Not [really] Wedding Related: Quitting

temerityjane

A question: This isn't because I'm trying to delay fully quitting, or because I don't want to try any of these suggestions, I'll try them all. Just want an opinion on how this might work.At the end of next week, I'm leaving on vacation, then I'll be home for a few days, then leaving again for a 2 week trip out to PA. Do you think that that long period, when I'll be completely out of my normal routine, is a good time to just toss them completely? All my "normal" smoking times will be thrown off, since I'll be all over the place for a few weeks. On the downside, a lot of the family I'll be visiting smokes.For those of you who have quit or watched someone, do you think that a long period of changed routine is helpful in quitting or makes it harder?

temerityjane

HOT CHRIST, AMORO!

tidetravel

We use www.mint.com to track our spending.  It's free and secure.  You add your credit cards/accounts to the site, and it categorizes everything and displays your budget in a pie chart.  It really helped to show DH how much he is spending on cigs a month (and small 7-11 purchases every other day, which drives me crazy!)

ricksang

Vacation would be a great time to put the cigarettes down. You will have less stress to deal with.

J&K10910

I think that's a really, really great time to quit.  Now, I've never smoked myself, but I have had bad habits I've quit.  I'm going mainly based on psychological principles (hope that doesn't give less credibility to my suggestions!).  But from what I've heard, breaking the routine is the hardest part of quitting.  With your HFA-ness, I can only assume you'll struggle with this.  Now that might also mean you'll really feel like you need cigs to de-stress during your trip. But getting in the habit of NOT smoking while you're away from your normal routine might make it easier to not smoke when you're back in your routine. 

AmoroAgain

Well, generally I would say that quitting while you're experiencing a change of routine would be great.  However, with the people you're going to be around smoking... it might make it tough.  Hm.  I don't know.

ricksang

I had to change my whole routine and my whole train of thought to quit my addiction. I know the things that trigger me (like drinking too much) and the things that keep me on track (like exercise). Try to avoid situations that will amplify the "God, I need a cig!!!"

[Deleted User]

I imagine it would be easier.  Just think, you won't wake up in the same bed, go to the same kitchen, and smoke w/ breakfast or whatever your routine is.  A change in environment might get you naturally distracted making it easier to not think about smoking.  I'd say it's a good time to start, but I also understand why it could be harder with other people in the family smoking.  It's definitely worth a try.

ricksang

Gah, I missed the part about other people smoking! Hmmm. I would still try.

jilybeans4

I think changes are easier to do in moderation. When I quit smoking, i was realistic with myself - I knew I was going to have another cigarette at some point in my life. I knew I'd probably still smoke socially or when drinking. I think knowing that this wasn't IT  - the last cigarette - made it easier for me to cut them out of my daily routine. It was a process...i cut back gradually, then cut them completely from regular life and only smoked when drinking or occasionally with friends. After time I didn't want them as much so cut down on the social smoking. Finally I decided there was no reason to socially smoke at all, so i just don't at all anymore, period. For me, the extreme of quitting COMPLETELY was too much, but the end result worked for me. I haven't been a regular smoker in over 4 years and haven't had a single cigarette in over a year. Also, not being around smokers really helps. Good luck! 

julezlee

I think it could be good to start quitting when you're outside your normal routine.  Or start right before you go and just be sure to avoid everyone who smokes.  I know, for me, the majority of my smoking had just become a routine, not something I was actively thinking about. 

vicmo5

I quit smoking over two years ago cold turkey, but I was 100% ready.  FI quit smoking a little over a year ago and he used the patch and chewed a lot of gum.  If you're ready, you'll be able to do it.  It sucks for a while, but it is so worth it.  One of my major motivations at the time was to save money.  My boss was diagnosed with lung cancer about two months ago and all I can say is thank god I quit and hopefully that won't happen to me.  It's awful.  I also never kid myself to think that I could just smoke once in while because I can't-I'm not that strong and it's still awful for you.  Good luck!

SpringBride1114

Chewing gum helps a lot. Your body is also addicted to the HABIT of hand to mouth, and somthing hanging out of your mouth. Chew on straws too. Everytime you catch yourself wanting to buy a pack, take the 5 + dollars and put it into an envolope. After about 2 months you will have a nice chunk of change to buy something for your wedding, or just something nice for yourself. Good luck and stay strong, just keep telling yourself that your grandchildren will thank you when you are dancing at THIER wedding.

mouse10031978

Good luck!  The patch worked a miracle for me.  I smoked for 12 years and it has been a year and a half since I quit.  It is getting easier, but just recently did I get to a point that I can drink regularly and still be around smokers without being miserable.  I pretty much had to change my whole lifestyle and habits- but for the better! I changed the way I eat, worked out everyday, and drank alcohol a lot less.  I used the patch and stayed on it a little longer than normal- like one extra week at each level.  Hope this helps and you can do it! 

tlv204

I quit a few months ago with no drugs.  Honestly for me it was just a matter of will power.  I wanted to smoke lots of times, but just told myself I couldn't. As long as I didn't have cigarettes anywhere near me (it helps that DH has never smoked), I just forgot about it after a while. The biggest factor for me was not being around others that smoke.  In college that would have been impossible, but now I have very few friends who smoke, so that helped a lot. I can't help with the diet part though, I've gained about 8 lbs. Not terrible, but not good either.

annakatebride

Put the cigs in some out of site, hard to reach/access spot. When you want a cigarette see if it's really worth the trouble of climbing on a chair, digging through the closet, etc to get to them. FI did this when he quit and laziness set in more often than not and it just wasn't worth it. No hilarious sitcom-esque episodes of him tearing apart the house to find cigarettes either

ThePinkSuperhero

Does your state provide free help for quitting smoking?  A friend is in CA, and is getting something from the state (it's either the patch or the gum, I can't remember).

venus554

My mom quit cold turkey after smoking for 20+ years.  She used to chew straws when she got a craving... It helps with relieving the habit part of smoking.

Liawitch13

I quit using Chantix, but I definately found giving my house a good scrubbing to get rid of the cigarette odor helped. Even now 2 years later I get the urge when I smell cigarette smoke. For oral fixation I tried to keep a bag of baby carrots around all the time to snack on. A friend of mine is quitting now and using the electric thing that looks like a cigarette and you put little cartridges in that give you a small dose of nicotine, she said that has really helped since you still go through the act of "smoking". Maybe that would be a cheaper option to try?