Tips for quitting smoking!

Joseph Jones85 said:I'm not sure if cutting back on cigarettes actually helps you quit altogether—but I do know it doesn't help your health. Apparently, reducing your cigarette intake by 95% only cuts the harmful effects by about 40%.🙄

Not exactly great math, is it? 😉 😛

That logic seems a bit flawed... I mean, by that reasoning, smoking three cigarettes a day would be just as bad as smoking three packs. I wouldn't say that's true.

ambertiger4 said:Man, you got this!! If you made it through three days, you can definitely crush another three. I just used self-hype to get through it... 😉 My last cigarette was three weeks ago and I'm cruising—way easier than I thought. Honestly, I'm shocked. I'm mostly eating fruit, staying hydrated, and snacking on stuff like pretzels or goldfish crackers.

The first week is a grind, but after that, the momentum kicks in and it's easy to shake those cravings. One trick that worked for me: my last few cigarettes were actually gross. I forced myself to light them up when I wasn't even feeling it, and they tasted nasty. Now, whenever I think about smoking, I just remember how disgusting those last ones were, feel nauseous, and the craving vanishes. 😉 Nothing beats a Pavlovian response... 😉

Get rid of that pack so you aren't tempted. Hang in there for a few more days; the second and third weeks get way smoother, I promise! 👋 Not to mention the massive ego boost and pure joy you'll feel once you realize you've smashed this milestone! 👍

Oh, thank you so much!!!!!!!!!!!

So, I'm on day 5 and I'm clean as a whistle... the only thing killing me is sugar cravings. I have to fight it.
I keep making chocolate milk.
Instead of just making a mess in the tub.😁 🙂 😁
It'll get better.
I get hit by heavy cravings every now and then.
But I'm determined and I'm not folding.
I've already started "bragging" to my friends about being smoke-free.
Some people think it's weird, others are stoked.
Still, we'll see how I handle things once I head back to work.
Yeah, I'm gonna need nerves of steel for that.
Maybe some gum?
Or a chew toy?
When the bosses start breathing down my neck.......................................... ........................................how do I deal with the stress...?

Whatever, I'll manage.

Guys, thanks for the support!!👋

23/02/04
Adelaide
America

ABC News

The Premier of Tasmania, Mr. Jim Bacon, has officially stepped down following a sudden illness. In an emotional farewell, he spoke through tears, pleading with teenagers to never pick up a cigarette. He knows firsthand exactly what that habit costs.

Jim Bacon is 53 years old. He’s been a heavy smoker for 35 years and has been diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer.
The specialists gave him at most two years to live.

He’s been on a bender lately, but despite his best efforts, we all know he isn't going to make it through this one.

Even when someone is dying, they can't just flip a switch and stop. There's no way out of it.

🙂 😉 😎

lonetinker9 said:I’ve heard that theory before too. Apparently, the body tries to pull more nicotine out of fewer cigarettes.
But I’m not entirely sold on it. Besides nicotine, there’s a massive amount of other nasty stuff in tobacco smoke. That makes the whole idea feel a bit shaky to me.
Can anyone explain how this works?

Nicotine additives

PROTECT OUR CHILDREN

👋 👋

🙂 😉 😎

Roger Cox10 said:That argument doesn't make any sense... I mean, according to that logic, it would be just as bad if someone smoked 3 cigarettes a day versus 3 packs a day. I wouldn't say that's true.

You're right, there's zero logic there. And since you're (probably) just an amateur when it comes to medical stuff, you wouldn't see it. But look, it’s been proven.

Check this out:

So, I’ve been smoking for five years now, and honestly, I’m a genuine fan of the smoke in all its shapes and colors. But the nicotine... that’s where the real trouble starts. If I don't light up, it feels like a literal piece of my lungs is missing... just a horrific sensation... and the only thing I can do is light up 🙂. I haven't found a way out of this yet, and trying to cut back with those "ultra" versions or anything similar is just a joke, because then I just end up inhaling more of those lightweight ones. It’s brutal, especially since they say nicotine addiction is nearly on par with heroin.... And those patches and gums? Total garbage. Why would anyone want more nicotine? Smoking is a passion, even if I know damn well it's going to leave its mark on me. I'm aware of the consequences. Dammit. I’ll quit, NO, because I simply can't.

