One of my favorite stories about this is when a friend came over one day to visit. We were sitting around talking and one of us lit up a ciggie. Someone asked my friend if he wanted one, and my fried replied that he had been quit from them for just over five years. Everyone congratulated him. Then, another dude asked him if he ever wanted one. My friend suddenly gripped the table, looked the dude right in the eye and said in a low growl:

"Every. Fucking. Day!"

I quit them over 20 years ago. I can say that I don't want one. So, even if you find yourself like my friend, it will still pass and you are better for it.

Stay the course!

you’d get off the butt

How's the cravings been? How's your mood? Has it been easier than you expected, more difficult or pretty much what you were prepared for?

I can't speak for everyone, but for me it got really easy after about the two month range. The thought of even smelling a cigarette makes me want to vomit now.

and not want one and just enjoy the smell then the next phase was smelling cigarette smoke and thinking it stunk.

Sincerely, I feel so much better after kicking my 50-year habit. I hope you will, too.

and I know what you’re going through. Quitting was the hardest thing I ever did, but soooooooooo happy I did. Now, keep up the good work. So proud of you, AND your body is too, which is on the road to healing. Good luck.

If you don't smoke and are a non-smoker then quit thinking and talking about quitting and don't play mental games which are going to eventually lead to finding a big enough excuse to light up again.

If it is over then move on and simply become a non-smoker, which means there is nothing to go back to, because you don't smoke, you aren't giving up something, you aren't quitting, you aren't resisting, you aren't overcoming, you don't smoke so there it is.

It can also be motivating to measure success along the way.
I look forward to hearing about her future success!

I think about 10 years, but I never counted.

One day, I decided that I had just had enough. It might be closing in on four years.

One day at a time. You can do it!

when you get a crave. Chat for 5 minutes. There - your crave has passed.

I quit 17 years ago and love my quit. I never want a cigarette. You have done it!!!

Treat yourself to something for this first mile stone. I bought myself some Cinnabar by Estee Lauder. Used Febreeze for years to cover the cig stink. Now I smell like cinnamon. 👍

Keep up the good work 💕

Nice job. Keep going.

After a month of not smoking
In just one short month, you can experience many health changes related to stopping smoking. One is feeling a sense of heightened overall energy.

You may also notice that many smoking-related symptoms have decreased, such as sinus congestion and shortness of breath with exercise.

In addition to these benefits, fibers in the lungs that help keep the lungs healthy are growing back. These fibers can help reduce excess mucus buildup and protect against bacterial infections.

Finally, those who make it for one month without smoking are 5 times more likely to quit for good.

You are doing this thing! A+ 😊💗

I KNOW how hard it is! Cheers to you!

Quit 10 years ago, hardest addiction to overcome…best thing I ever did for myself.

Keep quitting everyday

I am so very proud of you Debbie. You will be amazed how quickly your lungs begin to make life easier on you. Keep up the great job and please call if you are on the verge of having one, no matter the time. Please.
I love you

The worst time is that first month. I'll bet food tastes better!

When I decided to attempt to stop I was up to a 5 pack a day average.

I quit by switching to Nat Sherman Browns... Then mini cigars...
Then spicy South American Cigars...

At the end I was just holding the cigar in my mouth for a second or two at a time...

My last cigar is still in my old smoke place if I ever want it... LOL...

I never will!!!

I've seen how hard it is to quit. My husband started smoking when he was 14 and quit at 72. It means so much to him that yesterday, April 1st, he reminded me that it's been 2 years since he quit. Keep going!!!

Use all the tools in your quit smoking tool box to keep up the good work! You've got this!!

37 years after I quit smoking, I learned that I had scarring on the walls of my lungs from asbestos exposure. But my lungs are still functioning well. There's no telling what kind of shape I would be in today, if I hadn't quit smoking when I did (or even if I would still BE!).
My point is, whatever reason you had for quitting, there may be more reasons that you aren't even aware of yet!

Combining that with the scarring from the asbestos, and it seems like it would make for some serious problems.

I've heard if you can make it to twenty one days you will be well and truly done. Where I heard that and what it means, I really have no idea.

Fantastic job!! Keep the faith, Deb.

❤️

Good on you, Deb. This is such an exciting, big step.

The absolute best thing I ever did for my health.

Love stories like this! Kudos!

Stay focused it takes a while for the habit to give up and actually set you free. You're definitely headed in a positive direction. GOOD LUCK

Stay away from smokers too. You don't want to take even one hit of the cig. I quit 33 years ago. It took me 3 tries. I know women in their 60s & 70s who still smoke. They keep telling me they want to quit, but by being around each other they give in. One has had a heart attack and a stent too. I can't even hang out with them because then I have to wash all my clothes and myself. So the only way I can interact with them is in a restaurant or when outside. So I lost friends because of cigs.
Best of luck to you!

