Hi, I'm back for an update. Days 5 and 6 went very good. I didn't have hardly any withdrawal symptoms. I drank a lot of water and did some deep breathing exercises. Anytime an urge comes on I know I need to get moving. Take a walk, Take a shower, deep breathing exercises. Anything to get you past the craving.
I received my book in the mail today. "The Easy Way To Stop Smoking" By:Allen Carr. I read the book all in one setting. This book had such high reviews on amazon that I just had to order it. It had 386 reviews and was and is rated 5 stars. It was only about $11.00 with shipping. so I thought what the heck. Must be pretty good, and have some good info in it for as many people to have claimed to stop smoking after reading it.
I figured this was just another stop smoking book. Blah! Blah! Blah! Boy was I ever wrong. I'm not going to tell you what the book says. Allen encourages you to smoke while reading the book. When you are finished reading the book. You will not ever want to smoke another cigarette as long as you live. Well, I can't speak for everyone. That's how I feel. The book to me was the one missing ingredient that told me why I had failed on all my previous attempts to stop smoking.
I've never saw this mentioned in any forum. Without knowing this one little piece of knowledge. Most smokers won't make it to one year without relapse. If you don't know this one little secret he mentions. You are destined to failure long term. It doesn't matter how long you've been quit. Time is irrevelant. My last smoking attempt lasted 4 and one half months before I relapsed. I now know why I relapsed.
The book mentions nothing of all the deaths caused by smoking every year. It's not a gloom and doom book. It takes a total different approach. This was the best $10.00 I've ever invested in my life. I know now that I will never smoke another cigarette.I've never been able to say that before during any of my previous quit attempts. I urge you to read the testimonials on amazon concerning this book. 386 of them. 5 star rating. Then you must make a decision as to whether it's worth the $10.00
For me this book is invaluable. I'm not an affiliate pushing this book. I'm not making one cent by telling you about this book. I'm just saying this is the best info concerning quitting smoking. How to do it. When to do it. Why you should do it. Here's a link to the book
The Easy Way To Stop Smoking
Now for day 7. This had to be the worse day so far. I woke up early, my energy was gone. I didn't feel like getting out of bed. I was depressed. One of the side effects of smoking withdrawal. I made myself get out of bed. After reading the book, the next day started out the worse of any day during the quit. Little did I know that this was the "little monsters" last gasp. For those of you who have read the book. You know who the little monster is.
However, I didn't have any appetite. That's strange. In all my previous attempts to quit smoking I always ate like a horse. This quit has been totally different than all my previous attempts. My concentration has been good. In all my other attempts to quit smoking I couldn't concentrate. I would try to read something and it just wouldn't register. I couldn't remember anything.
Totally different this time. Concentration has been good. Appetite has been about the same as before I attempted this quit. I had gained weight in all my previous attempts to quit smoking. About 20 pounds last time that I quit for 4 months. Back to day 7. After I got out of bed..feeling very deppressed with no energy. I didn't know what to think. I had just read the best book on quitting smoking that I had ever read. Now I'm depressed and miserable the next day.
I wasn't this bad before I purchased the book. What's going on here I thought. Must be a case of the blues. Typical smoking withdrawal. I just have to make it through this day, and the next day, blah, blah, blah.
I just moped around the house all morning. Didn't have any energy. Around noon, I made myself take a bicycle ride. After taking a bicycle ride I started feeling a little better. Had a little more energy. I sat down at the computer to look at the latest news. After sitting at the computer for awhile I noticed my energy level was increasing and I was feeling much better.
I know this will sound crazy. But at one point. It's as if all the doom, and gloom, and withdrawal symptoms left all at once. I'm now in the middle of day 8. I haven't had one single withdrawal symptom since yesterday. I feel great. I have more energy than I've had in months. I now know the "little monster" is dead. I also know that I will never smoke another cig. Day 8 is almost finished.
Their isn't anything magic about the book. All I can say is it works. I'm more confident now at 8 days that I will never smoke again. Than I was at 4 months without a cigarette before. I know that's a bold statement. However, it's the truth.
