Comments on: Does anyone have any good ideas about trying to stop smoking?

By: Nana Susie

Nana Susie — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 18:08:31 +0000

Try Zyban tablets, available on prescription from your doctor. They do it for you. It is a 2 month couurse and while you are using them, think of yourself as a non smoker. Practise saying, “no thanks, I don’t smoke” After one day without a smoke, you will feel so proud of yourself, and after 3 days, the worst is over. Reward yourself!

By: thebeljar

thebeljar — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 20:12:04 +0000

how bout gradual: periodically reduce the number of cigarettes you smoke in a day by clocking them: one week, one every hour (or a slight reduction of whatever is normal for you). next, every hour and half, etc. until you can quit altogether.

By: C. W.

C. W. — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 00:18:07 +0000

Here’s how i quit. I think the most important thing is to stay away from smokers as much as possible. If you can. Any way, every day when I was quitting I made sure to do two things go for a little jog and do this breathing technique i learned from an Anthony Robbins seminar. First, inhale deeply for a count of four, then hold for a count of sixteen and slowly exhale for a count of eight. I tried to repeat 10 times both in the morning and at night. Another thing that helped was I ammended my diet to counteract any weight gain from quitting. I added more fruits and vegetables and vitamin supplements. I drank more water and juices with anti oxidents. This all helped me feel better so I could replace the memory loops I had made associating smoking with happiness to just the opposite. I know that all was a little scatterbrained, I’m just trying to think back. I’ve been a non-smoker for two years now. Oh, the biggest thing to avoid for me was going to a bar. I always had to have a smoke when I was drinking and it was all around me. Also the American Lung Association has some helpful info @.

By: Mari du Ciel

Mari du Ciel — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 15:06:56 +0000

Be preparred!

After smoking 2 packs a day for 36 years, I finally quit. I haven’t smoked for over 2 years.
I did a lot of research to understand what I would be up against.

Most people know that they will be easily angered and irritable.
But what about the other nicotine withdrawel symptoms?

Nicotine is one of the most addicting substances on the planet. It is as addicting as cocaine or heroine. It just doesn’t have the same immediately detrimental effects.
Some other symptoms of nicotine withdrawel are:

dizziness (brain is not accustomed to clean air & oxygen)
lethargy
mental confusion or difficulty concentrating
irritability / anger
constipation
lightheadedness
weakness or heavyness in muscles
sleepiness or inability to sleep
numbness or tingling in extremities
depression and/or anxiety
hunger
There are more

Do whatever it takes. Some people quit gradually. Some use an aid like nicotine gum or the patch. Some quit cold-turkey. That’s what I did.

When your quit, avoid areas where smokers go. Stay out of clubs and bars. Avoid alcolhol because it will weaken your will power. Take your vacation from work and stay home away from smokers if you can. Always carry hard candy to suck on. I loved Werther’s butterscotch hard candy. Get some exercise daily and drink A LOT of water. Once you quit, don’t talk about it. Talking about quitting and cigarettes puts your attention on smoking. Just let it go. You will need to quit every minute of every day. Take each minute seperately. You can do it.
Do not be disappointed or angry with yourself if you slip up. Quitting tobacco is very difficult. I promise you that if I can do it, anyone can. I used to love my cigarettes.
Quitting gradually just prolongs the misery. Your body is used to a certain level of nicotine. That’s why you crave a smoke when the level gets low. Reducing your intake will only make your body want more and they will taste better when you do smoke. It is best to quit cold-turkey. It takes 3 weeks for all traces of nicotine to leave your body. Drink water.

The first 2 weeks are the hardest. Expect misery and it will be easier.
Be preparred!

Here are some facts to help you:

As soon as you snuff out that last cigarette, your body will begin a series of physiological changes.

Within 20 minutes: Blood pressure, body temperature and pulse rate will drop to normal.

Within 8 hours: Smokers breath disappears. Carbon monoxide level in blood drops and oxygen level rises to normal.

Within 24 hours: chance of heart attack decreases.

Within 48 hours: nerve endings start to regroup. Ability to taste and smell improves.

Within 3 days: Breathing is easier.

Within 2-3 months: Circulation improves. Walking becomes easier.
Lung capacity increases up to 30

Within 1-9 months: sinus congestion and shortness of breath decrease. Cilia that sweep debris from your lungs grows back. Energy increases.

Within one year: Excess risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a person who smokes.

Within 2 years: Heart attack risk drops to near normal.

Within 5 years: lung cancer death rate for the average former pack a day smoker decreases by almost half that of a smoker.

Within 10 years: lung cancer death rate is similar to that of a person who does not smoke. The pre-cancerous cells are replaced.

Within 15 years: risk of coronary heart disease is the same as a person who has never smoked.

By: inks

inks — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 16:29:41 +0000

I quit cold turkey two years ago and haven’t smoked since. I too found it quite hard but at the same time you have to say to yourself that it’s for your own good. For me, the first few days were the hardest and gradually the sensation for cravings disappeared. Now, if anyone smokes it really bothers me! Good Luck- you have to have will power.

By: hopeful

hopeful — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 22:41:02 +0000

Try chewing a gum.And be strong.

By: Ozz

Ozz — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 23:26:26 +0000

Let’s say you smoke one pack a day. Stopping is easy. The following day smoke that pack LESS ONE cigarette. Continue until you feel comfortable then smoke the pack LESS ONE MORE cigarette. It may take six months or a couple years, but it works. And if you run into someone who smokes, give me a call. I’ll slap ‘em around a bit for you.

By: Mister E

Mister E — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 15:33:30 +0000

medatation / prayer or hypnosis

By: triniqueen40

triniqueen40 — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 21:54:02 +0000

Just say no
It works for sex and that is addictive. It might work for you