HELP TO STOP SMOKING

[Lottie32]

Can anybody suggest anything to help me stop smoking?

My main problem is that I don't want to, but I know I should. I seem to be getting every other area in my life back to a healthy shape, but I'm still smoking.

I know what it does to my body, know the heightened risk of disease in later life, and have even seen that new anti smoking advert.

I know how much money it will save me, how much better my skin will be, how much nicer I will smell.

BUT I still don't want to give up. I thought that once i started at the gym, I would be struggling to breathe, and that would spur me on, but I can do 50 minutes of cardio non stop without a problem, so that hasn't worked.

I don't particularly get a craving (apart from when I'm tired, or strangely as soon as I've got out of the gym).

Has anybody else given up when they didn't want to? And if so how. I'm sort of thinking along the lines of well I ate a whole clove of garlic every time I went to light up, and the fag tasted so disgusting that I couldn't smoke it (but probably not that extreme). [xx(] What makes it worse is that many members of my family have died from cancer (one of lung cancer) and that in itself still hasn't swayed me.

Any tips will be gratefully read

Thanks

Charlie

[benoo5]

charlie,

its obvious,that you dont want to give up!

to beat anything in life,be it anxiety,be it panic...be it alcohohol,drugs,or smoking...you have to want to beat it,and your not mentally ready!

you have looked at every good reason for quitting,from a negative attitude...so its time to think positive.

1/. i will live longer.
2/. i will breathe clean air.
3/. i will be able to taste food.
3/. i will smell like a woman should.
4/. i will stay younger/longer.
5/. i will not be a social outcast,in years to come.
6/. i will be fitter,than i am now.
7/. i am 33...i want to live another 50 yrs!

there are patches,which,work on over 70% of people...there are new chewing gums,i hear the new fruit flavour is favourite,and has a success rate of nearly 70%...but charlie my friend,its wot i said,at the beginning...its up to you!....bryan.

[Lottie32]

Thanks Bryan

Thats the problem, I don't really want to!!!

And I don't really get cravings, so don't think that the patches would do anything, cos it's places and situations that get me lighting up - i.e. driving home from work. Sometimes, I'll get half way down a fag and wonder why on earth I'm smoking it. And if I stop in with Jamie, I don't smoke at all. (And sometimes I'm there for 16+ hours).

I'm going to use your reference points, and try to talk myself into wanting to stop!

Thanks Bryan

Lots of Love

Charlie

[Laurie28]

Charlie,

I'm sorry but you have no chance!! (i don't want to sound mean) unless you really really want to stop then your chances are minimal to none!!

Love
Lucky

[DawnUK]

Hi Lottie,
I've managed to more or less stop smoking throughout these past 3 weeks when my PAs and anxiety have been at their worst ever, I haven't had a single puff for over a week now! This is mainly coz when I smoke, my heart starts beating faster and freaks me out even more! Plus every time I get a funny cough or pain in my chest, I think I've got lung cancer, having a heart attack, etc., another common thing in anxiety sufferers so I've read on here! :(

However, I'm sure if I felt OK again I, like you, would be straight back on the fags! I've now bought a book which I'm going to read when I'm better - 'Allen Carr's Easy Way to Stop Smoking'. I've heard great things about it, some people have said it's stopped them smoking even if they haven't wanted to give up. It was only about 6 quid, so even if it doesn't work, you haven't lost much. Go to Amazon.co.uk and check out the book reviews - don't think I saw a negative one! Good luck! [8D]

[Lottie32]

Lucky - you are right

Dawn - thanks, I shall try that out. And at £6, it only the price of 30 fags anyway!

When I am in a state of permanent anxiety I smoke very little because I feel so nauseous, the smoking makes me feel worse. Then I start again. What an idiot!

Let me know how you get on

Charlie

[Laurie28]

Charie,

i'm sorry my last post sounded so harsh but I am only speaking from personal experience

Love
lucky

[mico]

Read Allen Cars' book on how to stop smoking as mentioned by DawnUK, It's good. Gives you a good understanding of the addiction you have and how it works. It's all very logical and explains a lot of things that will help you to 'want' to stop smoking.

good luck

mico

[Samantha]

I dont no whether this works because i dont smoke, but i read somewhere that having some sort of band round your wrist can help. Everytime you feel the need to smoke you 'ping' it hard, eventually your brain begins to associate smoking with the pain that you feel when doing this, it may take some time, good luck for the future
Sam

[benoo5]

hi charlie,

ive got a strange feeling about this,after reading uour second post!

you say,that you dont crave a ciggy...that sounds as if the nicotine,hasent got a hold of you!

are you sure,your not using cigarettes,as an accessorie,etc....i wouldnt be surprised,if you just puffed it in,and blow it out,without swallowing the smoke...just a feeling,i have.

you lite up,in your car!..is that to calm you down..or do you think,it makes you attractive?

you say,you think nothing of going 16hrs,without lighting up...charlie,i dont think you have a problem...change over to ORBIT SUGER FREE gum...throw away those death sticks...your mouth will feel fresher,your teeth will be whiter,and start to enjoy the taste of good derbyshire vegetables.

here ends the sermon,well your a mate!...bryan.