Tonight is the night...Quitting smoking.

**Terminated** · 17th October 2007, 22:19

I gave up cigarettes cold turkey in 1985, and started regular swimming in 1995, I often said to myself I wish I started the regular swimming straight away when I stopped smoking.

For what it is worth - go and spend 20 to 30 minutes at the local swim centre, I started walking up and down the lane, then a lap, then a walk, a lap, etc. If you can get to the local swim centre each day for 21 days, you just may find that come day 22, 27, 31 you are hanging out to get back in the water, your focus can shift from the cigarettes and to the swimming exercise.

After going daily for 21 days you can then cut back to 3 or 4 times a week.

Who knows you may find some really good satisfaction and enjoy the exercise.

Heads Up and Enjoy

**canarlee** · 17th October 2007, 22:32

ooh a quick tip (from a mate that gave up lol) when you get a craving for a smoke eat fruit. apparantly it takes your mind off it.

well he said "eat something", but considering he is now 18 stone (was 12 stone when he gave up smoking!!!) i thought i would say "eat fruit" rather than "eat" lol

**pritch** · 17th October 2007, 22:40

Been there done that. Lotsa times.
But the last time was thirty odd years ago...

It might pay not to go to the pub this weekend. That wrecked a number of my attempts after a promising start.

Kia kaha

**Trudes** · 18th October 2007, 06:05

Good on you, good luck, you can do it!!!

**The Tazman** · 18th October 2007, 06:23

All the best to you and here's my suggestion to help as I believe you need to see some reward for stopping.

Work out how much you spend a week on smokes.

Then look at some things that you have always wanted to buy from cheap to a little more expensive.

On a calendar put down how much you will have in two weeks from not smoking and what you are going to buy from your list.

Then from that date do a 4 week gap and put down again how much you would have saved and what then you can afford to buy.

Do it then for two months, 3 months etc which will give you something to work towards and you will feel you are getting something back for stopping.

If this helps stop you or just one person then I'll be happy.

Hope you get yourself/your bike/your family things that you've always wanted as you'll be getting your health and they'll be getting you longer.

Taz

**Bren** · 21st October 2007, 19:57

Well, four days into it and I have not had a smoke....My patience is a bit thinner, but what the heck. I have been coughing a lot, guess my body is trying to heal itself.
I have not had a smoke for 4 days. Anyway I will get past the shit soon enough.....

**deanohit** · 21st October 2007, 20:01

Stick to your guns mate, good on ya!

**Edbear** · 21st October 2007, 20:07

Keep going!

When I was in withdrawal from prescription painkillers, I knew that if I gave in it was a step backwards and would make the torture last longer!

**H00dz** · 21st October 2007, 20:32

All jokin aside !!!

The North wishes you the best....Good luck as an ex myself I know how hard it is too break the habit...

I be hounding you from time to time to keep you on track

Think of me as your little northern angel

**Delphinus** · 21st October 2007, 20:52

Very smart move, best of luck with it and stay strong

**Chickadee** · 21st October 2007, 22:37

Yep the Allen Carr book worked wonders for McJim, hard habit to kick.

**howdamnhard** · 21st October 2007, 23:47

Good luck,if you really want too you can do it.

**Bren** · 22nd October 2007, 07:53

Originally Posted by howdamnhard

Good luck,if you really want too you can do it.

now I am thinking of Rob Schnider from the Waterboy

You can do it. Cut his fucking head off.

You can do it... you can do it all night loong!

**Skyryder** · 22nd October 2007, 08:16

Originally Posted by canarlee

ooh a quick tip (from a mate that gave up lol) when you get a craving for a smoke eat fruit. apparantly it takes your mind off it.

well he said "eat something", but considering he is now 18 stone (was 12 stone when he gave up smoking!!!) i thought i would say "eat fruit" rather than "eat" lol

There's number of food drinks that set up the desire for a smoke and some that repress it. Fruit milk and water are some that repress the desire, not that I said desire and not addiction.

Tea, coffe, fizzy drinks and alchohol set up the desire. I stopped drinking these for about three months. I had nothing but water and milk. My first beer was fraught with danger as I had no idea what I would feel like. That cold frothy liquid was a sheer joy and I had no need to ruin the tast with tobbacco. It's worth giving up ciggies for that reason alone. And the sex is always better too.

Skyryder

**Laava** · 22nd October 2007, 10:10

Well done Linux! I had 3 serious attempts at giving up and now approaching 2 yrs since quitting. Whatever works for you mate, do it! I used patches and they worked brilliantly! I had to chuckle at Canarlee's comment about patches and gum being for weak willed people tho, everybody has their weakness and smoking itself is a weakness really. I found after a few days I would just forget to put the patch on, and with no probs......however, it is the one drunken night or a huge stress incident that would tip my wagon! The big question is, Do you enjoy smoking? That was my main motivation to stop. I have a friend who is a 80 smokes a day person and can't see him quitting ever. He is fit and healthy to all appearances as well. So good luck with that, try a new habit like sudoku etc.