Quitting Smoking

[VA1N]

Hey guys,

Wanted to post this in the forum since this is a big part of my life. Starting soon, I'm going to quit smoking. I proposed to Reilly, my fiance, 2 weeks ago and said I would quit smoking soon since that is what she always wanted. For the past 2 weeks, I have been scared shitless because I know I have to use that damn gum. I found a book though, while looking at stuff online that is supposed to make you quit by the time you finish reading it. I thought, yeah right, impossible, but apparently it's a big deal in Britain and just came to the US not too long ago. It's been on the news, today show, etc. Also, it has a 5 star rating on Amazon.com with 466/531 people giving it 5/5 stars saying that they quit as soon as they finished reading. I'm skeptical, because even the author says "smoke while you read this book." Link to the book below:

http://www.amazon.com/Easy-Way-Stop-...pr_product_top

Apparently, the book is supposed to "de-brainwash" you out of common misconceptions. The author is a former smoker so he knows that people telling you that smoking kills doesn't make you want to quit, instead it makes you want to smoke more since the person just reminded you of the craving you were going to have. Some people are calling it magic, others mild hypnosis...I'm not sure yet.

I'm about halway through the book. I read about 100 pages last night, and the whole first half of the book is "debunking" myths about smoking. I'm going to continue smoking until I finish the book, as it's instructions say, and if it works, I'll be shocked. But, I'm not banking on it. If it doesn't work I'm going to try the nicorette gum approach and see how that goes. I'll post replies in this thread to keep you guys up to date on how it goes. If this book does work though, I'll be the first to let you know...I just can't believe how many people are saying they quit as soon as they finished the last page of the book.

Wish me luck...

[JayMac743]

I'd wish you luck my friend, but I don't agree with "luck" on this one.

Now I'm gonna get all serious and shit....

Smoking is a choice, and its your "WILL" that makes it stop. Not luck, not the book, not even the gum.

You need to do this for yourself FIRST, wife second, dog third, and future babies fourth.

This shouldn't be an attempt to quit smoking, it should be just like following a trail to the end. This trail isn't a maze, its straight and the end is clear.

It easier then tying your shoes, learning how to drive, and teaching your dog to rollover. Because theres nothing that you need to learn. You just need to resist throwing 7$ down the toilet every morning and giving yourself a death sentence.

All the smokers can chime in and say what they want but the truth is smoking is a choice. I have seen many fail @ quitting while also seeing many prosper. For the ones that failed it was obvious why they did, they didn't want to.

If you have confidence in yourself to take on challenges and feel you can overcome great obstacles, whether it be work or personal life, why is smoking any different?

It's not.

Va1n I will wish you the BEST, not the best of luck, but just the best. Knowing full well that the outcome of your quest has already been decided. It was decided when you proposed, when you opened that book, and when you put that last cigarette down.

I hope you want this, because you have many reasons too

P.S.- please keep us informed on your progress. Remember NEVER to lie to anyone about how smokes you had, it will only make it easier the next time to continue the lies.

P.S.S- Can you keep a daily log of how many cigarettes you smoke so we can "track" your progress?

[JPetrillo]

Yeah dude, you have to just stop and not let it mess with you mentally. Those neurotransmitters in your brain got used to the feeling of nicotine so you'll feel like crap for a while once you stop smoking, but trust me... after a while those neurotransmitters in the brain will get used to not have the nicotine there and then you'll feel better than you did before. Good luck bro. Just be strong mentally and you'll be fine. Don't give in to those little damn cigarettes! Its a waste of money anyways...

[VA1N]

Hey guys, thanks. Just a quick question though, do either of you smoke? I always ask that when people give advice on quitting because from a smokers standpoint, and even talking with smokers who have quit...it's tougher than just stopping. Non smokers look as smokers as just being dumb...why would they spend so much money smoking when they know it kills them? It's because we have this monster in our hear that we just keep feeding. Apparently, nicotine withdrawal symptoms are mild at best. Think about it, I go to bed each night and sleep for 8 hours, yet I don't wake up once to smoke a cigarette. On the other hand, if I went 8 hours, hell, 4 hours during the day, I'd be tearing my hair out. The book I'm reading is different from non smoking books because they want you to smoke as the guy teaches you that smoking does nothing to you, it's just masks other things.

People think cigarettes give them a buzz, they don't. They just cure a craving for a cigarette which gives a happy feeling since you just fed the monster. They don't help you relax, don't help you socialize...they do absolutely nothing for you...so why do you do it? The book is pretty enlightening and at the very least, I'll have some solid information, not scare tactics, to help me quit. I just need to get over the fear of quitting. It's scary to me to not have a pack of cigarettes on me at all times. I need to get rid of that, then I'll be good to go.

So thank you for your comments. I'll keep everyone updated on how it goes. I plan on finishing the book either tonight or tomorrow and then start with the gum if I have to.

[JPetrillo]

I smoked, but not for long. Roughly 8 years ago there was a period of time where I was smoking about a pack a day for 5 - 6 months. Maybe a little longer than that. No longer than for 8 months though. I met someone, and just stopped completely. I know it wasn't terribly long, but don't tell me that a pack a day for 5+ months is not long enough to get you "addicted". It was kind of hard, and there were times where I REALLY wanted to have one, but I just tried my hardest to block the thought of wanting it and mentally I was strong enough to do it. After a while you just forget about it and it's no big deal.

