New years resolution #1...fail.

[Pete]

Resolution #1 was to quit smoking and the failure has resulted in the rest of the resolutions, all fitness related, going out the window with it.

It was all going great at first. The first few days were tough but I had a plan which involved getting back into the fitness thing which involved weights and running. That would inspire me and there would be no room in my new, healthy life for the fags.
I even had a few cans of cider around Jan 4th without having a smoke. A real achievement considering drink is the key reason why I fail at stopping. I woke up the next morning feeling I had finally won the war.

However, other factors came to add stress and guess what, one drinking session lead to a harmless fag...and I haven't looked back.
Back on ten a day, the fitness thing has ground to a complete halt and it's as if I'm rebelling against these resolutions by eating nothing but crap and ingesting the most unhealthy stuff I can find.

I'm at the point now where I'm saying "**** it....this addiction and the craving never leaves you so I might as well enjoy the good things in life like fry-ups, beer and fags because I'm screwed anyway"

I'm definately feeling sorry for myself and I'll re-asses the situation when the man boobs or death cough appear but can you ever get rid of the craving?
Especially when you are most susceptible which in my case is when I have had a drink. I can't for the life of me break that association.

I'm fuming with myself.

[EH6 Hibby]

Resolution #1 was to quit smoking and the failure has resulted in the rest of the resolutions, all fitness related, going out the window with it.

It was all going great at first. The first few days were tough but I had a plan which involved getting back into the fitness thing which involved weights and running. That would inspire me and there would be no room in my new, healthy life for the fags.
I even had a few cans of cider around Jan 4th without having a smoke. A real achievement considering drink is the key reason why I fail at stopping. I woke up the next morning feeling I had finally won the war.

However, other factors came to add stress and guess what, one drinking session lead to a harmless fag...and I haven't looked back.
Back on ten a day, the fitness thing has ground to a complete halt and it's as if I'm rebelling against these resolutions by eating nothing but crap and ingesting the most unhealthy stuff I can find.

I'm at the point now where I'm saying "**** it....this addiction and the craving never leaves you so I might as well enjoy the good things in life like fry-ups, beer and fags because I'm screwed anyway"

I'm definately feeling sorry for myself and I'll re-asses the situation when the man boobs or death cough appear but can you ever get rid of the craving?
Especially when you are most susceptible which in my case is when I have had a drink. I can't for the life of me break that association.

I'm fuming with myself.

I know everyone says this, but it really is true, you will only ever stop smoking if you really want to. I would say every new year that I was going to stop but I didn't really want to, and I never honestly believed that I could so the most I would ever last was a day or so before I gave in.

It took me a good 10 years to get to the point where I really wanted to stop, and when I got to that point I stopped no problem.

I used Champix tablets and went to the smoking cessation classes and I couldn't recommend them both highly enough. Champix can help you get to the point where you want to stop, because they stop you from enjoying smoking. You should give them a try.

[Pete]

I know everyone says this, but it really is true, you will only ever stop smoking if you really want to. I would say every new year that I was going to stop but I didn't really want to, and I never honestly believed that I could so the most I would ever last was a day or so before I gave in.

It took me a good 10 years to get to the point where I really wanted to stop, and when I got to that point I stopped no problem.

I used Champix tablets and went to the smoking cessation classes and I couldn't recommend them both highly enough. Champix can help you get to the point where you want to stop, because they stop you from enjoying smoking. You should give them a try.

So I've heard but how can it do that? It sounds mad but how can it stop you sitting back with a pint or glass of wine and having a fag whilst having a good think about the world?

I've also heard some scary stories about champix...bad side effects etc..

I've always had this idea that using aids like NRT and classes is an admission of failure. Having to get some outside influence to help you beat this bizzare addiction that should be so easy to cut out when you think about it rationally.
However, maybe it is time to consider something like this because right now I'm actually enjoying the fags, or I'm telling myself that I am.

