Parenting-Furkids

This And That - Often Non Pet Related Topics => General Discussion => Topic started by: Lola on November 03, 2017, 02:11:47 PM

Title: Smoking - Quit Date
Post by: Lola on November 03, 2017, 02:11:47 PM
Yeah, I am one of them.  Some might be surprised, disappointed, not like me anymore, etc.  I get it. 

Anyway, (health reasons and such aside) smoking consumes waaaaaaay to much of my mental time.  I've tried to quit once.  I wasn't successful by choice.  I say "choice"... because I just came up with one excuse after another. 

I'm publicly shaming myself in order to add an additional factor, in order to help me stay quit.

My quit date is November 12.  No special reason, other then I will start Chantix on Nov. 5... smoke for a week... get through physical withdrawals.... then DONE. 

Yes, I know the risks that come with Chantix.  BTDT 

I am also currently reading Alan Carr's book:  Easy Way To Stop Smoking
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0615482155/ref=rdr_ext_tmb

Alan Carr's approach/suggestions are like no other.  His book is what inspired me to get serious...stop jerking around. 
Title: Re: Smoking - Quit Date
Post by: DeeDee on November 03, 2017, 02:30:38 PM
clapping1 clapping1 clapping1 clapping1 GO LOLA! clapping1 clapping1 clapping1 clapping1
Title: Re: Smoking - Quit Date
Post by: Middle Child on November 03, 2017, 03:43:13 PM
 DrLisaPiersonWorthy DrLisaPiersonWorthy DrLisaPiersonWorthy

Ex-smoker since September 16, 1999. I used Zyban and the nicotine patch.  My sister and I quit together.  .  I won't share my experience unless you ask.

My sister and I relied very heavily on each other for support

We're here for you!!!
Title: Re: Smoking - Quit Date
Post by: Pookie on November 03, 2017, 08:06:49 PM
I'm so proud of you!!!!!  Go Lola . . . Go Lola . . . Go Lola . . .

You can do this . . . you can do this . . . you can do this . . .

multistars multistars multistars


My sister quit.  Basically, she just cut down on them gradually until she didn't need them anymore.  I have no idea how hard/easy it was for her, but I did send her flowers when I found out.   FlowersGif

You CAN do this         You CAN do this              You CAN do this                     You CAN do this
Title: Re: Smoking - Quit Date
Post by: Lola on November 04, 2017, 08:41:47 AM
Good job, MC!!!!!!  You can share whatever you want to.

Thank you all for not spitting on me.  :) 
Thanks more for the encouragement.

I work with an awesome lady, who happens to also smoke.  She recently said, "If you are going to quit, I think I will too."  Guess I have a quit buddy! 
Title: Re: Smoking - Quit Date
Post by: Middle Child on November 04, 2017, 10:52:40 AM
Quit buddy most definitely increases your chances for success.  My sister and I e mailed each other a hundred times a day at first (well that may be an exaggeration haha)

I'll share my experiences in small doses.

1) I cried almost non stop for the first month.  I felt like I'd lost my best friend.

2) I had to change all of my routines because everything revolved around when I could have a cigarette.

3) I lost weight for two reasons.  The first was because, when I would stop for gas, and go in and buy cigarettes I would usually buy some other gooey bad for me stuff.  Like those zebra cakes or candy bars.  When I quit smoking I no longer had exposure to that stuff so stopped eating it.  The other reason was because my between-jobs cigarette involved a little ritual of an ice cold can of coke and the cigarette.  Without the cigarette the coke was no good.  It just made me want to smoke.  So I eliminated that routine entirely and started going for a 20 minute walk instead.
Title: Re: Smoking - Allen Carr's EASY WAY TO STOP SMOKING
Post by: Lola on November 06, 2017, 07:32:00 PM
I am working on the frame of mind that.... I am NOT giving up anything good.  Or pleasant.  There is no need to find a replacement, as in hard candy, gum, etc.  That just makes one think that they need to replace something they are going to miss or are missing. 

I'm not worried about gaining weight, as I don't plan to replace smoking with food.  The non-smoking "pangs" are similar to hunger pangs.  I'm sticking to 3 meals and 3 meals only, so I won't be tricked.   Silly7

So many quit smoking, but end up just being non-smoking smokers.  They aren't smoking, but want one all the time.  I want my mind totally FREE of the addiciton.  That is where Allen Carr's book is really helping.  It is changing my brain.   Silly7
Title: Re: Smoking - Quit Date
Post by: Middle Child on November 07, 2017, 04:45:44 AM
bananamiddlechild bananamiddlechild bananamiddlechild
Title: Re: Smoking - Quit Date
Post by: Lola on November 14, 2017, 12:51:31 PM
I'm hanging in there.  Re-reading the book.  Lots of highlighting.  lol  I was hoping to be a litttttle less miserable.   Silly7
Title: Re: Smoking - Quit Date
Post by: Pookie on November 14, 2017, 05:53:49 PM
GoodVibes GoodVibes GoodVibes GoodVibes

you can do it     you can do it     you can do it     you can do it     you can do it     you can do it     you can do it     you can do it     
Title: Re: Smoking - Quit Date
Post by: DeeDee on November 14, 2017, 06:36:25 PM
:-* You've got this! HeadButt
Title: Re: Smoking - Quit Date
Post by: Middle Child on November 15, 2017, 05:35:50 AM
Has your coworker quit with you?  Thanks for checking in with us.  When I quit I was very sensitive about it and didn't like being asked about it, so I always hesitate to ask other people when they quit how it's going.

