Smokin'

[lbeery]

I quit smoking after 45 years of the habit.  Been 5 weeks now. Can't say I feel any better but it sure is cheaper.  Does anyone have any good ideas for keeping up the smoke free habit? The urge to smoke still seems very strong.  Don't want to use patches since that just seems like more of the same in a different form.  My husband is very supportive but man, I'd really like a smoke!!!!!

[NCcasanova]

Good luck. I could quit smoking. But I really don't want to. I feel the stress just roll off if I go 2 days w/o a cig and then smoke one. I really should quit as it would save me alot of money. but until I can get out of all this stressful thinking, then looks like I will have to keep at it.
Hope it works out for you

[lucylaw]

Congrats !!!... I quit smoking 9 weeks ago after smoking for 30 years. I found Chantix to be the most effective. I had tried all the other but my cravings were just to strong. It defintenly is a life style change but I believe well worth it.  Walking and raw veggies have been helpful. Good luck and be strong. 

[akashawolfe]

Congrats my friend, May I suggest you try taking some times to REALLY focus, meditate, if you will on how much cleaner your lungs feel.  Think about how much nicer it is for your significant other to kiss you.  Your smell doesn't preceed your entrance into a room.  Take all of the money you think you would normally use to buy ciggs and put it in a jar and watch it go up.. and see what you have at the end of the year and buy yourself a present!   That worked for me.....I always wanted to smoke when I was in bars, when I was a rock singer, before I went on I would get "antsy"....and always want to light up with the boys....instead I took to chewing on lil bar straws....hahah I know, it sounds weird, but it worked for me.   I hope this helps and keep up the great work!   

[ghelverson318]

cigarette prices are sky high these days but there is away to smoke cheaper and safer. You can go to your local tobacco store and get your very own cigarette rolling machine. all you need to do is buy the tubes and tobacco. its so much cheaper and it doesnt have all of the glues and chemicals taht a regular cigarette would.

[NCcasanova]

I had to do that in prison. Not always the best choice. My brand is Newport. No other tobacco out there is like it. I remember when I was just buying my own cig's. They were $2.50 a pack w/ taxes. Gas was $0.99 a galllon. Now look =(

[billermarie]

i aint a cig for 8 months so good luck i just work to keep busy

[kay7]

It is difficult for sure and those urges may decrease in intensity and frequency but they don't completely go away.  On my third try at quitting, I've managed to make it 3 years - it seems like an eternity.  I'm very jealous of people who are still smoking but I love the smell and sit in the few smoking areas left.  I only have a real urge about once a week and taking a very deep breathe seems to help get rid of it.  I wasn't able to do that without coughing when I was smoking.  It sure is nice not to have to go out in bad weather just to have a cigarette that really didn't taste that good before I quit anyway.  After 50 years of having my life ruled by a nasty habit, it's great to be free from it and I hope I never go back.

[Shutmeup3030150]

Good for you, I hope you can stay away from good, I know quitting is terribly hard, I've tried tons of times.

[lbeery]

Thanks for all your support.....I still crave but haven't caved.  Funny thing, I never emptied my ashtrays and when it gets really bad I sniff the disgusting tray and am good to go for another day....

I am now at 75 days smoke free.  My sense of smell is back but I seem to be having taste issues.....any body else have that? Thought the sense of taste was supposed to get better when you quite smoking?

Thanks again for your kind responses and good luck to anybody else who is quiting.