3 days so far...

[HKsig]

I've read that to quit smoking you go cold turkey which I did. No weaning off, no few cigs and lesser each day. Just stone cold quit. As this one site says, never take another puff.

So far I'm making it.

[WTR]

My Uncle on my Dad's side scared me into quitting 45 years ago. Poor man could not climb 3 stairs without sitting for a rest. Four uncles on my Mom's side dying of lung cancer was a motivation also.

[HKsig]

Old Nicky's getting nasty. Got sick with cravings last night but I didn't give in. Man, it got real. Today's not so bad so far.

[FCH]

Way to go HKsig. You can do it!

[HKsig]

Not a great way to celebrate the Holiday but I'm not giving up.

[FCH]

[jb2012]

You've got it! I'm almost 4 months without a puff, but it definitely not as much of an accomplishment as some of yall.

[Beiruty]

I've read that to quit smoking you go cold turkey which I did. No weaning off, no few cigs and lesser each day. Just stone cold quit. As this one site says, never take another puff.

So far I'm making it.

My dad started smoking when he was teen, at age of 55. Doctor told him you either quit, or you are going to die very soon. He went cold turkey(once and for all?) and some 28 years later still not a single puff.

[n5wd]

HKsig ->'Congratulations for taking the first steps. I quit about when my then-2 year old son reached into the ashtray, pulled out a partially smoked cig, put it into his mouth, grabbed a lighter, and was trying to get it lit. Every cigarette pack and ash tray went into the garbage (save for one "emergency" pack), and a quick trip to my doctor's office got me a script for nicorette (it was by Rx only, then). That motivation, and that physical/chenical support was enough to let me get through a couple of weeks. By then, the physical craving was gone or almost gone, and it gave me time to work on the mental aspects of quiting.

Good luck, and take advantage of friends and family support! Good luck.

BTW -I haven't smoked another cigarette since that day - ya just gotta have the right motivation, and support.

[chuck j]

To totally quit is the best thing but failing that then go with the e cig . You can taper off to 0 nicotine . The nicotine is just the addictive part it's the 30 plus cancer causing carcinogens in the smoke that will get you . I smoked at least three packs of Camels a day for forty two years , we have a pet bird , she started coughing imitating me so figured it was time . Bought a 'GOOD' e cig and four years later I'm one heck of a lot better , no coughing . I don't lightly suggest picking up another bad habit by using an e cig but for hard core smokers it can help you transition to not smoking . Good luck !

[HKsig]

It's a week now whew! Seems to be getting easier now.

[The Annoyed Man]

It's a week now whew! Seems to be getting easier now.

Well done! You've gotten past the worst part. You'll notice by the end of week 2 that it is noticeably easier, and each succeeding week will be easier than the last. When you reach 30 days or so, you'll be over about 90%-95% of it, and after a couple of months, you'll rarely ever have any kind of nicotine craving. After about 6 months or so, you won't remember what a nicotine craving even felt like.

Things to watch out for:

1. As your taste buds and sense of smell begin to recover, food is going to start tasting and smelling MIGHTY good..... as in, you didn't know it could BE that good! Watch your weight!
2. Part of the smoking addiction is simply an oral fixation. It will be natural to want to put something in your mouth. If you can't resist that, then start chewing sugar free gum or some other substitute. Watch your weight!!
3. Smoking paralyzes the cilia in your bronchial passages, which are responsible for eliminating what I call "the yagas" that build up in your lungs. After about two weeks or so of not smoking, your bronchial cilia will begin to recover, and they will start moving all that crap you've been putting into your lungs upward, and you're going to start coughing it all up. You are not dying!!! You're just eliminating the junk that built up in your lungs. Go with it and don't get too worried about it.....it will pass......but whatever you do, don't look at what you spit up, as it will scare the devil out of you.
4. If you have any particular religious inclinations, prayer is very helpful. I believe that God would prefer that you don't poison yourself, and that if you take steps to stop poisoning yourself, He will honor that by helping you if you ask for it.

Keep up the good work! I am proud of you, as I am sure we all are.

[HKsig]

Thanks all. I'm getting better with the battle. I've been sleeping quite a bit, all worn out from it.

I've quit alcohol and pot with no problem but tobacco? It's the worst.

[SewTexas]

I am proud of all of you "quitters"!

HKsig you're doing good!

[n5wd]

HKsig - congratulations on the week. Each day should be a little bit better than the day before. The physical desire for the nicotine takes a couple to three weeks before you call that one "done". Remember that Nicorette is a 'good' substitute for a cigarette, if it comes down to that, but in any case don't let that bump in the road turn in to a STOP sign... keep going.

You should be proud of yourself - I'll bet your family is, too!