Tips for quitting smoking!

boldpuma89 said:Tomorrow marks one month since I managed to cut down from two or three packs a day to just about 3 or 4 cigarettes. I haven't hit my ultimate goal—total cessation—yet, but honestly, I’m not unhappy with where I'm at right now.

There you go—just a quick update for those of you following along.

I’d love to hear (or see) what the former smokers and those planning to quit think about this current phase of mine.

I have to say, props to you for not letting those 3 or 4 cigarettes drag you back into finishing an entire pack. I'd say you're definitely on the right track toward quitting; if you actually went from smoking 40-60 cigarettes a day down to just 3 or 4, then... seriously, kudos to you.👍
Just keep chipping away at it a little more...😁

Peter Bennett8 said:Seriously, props to you for not letting those 3 or 4 cigarettes turn into a whole pack. You’re definitely moving in the right direction—I mean, if you actually managed to drop from 40-60 sticks down to just 3 or 4... damn, hats off to you.👍
Just gotta trim it down a tiny bit more...😁

I guess that’s really where the struggle lies. I can't bring myself to promise anyone—including myself—that I won't light up even one more time. Honestly, making a claim like that kind of scares me.🙂

boldpuma89 said:I guess that’s the core of the issue. I can’t honestly promise myself—let alone anyone else—that I won't light up just one more time. To be honest, making those kinds of promises actually scares me a little.🙂

The best move is to not make any promises at all. When you do, you end up feeling suffocated by the weight of your own words. Just focus on the fact that you aren't holding a cigarette right now—that's enough.
I actually kept my quitting a total secret from everyone—friends, parents, the whole lot—and I can tell you that handling it quietly was way easier than announcing it to the world (I've tried both ways 😁). When you go public, people won't stop teasing you about it, and they never stop talking about it. My parents would constantly praise me, which sounds great, but meanwhile, I'm sitting there the whole time just obsessing over when I'm going to cave and have one. 🙄
By keeping it under wraps, I found the time passed much faster—people eventually figured it out on their own, and I had the space to build up my strength and finally become 😎

Day 5 🙂

it's finally over... 😁

brisknomad6 said:Day 5 🙂

It’s finally over... 😁

100😛

+ 5000 grams

mellowcanyon20 said:100😛

558 days ago 🙂

😁😁

mellowcanyon20 said:100😛

well, I guess I'm just cheering myself on a little bit here 😁 😁

nothing scary 😁

brisknomad6 said:Well, I suppose I’m really just offering myself a little bit of encouragement here, 😁 😁

Nothing to worry about at all, 😁

I truly wish the same hundred for you, though goodness knows I wouldn't turn down a 558 if it came my way!

9 weeks today 😎
Honestly, I feel like I never even picked up a cigarette in my life.

mellowcanyon20 said:I want that too, babe... though honestly, I wouldn't say no to a 558 either, if God is feeling generous!

Day 6 😁

Thanks for all the good vibes...

So, get this—some big-shot businessman swings by the office today, right? And I swear, the second he stepped through the door, I could totally smell smoke in the air. Like, just hit me immediately. I don't know, maybe it was just my imagination or something, but man, that scent was definitely there. 🙂 😁

It's happening... it's finally starting! 😁

brisknomad6 said:It's been 6 days 😁

Thanks for all the kind wishes...

Today, a business client walked into my office, and the very second he stepped through the door, I could smell the stench of smoke🙂 😁

It started, it really started...😁

Honestly, it’s truly incredible just how much smokers actually stink...😁

8 days, fellas 🙂 8 days 😎 😉

I’m a fan of both drinking and smoking. If someone were to strip those two things away from me, I wouldn't even see much point in living. That said, for anyone actually planning on quitting smoking, you have my full support.

Over the last four days, I’ve managed to scale back to just about 3 or 4 cigarettes a day, which is a massive shift compared to my old habit of crushing a pack and a half every single day.
This morning at work, I only had one little cigarette while sipping my coffee, and even though the whole pack was sitting right there next to me the entire time, I didn't even feel the urge to grab another one...
But there is one thing that’s really messing with my head, and I could really use some advice from you guys;
It’s awful—just absolutely awful—but I’m feeling incredibly dizzy. Is this just part of a minor withdrawal crisis, or what is happening?! Some people have told me they were coughing up black gunk for a long time after they finally quit...😲

Day 9 🙂

thanks Dyna.... I guess one morning I felt a little dizzy, but I didn't really connect it to quitting smoking at the time...

Anyway, now that you've cut back so much, maybe you should just quit for good🙂

thanks Dyna:
...so, the pack is just sitting there next to me the whole time and I'm not even reaching for it....
but man, something is really messing with me, so I need some advice;
it's awful, seriously—my head is spinning like crazy—is that just from the mild withdrawal or what?! ...😲

Get those cigarettes out of your sight right now—toss them as far away as possible—otherwise you’ll be back to your old habit in like 5 or 6 days. That dizziness isn't just withdrawal, you're just missing that "hit"—I know I am! Hang in there!👍

BOOM!
I didn't touch a single cigarette yesterday and man, what a feeling. Waking up this morning felt incredible—my throat isn't scratchy, and I don't have that nasty, stale ash taste lingering in my mouth... 😁
I’m just going to toss the whole pack in the trash and here’s the kicker (I read this somewhere once): I'm not telling a soul that I'm quitting. If you don't tell anyone, nobody is cheering you on or waiting around for you to slip up...

Listen, I’m basically inviting you all to come at me—go ahead, spill the tea, tear me apart, throw your worst insults my way, and just... yeah, let it rip.

🙏

boldpuma89 said:Please, go ahead, dear readers—tear me apart, spit on me, criticize me, just... whatever makes you feel better...

🙏

Man... chill out, don't go wild there 🙂

So, about three months ago, a colleague and I decided we were both gonna quit...
But honestly? I gave up after only three hours 😁 😁

And now look at me...

I'm counting down 12 days 🙂