You can Really smell the roses now!
Congrats!

I have walked a mile in those shoes, the same as the other ex smokers here.

Congratulations on a month, Deb, that is a HUGE milestone!

👏👏👏

Breaking that darned habit made me feel like I was going to die from time to time. I don't even remember how long it took me to really make it stick. It was so worth it. Have a good cheering partner even for after. My husband continued to let me have it for the stinky smell and how I put him at risk. It took me a longer time than it should have because...you need support.

I need to quit myself, so you are an inspiration!

Who have quit! Congratulations to all!

Good for you, that is a real accomplishment as nicotine is one of the most addictive substances in the world.

Good for you, that is a real accomplishment as nicotine is one of the most addictive substances in the world.

your taste buds will return and your lungs will start turning pink.

My big deal is 2 months of being cannabis free. I've been a 50 year lover of the lady, but I have decided it no longer serves me and I quit.

Put the money in a jar so you can see it.

Good job!

Keep up the good work.

Aside from the cash savings, I hope you are seeing improvement in your health!

I want to do a month without sugar, did few years ago and now I can only go hours...

Wish you the best!

You got this!

The first 30 are tough as your breathing gets worse with out the nicotine. Now you will begin to recover around day 60 you will recover back to where you were when you quit and will keep improving. Best wishes for increased comfort.

You will feel physically younger - enjoy your new vitality! I quit 35 years ago and was amazed at how my energy improved. Good for you!

It gets easier as time passes.

I quit smoking so many years ago ... I started as a teenager. My parents always smoked and I married a smoker so I was always around the smell of cigarettes. After I quit in my late 20's - and I was also divorced by then - I noticed that my home smelled so much nicer when nobody smoked. I realized that my own clothes and hair, even my skin, lost the smell of cigarettes, and I began to HATE the smell.

Once I'd reached that point it was easy to quit, even though I was around friends and relatives who smoked. Nowadays it's even easier because restaurants, stores, shopping malls, even offices no longer allow smoking indoors. You don't have to be tempted by other people smoking in front of you.

Best of luck Debm!

As an ex smoker (27 years ago) I know how difficult this can be. One day at a time, if it helps what you should do is put the money you would have spent in jar every day, and at the end of your next month go reward yourself to a really nice meal.. Your taste buds will be well along the road to healing also and you will be amazed at how great food tastes!

Keep up the good work!!

Do something really nice for yourself.

It's really tough. I came close lots of times, but I could never stay off of them. Bypass surgery and COPD has finally cured me of that.

I myself quit for good in 1980. Unfortunately, I worked in the restaurant business for years afterward, before the smoking bans went into effect in Michigan, so I got a lot of second-hand smoke. In 1996, I left the restaurant business and have been completely smoke-free ever since.

Just a little bit of advice: don't start eating everything in sight like I did. And keep up the good work!

21 years for me. I know it's hard for you to imagine right now, but the day will come when you don't even think about having a cigarette. When there are medical issues for quitting the choice becomes crystal clear. Good for you!

You've made it through the tough part. I speak from experience.

I was an occasional smoker and quit and never have had the desire to smoke again.

Congratulations. You have made it past the worse of quitting. It does get easier.

She was also an alcoholic and gave it up after 15 years.
Anything and everything is possible if you are determined.
Strokes to you debm55.

I have several smokers at work. I wish I could get them to quit.

It's not easy, but it's worth it!

Once you've hit 3 days you should be clear of all chemical addiction. Psychological addiction might take longer but that is the easier part!!!

I quit so many times before it finally took. Harder for me than getting sober.

Keep it up and don't forget to reward yourself.

I quit when I was 28 (very long ago). Made it for 3 years and cracked one night when I had too many Long Island Ice Teas.

But ultimately I was able to stay off them and never returned to my 2 1/2 packs a day.

Stick with it and you’ll be so much happier (still miss smoking but I have this attachment to breathing)

Stay strong and congratulations.

Your lung function is already restoring itself and your resistance to infection is already stronger. So happy for you! Yay! You should set aside the money you aren’t spending on cigs and a few more months down the road, splurge on something just for yourself. Keep up the fight!! 🩷🩷🩷🩷

July 13 will mark 12 years since my last cigarette. I'm so glad I quit, after years of failed attempts. I do not miss it at all. Food tastes better, I breathe easier, I don't get sick as often, and I saved a lot of cash. I hope it will be all good news for you. Have a great day!

you don't smoke no steeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeenking cigarettes.

