I am

[scattymare]

Giving up smoking!! Started today. I have a patch on my arm and lots of gum in my bag. I had one first thing this morning and thats it. OK so it's only been a few hours so far but not too bad as I would have had about 5 by now. This is not going to be easy. If noone has any objections I may keep this thread as a little 'diary' to note my progress. OH is trying too. Fingers crossed for us..

[spotti]

Feel free to keep a "diary" - we'll all be right behind you Scatty (and congrats on giving up )

[dannyboy]

Good luck Scatty - it will be hard, especially the first 2 weeks but stick at it!!!! When I gave up, I used to eat brandy balls, they seemed to give me a little burning sensation in my chest & took the craving away. It worked for me, maybe worth a wee try

[Blonde Donkey]

Yay good for you.
I need to give up (am trying!! had none today!!

[FirenLady]

perhaps it would be a good idea to put the money your saving by not smoking in a jar and treat yourself and/or patrick to something nice with its contents. Congrads on going for it though

[scattymare]

FL thats what I'm doing - for the first month anyway. Well I've done a whole 11 hours so far - a big acheivement for me!!
It's a really strange feeling- I'm not really craving the cigarette side of things - the patches and gum take care of that, but I keep getting this feeling that somethings missing. Very strange sensation. And I keep thinking oh I'll have a cigarette, and then remember that NOOO you can't. I suppose a 17 year habit is going to be very hard to break.
Mind you I got in my car after work and couldn't beleive how much it stank! I'm normally smoking when I get in my car so don't notice. I'm going to give it a really good clean up tomorrow and make it smell nice to spur me on a bit.

[scattymare]

Oh and DB what are Brandy Balls?

Savvy we can help each other along the way.

[haffyfan]

Good Luck scatty...you can do it!

[maximum]

you go girl and it will help your posture ! honest you will have a new lease of life and feel and look so much better!

we are all behind you and everytime you want one of the evil cancer sticks imagine that lovely 'thing' you are going to buy for you and Mr P!

[babymare]

hey scattymare i take my hat off to you good luck hun and keep us posted how you go and hey if need a rant just rant away - big hug to you x

[rainbow]

Yay for quiting! Ive seen these little white things that u can puff on that has nicotine in them. I think there good (well they seem it ) casue its something to do with ur hands. Thats the worst bit not doing something with your hands!

Good luck to ya

[zoe]

Good luck - keep an eye on your patch cos my oh used them and they kept falling off - keep us updated I'm hoping you'll inspire me to give up

[scattymare]

Day 2 in the no smoking house!!

Well I made it past that 'first one of the day feeling'
I'm actually really not suffering too much. I get the odd wave of 'ooh I could do with a cig' but I just get myself a glass of water of have another bit of gum (my jaw is going to be super tough soon!)
I'm by no means kidding myself that it's going to be this easy the whole way through, and I've got a long way to go yet, but I'm really pleased so far. To know that I've gone 24 hrs without one and not really miss it too much is a great feeling and really spurring me on.

Zoe we could start up our own support group on here! Savvys joining - Aren't you Savs?? ;D

[florence]

Go you! I gave up about 10 year ago and I'm so glad I did.

If you start to get really tempted just tell yourself how long you've been smoke free and that if you have even just one puff you'll ruing the whole thing and have to start again. That's what always put me off. I put away all the money I would have spent on f*gs and still do. This time next year you'll be able to have a nice holiday on it.

[racaille]

Scatty, I salute you!!!

I did it six months ago - I went cold turkey because that is my personality but I have to say I still want to smoke. I just don't. Not least when I remind myself of the cost: one of the boys is shod for 'free' now I don't do the weed.

May I offer you a thought: I put on a heuuuuuuge amount of weight. I was no longer drawing on a f*g - and you are quite right , it is the physical what do I do with my hand/mouth now? that is the most difficult - and I found that glass of wine and nibbles (never nibbled when I was a smoker) just 'fell' naturally to hand.

So if you need to nibble, make sure it is healthy. I know that you have become skinnymare and it would be a shame for you to have to do it all again.

I can't tell you how much I regret not paying attention. I just did not see that I was becoming a bloater.

[Blonde Donkey]

Had another good day not smoked today Yay went for a run when i really needed one and made me feel loads better
good luck scatty

[scattymare]

Knew it was all going too well... I am reeeaalllly wanting one right now. But I will resist. I will resist *chants over and over and runs to get more gum*

Racaille yes I was worried about the weight thing. Took carrot sticks to work today!
Six months and you still want one? Thats scary. Though they do say you never really get over it, it just becomes easier.

Savs well done. Are you using patches or anything?

[Blonde Donkey]

No i've just gone for a run when i've been desperate for a f*g cos i always feel better after running. an using trident splash gum can't remember what it is but makes me forget smoking yay

[hollyvj]

Well done! I'm on week 3 of patches and feel GREAT! I ran out day before yesterday and couldn't pick any more up until yestreday, so had to go without a patch and............ I didn't even feel like smoking ;D I think the patches are great! I'm on the 24hr ones and don't get that "first f*g of the morning" craving.

My Oh gave up with them in january. And hasn't touched one since.
One of my colleagues smokes and I thonk he STINKS now lol

Good Luck with your progress x

[hollyvj]

Oh and to keep my hands busy, I've started making friendship bracelets. Takes my mind right off smoking. Only problem is that my friends and family are going to end up with bracelets up to their elbows lol

[scattymare]

Had a couple of really strong urges last ight and this morning but so far so good. Bit worried about tonight as I have a friend coming over so there will be drinkies involved...
Holly thats really good. How soon after stopping did you first noticed a difference in your cravings?

[FirenLady]

I had a teacher at school who wore long beads, and she said she wore them to give her hands something to do when she gave up smoking. She did rattle them a bit during lessons though.

[Blonde Donkey]

i slipped
i only had one but feel really bad about it. had a bad day and a customer come past smoking on DT and got a lift home with a smoker and she offered me one. very cross with myself

[hollyvj]

Scatty, I first gave smoking in January, but I didn't get strong enough patches. I was literraly a monster and started smoking again. But when I went on the stronger ones a few weeks ago, the cravings stopped being too bad and after about a week I didn't really notice them. My OH said that after he came off the patches he had a couple of occasions when he craved but nothing he couldn't ignore.

How did you get on last night?

x

[scattymare]

I made it without one There were a few times when I could have easily given in and had one but I didn't and actually it wasn't too bad. It helped that my friend is a non smoker too.
Been really good today and not thought about it much, although with this lovely weather I did really miss sitting in the garden with a drink and a ciggy. OH hasn't touched one eithrt so we're doing good...