Hoping to start my quit very soon.  I am terrified to be honest.  I have not tried since April of 2016.  It is comforting to know this place still exists.  I have not told my family or friends that I am planning on quitting, mostly because I dont have confidence in myself to stop and I dont want to disappoint them again.

Tonight I will be reading the newcomers info.

                                       Lisa 

Good for you Lisa. It's good to select a day in advance. Give yourself time to prepare, but not be in a 'next week' mode.

Paul

Hi Lisa,

Anyone who has quit for good quit about a hundred times before that.  At least I did.  I also read Allen Carr's book, the Easy Way to Stop Smoking twice before I made the final quit.  As far as disappointing people, your family and friends may get disappointed, but the only person you can disappoint more is yourself.  So do it for you when you are ready.  Have a plan, read all the articles and stories provided on this forum.  Good luck!  

Hi Lisa

The first step is wanting to quit and being serious about it.

Those who are told to quit, shamed to quit and any other way coerced to quip without truly want to quit...well they won't quit.

You have to commit. Read early threads of those who quit or are in the process. Follow their thread through their first few months.

This will give you an idea of what you can expect.

I won't sugarcoat this...It was the hardest thing I had to do in my life. I am celebrating 11 years smoke free this month after having smoked for more than 42 years.

Here's my story:

Sounds like a similar story.

I'm now 66. Quit Feb 24, 2013. Smoke 42+ years most at 2+ packs a day. Tried and failed a few times. Had an attack and found myself hooked up to and injected with so many things during an 8 hour emergency room stay.

Yup, COPD, Emphysema and cancers (3 to date), at least 1, Bladder Cancer, the result of smoking. Doctor gave it to me straight. I had 3 years at the most if I didn't quit. Hardest thing I have ever had to do. Not much of an alternative either. Now a little over 3 years since Bladder Cancer surgery. Not much fun either. ALL DUE TO SMOKING. 

So, here I am almost 11 years quit and alive and kicking. Don't know what the future holds, don't care. I have each and every day forward.

Please, don't feel sorry for or pity me. This wasn't meant to do that. And actually, mine is not the worst story here.

I wanted to let you know that this fight is real and your life can very well depend on it. So many of us before you have gone through and felt exactly how you do. Do whatever it takes, by whatever means, but never give up.

My fight today is so much easier, almost automatic. But my guard remains up. I’ve seen many drop their guard and have to start over. Not me. Never. I know a relapse is a death warrant.

...and let your friends and family know your intentions. Ask them to be part of your support structure.

If they put any doubt in your mind, don't pay any more attention to them. You want positives in your corner.

Here's to your success.

Garry

Quit Feb 24, 2013

Paul,

I did get in that next week mode .  No more.  Day 1 today.

                                        Lisa

Molly,

I will look into that book.  I followed your advice on the rest of your reply  and I am more prepared this time.  Day 1 today.  

                                          Lisa

Garry,

Thank you so much for your reply and sharing your story with me .

Day 1 today for me.  I am much more prepared this time than in the past.  

Congratulations on 11 years smoke free !!!  

                                              Lisa

Stay strong.  The first week is the hardest. 

"I won't sugarcoat this...It was the hardest thing I had to do in my life."

That's it Garry, quitting is a very hard thing to do.  If I relapse  I can't say, with any degree of certainty, that I'll be able to quit again.  So my choice is easy, I can smoke 0 (zero) cigarettes or I can smoke an endless, unbroken, chain of tens of thousands of cigarettes each year until the end. 

Never squander a quit, just do whatever it takes to keep it going. 

DITTO Douglas.

With all the cancers and medical issues I am currently experiencing, quitting those nasty cigarettes still ranks as the hardest thing I experienced.

I will always remember so I never chance having to repeat it. 

Garry