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Stop Smoking Day 4 Tuesday March 25, 2008
It's day 4 already. I woke up about 5:30 am again today. I'm retired so I don't have to get up early. It's just that I feel better getting up early. It's been 72 hours since I've had my last cigarette. All the nicotine should be out of my body by now. Day 4 went pretty good. I did have some pretty powerful cravings around 3:00pm this afternoon.
I did some deep breathing exercises. This consists of taking a deep breath and holding it for a few seconds. Do this 3 or 4 times and the craving will leave. Or it's supposed to anyway.lol. Day 4 was probably the roughest day so far. I had to lay down at one point during the afternoon and listen to one of my self hypnosis audio cd's. This really helped and the cravings left.
You shouldn't be afraid of hypnosis. It can't harm you and you will never do anything against your will. They just put you in a very relaxed state of mind. And the hypnotherapist will speak and guide you through the session. You can order these cd's from amazon.com They have them for stopping smoking, Losing weight, lots of other things. You can find a couple of links to the stop smoking hypnosis cd's in the post I made yesterday or day before yesterday.
Do these hypnosis cd's work? I really don't know. What I do know is that for me. They really relax me and make the cravings go away. Just another tool I'm using in this cold turkey quit. As previously stated, I've blown several quits before. The cold turkey method is the only one I believe that really works longterm.
A 4 and a half month quit was blown last year. It had been a long time since I had even thought about a cigarette. However, my energy level was pathetic. I didn't want or desire to ride my bike for exercise. I used to ride 10 -12 miles everyday for exercise. Although I wasn't craving cigarettes at the time. Here is how I blowed a 4 and a half month quit.
I decided one night that I would take a few puffs off a cigarette to see if my energy level would increase. I still had cigarettes in the house after 4 and a half months. So, I lit one up and took 3 quick puffs off it. My energy level did increase after taking the 3 puffs. I felt a little bit of guilt, but not much. However, I didn't want to throw away a 4 and a half month quit.
For the next 2 days I didn't smoke any. Then I had a junkie thought. I would become a social smoker. You know, just smoke a pack a week or just on weekends. That didn't work out to good. Within a few days I was smoking every day. I never went back to the normal amount I had previously smoked which was about 30 cigarettes a day. For the last year I've averaged smoking about 16 cigarettes per day.
The 46 day quit 2 years ago was thrown away with an argument I had with a relative. I've been through hell week as the forums call it probably 5 or 6 times. That's the first 7 days without a cigarette for you folks that don't know. The bottom line is I'm a nicotine addict and always will be. If I take a puff I may go back into total relapse. I can never take another puff off a cigarette again.
Anyone who has smoked for any period of time knows this if They have tried to quit. I know lots of people that have blown quits that are several years old. A cig addict can never take another puff. I thought I might be an exception to this rule. However, I'm not an exception. I'm an addict just like everyone else. To take one puff means to throw any quit away. It doesn't matter if the quit is 2 days old. Or 2 years old.
I ordered a book from amazon yesterday. Another tool to go in my stop smoking arsenal. It's a book by Allen Carr entitled: The Easy Way To Stop Smoking This book has over 386 reviews. Most are 5 stars. Which is unbelievable for a book on any subject. The price is only $10.14. I ordered it after seeing all the fantastic reviews and how many people this book has helped to stop smoking.
Here's a link to the book. You may want to buy this yourself if your thinking about stopping smoking. It's only $10.14, that's less than a price for a large pizza. Here's the link.
The Easy Way To Stop Smoking
I've been rambling. I made it through day 4 without much problem. I'm taking this quit very seriously. I know I have to take each day...one day at a time.
I did some deep breathing exercises. This consists of taking a deep breath and holding it for a few seconds. Do this 3 or 4 times and the craving will leave. Or it's supposed to anyway.lol. Day 4 was probably the roughest day so far. I had to lay down at one point during the afternoon and listen to one of my self hypnosis audio cd's. This really helped and the cravings left.
You shouldn't be afraid of hypnosis. It can't harm you and you will never do anything against your will. They just put you in a very relaxed state of mind. And the hypnotherapist will speak and guide you through the session. You can order these cd's from amazon.com They have them for stopping smoking, Losing weight, lots of other things. You can find a couple of links to the stop smoking hypnosis cd's in the post I made yesterday or day before yesterday.
