Wish me luck, I gave up smoking to celebrate the Inauguration!

[JeffreyWilliamson]

And I don't mean smoking as in "smoking hot". Not ready to give that up yet.

[teotwawki]

1. good luck!

I'm going to try again too.

[JeffreyWilliamson]

5. I've been on and off for years, starting back in 1999.

Every year or so in the Spring I decided to give it a shot again. Too much coughing. Also money down the toilet.

I am trying a new plan this time, a hybrid of the other times.

In the past I've tried the patch, but it's difficult to get started on it. I've used the gum and mints, but much prefer the mints as they seem to be cheaper these days and last longer. The gum always ran out of juice quickly, leaving me looking for more and the mints take a long time to disolve, which helps perception wise.

The best run I've had was two years ago. I used the gum, but the bills got tight so I had to go cold turkey. I had a few patches left over from the year before, so I used them for a few days to help ease the transition. After those patches ran out, and after a very difficult weekend, I made it to the other side. That time it almost stuck--9 months.

Semi-Cold Turkey ended up being the best for me. This time I picked up a box of mints and patches. When the mints run out in about two weeks, I'll hit the patch for seven days and then climb out on the other side.

[Ecumenist]

2. I'll do more than just wish you luck.....

I'll cross everything I can safely cross without injuring myself!! BTW, welcome to DU...Right Glad tameetcha!!!:hi: :dem:

[Naturyl]

3. Sweet, best of luck.

You can do it. Smoking is a hell of an addiction, but you are stronger than tobacco.

A new dawn for America and a new dawn for you. What could be better? I support you 100%.

[quiet.american]

4. Good luck -- "yes you can!" nt :)

[JeffreyWilliamson]

6. I decided to make Obama's attempt at quitting my motivation.

I figured he was a pretty good role model.

[quiet.american]

7. :) nt

[underseasurveyor]

8. I gave up tobacco just over a year ago

and I don't miss it a bit. Ah to be free :-) feels so good:thumbsup:

You can do it... yes you can :fistbump:

[John Q. Citizen]

9. Go for it! I quit tobacco last May.

[JeffreyWilliamson]

10. A few tips for anyone quitting soon from my experiences over the years...

When you get the urge, Google up everything you can find about the damage your body takes when you smoke. In my case, I found a lot of inspiration in scientific data that explained the cycle of withdrawl symptoms and when you can expect peak intensity, (around day 3 if you go cold turkey). It helped give me confidence to wait it out.

Drink LOTS of water, and take lots of vitamins. Be patient with your body, removing the chemicals will throw it off balance. One time I used a roommate's weight set when I got the urge. Another time I did push-ups. I would keep going until it burned. You will lose a lot of sleep so get ready. In a few days you will adjust.

Finally, the one thing that always got me in the end. Before you do anything, make a list of triggers. Do you smoke when having coffee at the computer first thing in the morning? How about when listening to the radio in your car? What about when you go out with friends? List everything you can think of where you enjoy smoking during your regular routine. Then, avoid those situations like the plague. You won't have to do it forever.

Everytime I've quit, it's lasted several months, and I've felt fine. Urges stop after a while. But, every time I let friends eventually talk me into going out for that one beer, and as soon as they lit up I did. That won't happen this time--no more going out for me.

[Jim Lane]

11. Congrats and good luck!

I remember how proud my father was when he quit. He had thirty good years after that, living into his 80s.

[JeffreyWilliamson]

12. I hope to get serious extension of lifespan out of quitting...

Heart disease runs in my family. With the exception of my grandfather, every male in my family has died of heart problems between age 39 (my dad), and age 60. I gave up meat a few years ago, and a vegetarian diet definitely lowers the risk, but I'm removing that benefit every time I light up. And at the rate I light up, I'm blowing $11.00 on two packs a day.

[Urban Prairie]

13. I let my hair grow looong as a symbol of rebellion

During every GOP presidency since Nixon, and had it cut shorter when a Dem was POTUS, at 52, I am lucky to have great hair genes (no balding or gray) I will have it cut shorter again soon after Obama is sworn in. Hopefully I won't need to grow it long again for awhile, maybe never again, the next time might be a bit harder to do.

What really surprised me was seeing a picture about 6 years ago of LBJ with longer than shoulder-length hair after his presidency ended, it must have been taken in the early 70s.

[Berry Cool]

14. Don't ever give being "smoking hot" up!

Congratulations, and remember...all you have to do is quit for a day...and then another day, and another day, and another, just for that day...and before long your body will repair all the damage and you'll wonder why you ever smoked.

Take care! :applause:

[Le Taz Hot]

15. Congratulations on your decision.

And as one who quit 5 years ago after 35 years of smoking, feel free to use whatever aids you think you may need. The patch did it for me. Well, that and a straw cut to the length of a cigarette that allowed me to continue to "smoke" for awhile.

[ConcernedCanuk]

16. I just quit recently, after 40 years on Dec 7th - but no meds or patches

.
.
.

I was never a heavy smoker - never over a pack a day, and normally 1/2 pack a day.

When I decided to quit, last October - it was mostly a financial decision - but NOW - no stinky clothes/hair/vehicle and taste buds blossoming - I smell EVERYTHING! I know which neighbor across the road is outside cuz I can smell their perfume 200 feet away . . .

ANYHOO

my method was to restrict my self - at first - I only allowed myself a smoke every hour - then 2 hours - and so on

yeah - I backed up a couple of times but only allowed myself to back up ONE stage - then moved forward.

I found a pack of smokes shortly before Xmas - dammed if was gonna give them away - so I smoked them - lasted me a week

But I haven't spent a nickel on nicotine since September

at over 100 bucks a month - - -

YEAH

it's noticeable

[ThomWV]

17. OUTSTANDING!

Now we have one verifiable thing that is good which will come from today. Congratulations. Hold on tight for the first four or five days, it gets a lot easier after that.

[Shiver]

18. Dammit, now I need a cigarette

Be back in five.

[Phillycat]

19. Best to you! I quit March of last year.

Do yourself a favor and pick up the book The Easy Way To Stop Smoking by Allen Carr. It changed my life, and I don't believe in shit that "changes your life". Heh. Seriously, it really helped me. Check out the reviews on Amazon.

[madokie]

20. August 14, 1977

a few minutes before 8 am was my last cigarette.