Do you happen to know the name of the app by any chance? I didn't even think of checking i-phone apps - that's next!

YOU ARE A MIRACLE! I just tried this and it is honestly amazing - and because of the cotton it feels like you are inhaling a cigarette - THANK you so much, more than you know, thank you.

Thank you again everyone.

We all have different motivators to quit. I am a logical, practical thinker- Take a look at this website- you might have seen the commercials. It's pretty impactful on the damages of smoking. Actually, looking at it to pull the address for you reminded me once again why I stopped.

UGH- Cant post links... let's see- either google tobacco reality unfiltered or go to reality unfiltered . com

The "needing something in the mouth" thing is part of candy addiction, too. I'm not sure if it'd help in your case, but have you thought of having herbal/flavored unsweetened tea around you? I get a cup every time I have a sugar craving so I can keep my mouth (with the cup) and my brain (with the flavors) busy.

Note that I have never smoked, I just thought the mouth thing sounded like a familiar habit.

You just made my day. I feel so glad that I was able to help. Hang in there. It's worth all the discomfort you may be feeling in the beginning.

That is so great that gardendiva could pass along such a helpful tip! How are you doing?? I am a reformed smoker from a long time ago, I quit when I was early 20's and am SO very glad I did. I was newly pregnant so that was my motivation. Our state offers free help; patches, gum... Is that a resource available for you?

best wishes on your success!!

Hey - DAY FOUR!!! I'm actually doing pretty ok, no cheating or anything - I've been doing really intense workouts which help to remind me why I'm quitting - I tell myself I can go longer & be stronger when I quit. The weirdest thing is forgetting - it happens a few times a day where I'll be about to walk outside and wonder where my pack is - then remember/remind myself that I quit! Haha. Also, I'm wearing the patch 24 hours which has caused some weird dreams/sleeplessness so I think I'm going to start taking it off before bed despite a spike in the cravings in the a.m.

Thanks so much for checking in - the support on this site always makes me really happy and not so alone - this is SO hard. I'm not even close to attempting to drink or go for a long car trip yet- I'm almost afraid of those situations but altogether I really really am happy with myself and I KNOW I really really want to quit for good so I'm hoping that [and the patch] will see me through! One big reason to quit is that I too would like to get pregnant within the next year so I definitely don't want to still be focusing on this when that time comes! Can't wait until I'm a week in...then two...etc.

I quit when I found out I was pregnant with my first and did it cold turkey because I didn't trust patches, medications, etc. I had dreams for the longest time about smoking. I would dream I was with DH and smoked a bunch then I'd wake up intensely guilty until I realized it wasn't real! :lol:

I'm super out of shape and fat and I can't imagine being this way while still smoking. I feel so much better without smoking as I can vividly remember the bouts of coughing and bronchitis at the ripe old age of 21! Now I can smell people in the cars around me smoking even if my windows are up and think "God, that stinks!" My husband finally quit because he'd go out and smoke then come to bed. Even after brushing his teeth, mouthwash, the works, he still STUNK! I wouldn't give him a kiss because it was so revolting. He finally got tired of that. ;)

It is hard but SO worth it for your health and financially. Congrats on making the choice to quit.

Every time you want to smoke, expose yourself to sound recordings or videos or pictures of people with lung disease. You cannot listen to the sounds of death and still smoke with a clean conscience.

That being said, I need to quit too...

Good for you lm3898! I'm glad you posted an update. It's really great to read that you're doing so well. Congratulations on DAY FOUR!

Yay for you! I was wondering how you were hanging on! I was on the patch for a while at first too and I remember the weird dreams. Each day will get easier and easier as you keep going. Hang in there!

I cut down over a month ago I havent had one rolled cig, which is what I got a hit off and had a connection to a bought a 20 pack of regular cigs and smoked about one a day and then I went without for a week but then bought a pack of menthol and have one or two every couple of days, last night I have one two nights before I had two so I am saving them until I feel like im about to buy tabacco which is what I get that buzz off.