Do these hypnosis cd's work? I really don't know. What I do know is that for me. They really relax me and make the cravings go away. Just another tool I'm using in this cold turkey quit. As previously stated, I've blown several quits before. The cold turkey method is the only one I believe that really works longterm.
A 4 and a half month quit was blown last year. It had been a long time since I had even thought about a cigarette. However, my energy level was pathetic. I didn't want or desire to ride my bike for exercise. I used to ride 10 -12 miles everyday for exercise. Although I wasn't craving cigarettes at the time. Here is how I blowed a 4 and a half month quit.
I decided one night that I would take a few puffs off a cigarette to see if my energy level would increase. I still had cigarettes in the house after 4 and a half months. So, I lit one up and took 3 quick puffs off it. My energy level did increase after taking the 3 puffs. I felt a little bit of guilt, but not much. However, I didn't want to throw away a 4 and a half month quit.
For the next 2 days I didn't smoke any. Then I had a junkie thought. I would become a social smoker. You know, just smoke a pack a week or just on weekends. That didn't work out to good. Within a few days I was smoking every day. I never went back to the normal amount I had previously smoked which was about 30 cigarettes a day. For the last year I've averaged smoking about 16 cigarettes per day.
The 46 day quit 2 years ago was thrown away with an argument I had with a relative. I've been through hell week as the forums call it probably 5 or 6 times. That's the first 7 days without a cigarette for you folks that don't know. The bottom line is I'm a nicotine addict and always will be. If I take a puff I may go back into total relapse. I can never take another puff off a cigarette again.
Anyone who has smoked for any period of time knows this if They have tried to quit. I know lots of people that have blown quits that are several years old. A cig addict can never take another puff. I thought I might be an exception to this rule. However, I'm not an exception. I'm an addict just like everyone else. To take one puff means to throw any quit away. It doesn't matter if the quit is 2 days old. Or 2 years old.
I ordered a book from amazon yesterday. Another tool to go in my stop smoking arsenal. It's a book by Allen Carr entitled: The Easy Way To Stop Smoking This book has over 386 reviews. Most are 5 stars. Which is unbelievable for a book on any subject. The price is only $10.14. I ordered it after seeing all the fantastic reviews and how many people this book has helped to stop smoking.
Here's a link to the book. You may want to buy this yourself if your thinking about stopping smoking. It's only $10.14, that's less than a price for a large pizza. Here's the link.
The Easy Way To Stop Smoking
I've been rambling. I made it through day 4 without much problem. I'm taking this quit very seriously. I know I have to take each day...one day at a time.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Stop Smoking Day 3 Monday March 24, 2008
I woke up at about 5:30 am this morning. This is the big day. I have been 48 hours or 2 days without a cigarette. Why is the third day a huge day in the quit smoking process you ask? According to Whyquitdot com. When you quit smoking cold turkey as I am. All the nicotine is gone from your body in 72 hours.
This means that all future cravings for a cigarette are psychological and not physical withdrawals.Whyquit is a goldmine for any person who wants to quit smoking. Hundreds of articles are written and their all free. If you're serious about quitting smoking.I Highly recommend reading the articles on the whyquit website. They also have a forum where you can interact with other non smokers.
However, you can't be a member of their forum until you've been stopped smoking for 72 hours. This proves to them that you are serious about quitting smoking. They only endorse one method. cold turkey If you stop smoking any other way than cold turkey. You aren't allowed to be a member of their forums. For example, if you use a nicotine patch as an aid to stop smoking. You can't participate in Whyquits forums.
I'm not a member of whyquit. I do endorse their stop smoking articles. You can read these for hours and they have so much information to prepare you for your stop smoking Journey. As previously mentioned, It's all free. So, go their and read up.
Back to day 3 now of my quit smoking journal. As previously stated, I woke up about 5:30 am. My sleep patterns have already improved. I'm sleeping like a baby at night. This wasn't so when I was smoking. When I was a smoker I had a very hard time falling a sleep. I would sometimes toss and turn for hours before getting to sleep. Then when I woke up in the morning I wouldn't have any energy. I would have to drag myself out of bed. After just 2 days of stop smoking, this day is the third, I have plenty of energy. Not only do I fall asleep easily. I sleep good during the night.