Keep that in mind everytime you feel the urge.

Congrats from one quitter to another. 40 years in/25 years out

Put aside the money you were spending on cigs. At the end of one year, you'll be able to pay for a nice trip as a reward.

... 35 years ago. Don't miss it A-tall. Congratulations! It's a bitchin' addiction to break.

Hang in there- it gets better (former smoker)

Good on you.

Believe it or not, after 18 years quit

I still have urges!

but you will lose it after about 6 months.

I am now celebrating an interesting milestone of sorts...smoke-free for 17 years today. I will offer this to you as encouragement - as long as you have a reason to NOT smoke that is powerful AND personal to you, then IT IS POSSIBLE to quit and never go back. So good job on the first hurdle and good luck with those to come. I am rooting for you to succeed!

I was a pack-a-day smoker from age 16 to 37. I received a diagnosis of renal cell carcinoma in 2008 - today (April 3rd). I went cold turkey off cigarettes that day, but needed nicotine gum and lozenges to ween my body off of the drug. The only thing that worked for me (and everyone is different, so your results may obviously vary!!) was a complete tear down and restructuring of my social life and daily habits. I had to reinvent myself to avoid the habit and the activities that drove my addiction.

I had to "retire" from playing competitive billiards in the (then) Bud Light leagues I played in. I also gave up drinking beer. I had formed very powerful neural pathways that associated a cigarette with playing pool or drinking beer, so strong that I found my enjoyment prety much eliminated by constant cravings for a cigarette. I stopped going to bars and night clubs (they still allowed indoor smoking in them at that time - though now that is a relic I understand kind of like my then 37 year old ass in the dance club was LOL!!!). I missed it, but I also knew that kicking the habit was for me all about changing the images in my brain as well as the chemistry in my blood. If I had not made life changes, the results were going to be predictable - I would resume smoking.

I wish I could say this was all a great success story and that I was able to apply this to other areas of my life with the same results - sadly that is not the case. I gained weight after quitting, a solid 65 pounds that I have never been able to shed to date. I detest working out; seriously, the very thought of it breaks me out in hives at times. My brain flat out revolts with images of discomfort, aches and pains and sore muscles, sweat and the feeling of wet clothing on your back sticking to the seats in the car... ALL very visceral, emoive things going on in my head. Its exhaustiing by itself. I also refuse to feel hungry or not be able to eat or sample some foods or dishes because "that's bad for your weight". I am in a mental war with my own brain over this as well... while I was easily able to convince myself that stopping smoking at 37 was 100% necessary and worthwhile (to raise my 5 children, to live my life with my wife of 29 years now, to do things in my career and personal life that I still wanted to do) Now? I find my subconscious wielding negative images with aplomb why bother with this if you are unlikely to stick with it? Why try to extend your life expectancy if the world around you is going to shit and your future reward is dementia and incapacitation in your 80s anyway? I find myself in dark places often as a result.

I know from experience HOW to make life changes for myself - very successful ones at that!; but, I also struggle now with the impact of father's dementia progression (age 82 but nearly incapacitated and a shell of what he was even 3 years ago) as well as my grandmother's struggle with the same thing (she was severely demented from age 83 to her death at age 96). These events and experiences have left some deep scars on me and sapped my desire to prolong my life into those ages because I am CONVINCED that would be my fate as well. I notice (and obsess over) times when I literally cannot recall something - a date, a name, an event... I can still 'see' it in my mind... but my ability to comprehend or communicate it is temporarily just...gone. Anywho... all of that sad story is just to say, weight control (and the lifestyle changes like dietary restrictions, exercise programs and the like) do not tickle my same survival instinct the way a cancer diagnosis at 37 did, so while I kicked cigarettes without ever again smoking, I am incapable of changing my life further to avoid excessive weight. Nicotine-released dopamine was overcome... mental and digestive and emotional dopamine from eating and not allowing for external imposition of limits? Sadly, I do not have the same will power or desires any longer.

In the end, I had cancer in my kidneys that was discovered at the absolute earliest possible moment (serendipiously at that - food poisoning and an ER visit with an abdominal CT found it only because an attentive X-Ray tech saw something and told me to get a second opinion right away) whether it was smoking related or not is debatable (though at the time I mentally attached the two together in a iron-clad relationship), but I do know most renal cell carcinomas are asymptomatic until they metastisize and spread to other locations, and when they are detected, it is usually because the patient is in deep trouble and stage 3 or later.