Charles Young said:It’s tough because they say nicotine addiction is almost as bad as heroin....

Quitting nicotine isn't even that brutal on a physical level. Your body adapts to the lack of it pretty fast.
The mental grip is where things get messy. That’s why every attempt at quitting is basically just a massive test of willpower.
Honestly, if I thought it would be this easy to kick the habit, I would’ve done it ages ago.
You just have to make up your mind!

🙂

As for me, I haven't lit up a single cigarette since New Year's Eve back in 2003. I used to go through box after box, just non-stop. Honestly, I feel amazing now, and looking back, I realize what a total fool I was being. Plus, I’ve got a lot more cash in my wallet these days. I will admit though, I have put on about 10 pounds

😁My friend ended up gaining about 25 pounds, but hey, I'll take that over poisoning my body every single day.

Anyway, I'm planning to drop the weight come springtime 😁 😎

Gregory Evans82 said:Honestly, if I actually believed quitting cigarettes would be this easy, I would have done it a long time ago—but life isn't that simple.
Just gotta make a call.

Look, you can't exactly force someone to quit and hold their dignity hostage—people eventually realize when they've had enough of the cigarettes on their own (if they ever do). For anyone actually thinking about quitting, honestly, it’s much easier than people make it out to be. 👍 Don't sweat it—as they say, if I can make it through this, anyone can. 🙂

Yeah, I’ve probably put on maybe a pound or so by now—I can definitely feel it—but honestly, it’s manageable. I mean, if I actually manage to kick the cigarettes for good—which I will—then a few extra pounds isn't really going to be the issue. 😎

Sherry, I’ve already started getting back into my workout routine—you should get moving too, while the winter chill is finally fading. Honestly, I feel amazing physically. I almost felt like putting "Proud Ex-Smoker" on a t-shirt, but then I thought better of it—I'm not sure I want that kind of attention. 😛

Hey ambertiger4, I’m telling you, I’m ready to hit the ground running. Once I actually get moving, man, it’s going to be wild!
Just waiting for things to warm up a bit, then I'll be fully in the zone.
Oh, and I have to mention—I can finally walk up to the third floor without feeling like I've run a marathon or gasping for air. It's such a relief.
You know, it’s honestly incredible how much better life feels when you don't have that constant smell of smoke clinging to everything. 😁 😁 You can douse yourself in all the expensive cologne you want, but if you've been smoking, that scent is always lurking in the background. It's just one of those things.

Yeah, here we go, day 10.

Yessssssssssss!!!!
It hasn't been easy, but I'm not backing down.

👋
I actually thought about quitting.

Come on, mistymarlin7, you can totally do this! Honestly, I haven't even touched a cigarette in two months now, and let me tell you, it feels absolutely incredible. If you managed to make it through that fifth day, you’ve already done the hardest part—you can definitely stick to it for good. 👍 👍 👍

Hey everyone, whether you're currently quitting or have already kicked the habit...
I've been through this myself a few times. Early last year, I actually managed to go three months without a single puff—that was my longest streak in about 12 or 13 years of smoking... and then, well, I slipped up again.
Now, I just need to dig deep, find some willpower, and get ready for one more round in the ring. Fingers crossed this is the final showdown.
Best of luck to everyone out there!

Jamie Clark74 said:Nicotine additives

PROTECT THE CHILDREN

:

Oops! Looks like a pile of unknown ingredients here. Who knows, maybe there’s actually something in there that’s good for you by some miracle...

I don't have any kids, so my conscience is pretty clear on that front; though I can't say I have much determination when it comes to actually quitting...
😢

People ..... please.... I need some support.....