Day 3 wasn't to bad. In the morning. I didn't have but a few minor craves. Still doing the deep breath exercises when I get a crave. This consists of taking a deep breath and holding it a second or 2. Then exhale slowly. Still drinking lots of water to flush the nicotine out of my body. Using the dollar general brand cough drops(menthol flavor) to use when I get a craving for a cigarette. Some people use unsweetened hard candy. It's just whatever works for you.
About 3:00 in the afternoon I started getting some pretty powerful cravings for a cig. On a scale of 1-10. These cravings were about an 8. I figured I would get some strong urges to smoke today. Why? Because it's do or die time for the cig habit. If I don't smoke today, the nicotine addiction is finished. It has no more power. I win. HEHE.
Nicotine withdrawal throws its hardest punches in the first 72 hours. It can't throw anymore punches after that. Why? Because after 72 hours the nicotine is no longer in your body!!!!!!!!! If you quit cold turkey. Any cravings for a cigarette after 72 hours are strictly psychological. Their not physical cravings. The nicotine is gone, adios, byebye. It's gone. I think you get the picture.
Any aidThat doesn't contain nicotin could be considered going cold turkey. Just be sure your stop smoking aid isn't as addictive as the cigarettes themselves.
Back to my day 3. As previously stated. I started getting some pretty strong cravings around 3:00 pm in the afternoon. I did the deep breathing exercises, drank lots of water, Then took a shower. However, this craving didn't want to leave. Although by this time the craving wasn't as powerful. about a number 6 on a scale of 1-10. It was kinda nagging me.
I got out a hypnosis stop smoking cd that I haven't listened to in a very long time. I own 2 of them. One you will here Stop Smoking Forever
I also own this one.
Stop Smoking In One Hour
I started listening to the stop smoking forever hypnosis cd. This helped tremendously. Now the craving was gone. It is now 9:00 pm, Time for bed. I decide to listen to the other hypnosis cd entitled "Stop Smoking In one hour" I highly recommend both these cd's. I don't prefer one cd over the other. Both are Great.
The stop smoking in one hour cd comes with a book that may help you.
The stop smoking forever cd doesn't come with a book.
That's all for now. I'll update this blog soon.
This means that all future cravings for a cigarette are psychological and not physical withdrawals.Whyquit is a goldmine for any person who wants to quit smoking. Hundreds of articles are written and their all free. If you're serious about quitting smoking.I Highly recommend reading the articles on the whyquit website. They also have a forum where you can interact with other non smokers.
However, you can't be a member of their forum until you've been stopped smoking for 72 hours. This proves to them that you are serious about quitting smoking. They only endorse one method. cold turkey If you stop smoking any other way than cold turkey. You aren't allowed to be a member of their forums. For example, if you use a nicotine patch as an aid to stop smoking. You can't participate in Whyquits forums.
I'm not a member of whyquit. I do endorse their stop smoking articles. You can read these for hours and they have so much information to prepare you for your stop smoking Journey. As previously mentioned, It's all free. So, go their and read up.
Back to day 3 now of my quit smoking journal. As previously stated, I woke up about 5:30 am. My sleep patterns have already improved. I'm sleeping like a baby at night. This wasn't so when I was smoking. When I was a smoker I had a very hard time falling a sleep. I would sometimes toss and turn for hours before getting to sleep. Then when I woke up in the morning I wouldn't have any energy. I would have to drag myself out of bed. After just 2 days of stop smoking, this day is the third, I have plenty of energy. Not only do I fall asleep easily. I sleep good during the night.
Day 3 wasn't to bad. In the morning. I didn't have but a few minor craves. Still doing the deep breath exercises when I get a crave. This consists of taking a deep breath and holding it a second or 2. Then exhale slowly. Still drinking lots of water to flush the nicotine out of my body. Using the dollar general brand cough drops(menthol flavor) to use when I get a craving for a cigarette. Some people use unsweetened hard candy. It's just whatever works for you.
