinking more water. But hopefully that is helping flush away the toxins faster. Cravings have been coming and going, sometimes quite strong, but I have managed to beat them all. 
   I still wanted to reach for a vape after dinner yesterday, and I noticed that my car journeys are another time where I am subconsciously grabbing for a vape, even though it is not there. 
   
   Onwards and upwards to Day 3, I slept so much better last night, this morning I am ready and full of fight! I am really looking forward to spending the rest of my life as a non-smoker! Not One Puff Ever!
   
7. craig87

   

   6 posts
   Registered:
   09 Aug 2022
   11 Aug 2022

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   Hello, for me it is just after 9am on Thursday 11th August. which means I have completed a full 3 days of my new life as a non-smoker!
   
   Day 3 - Wednesday 10th August - Recap
   Was another quiet day in the office. I distracted myself by mainly reading a lot of posts on this site. 
   
   The strange feeling in my mouth from Tuesday seems to be subsiding. However, I do have a ropey, not quite sore, feeling in my throat. 
   
   Cravings have been as bad, if not worse than yesterday. They do not seem to be quite as frequent though. I have remained steadfast. Eating and drinking seem to be helping.
   
   In the evening, I went for a 10 minute/1 mile jog! Not amazing at all, but I am very pleased with myself and felt great afterwards, like I wanted to keep going but didn't want to push it too far. Baby steps. I plan to make exercising a regular part of my life, and hope that it will give me yet another reason to remain a non-smoker.  
   
   I hope everyone else is doing well :)
8. jeyan

   

   176 posts
   Registered:
   28 Nov 2017
   11 Aug 2022 in reply to craig87

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   Amazing Craig.  Keep this in mind that do not be ashamed by any relapses, it's part of the quit. Just be like a horse which instantly get up and marches on after it stumbles, and march on with your quit. You will be successful. It takes many tries and change of your habits and environment as well.
9. treepeo1

   

   255 posts
   Registered:
   06 Feb 2020
   11 Aug 2022 in reply to craig87

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   Hi craig87,
   
   It's wonderful that you went for a jog!  That is one of the great things about quitting.  It seems to lead to other, healthier habits.
   
   When I was a smoker, I didn't bother with exercise because I thought, why bother when I smoke?  Also, I didn't have the breath to exercise.  It was really bad.  After I quit, I still didn't exercise per se, but I did focus more on my health, walking more and eating more nutritious foods.  I think that once you quit, you start caring about yourself again in ways you didn't do as a smoker.
   
   So glad you got a better night's sleep.  That is really important.  Being rested will help you tackle the day and fight back against any cravings that come your way.
   
   Stay strong, my friend.  You can do this.  Believe in yourself!
10. craig87

    

    6 posts
    Registered:
    09 Aug 2022
    12 Aug 2022

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    Thank you, jeyan. I will keep that in mind.
    
    treepeo1 - thank you! I totally agree, It's like we actually have a reason to care about our health now! I am drinking so much more water than I ever would before too!
    
    Day 4 - Thursday 11th August
    Didn't sleep as well last night, but still pretty ok. Another quiet day in the office, so I kept myself busy by doing some more reading of these forums and I also started working on a fitness plan.
    
    Throat is still ropey, and I've got a couple of mouth ulcers which are annoying. I feel that cravings/withdrawals have been about the same as yesterday. I am still managing to keep them at bay, and I do feel like I am getting stronger mentally. Though it is still on my mind for a large portion of time, I am definitely thinking about it less and less and for less amount of time.  
    
    My first real test came, I finished work early and went to the pub for a couple of drinks. Not even one urge even though the sun was shining and there were people smoking. Chuffed with myself! 
    
    I had a quiet evening at home. Had some dinner and relaxed. I didn't want to do any exercise with alcohol in my system, and it really was a scorcher for England!
    
    It is now just after 9am on Friday 12th August - so I am a full 4 days/96 hours into my nicotine free life! 
    
    Today I have a short day at work, then I am off until  Monday 22nd August. I will try to keep posting, even though that might mean fewer and less detailed updates. 
    
    Have a lovely day everyone!

    Last modified on 12 Aug 2022 05:13 by craig87
11. treepeo1

    

    255 posts
    Registered:
    06 Feb 2020
    15 Aug 2022 in reply to craig87

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    Hi craig87,
    
    The first few weeks of a quit are some of the hardest to get through, so I really admire your determination to stay the course!
    
    You mentioned that your weather was scorching hot.  Well, I found that was one of the benefits of quitting.  When I smoked, I found it very difficult to breathe in the summer.  Sometimes it was downright scary.  Now, I breathe much easier, despite the heat.  The difference is remarkable.
    
    I know you are thinking about smoking a lot right now, but as time passes, you won't be so obsessed with it.  Part of the quitting process is to learn to focus on other things, especially because you have more time on your hands.  It is amazing how much time we wasted smoking.
    
    I have a stop smoking app on my phone, and the stats are eye opening.  I quit over five years ago.  If I were still smoking, I would have spent about 6 months of my time smoking.  And I would have smoked over 51,000 cigarettes.  Shocking, eh?  It all adds up.
    
    Enjoy your smoke free vacation!
12. craig87

    

    6 posts
    Registered:
    09 Aug 2022
    29 Aug 2022

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    Hi All! 
    
    long time, no post - sorry about that! I haven’t been around a computer very much for the past few weeks. 
    
    Here is a quick update - today I am 3 whole weeks nicotine free!!!
    
    I barely even think about it anymore. Zero cravings.  I’ve been to plenty of places around smokers and not been tempted once. I actually felt sorry for a smoker at a bbq I went to yesterday, stood all alone smoking in the corner, I could tell he would much rather be free from addiction and not have to smoke! 
    
    I know it’s still early days, but this is it. I will never ever let myself become addicted to anything again! I have taken control back of my life and I’m loving it! 
    
    I hope everyone is doing well! 

    Last modified on 29 Aug 2022 06:51 by craig87
13. efram, quit coach

    

    235 posts
    Registered:
    29 Nov 2017
    30 Aug 2022

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    That's awesome news, craig87! Especially the part about not hardly thinking about it anymore, and all the (potential) challenges that you've sailed through. You have the right mind-set and sound so strong! 
    
    PS: no worries about not posting in a while! It's good to get a break from the computer sometimes!