[snapless]

I've taken it. I've been on my exercise plan and and WoE now since May 14th, 2008. I've been keeping my journal honest. I've lost 21 lbs. and will continue to keep losing/getting fit.

My problem: I can't jog for more than 2 minutes before my heart rate shoots over 160 (I'll be 40 this year, my heart rate should be around 145 for a cardiovascular workout). I feel like I can't get enough oxygen. Weights? No problem. Walk uphill or Stair-stepper? No problem. I mean, I feel the muscle burn from those other exercises but I don't feel like I can't breathe. So I took the big step this morning.

I quit smoking today. I smoked my last cigarette last night. I tried nicorette gum today and it almost made me vomit. I feel grumpy. I started to step outside earlier out of habit (I always smoked outside) and caught myself with the door open.

Has anyone tried the patch? I've been a mild (1-5 cigarettes a day) smoker...never really thought about it much...but now that I've quit I can't seem to think about anything else. I'm wondering if the patch would help without the vile taste the gum has (and without giving me more nicotene than I'm used to). Anyone have any advice or information?

[happy2bme]

First of all, congratulations - quitting is a good thing that you do for yourself and for some, one of the toughest things you'll ever do.

The first time I quit I used the patch. The only thing it helped me with was that I heard you can bring on a stroke from smoking with the patch on (too much nicotine in your system). So I was scared to smoke with it on and when the urge would get strong, I'd whip the patch off, wait a while for the nicotine to disapate and by then the craving would be over with.

I realized that I was not addicted to nicotine, but I was a habit smoker - and no pill, patch or device is going to help you with that. You simply need to find the inner deterimation to fight the habits and the cravings and know that a craving will go away in 3 minutes and over time they will get less frequent (though right now it seems to be all you can focus on).

I would suggest you trade one habit for another. If you went outside to smoke, then take a 5 minute walk, or get up and stretch for 5 minutes. I found I'd have a cigarette when I wanted to step away and take a break. I'd go outside (away from the smokers of course - no temptations needed), stretch and take in some deep breaths of fresh air. Or "wash away" the craving with a big glass of water.

They say deep breathing during a crave helps too. I used to cut drinking straws in half and for a while I'd hold on in my hand or "take a drag" on it. Helped me through many a craving.

Although you didn't smoke much, you will still probably notice a difference in your lung function in a few weeks as your lungs get healthy again.

Above all - it's a habit. Not something you need to survive but something you can replace with something else. Best of luck to you!

[ddc]

I just wanted to wish you good luck and congratulations on quitting.
My dad died 4 yrs ago from emphysema, so I'm glad when I hear of someone quitting.
He had a long slow death and years of being on oxygen. It's not a pleasant way to die.
I smoked in college (for 5 yrs) and quit cold turkey.

I wish you the best

[snapless]

Well unfortunately I didn't make it through the night. I smoked 2 cigarettes last night and believe I'm just going to quit this time the way I always quit before (I have 4 children, I quit for every one of them - and stayed quit until they were weaned from the breastmilk). Too stressful to deal with the negative feelings of cold turkey while I'm trying to keep my spirits up on the weight loss/muscle gain.

Short wean, should be down to 0 within 1 week, and I will definitely take your advice happy2beme and try to replace it with a better habit like some stretches or something. I've got a week to figure it out.

[RissaIsAFatty]

Hello. I would highly suggest the new stop-smoking pill that they have. I think I'm actually going to do it, too. I really, really, really need to quit! I've tried it once before and did really good until we started letting people smoke in the house again. I think it's called Chantix. Ask your doctor!

[DayByDay]

Hi there. I quit for good 2 years ago, but had many, MANY attempts at quitting before that time. I tried quitting with and without the patch. My final quit was without the patch, but I had just found out two ladies I knew were dying of lung cancer. That was all it took. If I were to offer advice to other quitters though, it would be to try whatever you can to make it easier for yourself. The patch does take the edge off - mentally and physically.

I feel SO much better since quitting. Yes, I had weight gain that I'm still struggling with. But I wouldn't smoke a cigarette if someone paid me. Living smoke free is wonderful!

Good luck to you!

[oreokitty]

As most people have, I tried to quit smoking many times.

The last time I quit smoking successfully (Jan 2001), I was taking Wellbutrin for depression (which is the same medication as Zyban). I chewed the gum instead of the patch. The taste wasn't great but I liked it better than using the patch (which I had used in the past). I also "lucked" out because I was still out of work for a knee injury, so I had a week and a half of no co-workers, etc. I took at least 3 really deep breaths every craving I had.

That last time (so far ), it wasn't too hard. I know I can't smoke even one cigarrette or one puff. I tell people that I like to smoke. If I didn't cough and gag like a little old lady who's smoked all her life & get so sick, I'd smoke. Oh...and then there is the cost nowadays.

Good luck,
Amy

[onesullengurl]

I am really glad I found this thread ( even tho I'm a bit late ) .. lots of good tips guys!

I can relate to this a lot because I am the same way I smoke around 5 or so a day outside on my back deck .. usually when I get done cleaning or something or my kids are driving me nuts or my hubby comes home from work and goes out to smoke one ( its like a date LOL ) and I want to take a break its always my "break" lol.... I quit both times I was pregnant and stayed quit until they were done nursing ...I always think why do I do this to myself why didn't I just stay quit when I was quit??... but its hard when you S.o. smokes also

I am too gonna quit smoking soon ... I am debating on when to start because I just started dieting like 2 weeks ago and I know its going to screw with it I'm thinking I might just wait until I'm a little more stable with my new eating habits THEN quit smoking ... It would be setting myself up for failure on BOTH ends

good luck!

I'm right there behind ya and I will be looking here in the near future for these awesome tips