re: Anyone quit smoking cigarettes?

I was a pack a day, quit cold turkey. Mornings are tough, so is after dinner. Started going to the gym after dinner, running and lifting. Wore myself out, didn’t feel Ike smoking. Day 2, rinse and repeat. It’s been 40+ years now. Still working out. Great routine.

I did. Back when smoking was cool. Practically everyone smoked. Even doctors. Ads for cigarettes were everywhere. Radio, TV, magazine, and billboard ads for cigarettes were as plentiful as any other product. Except for Church, one could light up almost anywhere. I started smoking at age 18 and quit at age 35. Never more than about a pack per day. Over the years I had tried to quit but the Culture was too strong. I finally quit when my kids started getting on me to stop and knew that they right. I decided that when I put the last pack down that if I ever put another cigarette in my mouth the habit/addiction would never end. Cold turkey. Haven't had one since. You can do it.

I read the book. It helped that I was ready after about 10 tries quitting. Find a life event or reason to quit. Stick with it. The first 3 weeks are the hardest, but after that it gets easier.
I’ve had a few here and there while drinking, but have never had the urge to start back. Its a disgusting habit.

Quit Copenhagen 12 years ago. One day my truck didn’t take me to Circle K to get a new can like it did everyday before for 20 years. I had actually prayed about it for a long time and one day the desire to do it was gone.

The best practice is if you find yourself giving in and buying a pack, don't finish the pack. After you smoked 1 or 2, crush the rest up and throw them away. It reinforces the idea that you can either throw money away, light it on fire or use it for something better.

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Finally called the quitline and was given patches and logenzes.

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I didn’t know people actually called that number

I only smoke when I drink I nowadays

Smoked for 15 years, thought to myself i'm paying good money to kill myself. Threw the pack out of my truck window and never smoked again. If you really want to you can quit.

I did, but replaced cancer sticks with meth. I do get a lot more work done now.

To me the only way to be fully committed is to go cold Turkey. Every other method doesn’t address the chemical dependence on nicotine or the psychological dependency.

I tried every different method… patches, gum, snus, presecitption medication (forgot what it was called but gave your insane dreams and nightmares) and always went back.

You’re just gonna have to bear down and fight through the withdrawal. It doesn’t last very long. Get through the day in front of you.

Two things have to happen in my mind:

You have to throw them away… not finish the pack… throw the last few away… break them, crumble the pack, wet them if you have to… that’s your commitment and demonstrating they don’t control you.

Second, you can’t be around them for a while. If your spouse smokes, they have to be ready to quit and do it at the same time as you. If you hang around friends that smoke, you’re gonna need to not be around them for a while. If a crackhead is around crack, they’re going to break. It’s the same thing here.

Good luck! I’m 5 years in and I feel way better. I was working out consistently for the lst 2.5 years until I injured my shoulder. Surgery Friday, but going back as soon as I can.

3 weeks and most of all the nicotine is out of your system.

After that is really up to you to just not smoke anymore. It’s bad for, you know it’s bad for you, all the bs that comes with quitting is gone at this point. It’s easy once you do it.