Good for you though.:agree:

[Sir David Gray]

I know some people might be successful with a New Year's resolution but generally speaking, if you have to wait until a particular time of year before you decide to change something about your life, I would say that the chances of you sticking to it are pretty slim.

I hear people in November talking about what their New Year's resolutions are going to be and I just think, "if you've identified something about yourself or your lifestyle that you think you should change, why not do it now, instead of waiting another five or six weeks?" :confused:

As Oohzemmama has said, you'll only succeed if you really want to and if you don't, the turn of a new year won't make any difference.

[EH6 Hibby]

So I've heard but how can it do that? It sounds mad but how can it stop you sitting back with a pint or glass of wine and having a fag whilst having a good think about the world?

I've also heard some scary stories about champix...bad side effects etc..

I've always had this idea that using aids like NRT and classes is an admission of failure. Having to get some outside influence to help you beat this bizzare addiction that should be so easy to cut out when you think about it rationally.
However, maybe it is time to consider something like this because right now I'm actually enjoying the fags, or I'm telling myself that I am.

Good for you though.:agree:

You start using the tablets while you are still smoking, you aim to stop between day 10 and day 14 of taking the tablets, in my experience, by day 5 or 6 the cigarettes were starting to taste horrible, the tablets work by blocking the part of the brain that tells you you're enjoying the cigarette, so you don't get that feeling of relief when you actually have one and as I said they taste horrible, so when the time comes to stop, it's not nearly as difficult as it would be normally.

As for side effects, that could be said for nearly all tablets, the only side effect I had was a slight feeling of nausea if I took the tablets on an empty stomach, as long as I had something to eat first I was fine.

I get what you are saying about using aids being an admission of failure, but I was getting nowhere trying to do it alone. So I was willing to use anything that would help.

I'll have been stopped 2 years in March and I don't miss it in the slightest.

[Beefster]

I smoked for 20 years but decided to give up when my son was about to be born. I'd lost count of the number of attempts that I'd made with patches or going cold turkey over the years so decided to try something new and went for microtabs. I haven't had a cigarette in 3 years.

I'm not sure if I had never had enough motivation before or if the microtabs made the difference because I could control how much nicotine I was getting.

[HH81]

Resolution #1 was to quit smoking and the failure has resulted in the rest of the resolutions, all fitness related, going out the window with it.

It was all going great at first. The first few days were tough but I had a plan which involved getting back into the fitness thing which involved weights and running. That would inspire me and there would be no room in my new, healthy life for the fags.
I even had a few cans of cider around Jan 4th without having a smoke. A real achievement considering drink is the key reason why I fail at stopping. I woke up the next morning feeling I had finally won the war.

However, other factors came to add stress and guess what, one drinking session lead to a harmless fag...and I haven't looked back.
Back on ten a day, the fitness thing has ground to a complete halt and it's as if I'm rebelling against these resolutions by eating nothing but crap and ingesting the most unhealthy stuff I can find.

I'm at the point now where I'm saying "**** it....this addiction and the craving never leaves you so I might as well enjoy the good things in life like fry-ups, beer and fags because I'm screwed anyway"

I'm definately feeling sorry for myself and I'll re-asses the situation when the man boobs or death cough appear but can you ever get rid of the craving?
Especially when you are most susceptible which in my case is when I have had a drink. I can't for the life of me break that association.

I'm fuming with myself.

I found when I was trying to get a bit fitter that goals were the only way to do it. I booked a half marathon and told everyone I knew. I set it as a charity run so couldn't go back on my word. I planned so many runs a week and stuck to them. It doesn't have to be a run either, you could do a walk. The yorkshire 3 peaks is a hard challenge over 23 miles.

[Killiehibbie]

Resolution #1 was to quit smoking and the failure has resulted in the rest of the resolutions, all fitness related, going out the window with it.

