# Convince me to stop smoking! **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [November 29, 2010, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convince-me-to-stop-smoking/562315 "2010-11-29T19:16:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2010, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convince-me-to-stop-smoking/562315/121 "2010-12-01T04:26:26Z")
> [@Stoid](#): > > Well, I know that Carr tried to apply the same principles to weight loss, and it didn’t work. For reasons that are obvious to me. > > I think it could apply to other drug addictions, though. Hmm. The biggest difference I can think of between overeating and smoking is that you can’t quit eating cold-turkey… ---
**Author:** ![Doctor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Doctor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2010, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convince-me-to-stop-smoking/562315/122 "2010-12-01T04:41:55Z")
> [@Sunspace](#): > > Congratulations! 🙂 Thanks a lot **Sunspace**. Here is what I figured out is missing today - usually if I am not smoking for some hours (think plane flight or similar circumstance), I am usually yawning my head off, groggy and just kind of dopey and “not there”. I don’t have that effect today! Could it just be having a better frame of mind about it? I always thought that part was physical for me! Maybe, because I have taken some vitamin supplements yesterday and today, it is fighting off those symptoms. Well, I guess I’ll keep on doing what I have been doing - it seems to be working. 🆒 > [@Sunspace](#): > > Hmm. The biggest difference I can think of between overeating and smoking is that you can’t quit eating cold-turkey… :eek: ---
**Author:** ![TheScogg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a5b964/32.png) [@TheScogg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheScogg)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2010, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convince-me-to-stop-smoking/562315/123 "2010-12-01T05:19:50Z")
Since starting smoking 7 years ago, I’ve tried quitting a few times. A month ago, I laid them down yet again, and this time I am done for good. Every previous time I had tried to quit, I had succumbed to smoking within 2 weeks at the very most. So, I decided to pick up Mr. Carr’s book figuring it could only help. I’ll be honest. I thought it was boring, repetitive, and just not that nicely written. But, it did something magical to me which manifested itself days later. I was used to having to mentally wrestle myself to keep from smoking every time I got annoyed, angry or twitchy during previous quit attempts. This time, I didn’t even **want** to smoke. I wanted to scream sometimes. Other times I wanted to throw cinder blocks at baby penguins. But, I never wanted to smoke. It was easy - so, so easy. Not effortless, but way easier than I thought it was going to be. Eventually, I realized why the book worked for me, and why it will work for people like me. Every time I had tried to quit, I had convinced myself that I was making this big sacrifice that I needed to push through. In doing so, I had put nicotine on a pedestal. I couldn’t deal with the heartbreak of losing my “friend”. This time, I just laid back at let the withdrawals run their course. I knew it would be a little tough at times. I knew I would want a cigarette at times. But, that was okay. I knew what was in store and I knew that it would all get easier after a mere 4 days. Days 3 & 4 are the worst, and you should feel perfectly fine 90% of those days. It’s the last 10% (you get a headache or a little annoyed) that the nicotine devil starts playing tricks with your head. But, Just enjoy it. You **will** wake up with more energy than normal - enjoy it. If you feel super on edge, pretend you’re an eagle or a ninja that can pick up on minute movements and noise. If you become annoyed with somebody, just say something totally off the wall goofy and change the subject. Take nice long, hot showers. Eat/drink water more than normal if that helps quell the cravings. ---
**Author:** ![Doctor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Doctor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2010, 5:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convince-me-to-stop-smoking/562315/124 "2010-12-01T05:32:28Z")
Funny enough, I think it has to be a bit boring and repetitive to pound the point home. I really don’t think you get it the first time he says it, so he hits you with the same points about 5 times. He really is trying to make the reader realize that it is not a sacrifice. It does make a difference. My favorite chapter, however, still has to be the “Benefits of Smoking”. Honestly, it just made me laugh! ---
**Author:** ![Stoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stoid/32/272_2.png) [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2010, 5:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convince-me-to-stop-smoking/562315/125 "2010-12-01T05:54:26Z")
> [@Sunspace](#): > > Hmm. The biggest difference I can think of between overeating and smoking is that you can’t quit eating cold-turkey… That’s the biggest? You don’t think that food being absolutely necessary for life vs. tobacco being a direct threat to life is a little bigger? ---
