I'm Quitting !

[Kerryd 9,326]

Today is day 1 of the program. The first day with the Quomem (Zyban), and the 1st day recording the times I light up.

Under the Zyban program, you take a pill a day for 3 days, then 2 pills a day until when ever. They recommend quitting cold turkey 8-10 days after starting the pills.

Already I have seen an improvement in my habit. The simple act of writing down the time each time I light up, and trying to go a little longer between cigarettes, has cut down on the amount I have smoked today !

I started out at 09:00 today (had a late night last night ). It was 18 minutes between my 1st and 2nd cigarettes. 20 minutes until my 3rd, 26 until my 4th and so on. The day isn't done yet and I'm at 38 minutes between smokes. At the end of the day, I'll tally up the total number I smoked today. Tomorrow I'll start again (going how ever many minutes between smokes that I was up to from the day before).

I used this method to wean myself off cigarettes once before. Got down to the point of only having 4 per day, then quit altogether when my last pack of ciggies was empty.

It's not going to be easy, considering I have nothing to occupy my time and take my mind off smoking. Guess I'll have to do some more posting here !

This time I'm also using the Zyban, but I don't think I'll go for the patch or the gum. No point in adding nicotine to my system through a different delivery method.

I also have a very cute incentive to quit this time It's amazing the things a guy will do to impress a girl !

[OneeyedJohn 1,577]

I seriously wish u well. I've smoked all my life and I would just luv to kick it .I don't want to be on my deathbed gasping for a fag.

However the dodgy part for u and evryone else will surely be when u have a drink or two. U won't be keeping a diary when ur in the boozer will u???

Good Luck

[Tywais 12,116]

Maybe you should start up a "The Last Puff" thread in Bedlam. Seriously, good luck. The symptoms from those meds can be frustrating in themselves.

[Kerryd 9,326]

Maybe you should start up a "The Last Puff" thread in Bedlam. Seriously, good luck. The symptoms from those meds can be frustrating in themselves.

I've heard stories about the possible side effects, but like I mentioned, never had any problems last time (though I probably wasn't drinking as much that time).

I will keep my notepad with me when I go out at night, partly as an aid and reminder (every little bit helps, I hope !).

If I can keep my arms wrapped around my "incentive" and keep my hands otherwise occupied, it may make it a little easier to bear as well

[Insight 291]

Good luck Kerryd.

Made it past the 2 month mark this weekend myself. The addiction has completely gone - only times I get tempted is when out with mates at the bar, but that's more for nostalgia than anything.

[malcolminthemiddle 41]

Next time you're in the pub as a non smoker try this.

When you see some one smoking watch carefully how big a drag they take on their cigarette and how much smoke they exhale, you will be surprised to see how much smoke remains inside their body.

Instead of thinking how much you would luv a puff, you will now be thinking how glad you are that you no longer smoke.

[Insight 291]

Next time you're in the pub as a non smoker try this.

When you see some one smoking watch carefully how big a drag they take on their cigarette and how much smoke they exhale, you will be surprised to see how much smoke remains inside their body.

Instead of thinking how much you would luv a puff, you will now be thinking how glad you are that you no longer smoke.

Cheers MITM, will give it a shot next time.

[chuchok 5]

Don't let it beat you mate.You are in control.

[Kan Win 2,038]

Kerryd

And me tinking this Fred was about ……………………………

Should it work for you, you WILL have the LAST WORD to all of those “Fags” (ciggies) after all.

Warning : -

Do not try this method of “Kerryd” on that dreaded “Last Word” Fred, it will not work.

Yours truly,

Kan Win

P.S. Good Luck BTW

[Old Croc 9,542]

Good luck and strength to anyone who wants to give up the fags.

Your life can only improve in all aspects without the poison.

[Guest endure]

Isn't keeping a diary going to continually remind you that you're trying to give up? What you should be trying to do is to convince yourself that you don't WANT to smoke, not that you're 'quitting' which implies that you're depriving yourself. A good book to read is The Easy Way to Stop Smoking by Allen Carr. It presents you with the right mindset to stop succesfully:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0...2819901-0631134

[Wolfie 28]

Fair play to you Kerry.

Im gunna have to try again soon, these bloody things are killing me!

[Kerryd 9,326]

Well, it's Day 5 on the Zyban (2nd day on the 2 pill/day schedule). According to the paperwork, I should be able to quit cold-turkey in 3-5 more days

I've still been logging the time each time I light up. I think that has been more effective in cutting down on the amount I smoke than the Zyban. I get the cravings and look at how much longer I have to wait until I can light up again. Then try and take my mind off it for a few minutes at least. Then, when I hit the mark, I try to delay actually lighting up for a minute or two longer.

The Zyban doesn't seem to be doing much to reduce the cravings at this point

When I first started (5 days ago), I was having a cigarette every 20-30 minutes. I'm up to 90+ minutes (Day 1 I smoked 20 in 10 hours. Today over the same period I only had 9).

It's tough when you've got nothing but time on your hands, and little to occupy yourself with. My biggest challenge will be the mental factor, keeping up my strength of will and avoiding temptation.

Gonna try to go 2 hours + between smokes tomorrow, 3+ on Monday and 4+ on Tuesday. That should have me down to 4 a day anyways. If it goes well, then try for 0 on Wednesday.

(note to self: Do NOT go out drinking from Wednesday onwards !)

[malcolminthemiddle 41]

Many smokers want to quit but the thought of life without their ciggies is just too daunting.

But when the quit is viewed from a change of lifestyle point of view, the prospects are less fearful.

A change of life style that will provide your body with more oxygen, give back your ability to smell and taste while taking away the smokers smell that surrounds you, save your clothes and furniture from burns, mollify the harm being done to your teeth, gums, arteries and blood pressure.

A change in a habit that daily feeds you 4,000+ chemical compounds that include arsenic, ammonia, acetone, formaldehyde, butane, massive doses of carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide, methane, stearic acid, vinyl chloride, mercury, and lead, together with 43 known cancer causing agents (one of which is created when nicotine breaks down -NNK), before finally killing you with cancer, a stroke, a heart attack or emphysema.

[Kerryd 9,326]

Well, today I decided to go for it. With the Zyban program, I'm supposed to quit cold-turkey tomorrow, or within the next 3 days at the most.

But I smoked the last of my cigarettes last night, so why not start now ? I started to clean the ashtray, intending to store it, but then I thought, why ? Deep down am I expecting to fail, and holding on to the ashtray knowing I'll need it again ?

Threw out the ashtray with the mornings garbage !

I actually had a hard time getting to sleep last night, as I was having cravings already. This morning ? Well, so far so good. Got a pack of gum and a couple of thingies of those Mentos chewy mints.

Got a notepad next to the keyboard, right where I used to keep my cigarettes. The reasons I want to quit are listed on it. A constant reminder of the various reasons I thought of, while still smoking.

Now it's going to be a test of will-power. ######, has it only been 9 hours ? Every hour is a victory at this point.