Ditching the fags

[Onthedrops]

Gonna have a go at ditching the cancer sticks in the new year.
Tried it once before with the patches. They worked until I came off them. Ended up having a crafty one which lead to another, then another. You know the scenario!

Really need to kick the habit. It's obviously killing me, makes me smell terrible and also not good for cycling.

Any tips guys?

 

[BrianEvesham]

Good luck.

 

[ianrauk]

Good luck.

Check out THIS thread by @Peteaud.

 

[deanE]

I helped out at a Marie Curie Cancer Care Christmas ball last night. I was on the door and was surprised with the number of guests who went, regularly, to stand outside, in the rain, to smoke. Good luck to you. Keep us posted, I am sure you will get continuing support on CC. And same goes to anyone else who is inspired to do likewise. Let’s be hearing from you.

 

[accountantpete]

I did it with strong nicotine gum.

The gum reduced the height of the craving and gave my will-power a bit of a help

 

[MrJamie]

The main things are obviously willpower and determination, the habit will be easy to fall back into if you start having the odd cigarette. When you're giving up and it's making you feel like crap, remember its the cigarettes that have done that to you, not the quitting. I think it really helps to mentally keep a note of all the reasons and hang onto it in moments of weakness, which I think is why ex-smokers often have a very anti smoking mindset. Aside from long term health, you lose the stinkey smokey smell, the horrible chesty cough but you also end up saving a lot of money and in my non-professional opinion you seem to suffer less colds. If you put your £7 a day or whatever into a jar/savingsaccount, youll have 2.5k+ interest to buy yourself a reward next chrstmas.

I quit 3 years ago cold turkey, the fitness gains i was getting with running/cycling were the main motivator not to want to mess it up with smoking. It's different for everyone though, smoking didnt have much power over me, my battle is with the calories

Good luck

 

[Darren Jeffrey]

Done it cold turkey 12 years ago now. Just keep reminding yourself why your stopping and let's be honest smoking is disgusting

Good luck

 

[Onthedrops]

I'm sure the family would appreciate it if I quit.
I never smoke in the house so no issues there. However, I know I do stink when I come in from having a quick fag outside and I know it's not pleasant. That is one of my main reasons for packing it in. I get very self conscious of the fact that I positively stink like a dirty ashtray.
Starting cycling is a great way to drive home the damage done by cigs. On my first ride out I was absolutely knackered. Thought I was going to hawk up my lungs. Didn't help that I was riding the bike all wrong (wrong gears, cadence etc) 2nd outing was much better (kept my lungs in my chest cavity!!!)
Reading many beginner accounts I have been inspired by accounts of how fitter people have become since starting cycling.
My aim is to improve fitness, increase cycling mileage, lose excess weight and feel much fitter and better about myself.
Kicking the fags into touch MUST surely go a long way to helping.

 

[Saluki]

My Mum gave up smoking after 45 years of being hooked. She used the patches (not a gum person, my Mum). She had a jar in which she put the cost of her daily spend on cigarettes in. She was astounded at how it added up and it spurred her on to stay on track.
Once she had been fag-free for a whole year, she took a nice holiday in Jersey with the 'ciggy money'.

 

[numbnuts]

I did it with will power

 

[Fab Foodie]

Even after a heart attack I couldn't do it without Zyban.

 

[addictfreak]

Ditched them around 20 years ago, one of the best things I have done.

Good luck

 

[The Brewer]

A week before I stopped I made a note of when I was most likely to have a ciggy. For me this was first thing in the morning with a coffee and after meals.
When I stopped I changed normal routine completely. Instead of a coffee and fag I took the dog for a walk,and after meals I did the dishes then had a lowfat yoghurt..... It worked for me, we're different but we all need will power.
Good health and determination to you

 

[gbb]

Good luck.

Check out THIS thread by @Peteaud.

Although Pete may not realise it, i believe his thread was inspiration and a benchmark for the likes of me. I used it in my favour, in the sense that when you stop, for the most part you're doing it on your own. If you fail, you shrug your shoulders, youve only let yourself down, its a dissapointment etc etc, but thats it.
While being a 'member of Petes gang' and stopping at the same time, i felt i must'nt let myself and everyone else down The ante has been upped, its not just about you now, you're part of a gang. . It gave me extra will to carry on, despite a couple of very tough weeks...
Very nearly one year on...ive still not smoked.
Cheers Pete

 

[oldfatfool]

mtfu and just stop, worked for me........twice