**Author:** ![Stoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stoid/32/272_2.png) [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2010, 5:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convince-me-to-stop-smoking/562315/126 "2010-12-01T05:58:21Z")
> [@TheScogg](#): > > I thought it was boring, repetitive, and just not that nicely written. I was gonna mention that, but I figured it wasn’t going to help the cause. 🙂 > [@](#): > > But, it did something magical to me which manifested itself days later. I was used to having to mentally wrestle myself to keep from smoking every time I got annoyed, angry or twitchy during previous quit attempts. This time, I didn’t even **want** to smoke. I wanted to scream sometimes. Other times I wanted to throw cinder blocks at baby penguins. But, I never wanted to smoke. It was easy - so, so easy. Not effortless, but way easier than I thought it was going to be. \ > [@](#): > > If you feel super on edge, pretend you’re an eagle or a ninja that can pick up on minute movements and noise. I am genuinely laughing out loud. This is the best piece of advice I’ve heard in my entire life. You rule. ---
**Author:** ![Doctor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Doctor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2010, 6:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convince-me-to-stop-smoking/562315/127 "2010-12-01T06:23:44Z")
> [@Stoid](#): > > \ - Pictures **Stoid** doing the Snoopy dance… \* - Snerk \* 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2010, 7:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convince-me-to-stop-smoking/562315/128 "2010-12-01T07:29:17Z")
> [@Stoid](#): > > That’s the biggest? You don’t think that food being absolutely necessary for life vs. tobacco being a direct threat to life is a little bigger? Well, from the viewpoint of addictive behaviour, that is. People don’t need a small amount of nicotine each day, and suffer when they get too much. Smoking is completely optional. ---
**Author:** ![Doctor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Doctor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2010, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convince-me-to-stop-smoking/562315/129 "2010-12-01T15:35:32Z")
Made it through another night! Just about to the 48 hour mark. Woo hoo!! ---
**Author:** ![Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/brown_eyed_girl/32/3574_2.png) [@Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brown_Eyed_Girl)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2010, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convince-me-to-stop-smoking/562315/130 "2010-12-01T15:59:34Z")
Still following your progress, Doctor, and I’m rooting for you! There’s no question in my mind that you’re going to make it. You definitely have the right attitude. 🙂 You are getting past the point that your body “needs” the nicotine and into the realm of “it’s all mental.” So, yeah, given your current attitude, you’ll succeed. Congrats to you as well, **TheScogg**! > [@TheScogg](#): > > Every previous time I had tried to quit, I had succumbed to smoking within 2 weeks at the very most. So, I decided to pick up Mr. Carr’s book figuring it could only help. I’ll be honest. I thought it was boring, repetitive, and just not that nicely written. But, it did something magical to me which manifested itself days later. I was used to having to mentally wrestle myself to keep from smoking every time I got annoyed, angry or twitchy during previous quit attempts. This time, I didn’t even **want** to smoke. I wanted to scream sometimes. Other times I wanted to throw cinder blocks at baby penguins. But, I never wanted to smoke. It was easy - so, so easy. Not effortless, but way easier than I thought it was going to be. This is a very good description of how I felt when I quit as well. Though, I wasn’t able to make it more than a few pages into Carr’s book. I just didn’t have the patience for it. > [@](#): > > Eventually, I realized why the book worked for me, and why it will work for people like me. Every time I had tried to quit, I had convinced myself that I was making this big sacrifice that I needed to push through. In doing so, I had put nicotine on a pedestal. I couldn’t deal with the heartbreak of losing my “friend”. This time, I just laid back at let the withdrawals run their course. I knew it would be a little tough at times. I knew I would want a cigarette at times. But, that was okay. I knew what was in store and I knew that it would all get easier after a mere 4 days. Days 3 & 4 are the worst, and you should feel perfectly fine 90% of those days. It’s the last 10% (you get a headache or a little annoyed) that the nicotine devil starts playing tricks with your head. This attitude worked for me not only with quitting smoking, but I have successfully applied it to dieting\*, as well. I know what foods and situations could potentially undermine my goals, but they don’t scare me, and I know that I will have food cravings and I have can make choices without feeling controlled by the food or situation. I’m not suggesting that food addiction is anything like nicotine addiction (I don’t believe that at all), but that once you get past the physical addiction, it’s the mental attitude that dictates success or failure. You can certainly achieve a healthy mental attitude without Carr, but if that book left an impression that reinforced healthy choices, I can’t see why anyone would dismiss that. - For those that feel the need to educate me on _dieting_, let me reassure you that I have made a lifestyle change with regard to my diet. I eat healthy as a rule and to accommodate my healthy lifestyle, not solely as a method to drop weight, although I’m not against temporary stricter changes to kickstart weight loss. ---
