Holy Shit I want a smoke for some reason tonight!

[TooSlo86]

Wasn't planning on it, made no mention of it to the wife or daughter, and didn't broadcast it even weeks into it, but I had my last smoke on New Years Eve after 21 years of smoking. Cold turkey (not even a little slip). It seemed that this was going to be "the time" that I actually quit and was ready. All seemed good, all seemed easy........for the 1st month and a half.

Hell, I quit all the way through boot camp (not by choice) and still started it back up afterwards but I was young and dumb, now though;

WHY THE HELL AFTER ALL THIS TIME DO I NOW FEEL LIKE I WANT ONE AGAIN? WTF? It's as if I forgot about it for all this time now suddenly it's like I never quit.

Who's been here? When does this shit go away because I was for sure I was over it until this past week.

 

[Tin]

Some ex-smokers I know still feel the pinch after awhile. My boss quit smoking 25 years ago and still craves for one every now and then. My mom quit 5 years ago and sometimes she feels the urge as well.

 

[standy]

In my experience, it will come and go forever. I quit for 10 years, started back up after having just one, and then quit again after a couple years. Sometimes the feeling just pops up. For me, it usually happens when I want to take a break from work, or relax before bed.
Resist the urge!!!!! Don't let one slip up cost you your health or hard earned money! I try and think of it like this- if I start back up, it will take me atleast a year to quit, and one year of smoking a pack per day will cost me just under $3000.00
I can think of better stuff to spend the money on. Lol

 

[Wizeguy]

Its been 10 years on Valentines day that I quit and I still get the urge.
A pack or so a day times 10 years comes to about $17,000+ in savings.. Used that money as a partial payment on my 2nd house... That keeps me from smoking again. Plus it just literally stinks

 

[mdhmi]

I had my last smoke on New Years Eve after 21 years of smoking.

Grats

WHY THE HELL AFTER ALL THIS TIME DO I NOW FEEL LIKE I WANT ONE AGAIN? WTF?

Habit. Nostalgia. We're wired to allow ourselves to live lives of denial. This is evolutionary.
Think of how slow everyone drives when they see a cop at the side of the road.
Fast forward thirty seconds and they've resumed speeding, incredulously.

If you've quit then stay quit. The hard part is over.

 

[Chris Hansen]

Here's some motivation I use on my Dad whose an addict.

Quit being a pussy and grab your thoughts and cravings by the balls. You're in control of your own mind.

 

[black88coupe]

Congrats. I still crave them after quitting 28 years ago.

 

[DennisH]

Been a little over 12 years since I quit. I rarely feel the desire for one, and it's not that strong when I do. Keep it up, the hard part is over.

Dennis

 

[OnyxSSS]

Cravings diminish with time, when it hits go do something else for a minute and then continue on...you can do it

 

[Falcon64]

I had the same problem with chew and after the 6 week mark i lived 6 weeks of hell! But after that on slot it slowly went away. Hang in there bro you can kick it!

 

[DeFormula]

After smoking for 15 years my dad quit in 1965 and says he still occasionally has the urge, but has fought it off and never returned. You can fight it off too.

 

[DRAG-ULA]

Keep up the good work Chris!!!! It's been a little over a year for me, and I get a craving once in a while. It's all in your head, don't cave in!!

 

[Wizeguy]

Any of you gained weight after quiting?
I gained 30* and border line blood pressure. .. Told my doc I felt better as a smoker then I do now, he said weight gain and blood pressures can be controlled.... Cancer cannot, cant tell you what to do but you pick one to live with.

 

[Beigg]

Any of you gained weight after quiting?
I gained 30* and border line blood pressure. .. Told my doc I felt better as a smoker then I do now, he said weight gain and blood pressures can be controlled.... Cancer cannot, cant tell you what to do but you pick one to live with.

One vice for another.
Most dont realize it, but food habits and diets change to compensate for quitting cigarettes. Smokers put food in the hand that would normally be holding a cig. Smoking contains zero calories, and when food is the replacement it stacks on the lbs. If the foods are simple carbs, highly processed stuff, packed with sodium then the other health problems occur.

 

[TooSlo86]

Wow, alot of ex-smokers in the room, lol. Yea, I'm too far in to give in at this point and I don't plan on letting it get the best of me. My biggest motivation is being around to see my daughter grow up, now that she's old enough to know how bad it is for me I had to step up. Thanks to everyone for the re-assurance that I'm not crazy.

On the food side, at 1st I was snacking anytime I felt like I wanted to smoke. I thought I was going to become the poster-child for Cartman's Beefcake! I put on a few lbs as evidenced by my more snug pants but nothing major and I'm not driven to eat like that anymore.

Once again, thanks for the words of encouragement, and congrats to those who have stuck it out long term!

 

[OldbutNew]

Had my last smoke last Thanksgiving. Started in the Army where they were $0.25 per pack. I've quit several times! Once for almost 6 years. Don't even go bum one. You'll be right back at them. It's a heck of an addiction. Aside from the health benefits, and the $$$ you spend at six bucks a pack, your healthcare provider can TEST you for nicotine and charge you ridiculous premiums. Or even deny coverage.

 

[DRAG-ULA]

Any of you gained weight after quitting?

I quit a year ago, and gained 10lbs in the past 6 months, but I was pretty skinny before so I'm not super concerned. I also always put on 5 lbs over winter and lose it over summer. I don't feel any better after quitting tho. I've always been a pretty healthy person, maybe that's why.

 

[standy]

^ same here. People always say, "you'll feel so much better when you quit!" Not this guy. I felt better when I smoked, except for breathing. I can breathe much better, but I still feel a little off my game in many other aspects. Its probably a mental thing- most addictions are, to a point.

 

[RBOD]

Quitting smoking is the best thing I've ever done. I quit some years ago (I just stopped so I didn't mark the date) and never looked back. There are just no positives about it. I, too, hate hearing people say how hard it is. Is it hard to not hit yourself in the dick with a hammer? No? Because it's a terrible idea? Right. Just don't smoke dude. It's that simple (yes, it's that simple).

 

[TooSlo86]

Is it hard to not hit yourself in the dick with a hammer? No? Because it's a terrible idea? Right.

LOL, nice analogy! I'll keep that one in mind for sure.

Don't get me wrong I have no intention of becoming weak and giving up at this point, I just really had the urge at that time.