Does anyone else in your household smoke?
Title: Re: Smoking - Quit Date
Post by: Lola on December 01, 2017, 05:30:32 PM
UPDATE:

I failed.  I SO thought I was mentally ready...
Title: Re: Smoking - Quit Date
Post by: DeeDee on December 01, 2017, 06:45:11 PM
You'll get there sooner or later. This is a really crappy time of year to try quitting. Did the Chantix just not do anything for you?



Other steps that can be taken if you want to try later: 

Never smoke in the house. Having to go outside sometimes makes you think twice. Like Summer.

Try quitting in Summer, then it's not going to be so nice to go out and smoke.
Title: Re: Smoking - Quit Date
Post by: Middle Child on December 01, 2017, 08:32:15 PM
 Hug1 Hug1 Hug1 Hug1

Try try again. When you're ready.  I've read that the more times you try the more likely you are to succeed.

Dee make some good points
Title: Re: Smoking - Quit Date
Post by: Pookie on December 01, 2017, 10:01:53 PM
GoodVibes grouphug GoodVibes grouphug

No advice to offer, though I do like Dee's suggestions.  Well, ok, maybe one suggestion:  maybe just try to cut down by 1 cigarette?   So, if you (for example) smoke 10 cigs/day, see if you can drop to 9/day?  :-\  Like Dee said, you'll get there.   Hug1 Hug1
Title: Re: Smoking - Quit Date
Post by: Lola on December 02, 2017, 09:25:01 AM
The Chantix worked.  I didn't physically want a cig.  It is all in my stupid head. 
BTW there already is noooooooo smoking in the house!   Even my elderly mom has to go outside...rain or shine.  Silly7
Title: Re: Smoking - Quit Date
Post by: Catgirl64 on January 21, 2018, 04:50:04 AM
I have no advice to offer, just a little moral support, as another one of THEM.  I am not saying it's a good thing to do - it isn't.  But the idea that people might like you less because of it is very sad.  I know it happens, but I think it's awful.   

If you are still at it, maybe we can become quit buddies one day.  My main problem, though, as much as I hate to admit it, is that I LIKE smoking.  That makes it a lot harder. 
Title: Re: Smoking - Quit Date
Post by: Middle Child on January 21, 2018, 07:20:26 AM
I have no advice to offer, just a little moral support, as another one of THEM.  I am not saying it's a good thing to do - it isn't.  But the idea that people might like you less because of it is very sad.  I know it happens, but I think it's awful.   

If you are still at it, maybe we can become quit buddies one day. My main problem, though, as much as I hate to admit it, is that I LIKE smoking.  That makes it a lot harder.


I used to say that, too.  But the freedom, at least for me, more than made up for that part of it.  Not at first of course. At first all I did was cry.  But later.

 I hope it comes..for both of you. Doing it together may help.  HeadButt HeadButt
Title: Re: Smoking - Quit Date
Post by: Lola on December 11, 2018, 02:36:07 PM
Starting Chantix again soon. I got a new quit buddy.  She is going to come up with an actual quit date.  She doesn't like New Year's resolutions, so it will likely be shortly after. 
People that "quit" over and over and over... then die a smoker, I will probably be one of them. Thinking positive didn't help, so now I will go for shaming myself...  Silly7
Title: Re: Smoking - Quit Date
Post by: ThreeStep on December 11, 2018, 05:33:11 PM
Starting Chantix again soon. I got a new quit buddy.  She is going to come up with an actual quit date.  She doesn't like New Year's resolutions, so it will likely be shortly after. 
People that "quit" over and over and over... then die a smoker, I will probably be one of them. Thinking positive didn't help, so now I will go for shaming myself...  Silly7

Rome was not built in one day!
A good cat friend of mine quite two years ago last week and that after smoking some 50 years. He figured out how much money has not gone up in smoke.
Title: Re: Smoking - Quit Date
Post by: Pookie on December 11, 2018, 09:37:04 PM
We believe in you.  You CAN do this!  GoodVibes  thumbsup1

EDIT:  BTW, I just remembered from my nutritional course that B vitamins help the body with addictions, so if you don't already take a B complex, you might want to do that (or increase it if you are taking it).

I will try to find the papers the instructor handed out about it to see if there's anything else in there that can help.  It was a few years ago, so it may take a while.
Title: Re: Smoking - Quit Date
Post by: Pookie on December 12, 2018, 11:52:34 AM
I had a couple minutes so I did some quick Googling:

http://www.thesmokingcure.com/blog/which-supplements-help-with-quitting-smoking

https://www.verywellmind.com/can-vitamin-supplements-help-me-quit-smoking-22396

From the link above:

Quote
Niacin (Vitamin B3)
Niacin is chemically similar to nicotine, and in fact, its name was changed from nicotinic acid to niacin to avoid confusion between the two substances. Again, no studies have proven that Niacin can help smokers quit, but there has been some speculation that niacin eases nicotine addiction. The theory is that the vitamin attaches to the niacin receptor sites in the brain (which are taken up by nicotine in smokers) in the same way that opiates take up the endorphin receptors in the brain in opiate addicts. Large doses of niacin can result in liver damage and other health complications, so you'll need to talk with your physician before adding a supplement to your diet.

I’ve never heard that large doses of niacin can result in liver damage, and I don’t know what’s being considered “large doses” in this article.  I personally take 500 – 550 mg of niacinimide every day to prevent the dizzy spells that started in my early teens, and I get that over the counter, so my guess is that’s not considered a “large” dose.  Niacinimide is a similar form of niacin, and unlike niacin, it doesn’t trigger the “flushing” (think hot flash) that niacin does.  The body converts niacin to niacinimide.

And one more:

http://www.newmediaexplorer.org/sepp/2012/01/25/does_smoking_tobacco_fulfill_a_nutritional_need.htm

Quote
Nicotine has long been accepted as the addictive portion of tobacco products, but what is apparently little known is that nicotine and niacin (vitamin B3) are analogues.

According to Google’s dictionary, the chemical definition of an “analogue” is “a compound with a molecular structure closely similar to that of another.”

It’s always recommended that if you take 1 specific B vitamin, e.g. niacin/niacinimide, to also take a b-complex to keep the B’s from getting too out-of-balance in the body.

By the way, B vitamins are also helpful for depression.  The nervous system really “needs the b’s.”  :)
Title: Re: Smoking - Quit Date
Post by: Middle Child on December 12, 2018, 05:41:19 PM
Interesting. Niacinimide is being used in cats with CKD to reduce phosphorous levels.

Good Luck Lola. I hope this time it sticks. Having someone to quit with makes all the difference.  Hug1
Title: Re: Smoking - Quit Date
Post by: Pookie on December 12, 2018, 08:15:00 PM
The good news is:  I found the course material.  The bad news is:  there wasn't much, and most of it focused on alcohol and street or pharmaceutical drugs.   :(  That said, some of it did mention smoking, and for all addictions the basic recommendations were as follows:

B vitamins (as mentioned above.  BTW, they are water-soluble, so the body will excrete what it doesn't absorb.  They can be taken in the morning and again at lunch, but since they provide energy, it may not be a good idea to take them near bedtime or they may keep you awake).

Vitamin C for immune support and to help with detoxing.  Also water-soluble.

Essential Fatty Acids to nourish the brain

Hydrating with lots of clean water -- helps to flush the toxins out of the body

Detoxing (milk thistle is good for the liver, which is the main organ for filtering everything the body takes in; also vitamin C and hydrating as previously mentioned)

Eliminating sugar, white flour, etc. from the diet

Eating protein (small meals) several times a day to keep blood sugar steady


Personally, I'd just focus on the B vitamins, vitamin C, hydrating, etc. and not worry quite so much about the last 2 on the list, or it could get really overwhelming.  That's just my  2cents.  I'll stop now.  :)

GoodVibes GoodVibes GoodVibes  FlowersGif
Title: Re: Smoking - Quit Date
Post by: Lola on December 13, 2018, 07:30:33 PM
Thanks for the info!  I copied and printed.  :)
Title: Re: Smoking - Quit Date
Post by: Lola on February 21, 2019, 02:21:43 PM
Smoking Quit Date changed to... Feb 1, 2019.   :D

21 days and going.

Title: Re: Smoking - Quit Date
Post by: ThreeStep on February 21, 2019, 02:23:23 PM
Keep it up!!!
Title: Re: Smoking - Quit Date
Post by: Middle Child on February 21, 2019, 04:18:26 PM
 DrLisaPiersonWorthy DrLisaPiersonWorthy DrLisaPiersonWorthy

 tootgif tootgif tootgif

bananamiddlechild bananamiddlechild bananamiddlechild
Title: Re: Smoking - Quit Date
Post by: Pookie on February 21, 2019, 05:19:50 PM
multistars multistars multistars multistars multistars

Go LOLA!  Go LOLA!  Go LOLA!  Go LOLA! 
Title: Re: Smoking - Quit Date
Post by: ThreeStep on February 22, 2019, 08:29:49 AM
Put a dollar bill in a jar for every day.