About 3:00 in the afternoon I started getting some pretty powerful cravings for a cig. On a scale of 1-10. These cravings were about an 8. I figured I would get some strong urges to smoke today. Why? Because it's do or die time for the cig habit. If I don't smoke today, the nicotine addiction is finished. It has no more power. I win. HEHE.
Nicotine withdrawal throws its hardest punches in the first 72 hours. It can't throw anymore punches after that. Why? Because after 72 hours the nicotine is no longer in your body!!!!!!!!! If you quit cold turkey. Any cravings for a cigarette after 72 hours are strictly psychological. Their not physical cravings. The nicotine is gone, adios, byebye. It's gone. I think you get the picture.
Any aidThat doesn't contain nicotin could be considered going cold turkey. Just be sure your stop smoking aid isn't as addictive as the cigarettes themselves.
Back to my day 3. As previously stated. I started getting some pretty strong cravings around 3:00 pm in the afternoon. I did the deep breathing exercises, drank lots of water, Then took a shower. However, this craving didn't want to leave. Although by this time the craving wasn't as powerful. about a number 6 on a scale of 1-10. It was kinda nagging me.
I got out a hypnosis stop smoking cd that I haven't listened to in a very long time. I own 2 of them. One you will here Stop Smoking Forever
I also own this one.
Stop Smoking In One Hour
I started listening to the stop smoking forever hypnosis cd. This helped tremendously. Now the craving was gone. It is now 9:00 pm, Time for bed. I decide to listen to the other hypnosis cd entitled "Stop Smoking In one hour" I highly recommend both these cd's. I don't prefer one cd over the other. Both are Great.
The stop smoking in one hour cd comes with a book that may help you.
The stop smoking forever cd doesn't come with a book.
That's all for now. I'll update this blog soon.
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Day 2 Quit Smoking
This is day 2 of my stop smoking blog. Today wasn't to bad. I had several cravings. Some kinda severe. On a scale of 1 - 10. Some of these cravings probably got to a 7. However, they didn't last long. I've been drinking lots of water, been using the dollar general cough drops to help get rid of the urges. Also taking a few deep breaths when a craving hits and holding the breath for a short period really helps.
Another thing. A person can put a rubber band around your wrist. when you get a crave just pull back on the rubber band and let it go. The rubber band will slap your wrist. This will cause your wrist to sting. Gets your mind off of cigs for a few minutes.
I haven't used that technique but once. That was a long time ago. To sum it up. Day 2 is now over. I'm about to go to bed.
Cold turkey method used with lots of water. Takes all nicotine out of your body in 72 hours (For me that's tommorow) Sucked on lots of dollar general cough drops. Took deep breathes and held them when a craving would come on. I'm off to bed. Will update tommorow.
Another thing. A person can put a rubber band around your wrist. when you get a crave just pull back on the rubber band and let it go. The rubber band will slap your wrist. This will cause your wrist to sting. Gets your mind off of cigs for a few minutes.
I haven't used that technique but once. That was a long time ago. To sum it up. Day 2 is now over. I'm about to go to bed.
Cold turkey method used with lots of water. Takes all nicotine out of your body in 72 hours (For me that's tommorow) Sucked on lots of dollar general cough drops. Took deep breathes and held them when a craving would come on. I'm off to bed. Will update tommorow.
Day 1 March 22, 2008
After smoking for 40 years. I have come to the conclusion that it is time to quit smoking once again. Why am I saying Once again? I've quit several times in the past only to start back smoking after a few months of being quit.
For example, I quit smoking on Mar 9, 2007 and started back smoking on July 25, 2007. I had quit for 4 and one half months. My desire to quit wasn't stronger than my desire to start smoking again. I've had several previous quits that have lasted 3 to 4 weeks. Then I would make a decision to start smoking again.
All previous attempts to quit smoking and this one now will be through the "Cold turkey method."
March 22 Day 1.
This is the first time I've stopped smoking without setting a quit date. I decided yesterday It was time to quit smoking. Here it is Saturday Mar 22, 2008.
I woke up early this morning. At 3:00 am to be precise. My first day of being a non smoker. I wash my face and brush my teeth. It's time for a cup of coffee. I drink folgers instant coffee. I have both caffenated and decaf. I always drink caffinated as my first cup each morning. Then go to decaf later in the day.
