I’m on my 8th day quit after having started back up this past May after 6 months of being quit. I’m trying the Nicotrol inhaler this time. I had already quit everywhere but at home outside or in the garage, and only smoked 5-10 a day, so it’s been relatively easy for me. I would suggest that you start small: for a couple of days, don’t smoke in the car; for a couple more days, have only two instead of three in the morning; etc. This not only makes you cut back and start to lose some of the “triggers,” but you get a sense of accomplishment as well.
My husband decided last Saturday night to quit, too. He was up to almost three packs a day, mostly at work but also in the truck. He’s using the inhaler, too, and although he’s having strong cravings and even got drunk Mon. night, he has not backslid. I’m so proud of him!
As to the gaining weight problem: when I quit last Nov., I gained 20 lbs. This was not just due to quitting but eating what I felt like and not getting as much exercise as usual. I started back up thinking it would help me lose the weight. I lost about 5 lbs. So there I was, still smoking and 10 lbs. heavier! This time, I’m really trying to watch what I eat and exercise a lot. It has been shown that cigarette smoking does in fact raise your metabolism, but after you’ve quit, if you eat right and get some exercise, your metabolism will even back out. And this didn’t work for me, but I’ve read to think about the fact that 15 extra pounds is still a lot healthier than smoking. Of course, I’ve got psychological issues about weight so I have to address those as well and become comfortable with the fact that I’m just going to be a little overweight for a while.
Another thing I’ve read is reward yourself. Of course, I want to reward myself with food, so I need to come up with something else. I already get myself things like clothes, books, etc., whenever I feel like it, so that’s not anything special. Maybe I’ll treat myself to a manicure; I’ve never had one in my life, thinking it’s a complete waste of money.
Another tip: identify your “triggers”: in the car, break time at work, after a meal, with coffee, whatever, and make a plan for what you will do when you are craving one during that “trigger” time: take a walk, take deep breaths, suck on your Nicotrol inhaler, drink a big glass of water, and tell yourself, “the craving will pass.” Every time you beat that craving, tell yourself how strong and wonderful you are and feel a sense of accomplishment.
Good luck to us all! I’ve decided being a nicotine addict is like being an alcoholic – after you’ve quit, you can’t go having “just one,” or you’ll be right back where you were before you quit.
On preview: JonTheHasher, I like your wife’s method and I’m going to mention it to my husband. I used to say, here I am putting all these nasty chemicals in my body and ruining my lungs and I’m not even getting high! What’s the use of that? Kind of like your wife, I decided they had no purpose, especially after learning that the “relaxation” you feel when you smoke is actually just the relief at having fed your addiction. You get jittery from not having the drug, and when you have the drug, you get that feeling of relief. Cigarettes actually can increase anxiety and stressful feelings.
Good luck to all of you.