I’ve got 17 years of smoking under my belt, and I have officially decided: I am done. I’m currently 36 hours nicotine-free. It is absolutely wild how hard this physical addiction hits me. I tried quitting a few times about 4 or 5 years ago, and honestly, it didn't feel nearly this brutal. Back then, I thought it was all just mental—that I just wasn't mentally tough enough to handle it.
But now? I thought I was prepared, yet I am totally blindsided by this physical misery (the sweating, the headaches, the nausea). I mean, I wasn't out here using heroin or anything...
I'm begging any former smokers out there for some advice—how long does this phase actually last ?????????''
😲

Hey, Paul Ramirez6!!
Hang in there!!
🙂 🙂
So, I'm on day 16 clean. I was a heavy smoker for 10 years, doing about a pack and a half to two packs a day..

The first three days were hell , just like what you're going through right now.
After that, it gets easier.
I'm doing alright now.
But it ain't easy.
I still think about smoking all the time.
I even had a dream that I was smoking. (cigarettes 😳 )
Stay away from places filled with smoke.
Grab some fruit and chew on that; I've been crushing apples.

And good luck.
Check in every once in a while.

And don't you dare quit!!! There's plenty of us struggling through this, but we aren't backing down!!!!!!

Later!
👋

thanks, mistymarlin7 for the support

👋

I feel like I'm actually doing a bit better this morning. But I have to come clean—last night I had a total momentary lapse in judgment and took two literal drags before putting the damn thing out.
It’s wild how much that instantly calmed my nerves in the moment. Now I'm just sitting here drowning in guilt, but honestly? I'm not backing down. 👍

Don't go kidding yourself into thinking it’ll be any easier if you just cut back or tell yourself you’ll quit "starting tomorrow." Forget about it. I quit on March 12, 2003, after smoking for five years (and please, don't start talking shit about how that's nothing—I was more hooked than most of you). Back then, I was burning through two to three packs a day of Marlboro Blues, Dunhill, and Camel (I even graduated to unfiltered Camels at one point), and I used to buy Samson Zware Shag, which was easily the strongest stuff out there. I spent quite some time weighing my options, and eventually, I just decided to stop. To be honest, even after a year had passed, I still felt the pull and the craving for a cigarette. Thank God it doesn't bother me when someone else lights up next to me; it only becomes an issue when the urge hits me personally... Don't delude yourself by saying you'll "test the waters" to see how it goes or some other nonsense. Quit TODAY. Throw your cigarettes straight in the trash (don't give them away, just toss them) and show some character by actually stopping. At least, that’s how I handled it.

Paul Ramirez6 said:Everyone ..... please.... I need some support.....

I’ve been smoking for 17 years now, and I have officially decided that it's over. I’m currently 36 hours nicotine-free. It is absolutely wild how hard this physical addiction is hitting me right now. I tried quitting a few times about 4 or 5 years ago, and honestly, it didn't feel nearly this intense back then. I used to think it was all just mental, and maybe I just wasn't mentally tough enough at the time.
But this time, even though I prepared myself, the physical toll is catching me totally off guard (the sweating, the headaches, the nausea). I haven't even touched heroin...
I’m reaching out to former smokers for any advice—how long does this phase last? ????????''
😲

This struggle has been washing over me for a year already, but if you stay truly committed to your decision, nothing can force you to light up again...

I’m trying to get through this as fast as possible because the cravings are starting to hit me again, brrrrrrrr...

I kept talking, and talking, and talking...

I finally just hit a wall and stopped. Both the talking and the smoking.

It’s been 9 days now. Spent them all with my partner. Honestly, quitting has never felt this easy. I was bracing myself for some massive withdrawal, but nothing has hit me yet. Thank God for that...

Still, I always feel like a smoker who just isn't lighting up right now. I'm convinced this feeling is going to stick with me forever. I'll never truly be a non-smoker in my own mind...