Hello! Well, I am on to lesson 5. As some of you may know, I did begin exercising about 2 months ago (running). I run 1.5 miles about 3-4 times per week. You can imagine that I am really noticing the affects of smoking!

I am not a heavy, heavy smoker. On week days, I smoke about 1/2 pack a day. On the weekends, about the same, at most - a pack a day on the weekends. Lately, I have just not craved smokes the way I used to. I bought those "Tar Bar" filters and have been smoking with those for about 2 months now. It is absolutely amazing to see the tar and nicotine that is filtered by using the filters. I think these filters have helped me slowly decrease the nicotine and looking at the filters has really scared me. I can't imagine that is the stuff that is going into my lungs. A must try for any of you who haven't tried them.

Any more, smoking makes me feel anxious and depressed. I dread that first smoke in the morning as I always feel wierd afterwards and it seems to kick start my anxiety. So...I am quiting. I have tried to quit in the past - with all types of methods...the gum, the patch, etc.

This time I am doing it because I am just sick and tired of smoking. I think I really want to quit this time - for good. I am on day #2 and am doing great. I have to keep thinking...it is all in my head, think of my poor little lungs and how much better they are going to feel and how much better I will feel when I run.

But I wanted some input from any of you who have successfully quit. Suggestions in those desperate times of nic fits? Any advise would be greatly appreciated. Oh by the way, I am on Wellbutrin 150mg which I am sure plays a big part of me being able to quit now that I am ready.

will i ever be my self again,
i am proud of what you have accomplished in such a short time....keep up the good work...my wife and i quit it will be 2 yrs this coming april.. i was outside by the camp fire on night and i asked GOD to take that old nasty habit away from me...i had almost a whole pack and i went and got her. i told her to come outside and she said we are not going to the store to get smokes. i told her to lets both of us throw them in the fire. we did and that was it..
as for the cravings....we had a friend that had gone to the dr and got filters holders that has 10mg of nicotine in them.. i forgot the name. it cut down the cravings. and if you have a friend or a partner that is doing the same thing.. it makes it easier...when we go out to eat. sit in the non smoking section...and if you walk where someone has smoked smell how bad it is.. it will make you not want one. this is from a 2 or 3 pack a day smoker who is 60.. if i can do it andmy wife can.. then i don't think you have a problem.. remember that you have made it this far by cuting back.. i also took me some life savers and when i wanted one i ate one...its a habit and replace it with something else. take care and my thougts and prayers are with you.. hang in there. GOD BLESS....
don
p.s. i think it was nicatrol...

hey there willi, did you know that wellbutrin is prescribed to help quit smoking? they discovered depressed poeple on wellbutrin would quit smoking while on it. anita

Hey there! Congratulations for all your great work. Quitting is a smart idea! I quit over five months ago, cold turkey and going through this program here has really helped me keep this quit. It sounds like you are ready to let go of that dependency.

If you haven't checked out the Freedom from Smoking program at the Lungusa.org site, see what you think. There is support and a step-like process there that helped me a lot.

For the cravings I did any or all of the following. Do remember that after the first three days, that nicotene is out of the system and the rest are just temporary, mental cravigngs, which is what I have read/heard.

I used deep breathing a lot. You could use the relaxation CD/tape that comes with this program. I used cinnamon flavored chewing sticks, like tooth picks, from the health food store. They say that cinnamon helps with cravings. I just kept focusing on the idea that it was temporary that I was doing myself a favor, that I chose to quit and that it would pass. They say that it really just lasts a few minutes, but I know for me, because of my obsessive, negative, worry, etc. thinking, I could have it go on for hours and sometimes days!

I reminded myself that it is an old negative comfort zone and it takes awhile to build the new, smoke free one. It is all very normal. I tried and try to view smoking thoughts as a message. It is a message that I need a break or some support or that something was/is bothering me. You may have smoked as a break or a reward or to help with stress. Well, you still need to do something about those things so phone a friend, post a message online, read your Lucinda Bassett material, use the positive self-talk, take that jog, do something with your hands, reinforce your quit reasons and you will have done yourself much more of a favor than smoking would have!

Other than that, I'd take nice long baths, walk, throw or punch pillows, listen to relazing music, yell in my car, chew gum, etc., etc. Really, the possibilities are there. It just takes some time for them to be comfortable outlets over smoking so I feel for me a lot of the panic or craving was just that what I did instead wasn't instantly familiar and comforting...

There are also quit boards on the FFS/American Lung Assoc program, so there is support there. There is no chat, but people post sometimes when the urge is really bad and they wait for responses. It saved me a few times!!

Congrats again and just keep building this positive momentum and you just mind find you are ready to tackle anything!!!

MY BEST TO YOU on this journey!!

anita,
thank you very much.. i thought i forgot something and you saved my behind lol. that is also the reason my dr put me on wellbrution and i am still on it and along with xzanax i am a walking bald headed miracle....its something that only a false teeth old man would say to someone...