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1. emancipated

   

   9 posts
   Registered:
   02 Oct 2019
   02 Oct 2019

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   Hello. New here, sort of. Returning after years away. Quit a few times. Started smoking again a few times. Ready to try again. 17 days now without a ciggy. Miserable all the time. Cravings easier to manage now than at the beginning, but still miserable. Feels like I've lost my best friend. Chewing lots of toothpicks and I've gained 10 pounds in the past 17 days. Hoping to be inspired by some of you, and perhaps learn some new coping strategies around here.
2. justfortoday

   

   168 posts
   Registered:
   12 Aug 2019
   02 Oct 2019 in reply to emancipated

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   Hi emancipated … 
   
   First of all, congratulations on 17 days! That's amazing! Secondly, I totally understand the feelings of misery and the feeling of loss. I think its a natural part of the process, after all, smoking is so connected with who we "were".
   
   Coming here daily really helped me. Reading what other's have gone through (and successfully didn't smoke), as well reaching out before I put that cigarette in my mouth.  Something else that has really helped me is "visualization", making that transition from smoker to non-smoker. When the craving gets nutty, I picture a moment in my past when I smoked (and not a comfy, sitting on the deck with a coffee and a smoke, but more like standing in a snow blizzard smoking while my fingers became numb with cold). I then create a picture of myself as a non smoker … clean, free and empowered by my ability to get through another day without smoking. 
   
   I too was concerned I would put on weight and invested in some really good loose teas (some detox teas are great). The ritual of boiling the water, steeping the tea and slowly drinking it was a huge comfort and therefore I didn't have to replace my cravings with food. I'm four weeks into my quit and have put on about 4-5 pounds which I'm okay with. Regardless, you can tackle the weight once you are comfortable with your quit.
   
   Question … are you using any NRT aids? I'm on the patch and it does ease the cravings.
   
   So, come here a lot, reach out, and know we are right here with you.
   
3. emancipated

   

   9 posts
   Registered:
   02 Oct 2019
   02 Oct 2019 in reply to justfortoday

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   Hi justfortoday,
   
   yeah i have an office window that overlooks the smoking section at work. i swear i can smell them smoking out there when i see them. and it smells sooooooooo good. but i do try to visualise when winter will arrive and picture those poor smokers out in -20 something with a nasty wind and blowing snow, and myself sipping on a hot cocoa at my desk, staying warm and not smoking.
   
   i will have to try some loose teas. that's a wonderful idea.
   
   i am not using NRTs. i went cold turkey.
   
   Blood pressure was way too high, and I decided I needed to quit before it is too late to quit.
   
   Blood pressure soared in the first week of the quit. It has come back down to normal, and even 'low' levels in the last few days, so apparently the quit has helped that a lot.
   
4. treepeo

   

   832 posts
   Registered:
   29 Nov 2017
   02 Oct 2019 in reply to emancipated

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   Hi emancipated,
   
   There must have been a lot of reasons why you decided to quit again.  Why not focus on those?
   
   For me, my breathing was deplorable.  Climbing just one flight of stairs had my heart pounding for a good few minutes.  And I was so embarrassed knowing that I smelled like smoke.  Just recently, I ran into one of my siblings and she reeked of smoke so badly that I had to step back.  I was always so aware of my smoke breath, and the fact that my clothes smelled like smoke.  Now, I don't have to worry about that any more.
   
   Keep busy and do things to distract yourself.   You are coming up on three weeks.  Hang in there, it will get better.  Remember how freeing it is to be a non-smoker.  You deserve to lead a smoke free life.