Saying that apparently every time i smoke again i am reactivating the addiction so I need to stop but manage this new level of every couple of days and then make it 3 days then 4 and once I can get past 7 days and to the second week I'm clear because ive tried twice before and I really know on that 7th day i get spooked.

I never want to go back to the start where im trying not to buy tabacco so thats enough motivation for me.

Update
 

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAND I made it a week!!! I have been DYING to post this time!! One week strong NO smoking from 1/2 pack day habit!! Yes!!!!!

OMG, I feel so proud!! I was worried about the weekend and decided not to drink b/c I really didn't need any triggers so I went running Fri night - made it 3.5 miles which is .4 more than any run I was able to complete while I smoked and then I made it to kickboxing Sat and Sun - I feel like I can breathe again! To stay motivated, I signed up for this thing called runanuck in June - it's a 5k with a bunch of obstacles you have to complete in the mud so I'm really hoping that keeps me on track.

Eating hasn't been too bad - I was worried I'd be shoving everything in my mouth and that really isn't the case - I mostly just use gum/breath mints. I made this "healthy" cookie recipe [choc chips, corn flakes & coconut w/ light butter & sugar] so I've nibbled on a few of those but I'm not going to worry as long as I don't see some crazy spike in hunger/chocolate instead of smoking.

THANK YOU again for everyone's tips, I have tried each & every one of them~!

I know it's only a week but I know if I stay strong these weeks are going to turn into months...can't wait!

LC

Congratulations! Keep it up and dont give in. I envy your discipline.
I've been smoking since I was 16. I'm 25 now, and approaching that 10 year mark myself. Its very depressing to think that I spent 10 years destroying my body. My mother in law use to be a smoker. She now has COPD, is.on oxygen 24/7, has to do breathing treatments every three hours, and she is on the waiting list for a lung transplant. I started my diet almost a year ago. And ive lost a good amount of weight in that time. I feel better about myself, but, I hate that I cant kick the smoking habit. Its obvious that my smoking hinders my exercise. I can hardly finish a work out without feeling like i'm dying. I went to visit my mother in law yesterday, I help her with things around the house that she can no longer do for herself, like run the vacuum, sweep, mop, do the laundry. After I had some of it done, I told her I was going to go downstairs to smoke. She never complains about my smoking, and she didnt this time either, instead she looked at me and smiled. She said you look so good Ash, youve lost weight and you just look happy. You know that they are coming tomorrow to fit me for a wheelchair right? I was devistated to find out that her breathing was now confining her wo a wheelchair. She has gained so much weight over the years, because of her inability to move and now she will be moving even less. I really think thats what she was hinting at when she mafe her comment. I went down stairs, but I didnt smoke. I just sat there in the fresh air and thought how my life would change if I were in her shoes. And I decided that I want to quit. But I dont know where to start.
Do I toss all of them that I have and go cold turkey? Because ive tried that in the past. I quit cold turkey when I found out I was pregnant, both times. And both times I lit right up after that 9 months was over.
My husband suggested that I start limiting/ reducing the amount I smoke each days, like 4/day for three days, then 3/day for three days... And so on.
I really want to quit. What would be the best way to approach it?

I have to say, I've heard "limiting the amount" just doesn't work - you have all this junk in your system so it's constantly going to be pointing to you to smoke. I think that would be harder. I also think cold turkey is just HARD haha - I couldn't do it that way.

I can't advise, esp. b/c it's only a week, but I personally am using the patch and I love it. It' s a steady stream of nicotine released throughout the day - I don't feel like a spike in cravings or anything while I'm wearing it.

The patches are 24 hours but I don't wear them while I work out or to bed so I've been wearing them about 12 hours a day and I really really like it. It's keeping me on track. So if you haven't before, perhaps you can try that. Let me know what you decide!!

I used to hate reformed smokers who got in my bus, so I'm def. not trying to be that, but I have to say, even one week in I notice so many health benefits - I get to sleep easier, I work out harder, my eating is actually better [b/c I want to be really healthy while I quit]...I just keep focusing on the positives and it's helping a lot. Good luck!