Today, I will smoke one occasionally. Usually only if I'm really drunk, but even then I regret it and say to myself, "Why the hell am I doing this?" Lately I've been really good about it though. Even if I'm drunk I can control myself enough not to have one. It also helps that a couple friends of mine (who smoked for years) also recently quit... so their not asking me to go outside with them for a cigarette anymore.

[danimoose]

Va1n I don't nor have I ever smoked however my wife does so if the book works tell me please she has tried to quite and I know how hard it is. The reason she kept going back was stress so try to be carefree if possible.

[VA1N]

Originally Posted by JPetrillo

I smoked, but not for long. Roughly 8 years ago there was a period of time where I was smoking about a pack a day for 5 - 6 months. Maybe a little longer than that. No longer than for 8 months though. I met someone, and just stopped completely. I know it wasn't terribly long, but don't tell me that a pack a day for 5+ months is not long enough to get you "addicted". It was kind of hard, and there were times where I REALLY wanted to have one, but I just tried my hardest to block the thought of wanting it and mentally I was strong enough to do it. After a while you just forget about it and it's no big deal.

Today, I will smoke one occasionally. Usually only if I'm really drunk, but even then I regret it and say to myself, "Why the hell am I doing this?" Lately I've been really good about it though. Even if I'm drunk I can control myself enough not to have one. It also helps that a couple friends of mine (who smoked for years) also recently quit... so their not asking me to go outside with them for a cigarette anymore.

That's more than enough to get you addicted. I started smoking when I was about, eh, 17? I would hide it from my parents and stuff so it wasn't hardcore smoking...more casual. When I hit 21 that's when I told my parents I smoked and took on the formal role of a daily smoker. I've smoked about 15-18 cigarettes a day with some days (doing manual labor outside, going to the bar, etc.) exceeding that. I'm 25 now and it's just time to quit. I'm so sick of it. I feel like shit in the morning, I can't run or do anything strenuous for longer than a few minutes without feeling winded. It sucks. I used to play baseball and soar around the field, now if I try, I'd keel over. And for what? Nothing.

Danimoose - I'll definitely let you know. I'm remaining skeptical until I finish the book. It doesn't claim to be magical, it just says it will help undo what the media, parents, friends have instilled in your head for years about misconceptions of smoking and then teach you that when you "give up" smoking, you aren't actually giving anything up. How can you give up something that you don't even want. One good section in the book talks about calling cigarettes enjoyable. People say they enjoy a good smoke, hell, I've said it too...but then if it's enjoyable, why was it so hard to begin? When I was a teen, the first time I took a drag I damn near coughed up a lung, but I stuck with it and eventually I could inhale like a pro. Looking back I realize how stupid that was, but everyone did it. Whether it be for peer pressure, a girl, or whatever, we did it. Something that was so difficult to begin and so unenjoyable shouldn't be the cause of so much pain when you quit.

I should finish the book tomorrow and I'll see how I feel mentally about quitting at that point. I am quitting, I've already said that...I'm just picking my method.

Also, to touch on Jay's post earlier, the book says you will not need willpower to end smoking. This goes against everything I believe because I think will is a big part. The book says that you don't need will power because you won't be giving anything up, as stated earlier. The teachings in the book will erase from your head the thoughts you have about quitting and remove the fear that causes withdrawal. Cigarettes, as the book says, or rather nicotine, doesn't cause withdrawal symptoms that are severe. It's our fear of not having that next cigarette and our fear that social outings won't be the same without them that does.

Again, I'm just reiterating what the book says. I'm not a believer in the book yet, although it's a good read if you are quitting. I'm sure it would help anyone who is smoking.

Here's a video I found on youtube from a news station that covered the book. Check it out, it's pretty neat. I'll continue to update this thread on my progress though.

Again, thanks everyone for your support with this. If I get testy over the next week, remember, it's not me...it's the nicotine monster wanting to be fed and taking out on you. haha, I kid, I kid...

[Laudredm]

Good luck

I've never smoked a complete cigar in my life, don't like it

[danimoose]

Originally Posted by VA1N

When I was a teen, the first time I took a drag I damn near coughed up a lung, but I stuck with it and eventually I could inhale like a pro. Looking back I realize how stupid that was, but everyone did it. Whether it be for peer pressure, a girl, or whatever, we did it. Something that was so difficult to begin and so unenjoyable shouldn't be the cause of so much pain when you quit.

The first reason the exact reason I don't smoke. I had friends that did tried it once about died didn't do it again. The second why my wife does all of her friends did so she kept trying tell she got use to it.

Posted this before I watched the video and that makes it seem real I hope it works for you.

[VA1N]

Originally Posted by danimoose

The first reason the exact reason I don't smoke. I had friends that did tried it once about died didn't do it again. The second why my wife does all of her friends did so she kept trying tell she got use to it.

Yeah, kind of the same story here. I dated a girl who smoked and I hung around with a lot of people who smoked. I said no the first couple times but when everyone would go outside to smoke, I'd be inside by myself. I eventually joined them outside. I continue to say no until one night I was drunk or on something and said yes. Then the next time I said yes, then again, and again...then I bought my first pack...and it all went downhill from there.