Help!! Need Smoking Support

[Poosey]

Trying to quit!! From 2+packs a day for 20 yrs to only a half a pack since Monday morning!!!

Need some support here guys!!!! Need to quit!!

[Uncle Bob]

I quit two months ago, at least I tried. Dowm from a pack and a half a day to 5 a day. They say that cold turkey is the best way but just couldn't do it that way myself.

I just couldn't get into the "I will never smoke another cigarette ever" frame of mind. Take it one step at a time, one cigarette you say no to at a time. Make an effort to smoke whatever cigarettes you do smoke in a manner that'll not reinforce the habit.

What I mean is don't make it a ritual or a habit forming or maintaining ceremony. I don't smoke indoors anymore, if I want to smoke I go outside ( easy to cut down when it's 20 below outside or raining ). I don't smoke in my car anymore ( a b?&ch when stuck in trafic ). Never more than one cigarette in a two hour period. It just seems to get easier to go long periods without smoking if you don't impose the additional stress of never smoking again.

Of course this would be your transition phase, I think I now should be in a position the completely stop but if I do break down and have one doesn't mean i'll take it back up to previous levels just a minor set back.

Watch out for those automatic smokes, after meals, with a coffee or whatever it is you do and automatically light one up without thinking about it.And never chain smoke two or three in a row.

Danger is that reducing rather than totaly quitting, each smoke is now so much more powerfull . Oh and buy a brand you wouldn't normally buy again in order to change the habit.

Smokes you skip can be replaced with gum, water, fruits and vegetables, brushing your teeth, etc....

IMHO best thing to do is to become aware of all the little quirks the habit as caused you, when you smoke you don't think about it you just do it and all these habits become a part of your life, become aware of the habits and tackle them one at a time.

Good luck and think of the money you'll save and be able to spend on riding.

[Poosey]

Thanks Uncle Bob.

I have tried everything in the past to no success.

I started smoking outside when my little girl was born 5yrs ago, that does slow you down somewhat. Have to go outside at work now also. I cannot stop cold turkey either. Just tring to have a few less everyday that goes by. It is hard to do with a cup of coffee like you said, this weekend will be ruff also as I usually have a few beers and etc.. It is worst on me when I have a beer or coffee or get full from dinner or something like that.

I swear I feel a little better already just by slowing down some

Thanks Uncle Bob, Hey maybe with the money I save I can get my tires and battery for the ol'e GS and Ride again.
Poosey - (Michael)

[Uncle Bob]

Yup !

[Irwin]

Keep trying, I've quit numerous times. Good luck

[stevie c]

First time I quit was pure cold turkey,lasted 6 months.
Last time I quit I used nicotine patches,they are great,haven't smoked,or really wanted to for 4 years!

[Gixxerdale]

I smoked for 20 something years. Tried to stop a few times. Never lasted. Then one year I got real sick with the flu and cigarettes mad it even worse. Swore I'd find a way to stop smoking. Decided to go back packing for a week when I was better. No 7/11's in the back country. Had my last smoke on the way to the trail head. Glad I took extra food! My appetite doubled with out smokes. But getting exercise when ever I wanted one got me past the urge. Haven't had one in 17 years now.

Good luck, there is no easy way, but you can do it, if you want to bad enough!

[NomadTurk]

I have never smoked buddy.. I don't really know how hard it is to quit.

But, I do believe you can do it. Try some kind of hand hobby, or a gum when you wanna smoke, they might keep you busy and make you forget.

Maybe even a girlfriend who hates sigarets.

No matter what, I have friend who has quitted within a day, I know you can do it.

You'll probably feel like a new young man when you do...

I hope you quit buddy, my prayers are with you..

You have made a good decision, just have the guts, bravery and patients to execute it.

best regards

nomadturk

[Louis]

Good Luck Michael.

I can't help as I have never smoked a cigarette, noe a "funny" cigarette, for that matter. I only smoke a cigar once in a while with my cousin... It's all HIS fault!