It was all going great at first. The first few days were tough but I had a plan which involved getting back into the fitness thing which involved weights and running. That would inspire me and there would be no room in my new, healthy life for the fags.
I even had a few cans of cider around Jan 4th without having a smoke. A real achievement considering drink is the key reason why I fail at stopping. I woke up the next morning feeling I had finally won the war.

However, other factors came to add stress and guess what, one drinking session lead to a harmless fag...and I haven't looked back.
Back on ten a day, the fitness thing has ground to a complete halt and it's as if I'm rebelling against these resolutions by eating nothing but crap and ingesting the most unhealthy stuff I can find.

I'm at the point now where I'm saying "**** it....this addiction and the craving never leaves you so I might as well enjoy the good things in life like fry-ups, beer and fags because I'm screwed anyway"

I'm definately feeling sorry for myself and I'll re-asses the situation when the man boobs or death cough appear but can you ever get rid of the craving?
Especially when you are most susceptible which in my case is when I have had a drink. I can't for the life of me break that association.

I'm fuming with myself.Start your healthy lifestyle again today. You know you want to do it so give it another shot and if that fails give it another go until you succeed.

[Mixu62]

Start your healthy lifestyle again today. You know you want to do it so give it another shot and if that fails give it another go until you succeed.

Was gonna say something similar. Keep trying and it WILL stick eventually even if you have 2 or 3 goes at it. I gave up about 7 years ago (after 2 failed attempts) and now the very thought of having a fag makes me feel sick. I used the clear patches at the time and they controlled the cravings well. Once you're over that 1st week, it gets easier. good luck.

[heretoday]

I gave up about six years ago and it's not easy. The main thing to hold onto is the sure knowledge that you will feel better and be healthier in the long run.

And by god you will. Never mind jogging and all that self-punishment stuff. Just being able to climb a flight of stairs without breaking into a sweat is enough.

[cabbageandribs1875]

3 years this march i'l have stopped a 40-50-a-day habit :smokin, although the champix has a pretty high success rate it was absolutely hopeless for me, it ended up a mixture of a very bad chest infection/patches/sheer willpower that done it for me, although the need for a fag lessens through time i still have the odd urge once/twice a week just to have the one fag with a cup of tea :agree: the urge only lasts a few seconds though, i know people that stopped 20+ years ago and still have the odd thought of having a fag, it feels like it's gonna be a life-long battle not to give into the craving :boo hoo: but, it's harder to come off nicotine than it is heroin(so the facts sheets say).



p.s. i also have extra money burning a hole in my pockets now :thumbsup:

[Hibbyradge]

Buy this book (http://i44.tinypic.com/2e6huso.jpg) and do exactly what he says. You'll stop smoking. Easily.

I know because I read it in a morning and stopped that day. I've been off the fags for about 10 years now.

[cabbageandribs1875]

As well as nicotine, there are more than 4,000 other chemicals in cigarette smoke, some of which are well known for their toxicity. Here are just a few:

Nicotine - when tobacco smoke is inhaled, nicotine is absorbed into the bloodstream and takes effect very quickly. Immediate physiological effects include increased heart rate and a rise in blood pressure.

Ammonia – also found in toilet cleaners.

Acetone - found in nail varnish remover.

Cadmium - a highly poisonous metal used in batteries.

Vinyl chloride - used to make PVC.

Napthtalene - used in moth balls.

Carbon monoxide – A poisonous gas that is commonly given off by exhausts and gas fires as well as cigarette smoke. In large amounts, such as from a faulty gas fire, it is rapidly fatal, while in small amounts, as when someone smokes a cigarette, it will cut down the efficiency of the smoker's breathing.

Tar – thick brown stuff in cigarette smoke that stains fingers and teeth a yellow-brown colour and which deposits in a smoker’s lungs, clogging them up.

Cyanide – a lethal gas used in World War 2 gas chambers.

Formaldehyde - used to preserve dead bodies.

Arsenic - poison.

