Ex-Smokers... Check In Here!! Time To Brag On Yourselves!!

[arwalden]

I smoked for about 25 years...then I quit over THREE YEARS ago!

I managed to quit by using using the 8-week program of step-down nicotine patches... but after 6 weeks, I didn't even need that anymore.

The two of us quit at the same time and when we quit, we had been smoking about one carton EACH per week. The price when we quit was $45.00 per carton... so our cumulative savings of not spending $90.00 per week is about $14,400.00 (no lie!)

Sometimes I miss it (but that's only when I'm drinking at a bar or party)... but then I think about the money saved... and the fact that I don't smell bad anymore (unless I want to).

[plcdude]

1. cold turkey

well over ten years now but gained alot of weight eating all that cold turkey. I avoided smoked cold turkey as well.

[Misunderestimator]

2. I quit a month ago...

using Wellbutrin (and cold turkey)... nothing else. But this book helped a LOT:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1402718616/qid=1121460055/sr=8-1/ref=pd_bbs_1/103-2990681-6147838?v=glance&s=books&n=507846

:hi:

[arwalden]

6. The Right Mindset Helps A LOT...

... and keeping in mind one's goals and REASONS for wanting to quit (along with the encouragement from family and friends) can be a real strong motivator.

[JimmyJazz]

3. Me - I haven't smoked in five years.

I don't even think about it anymore and I NEVER want one.

[redqueen]

4. I quit twice

Once 14 years ago, then again 9 years ago.

The first time, I got sick. When I got well again, I didn't really want to smoke anymore.

The second time, I calculated what I was spending on those things and decided it was just stupid.

[meegbear]

5. Quit Jan 1, 1992

Actually got hypnotized in June '91 and quit for a while, but picked it back up. New Years Eve got loaded and smoked away.

Next day, I was hung over and had a pack with 19 left. I chain smoked all 19, one after another and replayed the relaxation tape I got when I was hypnotized. Haven't had one since.

OK, granted I am a cigar smoker, but that's 1 a week on average.

[Maven]

7. 1 1/2 years for me.

Stopped cold turkey after several "relapses." I know I won't start again because cigarette smoke (and the concept of smoking) actually disgusts me like it used to before I started.

Now if I ever kiss a guy who smokes I can taste that "acidic" taste--blech.

[benito]

8. Started at 15

quit at 30. Wellbutrin and patches. Gained and still have weight from it. Never woke up coughing or hacking. lucky, I guess.
I put down the 151 around the same time. Definately saved money, but it *always* goes to something else.

[tuvor]

9. Clean for 3 years, 6 months, 2 days, 10 hours, 35 mins, 59 seconds

According to an application I have on my Palm. (Freeware called "PuffFree")

After a dozen years of smoking, that's 25,588 cigarettes, and $7,363.19 saved at 2002 prices.

I just used Nicorette when I had the urge. Thank God, these days there's a method for nearly everyone.

[gypsy11]

10. 7 years ago

for me. Cold Turkey. I'm so glad I did! I couldn't get over how well I could smell when I quit. Cigarettes really kill your ability to smell.

[Straight Shooter]

11. I quit years and years ago and I don't even know how long it's been.

I just decided, well, that's it, they cost too much and make me smell bad :)

I'm just lucky that it wasn't so horrid for me to quit, but for a few years I would find myself tempted to smoke again, especially during frustrating life experiences. I know how hard it is for some people to quit. It really is addicting and there must just be some component of people's physiology that makes it easier or not.

What's odd is that now that I don't smoke, it's really hard to be around smokers because the smell of smoke is really bothersome, that smell which lingers on their clothes. But I never say anything to anyone because it wouldn't be fair to them. They probably would like to quit but the coffin nails have got 'em hooked.

[Gildor Inglorion]

12. I quit in 1993; hardest thing I've ever done!

But I feel incomparably better, even though I've gained a few pounds. Also, I don't have to plan my whole life around, "Can I smoke there? Where can I smoke? When can I smoke?" But I'll confess I still like the smell...

:hippie:

[Loki]

13. Clean for 2 1/2 years!!

No patch, just sucked on little cigars for about two months until they started tasting so nasty I couldn't take it any more.

I'm so glad I finally quit. I'm proud of everyone here who has made this journey. It is a tough one.

Lee

[ewagner]

14. December 12, 2004

Last smoked my pipe at around 2:30PM....

3:35PM...called 911. Heart attack in full progress

6:50PM...entered surgery for triple bypass.

I still find myself reaching for my pipe. When I leave the house I still check my backpocket for my tabacco pouch and quickly realize that it's not there and it's never going to be there again.

I smoked pipes for over 35 years....it's not just the nicotine that's hard to get over, it's the tactile habit of holding the pipe in my hands. I think it will take years to extinguish the habits.

[skygazer]

15. I smoked for close to twenty years

I quit cold turkey which was more painless than I thought it would be. The key, I think, was that I had really made up my mind that I wanted to quit and so I did.

I had one incident of backsliding (I took a bus from Watsonville, California to Brattleboro, Vermont - round about Cincinnatti, I grabbed some poor slob by the lapels and demanded "GIVE ME A CIGARETTE!") but quit again for good within six months (I wasn't smoking much anyway).

At my worst, I was smoking over 2 packs a day - I averaged at least one, though.

I've been smoke free for 5 years and I really never miss it.

[caty]

16. I quit 6 weeks ago.

But, I don't want to take any credit for the first 5 days. I was in the hospital with an IV that was probably flushing the nicotine out of my system and I was on very strong pain killers. I had such a hard time breathing the first 3 days after surgery that it just killed my desire to smoke.

[Tikki]

17. I am a grandmother....parenting a two year old....

No Way will I let him grow up seeing me smoke...so, 7 months ago I quit smoking 'Cold Turkey"...YAY all is fine, in fact,all is better.
100% smoke-free home.


The Tikkis
P.S. Baby's daddy (our adult son) also quit at the same time..and is doing fine.

[catmandu57]

18. I started in 69, quit in 93

You have to want to, thats the most important thing. I stepped down over the course of a month, gradualy. I bought my last carton, on the first pack I allowed myself one per hour, then on the second one hour fifteen, third one hour thirty..... I just kept increasing the time between cigarettes.
When I got down to the last pack I gave it away. It took quite a bit of meditation and dum dum suckers as well.

[TheDebbieDee]

19. Using self-hypnosis, I quit smoking on May 17, 2003........

Never start telling yourself that you can't do it!