**Author:** ![winneee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a88e4f/32.png) [@winneee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/winneee)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2010, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convince-me-to-stop-smoking/562315/131 "2010-12-01T17:20:38Z")
I smoked for about 20 years and tried EVERYTHING to quit. The second I found out I was pregnant, however, it was so easy I felt like I was somehow “cheating.” That was six and a half years ago. There were times after my son was born that I thought about having “just one” but I knew that I should take the gift I was given of quitting and never look back. So I started running and decided to be addicted to that instead! In October, I finished my second marathon (Chicago) in October in 4:07 🆒 You can do anything you set your mind to. Keep the quit and good luck 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Doctor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Doctor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2010, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convince-me-to-stop-smoking/562315/132 "2010-12-01T18:41:43Z")
> [@winneee](#): > > I smoked for about 20 years and tried EVERYTHING to quit. The second I found out I was pregnant, however, it was so easy I felt like I was somehow “cheating.” That was six and a half years ago. There were times after my son was born that I thought about having “just one” but I knew that I should take the gift I was given of quitting and never look back. So I started running and decided to be addicted to that instead! In October, I finished my second marathon (Chicago) in October in 4:07 🆒 > > You can do anything you set your mind to. Keep the quit and good luck 🙂 Good story! Marathon running? :eek: Even when I was in good shape that would be a bit much for me. Impressive after 20 years of smoking! I am beginning my 3rd day now and it is not too bad. A little worse than yesterday, but I have felt worse than this on some days while I was smoking. So nothing unendurable. I think I’ll be totally through it when cigarettes stop smelling good. Every time I pass someone with a cigarette I think it smells so good and I say to myself “WTF is wrong with you? :dubious: It’s burning plants! I am NOT interested.” ---
**Author:** ![Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/brown_eyed_girl/32/3574_2.png) [@Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brown_Eyed_Girl)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2010, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convince-me-to-stop-smoking/562315/133 "2010-12-01T18:55:01Z")
> [@Doctor](#): > > Good story! Marathon running? :eek: Even when I was in good shape that would be a bit much for me. Impressive after 20 years of smoking! Don’t sell yourself short. I smoked from the time I was 15 to age 37 and I’m set to run my very first half marathon in a week and a half. I just completed an 8K in 45:05. Marathons are definitely in my future as well. Who says formerly smoking for 20 years has to stop you from running 26.2 miles anymore than age does? But then, that doesn’t have to be \*your \*goal. Think about what you would like to do that you’ve never thought you could or would and that smoking would have made either impossible, fairly difficult, or unpleasant. Set your sights on that and work toward that. ---
**Author:** ![GESancMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gesancman/32/2923_2.png) [@GESancMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GESancMan)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2010, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convince-me-to-stop-smoking/562315/134 "2010-12-01T18:59:25Z")
I’m finding this thread to be very encouraging. I feel like I’m getting closer to truly wanting to quit. Sometimes my fear of quitting is replaced by a sense of excitement about being smoke-free… I keep going back and forth though. Here’s a question for those of you who’ve quit: what did you do about your car? I’ve smoked in my truck since the day I bought it, more than twelve years ago. I’m sure it stinks to holy hell, but I wouldn’t know, of course. I can see myself deciding to quit, but then getting in my truck and making myself nuts due to the smell. Is there some good DYI method to fumigate it? ---
**Author:** ![Doctor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Doctor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2010, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convince-me-to-stop-smoking/562315/135 "2010-12-01T19:03:13Z")
> [@Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](#): > > Don’t sell yourself short. I smoked from the time I was 15 to age 37 and I’m set to run my very first half marathon in a week and a half. I just completed an 8K in 45:05. Marathons are definitely in my future as well. Who says formerly smoking for 20 years has to stop you from running 26.2 miles anymore than age does? > > But then, that doesn’t have to be \*your \*goal. Think about what you would like to do that you’ve never thought you could or would and that smoking would have made either impossible, fairly difficult, or unpleasant. Set your sights on that and work toward that. When you think about it, it is pretty amazing that the human body can recover from 20 years of abuse like that, where after a few years you could run a marathon (Not that I am personally much of a runner). I have more modest goals at the moment such as knock my blood pressure the hell down, get my bum shoulder fixed and start getting into better shape. Sure, maybe I can do more, but these are plenty good to start with in my book. I’d be happy to be able to play some racquetball again without dying. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Doctor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Doctor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2010, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convince-me-to-stop-smoking/562315/136 "2010-12-01T19:14:26Z")