:smokin:smokin:smokin:ill:

[Sir David Gray]

As well as nicotine, there are more than 4,000 other chemicals in cigarette smoke, some of which are well known for their toxicity. Here are just a few:

Nicotine - when tobacco smoke is inhaled, nicotine is absorbed into the bloodstream and takes effect very quickly. Immediate physiological effects include increased heart rate and a rise in blood pressure.

Ammonia – also found in toilet cleaners.

Acetone - found in nail varnish remover.

Cadmium - a highly poisonous metal used in batteries.

Vinyl chloride - used to make PVC.

Napthtalene - used in moth balls.

Carbon monoxide – A poisonous gas that is commonly given off by exhausts and gas fires as well as cigarette smoke. In large amounts, such as from a faulty gas fire, it is rapidly fatal, while in small amounts, as when someone smokes a cigarette, it will cut down the efficiency of the smoker's breathing.

Tar – thick brown stuff in cigarette smoke that stains fingers and teeth a yellow-brown colour and which deposits in a smoker’s lungs, clogging them up.

Cyanide – a lethal gas used in World War 2 gas chambers.

Formaldehyde - used to preserve dead bodies.

Arsenic - poison.

:smokin:smokin:smokin:ill:

When you look at that list, you really have to wonder how something with such "ingredients" can be legally sold.

Seriously scary stuff.

If cigarettes had been invented today, they would almost certainly be an illegal substance.

[cabbageandribs1875]

When you look at that list, you really have to wonder how something with such "ingredients" can be legally sold.

Seriously scary stuff.

If cigarettes had been invented today, they would almost certainly be an illegal substance.

the UK gov would be overjoyed at all the taxes/VAT it would bring to the coffers :agree: although this link is from a few years ago it gives you an idea of just how much money they make from every packet of fags http://www.kgbanswers.co.uk/how-much-on-average-does-a-packet-of-20-cigarettes-actually-cost-this-is-minus-all-tax-and-all-that-stuff-thanks/11121767

would be interesting to see the facts on how much smoking-related diseases cost the NHS against the cash the government rake in.

[Dinkydoo]

Resolution #1 was to quit smoking and the failure has resulted in the rest of the resolutions, all fitness related, going out the window with it.

It was all going great at first. The first few days were tough but I had a plan which involved getting back into the fitness thing which involved weights and running. That would inspire me and there would be no room in my new, healthy life for the fags.
I even had a few cans of cider around Jan 4th without having a smoke. A real achievement considering drink is the key reason why I fail at stopping. I woke up the next morning feeling I had finally won the war.

However, other factors came to add stress and guess what, one drinking session lead to a harmless fag...and I haven't looked back.
Back on ten a day, the fitness thing has ground to a complete halt and it's as if I'm rebelling against these resolutions by eating nothing but crap and ingesting the most unhealthy stuff I can find.

I'm at the point now where I'm saying "**** it....this addiction and the craving never leaves you so I might as well enjoy the good things in life like fry-ups, beer and fags because I'm screwed anyway"

I'm definately feeling sorry for myself and I'll re-asses the situation when the man boobs or death cough appear but can you ever get rid of the craving?
Especially when you are most susceptible which in my case is when I have had a drink. I can't for the life of me break that association.

I'm fuming with myself.

I stopped smoking around 6 months ago and have only had two draws of a fag since - which resulted in me retching outside the White Hart for about 5 minutes! :idiot::jamboak:

It wasn't easy though.

I felt dizzy and pissed off for a week and a half whilst struggling to sleep and nearly having a nervous breakdown everytime I was near someone smoking, but I got there in the end.

My point is, at the time it seems as though you'll never be free from the cravings (they do last for a few weeks) but once your through that first month without a fag, you've won - even after the first week it gets significantly easier.

I however appreciate that I only smoked for around 6 years and understand that it probably gets more difficult the longer you are addicted.

You can do it though! :aok: