About Smoking Cessation Forum
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This community is open to all who are recovering from nicotine addiction.
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March 2021 Ex-Smokers Quit Buddies Unite
From: Terry (abquitsmking)
2/28/21
Mod Marge also made a terrific list of tips for when it gets tough............................................ Thanks Marge!
- As soon as you feel the crave come on, distract yourself immediately, do something else. If you are healthy, exercise, walk or do aerobics. When you feel like you are going to bust, climb up and down the steps or just get up and walk and walk. If I had to do it again, I would get a punching bag.
- Keep redirecting your mind to the truth about nicotine and cigarettes. Remind yourself that cigarettes were killing you slowly. Remember, how long nicotine addiction controlled you. It controlled me over 40 years.
- Drink as much ice water as possible. When cravings are very bad, drink the whole glass down.
- Sit in an upright chair and take 5-10 slow deep breaths. It calms down that panicky feeling.
- Come to the Forum and read. Try to support someone that is struggling. It will help you at the same time.
- Pledge not to smoke at the beginning of every day.
- Read as many articles in the library as possible. You need to know your enemy to defeat it. Get educated on nicotine addiction and the tools to get through the rough times. You can actively overcome self-defeating thoughts. I learned that here.
- Keeping a journal will help you cope. Write down your feelings. Write down all phrases or posts that inspire you along the journey. Go back and reread when you feel like you are in a fog. You will see the progress you are making right before your eyes.
- Find yourself a little hobby you can go to when you don’t know what to do with yourself and want to focus on something. I put together Legos of all sizes for 6 months. It helped enormously. A friend of mine bought large jigsaw puzzles and worked on it a little every day. One buddy loved adult coloring books.
- If you are not sleeping well, check out the meditative music on U tube. Some of them are 8 hours long and very relaxing.
- Put on some favorite, loud music and sing at the top of your lungs.
- Find things that make you laugh. It releases pent up emotions and good chemicals in our bodies.
- Don’t be afraid to have a good cry. That does the same thing.
- Let the junkie thoughts go by like a movie, try not to let them bother you. They are just thoughts.
From: Callyf
3/1/21
Hello to everyone joining and making the decision to take back your freedom. I'm not often here these days but I always like to pop back in on my quitversary to say hello to my old quit buddies (Freedom Marchers 2015) and give a little encouragement to the people just starting on their journey.
I never in a million years believed I could stop for good, several failed attempts left me even more convinced I could never stop. But I did...6 years ago today, I stubbed out my last ever cigarette. It was not an easy journey. I had however, discovered this forum. I spent about 6 months prior to my quit happily sat outside, smoking and reading all the posts, quit stories and educational articles on here. Then I took the plunge, posted my first post, met my buddies and the rest is history.
The time difference between the UK and the USA helped me in a way, my worst time for craving a cigarette was always in the morning, I always struggled to fill the time but because of the time difference, there were always loads of new posts to read from the States which kept me occupied until the craving passed.
This forum is an absolute lifeline, live here for a year if you have to, just don't quit quitting xxx
From: Jatchat
3/4/21
Thanks for your post Callyf,
You said "This forum is an absolute lifeline, live here for a year if you have to, just don't quit quitting" I like that, it truly is a lifeline, that's an awesome quit you have going there, credit to you for persevering, Did you use NRT or cold turkey your way through? I am using patches, and have just started, one week in.
Enjoy your new life
Kind regards
Anthony
From: oxanquits
3/11/21
Hi,
I smoke for 11 years (cigarettes and now iqos) and try to quit at least once per month, lately every day :) I can be without cigarettes for many hours in a row, but then I fail. Usually, when stressed, tired or bored. Last year I was here, just reading posts, today I want to be one of you, smoke-free people.
Start date 11.03 at 11:03am
- Edited March 11, 2021 11:39 am by oxanquits
From: Loreficent
3/11/21
Yes, come along and join this gang! You will get a lot of support and encouragement here. Start by reading the articles at the very beginning of this folder, on page one. There is a spot on first page from one of the Mods called “Homework for New Ex Smokers”. It is highlighted in blue and says “start your reading here”. The articles are very readable and it will really help you to understand the addiction. None are very long. Arming yourself with knowledge is key!
- Edited March 11, 2021 11:44 am by Loreficent
From: boylant22
3/11/21
Welcome to the March ex-smokers club. You can do this! Mentally deciding is one of the biggest hurdles to overcome. The fact that you are here and said you want to quit is huge. It is work, but I have no doubt you can do it. I smoked for 25 years and finally decided no more!
From: KatieKat84
3/11/21
Hi and welcome to the forum! It’s a huge help for quitting (it made all the difference in my success to getting free after 15 years of smoking). Read lots and post on here. Distract, breathe and trust in your decision to quit. It’s a really horrible addiction but you can get free with determination, education and support. Good luck!
Katie
Quit 4th March 2017
From: Suzy2018
3/12/21
Hi there,
I quit on 8th March, so am only a few days in front of you. So far it's not too bad, but I am using nicotine lozenges which make it a lot easier. Obviously that means I'm not addressing the nicotine addiction yet, just the method of delivery 
but at the moment I'm grateful to be where I am. Even on Day 5 I'm breathing more easily and coughing less.
How are you doing this - cold turkey or with NRT? And - much more importantly - how are you feeling? Maybe we can help one another through the difficult bits!
Best wishes,
Suzy
From: oxanquits
3/12/21
Hi Suzy, I've heard that NRT can be useful. I used nicotine pills once, but seems that for me the physical addiction is not so bad as psychological (milestone/ritual in many situations stressful and not really). I wanted to quit cold turkey, but honestly I smoked after I last posted, because I figured I didn't have that last cigarette (I know its junky thinking which I should have predicted). Today I feel melancholic and sad, I think my mind is trying to rationalize smoking again, this happened in the past too.
So proud of your day 5, one day at a time!