Ex-smokers?

[cerebraldebris]

Any ex-smokers here who wouldn't mind sharing your experiences with quitting in the 1st year?
I quit 45 days ago after smoking for 23 years. Before this I'd never made it through the 3rd day.
The 2 most worrisome things to me are that my temper is really stupid bad and my motivation for things that I normally really get into- like posting here on FC or to my site seems to be almost non-existent.

I'm just curious if anyone here has quit and experienced anything similar... actually, any of your experiences and suggestions are appreciated.

[DesertFox]

I quit smoking a year ago January when I couldn't catch my breath. Went to the emergency room, got the maximum three treatments and haven't lit up since.

It hasn't bothered me. I enjoyed smoking for the 42 years I engaged in it, and if I could smoke and breathe I'd still be puffing. But I never was addicted and that may be why I've had zero difficulty, even though I chain smoked and went thru 2-3 and sometimes four packs a day. I like the smell of second hand smoke and never feel the need to light up myself.

My only prollem with quitting has been weight gain. But I'm nearly 60 years old and nowhere near as active as I used to be, so I suppose weight gain was inevitable even if I still burned 'em.

I think the thing is to just not think about smoking. If I sit here and think about it, I get to wanting a smoke. So I think about other things. I've also taken to walking one nonstop hour per day. I think that if I'd done all this sooner, by now I'd have had different habits altogether and might not have gained so much weight.

But the thing is to think about other things.

[BabyBeastie]

I did, for a year. In 1986.

New Year's day, 1987, I quit. Never did light up again. I just didn't get that much out of it and I only smoked when I drank. I gained a little weight after I quit, but I replaced the smoking with more exercise and less drinking because I "ballooned" up to 180 (from 165) in a period of about three months after I stopped. My uniforms were getting a bit tight. LOL

You have to replace the cigs with something. It's like any other addiction. If you don't do something to replace it, you can relapse. True, some of us eat. That's okay if you eat the right things.

[buzzthepug!]

Congratulations, Cere! That's awesome. I've never smoked but I've treated lots of smokers with acupuncture to reduce cravings and minimize the withdrawals, including irritability. Your body is detoxing so you may feel sluggish. You probably already went through the coughing up gray-green sludge from your lungs.

Get some fresh air into your lungs. Go on an easy hike, get a massage, if you aren't bothered by needles try acupuncture (please make sure you go to someone licensed).

Good luck on your journey of heath!

[cerebraldebris]

Thanks for the feedback. I'm just hoping my temperament levels off and my motivation picks back up again. Tired of being in a funk...

[Suzie]

I have heard drinking lots of water with a straw helps. You get the feeling of taking a drawl and it fills you up some to keep you from over eating. Plus it helps your body flush out the toxins.

[Timberwolf]

Ya stole my thunder, Sooz. Good advice...:thumb:

After smoking off & on (most on) for 24 year, I quit in May of 2000...started up again in August of 2004 for about a year and a half and stopped again this past February.

I didn't have any real health problems and REALLY liked the taste of tobacco. I made my own from bulk tobacco...FAR fewer chemicals that way. Had a device that would "stuff" a "tube" that had a filter on it. I figure the reduction in the chemical intake was the reason I suffered next to no withdrawal.

Didn't gain too terrible much weight (about 10 lbs) and even though occassionally I think one might taste good, I don't have constant cravings (which is a BLESSING).

Anyhoo...congrats!! You'll like and appreciate your decision in the years to come.

[Suzie]

Great minds think alike Timber. :biggrin:

[cerebraldebris]

You'll like and appreciate your decision in the years to come.
Seeing my kids grow up was one reason for the decision. Getting my temper under control has been my main concern though.
Good thing I work alone... being in the same room with a liberal right now is probably not a good idea.


...on the other hand, that might be just the ticket :bigteeth: