Quitting smoking

[ladyinred]

I haven't been on lately and frankly right now I feel like utter crapola(Not moody or cranky,I don't do moody but just feeling utterly bleck physically), I quit smoking three days ago. I've been staying off caffeine basically and drinking tea to help flush out toxins in my body. Any helpful hints would be appreciated.

[Zerbie]

Ugh!! I hear that's just a bear!

Lots of alternate means of comfort, maybe? Some comforting food? Tea sounds like a great idea. How about, blanket, favorite movie, some comfort food - and lots of it at hand?!

This is definitely not the time to try to cut out EVERYTHING. Give yourself some pampering.

I've never had to do what you're doing. Maybe someone else will chime in soon who has.

Sounds like you're doing great. :pray::tup::agree:

[ladyinred]

Be thankful Zerbie and you don't ever want to start, Smoking is highly addictive, Now they've connected the addiction with receptors in the brain. I'm taking it easy. But why I drink tea and alot of liquids is to "flush out" the sysytem. I tried to find some detox teas at the grocery store could not, so I opted for herbal decaf. But even though I feel "ugh" now" I will feel better in the long run and be free of a nasty and unhealthy habit. I guess it wouldn't hurt to ask for a few prayers , definitely do not want to go back to smoking again.

[andrewlittle]

You have my admiration and prayers for doing what I have yet been able to do.

I have no suggestions (obviously, since I still smoke) but to remember vividly why you are doing it. I have kicked other addictions, and that is key - especially when the brain kicks into rationalization mode.

Other than that, you could always fall back on what I think may be a last, best hope - a lobotomy and having my lips sewn shut.

Good luck, lady! I prayer you are, indeed, an ex-smoker.

[Zerbie]

Be thankful Zerbie and you don't ever want to start, Smoking is highly addictive, Now they've connected the addiction with receptors in the brain.

Oh, no risk of me starting that. I am so severely allergic to tobacco products, esp cigarettes, that I lose my voice within about 30 minutes of being in an environment where people are smoking (if indoors.) That makes me a singer who can't even *speak.* Not to mention the 24 hours of miserable sore throat and uncontrollable watery sneezing that ensues.

But I do appreciate how difficult it MUST be to break such an addiction - I have some ingrained thought patterns that are taking years and years to be rid of. They say a smoking addiction is one of the hardest of all to overcome. If you can do that Lady, you can do anything.

Do you have a natural foods store in your area? They are more likely to have "medicinal" teas.

[ladyinred]

Yes, I do , we have a whole food store up from where I live, not too far. I go there to buy tooth brushes, shampoo, soap and other stuff. I have an aversion to chemicals in my toothpaste and soap and lotion (Sodium laureate and paraben),lol I won't even dye my hair anymore because of harsh chemicals. Nor do I use hair mousse or hair spray,kind of ironic isn't it? Especially with what cigarettes must contain, in terms of toxins and chemicals. I love herbal teas, tend to like the sweeter ones, but yogi teas has a good detox tea. I just haven't been able to find it yet, may have to order it online though. I'm trying to switch to more organic products anyway, food wise and other as much as possible. Especially with what they are doing to food and other things. I might take up gardening and grow my own vegetables or something. My dad had a green thumb..Hopefully I inherited it.
I am also going back to the gym and working out ,even though I lost a substantial amount of weight I still need to lose more, and if you don't exercise you lose more muscle mass each year.. I wouldn't call it a new years resolution,(I hate those, because for the most part many times you never stick to them) I like the idea of a "life change"
As far as temptation, all the ash trays are going out in the garbage... I'll probably have to "defumagate" my car to get rid of the smell of cigarettes. I'm trying to remove the "triggers" that relate to smell and sight. Ash trays remind me of smoking so they gotta go.

[ladyinred]

I finally found the tea I was looking for Zerbie , Yogi detox, So far I haven't had any "cravings" for a cigarette (strangely enough) any way thanks for your kind support I appreciate it. Fluids for me help flush out the system, I don't chew gum... that doesn't particularly help me.

[BrianB]

I finally found the tea I was looking for Zerbie , Yogi detox, So far I haven't had any "cravings" for a cigarette (strangely enough) any way thanks for your kind support I appreciate it. Fluids for me help flush out the system, I don't chew gum... that doesn't particularly help me.

It's too bad you don't chew gum. I quit cigars about two months ago. Chewing gum has been my salvation. There is a help line for smoker's trying to quit 1-800-QUIT-NOW. Talking to the counselor on the quit line has helped me figure out what situations triggers my craving. Consider trying the QUIT line. I hope you have continued success.

[ladyinred]

This is funny, because I quit for ten years when I was with my ex-husband (If you could call him that, felt more like I had a partner with my female partner, he drove me crazy, literally speaking of course,lol) And started back up with my now ex female partner. I just picked one up because she smoked and that was that it sealed my fate, I had never had any temptation to smoke before.. But when you get up to three packs a day , that becomes a major problem.

[ladyinred]

Fifth day for me smoke-free, no temptation to pick up a cigarette, not climbing the walls, not cranky or whiny ,so far so good.. My spirits are pretty much up and I can actually breathe,(Hack, hack, cough,cough but it's getting better) And things don't taste and smell like cigarettes. Pretty good Xmas gift to give myself I'd say. Well anyway, thank you all so much for the support and well wishing, I hope you are having a wonderful Christmas yourself,now save some room for desert.;) (Mine will be cheesecake and sangria)