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Anyone else given up smoking?

Foxbuster

Foxbuster

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How do guys and gals?

As per title, I was wondering if anyone else on here has given up smoking over the new year? If so how are you coping?
I’ve smoked since the age of 14. This is my second proper attempt at kicking the habit. Previously gave up for 5 months and got pretty fit-best shape I’d been in my entire 44yrs.
A long term shoulder issue put an end to my fitness routine last time out, and that gave me the lame excuse to start smoking again.
Anyway, I see where I’ve faltered previously and am so determined this time around to give up for good and make it last!
It’ll be 7days without a smoke at 18:00 this evening. I’m feeling not too bad with regards to cravings, it’s just the habit of rolling a cigarette when I get some downtime that I feel a bit lost with.
Currently sat in one of my permanent hides (have been since pre sunrise), absolutely no sign of anything on feeder in all that time. Usually I would have had a good few smokes to kind of pass the time, I’m feeling ok though, and reminding myself that my brain is only tricking me into wanting a cigarette every now and again.
Appreciate this post is a bit long winded but it would be nice if previous smokers or those who are in the ‘same boat’ as me commented on how they are doing and what helped them kick the habit for good.

Thanks
 
I quit around ten years ago after trying and failing many times. I still miss rolling my own and I do still have the odd cigar now and again. It would have been impossible for me but my GP put me on Champix pills, which worked brilliantly. After about a week of taking those your cigarettes taste terrible and you no longer get that nicotine hit. After about 10 days you just don't want to smoke any more. I'm not sure if they're still available, as they were linked to a few suicides, but I'm sure there must be something similar around.
Good luck 👍
Edit: Having said all of the above, if I live long enough I fully intend to start smoking again on my 70th birthday (I'm 50) simply because there's no way I want to end my days in a fog of bewilderment stinking of piss, eating the cheapest dog food in an old folks home.
 
Foxbuster said:
How do guys and gals?

As per title, I was wondering if anyone else on here has given up smoking over the new year? If so how are you coping?
I’ve smoked since the age of 14. This is my second proper attempt at kicking the habit. Previously gave up for 5 months and got pretty fit-best shape I’d been in my entire 44yrs.
A long term shoulder issue put an end to my fitness routine last time out, and that gave me the lame excuse to start smoking again.
Anyway, I see where I’ve faltered previously and am so determined this time around to give up for good and make it last!
It’ll be 7days without a smoke at 18:00 this evening. I’m feeling not too bad with regards to cravings, it’s just the habit of rolling a cigarette when I get some downtime that I feel a bit lost with.
Currently sat in one of my permanent hides (have been since pre sunrise), absolutely no sign of anything on feeder in all that time. Usually I would have had a good few smokes to kind of pass the time, I’m feeling ok though, and reminding myself that my brain is only tricking me into wanting a cigarette every now and again.
Appreciate this post is a bit long winded but it would be nice if previous smokers or those who are in the ‘same boat’ as me commented on how they are doing and what helped them kick the habit for good.

Thanks
Click to expand...
Goodluck to you with that.Been smoking 55 years and never even attempted to stop
 
About five weeks ago when I was in hospital on oxygen with pneumonia and sepsis. Still get pangs after eating that thankfully last under a minute.

With 50g of baccy over £40 I'm saving a fortune!
 
Yeah, those ‘pangs’ are what I get when I finish doing something and previously would have rolled a fag. They don’t last long like you say. It’s just trying to recalibrate my brain into not automatically thinking of a cigarette🤔
 
Plus like you say, over £40 a pouch now!!🥴
That would last me 5 days, so yeah, huge savings is also a big incentive to stop for good.
 
I have not had a smoke since Friday 20 Dec 24. I started with the flu at this point and only just getting over it, no way could I smoke, I would have turned myself inside out with coughing. I’m going to make a big effort not to smoke so far not an issue. Also I have only had 1 hot toddy and last night one double whisky so down on the drink too.
 
I gave up 30 year ago after being a 40-60 a day since 14. Cost was never an issue. It took many years to get rid of the feeling that there was 'something missing' in my life. Even in the last few years I have still remembered that 'urge' to reach for a comforting fag and that lovely long first draw.
Smoking becomes so deeply ingrained in every aspect of your life, not just the chemical addiction, which makes it probably the worst addiction of all imo.
My philosophy is that once a smoker you will always be one, you just don't actually smoke if that makes sense.
When I am 'at the end' I will probably have a fag if capable. Being a smoker coincided with some of the best parts of my life. But the very best thing I ever did for my self was give it up.
 
14 Years in February after 20 a day for 30 years. I had no money at the time and realised what a huge chunk of my income it was taking. Bought a packet of nicotine chewing gum, only used two pieces one on the 1st day one on the 2nd, both at about 10pm when I was sat clenching my fists and knew that I wouldn't get to sleep. Was it easy, no, was it acheivable yes. Still get the occasional pang after all these years but know full well if I thought I could have the occasional one I would be back on 20 a day within a week.