I drink a few cups of coffee.Then about 10:30 am I have to do a little shopping. The urge to smoke isn't bothering me to much. On a scale of 1- 10. With 10 being the highest craving... The highest craving has been around a 4. I go do a little shopping and run a few errands. I'm back home about 11:00 am. Cravings still aren't bad at all.
I decide to watch the Ncaa basketball tounament on tv. I watch a few games and about 4:00 pm. I'm getting tired. I have to lay down and take a nap. I wake up about 7:30. so " got a good 3 and a half hour nap in. The cravings aren't bad. I'm drinking to much coffee though. I didn't keep up with the exact amount I drinked. If I was to have to guess. I drinked close to 10-14 cups. Didn't smoke all day though. I have to really be careful.
When you stop smoking. Your appetite increases. I gained about 20 pounds last time I quit smoking. I have to really watch out for this. Obesity is about as bad as smoking. I don't want to trade one bad addiction for another. Anyway, I go to bed early about 9:00 pm. First day cold turkey quit. Not bad at all.
Highest craving for the day was about a 6 on a scale from one - ten. Cravings don't last long. I have several methods I use to ease a craving when one occurs. I take a deep breath and hold it for a while then slowly exhale. This always helps. I use those cheap cough drops you can buy at any dollar general store to have something to occupy my mind. You can purchase a bag of 50 of them for about a dollar or a dollar and a half.
I also drink lots of water. This helps. One more thing that helps is I listen to this addiction sermon every morning. It has really helped me. You can listen to it to.. and it's free. You can download it as a mp3, or listen to it as a live stream. Here's the link.
Victory Over Addiction By Ken Elliot
That's about it for today. I will post tommorow again about day 2.
For example, I quit smoking on Mar 9, 2007 and started back smoking on July 25, 2007. I had quit for 4 and one half months. My desire to quit wasn't stronger than my desire to start smoking again. I've had several previous quits that have lasted 3 to 4 weeks. Then I would make a decision to start smoking again.
All previous attempts to quit smoking and this one now will be through the "Cold turkey method."
March 22 Day 1.
This is the first time I've stopped smoking without setting a quit date. I decided yesterday It was time to quit smoking. Here it is Saturday Mar 22, 2008.
I woke up early this morning. At 3:00 am to be precise. My first day of being a non smoker. I wash my face and brush my teeth. It's time for a cup of coffee. I drink folgers instant coffee. I have both caffenated and decaf. I always drink caffinated as my first cup each morning. Then go to decaf later in the day.
I drink a few cups of coffee.Then about 10:30 am I have to do a little shopping. The urge to smoke isn't bothering me to much. On a scale of 1- 10. With 10 being the highest craving... The highest craving has been around a 4. I go do a little shopping and run a few errands. I'm back home about 11:00 am. Cravings still aren't bad at all.
I decide to watch the Ncaa basketball tounament on tv. I watch a few games and about 4:00 pm. I'm getting tired. I have to lay down and take a nap. I wake up about 7:30. so " got a good 3 and a half hour nap in. The cravings aren't bad. I'm drinking to much coffee though. I didn't keep up with the exact amount I drinked. If I was to have to guess. I drinked close to 10-14 cups. Didn't smoke all day though. I have to really be careful.
When you stop smoking. Your appetite increases. I gained about 20 pounds last time I quit smoking. I have to really watch out for this. Obesity is about as bad as smoking. I don't want to trade one bad addiction for another. Anyway, I go to bed early about 9:00 pm. First day cold turkey quit. Not bad at all.
Highest craving for the day was about a 6 on a scale from one - ten. Cravings don't last long. I have several methods I use to ease a craving when one occurs. I take a deep breath and hold it for a while then slowly exhale. This always helps. I use those cheap cough drops you can buy at any dollar general store to have something to occupy my mind. You can purchase a bag of 50 of them for about a dollar or a dollar and a half.
I also drink lots of water. This helps. One more thing that helps is I listen to this addiction sermon every morning. It has really helped me. You can listen to it to.. and it's free. You can download it as a mp3, or listen to it as a live stream. Here's the link.
Victory Over Addiction By Ken Elliot
That's about it for today. I will post tommorow again about day 2.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)