[Dwayne Hicks]

Sounds like your rings are stuffed. Try changing them and your oil - old dirty engine oil also causes your exhaust to smoke.

Sorry, as no-one else had done it, I had to!

Yes - I have quit many times as well. I do manage to get by on about 7 to 10 a day though. Go out riding more. I find its difficult smoking and riding at the same time - can't get the cigarette under the helmet without breaking it, or burning my nose.

Gum also helps - just regular Wrigleys or whatever. When you want to smoke, chew a piece of gum and take deep breaths. Just don't try to light the gum!

Good luck!

Cheers
Dwayne

[Uncle Bob]

I tried the patches but they stink something awfull when you light one up .LOL

[vol01jim]

Any mental images you can send to the subconscious mind can't hurt.

Picture yourself eliminating the habit in any way you want, eg. crushing the pack, cutting open a cig and watching the wind blow the tobacco away etc.

You can do it. You are powerful. Babysteps my friend. Goodluck

[Poosey]

Thanks for all the kind word of support!

I have cut waaaayyy back but, still smoking.

D*#n this is sooo hard!!

[Uncle Bob]

So how's it going ?

[Poosey]

Still haven't quit all together Uncle Bob.

I do real good for three days or so, then get right back to almost where I was before, then start all over again. This may take some time.

[Clint]

I thank you for trying. As a never-smoker, I can't tell you how disgusting it is to be even within spitting distance of a smoker. Breath, clothes, personal property - all reeking of butts. Not nice, fresh tobacco, but stale, nasty butts.

So, think about how good and fresh you'll feel when this is over. Then you can see just how nasty you are to your family. Good luck.

P.s. I actually got out of my truck the other day, picked up a smoking butt, and whipped it across the dash of the jerk who threw it out his window. What makes smokers think they can litter like no one else? Putrid!

[The Chad]

I smoked for 10 years and all of as sudden threw half a pack in the garbage and I've never even wanted another one. That was on August first 1999, a date I'll never forget. Another thing, if you quit smoking, you won't need to stop riding for a smoke break, and you'll be able to afford more gas to go further and more often. Good luck to you

[SoldierSteve]

I've been smoking for the last 6 or 7 years and have tried to quit many times. Everytime that I was successful for a short period of time (4 weeks, 6 weeks, almost 6 months) etc, I have always had a really good reason. None of the long term reasons work for me, *read lung cancer*, but having a girlfriend who despised it, or getting out of the Army etc has been motivation for me.

I dont have any secrets for you, I still smoke myself, but i suggest you find a reason to quit. I mean, one solid reason, and keep that in your thoughts. If its for a kid, carry a picture, if its for health, get a picture of you when you were in "the best shape of your life." For each person its individual, but at least it will give you some focus to an otherwise overwhelming task. My thoughts are with you bud. Hopefully, I can say I kicked the habit myself.

Good luck,

[Mike Burnham]

I tried one time but failed. I know how hard it is to quit. When I tried I drank a lot of water every time I wanted a cigaret. It did help. They say that the first week is the hardest. I did not make it past 48 hours. I will quit one day, but not wile I am taking care of a Mom with dementia. The combined stress is simply more than I can handle. Sadly I had cut back to 2 packs a week, but now have gotten up to a pack a day.
I do wish you luck. It is a curse I wish I had never inflicted on myself. I will quit one day.

[oldguy]

Come on guys, quittin' is easy! I've done it 4 or 5 times
Made it for 5 years the last time!
Not doin' too good right now, about 15 a day. One thing that helps is eating something that makes the smoke taste bad. You'll have to find out what works for you. Another thing is SMELL YOUR FINGERS AFTERWARDS, BLEECCHHH! (No, not the ones you scratch with)
I only smoke outside, that helps. I guess we need to keep busy indoors Or......... GO Ride Your Bikes, can't smoke then!
Good luck to all of us!