So glad I stuck to it though, both financially and healthwise, especially after losing two good frinds to smoking related illnesses in the last couple of years.
 
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I quit about 8 years ago.
After about ten minor heart attacks over a 24 hour period.

Couple of stents fitted

Never smoked since.
I did vape for a while and that helped.
Started off on 18mg nicotine and dropped regularly until on zero.

I never thought I would quit
I had smoked for Forty years+ and never ever tried.
The heart problems are what motivate me
 
20 years now since I quit,I fully understand what your going through. You have to tell your self if you have one now all that hard work not having one is wasted.. you can live without them. It does get better, you will live longer. You will understand what a smoker smells like. I'm only sorry I didn't quit sooner. But I did enjoy smoking which made quitting harder. You can do it. 👍
 
I gave up in 2011, used a e cig when they first released to help then kicked that as well. Very occasionally get a small craving but I don't think I would ever start again the cost now would be huge. Think of the money saved and use that for something else.

Keep at it you have proved you can quit previously and dont be so hard on yourself for starting up again focus on each day or even each hour to beat it, I always thought I would struggle to quit but I think once you decide to not do it and seriously mean it, it becomes easier. Can you keep up with fitness by walking instead? early morning sunshine is supposed to be one of the best ways to start the day. (y)
 
They say 'everything tastes better when you have quit smoking'. I did not find that. Everything tasted different that's for sure. Meat tasted 'very meaty' and I did not always like that. I reckon that is why smokers like hot curry's and rare steak, their taste buds are diminished so they need more intensely flavored food.
 
Zebb said:
20 years now since I quit,I fully understand what your going through. You have to tell your self if you have one now all that hard work not having one is wasted.. you can live without them. It does get better, you will live longer. You will understand what a smoker smells like. I'm only sorry I didn't quit sooner. But I did enjoy smoking which made quitting harder. You can do it. 👍
Click to expand...
I have tried a cig a few times over the years, just a couple of puffs, to see If I have mastered it. It was scary but the horrible taste only reinforced my commitment to a fag free life and it was at a time when people were quitting in droves.
I also tried vaping for a bit but got nothing out of it and the paraphernalia was even more taxing lol.
 
Foxbuster said:
How do guys and gals?

As per title, I was wondering if anyone else on here has given up smoking over the new year? If so how are you coping?
I’ve smoked since the age of 14. This is my second proper attempt at kicking the habit. Previously gave up for 5 months and got pretty fit-best shape I’d been in my entire 44yrs.
A long term shoulder issue put an end to my fitness routine last time out, and that gave me the lame excuse to start smoking again.
Anyway, I see where I’ve faltered previously and am so determined this time around to give up for good and make it last!
It’ll be 7days without a smoke at 18:00 this evening. I’m feeling not too bad with regards to cravings, it’s just the habit of rolling a cigarette when I get some downtime that I feel a bit lost with.
Currently sat in one of my permanent hides (have been since pre sunrise), absolutely no sign of anything on feeder in all that time. Usually I would have had a good few smokes to kind of pass the time, I’m feeling ok though, and reminding myself that my brain is only tricking me into wanting a cigarette every now and again.
Appreciate this post is a bit long winded but it would be nice if previous smokers or those who are in the ‘same boat’ as me commented on how they are doing and what helped them kick the habit for good.

Thanks
Click to expand...
Yeah I gave up about August/September last year.

Gave up due to the cost and being told I now have COPD was it the sepsis? Was it smoking? Who knows I didn’t have it before sepsis.

Anyway I gave up smoking and took up air guns as a hobby.

There didn’t seem to be any addiction/withdrawal symptoms. For me it was more habitual, such a smoke with coffee in the morning, smoke after a meal, smoke when driving. So the hardest part was adjusting to daily routines without a cigarette.

I do miss the pleasure of smoking and the ritual of rolling my own.

Smoked since I was 13 gave up for 5 years then on my 40th birthday went to Robert Graham in Cambridge and treated myself to 5 fancy cigars.
(I still have a Nicaraguan one in a sealed glass tube waiting for my jackpot win😂) anyway that was the end to 5 years smoke free.

But now I’m currently not smoking but do still love the smell of cigars, pipes and rolling tobacco.

I still do and always have hated the smell of pre rolled cigarettes with the only exception being House of Sobrane Black Russian.

Anyway thats me. Good luck with your giving up and the same to everyone else Thats posted who’s in the same situation.
 
Good luck, you have got through the worst bit. Just got to be strong. I’ve given up quite a few times and have conned myself into one won’t hurt…. It does as I am on my way to the shop for another pack the next day. Been two years now and I still struggle, mainly when trying to think a job out or sat on a digger
 
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