> [@GESancMan](#): > > I’m finding this thread to be very encouraging. I feel like I’m getting closer to truly wanting to quit. Sometimes my fear of quitting is replaced by a sense of excitement about being smoke-free… I keep going back and forth though. > > Here’s a question for those of you who’ve quit: what did you do about your car? I’ve smoked in my truck since the day I bought it, more than twelve years ago. I’m sure it stinks to holy hell, but I wouldn’t know, of course. I can see myself deciding to quit, but then getting in my truck and making myself nuts due to the smell. Is there some good DYI method to fumigate it? Let me give you a tip on quitting. Start when you are ready to quit, not when you are ready to _try_ to quit. See the difference there? The end result of try is always having tried. And remember, you are not “giving up” smoking – this makes it sound like you are making a sacrifice – you are deciding to stop poisoning your body, wrecking your health and feeding your nicotine addiction. That’s the truth. 12 years of smoke in your truck, eh? I would wash everything in the cab top to bottom, but I don’t know if that would fully handle it. Maybe someone else has some better experience with that. ---
**Author:** ![NAF1138](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naf1138/32/3245_2.png) [@NAF1138](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NAF1138)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2010, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convince-me-to-stop-smoking/562315/137 "2010-12-01T19:20:07Z")
> [@GESancMan](#): > > Here’s a question for those of you who’ve quit: what did you do about your car? I’ve smoked in my truck since the day I bought it, more than twelve years ago. I’m sure it stinks to holy hell, but I wouldn’t know, of course. I can see myself deciding to quit, but then getting in my truck and making myself nuts due to the smell. Is there some good DYI method to fumigate it? Don’t worry about it. Your car will smell like your car, and there isn’t really anything you can do about that. Not smoking in the car was the hardest trigger for me to kick, but in the end it wasn’t a big deal. You just have to do it. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2010, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convince-me-to-stop-smoking/562315/138 "2010-12-01T19:43:36Z")
> [@GESancMan](#): > > Here’s a question for those of you who’ve quit: what did you do about your car? I’ve smoked in my truck since the day I bought it, more than twelve years ago. I’m sure it stinks to holy hell, but I wouldn’t know, of course. I can see myself deciding to quit, but then getting in my truck and making myself nuts due to the smell. Is there some good DYI method to fumigate it? Well, try Ozium and Febreeze. Then let it air out with all windows open. If that doesn’t work a Ionic air cleaner will help. I want to point out that while (sometimes even to non-smokers) a freshly lit cig smells good, stale cig smoke smells nasty. The smell in your truck will reek to you, making your desire to stay off the cigs even stronger. ---
**Author:** ![Doctor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Doctor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2010, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convince-me-to-stop-smoking/562315/139 "2010-12-01T21:22:22Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Well, try Ozium and Febreeze. Then let it air out with all windows open. If that doesn’t work a Ionic air cleaner will help. > > I want to point out that while (sometimes even to non-smokers) a freshly lit cig smells good, stale cig smoke smells nasty. The smell in your truck will reek to you, making your desire to stay off the cigs even stronger. Good point – stale cig smoke is disgusting. Problem was that I almost could never smell it while I was a smoker. I am starting to smell it again, especially on those who have recently smoked. ---
**Author:** ![winneee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a88e4f/32.png) [@winneee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/winneee)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2010, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convince-me-to-stop-smoking/562315/140 "2010-12-02T00:18:19Z")
> [@Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](#): > > Don’t sell yourself short. I smoked from the time I was 15 to age 37 and I’m set to run my very first half marathon in a week and a half. I just completed an 8K in 45:05. Marathons are definitely in my future as well. Who says formerly smoking for 20 years has to stop you from running 26.2 miles anymore than age does? > > But then, that doesn’t have to be \*your \*goal. Think about what you would like to do that you’ve never thought you could or would and that smoking would have made either impossible, fairly difficult, or unpleasant. Set your sights on that and work toward that. Those are the ages I smoked as well. I am 44 now and completed my first marathon when I was 42. Good luck on your upcoming half and your future full if you decide to do it! I second the excellent advice about just finding something to do that you never thought you would or could 🙂 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convince-me-to-stop-smoking/562315.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convince-me-to-stop-smoking/562315.md?page=8)