Welcome New Ex-Smokers

Congratulations on taking that all important first step with cessation - stubbing out the last cigarette and getting started.

Chances are you don't feel 'ready' to quit, and are experiencing a mixture of difficult emotions about it.

Try to relax.  You've found the best place for help. 

Getting Started with Cessation

Park yourself in front of your computer and read everything you can on this forum board. We encourage you to take the initiative to introduce yourself and post often. Sharing your journey with your new quit buddies and offering support to each other really helps.

This thread will serve as the meeting place for those of you who are quitting now, and when the month ends, we will move your 'home base' thread over to the Quit Buddies Unite folder, where you can continue to support each other. 

You can also return to the Introductions folder where you'll find the new Monthly Ex-Smoker thread for those coming along behind you.  Share the tips and encouragement that helped you during month one.  Not only will this help others, it will strengthen your resolve as well.

Start your reading here:  Homework for New Ex-Smokers

Additionally, the folder headings in gray on the left of the page under DISCUSSIONS house different topics.  Click on the gray heading to view the conversations held within.  When you finish with a folder, click on the drop down menu under DISCUSSIONS and select ALL to see all of the folders again.

Introductions/Newcomers Nook
A good place to start with numerous threads from new ex-smokers.

General Chit-Chat 
This is where you will find the daily NOPE thread.  NOPE stands for Not One Puff Ever, and members pledge NOPE on a daily basis.  Give it a try - you will probably find it helpful and empowering.

Quit Support
This is a good place to post for help when you need it ASAP. 
 
Dots(Weeks) and Stars (Months) Milestones and One Year and Beyond Milestones 
Read the accounts of people who are winning with cessation in these folders.

Quit Buddies Unite 
This folder is the home base for the groups who quit together.  This thread will move to that folder at the end of the first month.

Quit Smoking Library
Here you'll find member stories and links to important articles that will inform you about what to expect from smoking cessation.

The next 4 posts will give you additional info on how to navigate/post here.  Please read them and let us know if you have any questions.

About 2 hours into my new quit. First hour was easy, of course, but now I keep feeling like I’m supposed to go out and smoke. Definitely focusing on just today. I wish I could get my cat that rarely snuggles on my lap to come sit with me. I’ve always hated to move him because I needed to go smoke. I could keep him on my lap for hours now. 
I’m gonna get out my cross stitch project and watch some tv. Hopefully that helps pass the time. Hey, getting out the cross stitch may bring the cat over to my lap.  

Jenny

That is so true about getting your cat interested when you bring the cross stich out.  Cats are always interested in messing with your knitting etc.  Try drink ice cold water.  Alot of times, just changing the taste in your mouth helps to get past some crave waves.  I am so glad you are so determined to keep at it.  You will not regret it.

Cheers    

Hey Jenny... Nice hearing from you. So glad you are still up and at it. That is a winning attitude. Knowing that you have had successful quits in the past I am sure give you some confidence that you can do it again! I'm glad you've found some joy and distraction in cross stitching. I am still using the lozenges, still at 6 a day, some days 5. I am not too determined to fully quit until the new year. I kinda have it all planned out in my head how I am going to do it. Going to dinner tonight with a few friends from my high school. Have a good night all.

I went to bed and woke up 4 hours later. I guess that’s one way to make time go quickly. I wonder if I could just sleep for 3 days, lol. 
I’ve got my water bottle filled with tea, so I can sip on it whenever I want. Having something I can do when I think of smoking will help, I think. That and cinnamon candies. Only a few more hours of today left, so I know I’ll make it!

Jenny

Jerthie, 

I’m happy to be back at it. Well, mostly happy, lol. I hope you have/had fun going out with friends! I’m just waking up from a crazy long nap and my brain isn’t quite working yet. I’m good for making it through tonight. I’m going to eat a bunch of food and watch tv with my daughter. 

Jenny

Got up this morning and didn’t seriously consider going to buy a pack, so that’s a good start. Last night my friend asked me to housesit for the next 5 days, so that presents some unexpected temptation. Being alone is a huge trigger for me. Just focusing on today for now, but it’s hard. I find myself trying to plan on buying some tomorrow. Ugh. Pushing the thoughts away. More ugh. 
 

Jenny

you are fighting through the hardest part - but that you woke up without a plan to buy more is a good sign - you are WINNING !!!!!

Soon, you will notice periods of time when you forgot bout smoking - and you'll realize - holy cow, I forgot to think about smoking ----yes it can happen and it will happen - your are crossing the bridge and almost to the other side.  

You can do this, if you have to sleep 18 of the next 24 hours to do it, then so be it but by golly you can make it.

You know you want to, and we know you can!!! 

If you think about it, it is so much easier to quit smoking then it was to start and to continue smoking.  I mean, all you have to do to quit is do nothing.  Nothing at all. 

To start smoking you cough and cough and cough until you train yourself to like the smoke itself and to continue smoking you have to keep buying packs of smokes and finding places to smoke.

Call me lazy but I prefer to do nothing.     

Jenny

Hi.  I have been quit for almost 17 months now.  Being alone in the beginning was hard for me also.......not sure why but, did not want my son and DIL to see me fail at quitting so it did help to have them around.  Everyone else in my life are smokers and would love to see me start again so that makes it really difficult some days!

Mostly, just don't have them around you at all!  By the time you drive somewhere to buy them, the craving should be mostly over.

Hang in there and just don't smoke.  You can do this!

Thank you Anne! It would definitely take some effort to find a place to smoke at my friend’s house. Plus, I don’t want their bed to smell like smoke after I sleep in it. It certainly is easier to do nothing. I like that! 

Jenny