I have a confession to make...

I am a smoker. I was a smoker. I have been smoke free for 48 hours now. 2 days, and giving up is one of the hardest things I've ever done.

For a long time I've been kinda a closet smoker, I don't smoke (or didn't smoke I should say!) in public, apart from at work, as I hated being one of those mums who'd stand next to the car puffing away while their baby was strapped inside, I felt so guilty the couple of times I actually did it, and I was sick of being looked down upon by others.

I feel good for the most part about doing this, my physical withdrawl symptoms aren't too bad, but to be honest, I feel like I've lost my best friend. I feel like I'm grieving for something, I don't know what to do with myself really, it's such a weird feeling.

I am writing this to help myself, every time I feel like a cigarette I will find this post and read it. I am doing this for my son, I lost my dad when I was 18 to smoking related cancer, he was only 56, and yet I still chose to smoke for another 10 years. This is it. I'll be damned if I let my son go through the pain of losing a parent at such a young age like I did.

Anyway, thanks for reading, and feel free to leave messages of support if you like, I'm sure they're definitely going to help me when I'm reaching breaking point :)
xxx

What a great step you have taken for yourself and your family. I wish you all the best and hope that you stay strong.

Regards,
Dianne

Good on ya!! Every minute your lungs are getting clearer and you are getting healthier and increasing your chances of being there for a long time for your little boy.

Good on you babe!

I lost my dad to smoking related cancer this year, one week after losing my grandfather. He shouldn't have gone so soon :(

I too smoked many years ago, gave up 7 years ago and have not looked back since! i know you can do the same!

One thing about habits, is that you can't just get rid of them, you have to replace them. It's just how we're chemically made up. So perhaps you can go for a glass of water everytime you feel the craving? i'm a chocoholic, but i wouldn't suggest going for chocolate like i did as i gained so much weight i ended up at over 120kgs!! I can honestly say that losing the extra 60kgs was harder than giving up smoking... for me... so chose a healthy substitute!! Cos quitting is a hard enough job!!

Great going babe!! I have every bit of confidence in you. what a great thing to do for your kids!!

xx

WELL DONE babe!!!!! :dance::dance:

I have never smoked, but my mum smoked from an early teen till my second baby was born.. a long time!!

She gave up using the patches. It was hard... for everyone.... :p

I am so proud of her. She has gone froma smoker who didn't do much to a non smoker who works, goes to the gym and has such a great life now.

So proud of you too babe, you are doing a wonderful thing for your son, and yourself!!! :D

the thing to remember is once a smoker Always a smoker... so dont be tempted in 2months/2yrs to just have one... cos your brain kicks in very quickly that it wants them again.

good luck

Be strong hun x

It took FIL cutting the top of his finger off & the fear of gangrene for him to quit. MIL, my dad & DH are all smokers & have all been since about 12. MIL & my dad have both had seriouse health issues. MIL will be on medication, probably for the rest of her life, for a DVT & still smokes...

I am a social smoker, can go months without, but will have a few when out drinking & stuff (like that ever happens, lol) I keep telling myself thats a good way to do it...But I know how stupid that is & that its not true.

You'll feel better for it. FIL couldn't believe the difference it made to him. & think of the saved money :)

:cheer: Good on YOU!!!!!!!! :cheer:
Breathe in that gorgeous clean air & know that you are on your way to better health for you and your little one... Second hand smoke breath no more for all those around you!!! Cleaner lungs and a longer life for you. You are doing a courageous thing - it's tough but its such a positive thing...
Have you got some mints or sugar free lollies to chew? That can help to do something with your mouth other than a ciggie...

Good luck honey & well done! :hug:

:goodluck: Sending you support, warmth and love. :hug: Please don't hesitate to ask for more support if you need it.

You are making an amazing and beautiful decision for yourself and your family's future. More hugs :hug:

I'm coming up to 10 years smoke free now :)

If I can do it - so can you. If you have a craving - distract yourself with something - apparently intense cravings only last 3 minutes - so run around the loungeroom - star jumps - go for a pee - anything - and you should be over the worst of it.

I found the hardest times were 3 days, 3 weeks, 3 months and 3 years. Prepare yourself for this - make yourself a promise - if I get through today without caving I can have some pampering - and save the money each week that you would have normally spent on smokes - use that for your special pampering.

You won't regret it - chocolate tastes soooo much sweeter without being eaten by an ashtray ;)

Wow guys, I'm sitting here with tears rolling down my face, I am absolutely amazed by the support you have all shown. You really have no idea how much reading your messages of support has helped me!

Mel, good on you for being smoke free for 10 years, what a fantastic achievement! I can definitely vouch for day 3 being the hardest so far, I've just gone into day 3 and it is so much harder and more intense than the first 2 days.

But I will get through this, with much thanks to you guys, you're truly all gems, thank you!

Innana, I am alternating between nicotene gum and sugar free chewies, definitely helps when I'm chewing something!

Ciara, lucky for me I don't like chocolate :) the water thing sounds like a good plan though, might give that a go.

I quit 5 yrs ago. and so happy that I am smoke free. I found drinking water and chewing gum helped alot. Also exercise. It releases happy hormones! Go for it! Keep us posted on your success.

Well done for making the decision to quit. It has been 5 almost 6 years since my last smoke, and I won't deny I still miss it :o not the smell, or the foul taste, but I miss it....

Good luck :hug:

I've just passed the 72 hour mark, now in to day 4!
I can't believe I have not had one cigarette! It was quite tempting at work yesterday, took every inch of will power not to walk outside when I saw a smoker out there, but I didn't!
Thanks again for your support everyone, it really has helped me!

Wooohooo!!! Every day down is another day closer to your goal.

You can do this my sweet!!! :D

:leap: Yay day four wooo hooo :hooray: You are doing SO well!! :hug:
Keep up the good work :)

P.S. Your son will do great thing and be a fantastic person, like all people born on that day!!! ;)

You're doing so great, you are a NON-SMOKER now and you can never, ever smoke again - non-smokers don't smoke, not even a quick casual puff! :cheer:

Read Alan Carr's "Easy Way to Quit Smoking" if you need some added support. It changes the way you think about your habit.

I am coming up to 3 years & BESTEST ever thing I have EVER done!

C'mon sweetheart! You can do this! Keep moving forward. You will get your sense of taste back... start noticing things like the smell of rain and other subtle things that you thought you had forgotten about. You can move toward a cleaner life. If you have avoided smoking for 3 days then your lungs are already starting to detox... you will probably notice you are coughing up more gunk? They are starting to purge. I saw a very confronting piece of footage about a heavy smoker with pnuemonia on TV on Sunday night... they showed what was going on inside the lungs... they showed each little pocket of air collapse inside her lungs like a sponge being squashed... the woman was suffocating... but somehow she made it through. Apparently that was what it took for her to give up. Please don't let it come to that. Keep your hands away from them and your body will do the rest... let it start purging now!