Calling all former smokers

[Ivan]

I quit just over 11 years ago, from two to three packs a day. Cold turkey. Hardest thing I have ever done, hands down. I still fight cravings every once in a while.

 

I quit due to my first son being born, and felt I had to man up and fly right.

[a1bummer]

To all the former smokers... THANK YOU!

[FozzyUSN]

I started smoking in 1979 while going through Basic Training in Great Lakes, IL because the only breaks given were for smokers. In 1984, I met my first X-wife and was given an ultimatum, either the cigarettes disappeared or she did. At the time I was stationed aboard the USS O'Bannon and resposible for weapons safety. I was not allowed to carry a firearm for a month while quitting. Looking back at this, it was one of three of the best things she did for me (the first two being my boys).

[ctstarrider]

H Tater,

I quit after the blizzard of 78, because my wife could out shovel me lol. and i would have had to walk 4 miles to more after I ran out.

Leon

[Sunman]

I smoked for more than 20 years. I started in highschool, to be "cool" and wound up being a dope. I quit a few times over the years, it never stuck for some reason. Then, I read a book called "the easy way to quit smoking" by Alan Carr. I am not sure if anyone has mentioned this book in this thread, honestly, I did not read all posts, sorry if it is a repeat. Anyways, before I was done this book, I was ready to quit, only on the advice of the book NOT TO QUIT till I finished the book, I continued, but just read the book more. That was the 3rd Sunday in February 2007, soon will be my 2 year anniversary smoke free. And I have never once missed it. After reading the book, I felt so foolish, and once I knew what the trap of smoking really was, I never looked back. After I quit, I bought the book for 9 of my close friends who all smoked, and 8 of them quit smoking. The 1 who didn't, never read the book. His excuse? "He was afraid to quit". What could I do? The book will not tell you anything like, Smoking is bad for you, Smoking will kill you, Smoking causes emphyzema, or any of that scary crap.Why not? Because if you are a semi-intelligent adult who smokes, you already know that stuff. What the book will do, is clear up some of the stuff you "think" you know about smoking. Like I tell anyone, read the book, and then keep smoking if you want to. Don't quit, just read and get some information. You won't regret it.

Sonny

[big red]

asof this posting its been 131 hr.& 43min. i'm just starting to get my smeller back. not realy wanting to smoke , so i might just make it.[after 30 years @ 2 packs per day ].

[robbitybob]

I started smoking back when I was in the Army. Some of you remember, back in the day, the "C-rats" had a small pack of cigarettes in them. (a 4 pack was it?) Anyway that was the beginning of a decade or so love affair. At the end it was a pack and a half to 2 packs a day. I noticed I would cough in the morning, my lungs were kind of sqiushy sounding and I knew something just wasn't right. SO ... after about a hundred tries I quit. The night before I quit I smoked up almost two full packs - one cigarette after another. Just so there would not be any in the house. What happened though is that I kinda OD'd on nicotine and I for sure didn't want a cigarette the next day for love or money! Kind of gave me a head start in quiting and I haven't touched one since. Although there are times in the morning over a good cup of coffee that I have thought about how good a cigarette would taste with that coffee. But then I think about it and NAH!!!

[86er]

I smoked from the time I was 11 til I was 52. A pack a day of camel non-filters or 2 packs a day of any light cigs.Tried to quit lots of times and 6 months was the best I could do.

 

On 03-05-05 I went to a hypnotist and "got the cure". (I beat you by 3 years, Vickie, but we'll celebrate together!) For the first few weeks after the hypnosis I would bum cigs and try to inhale them, they just tasted bad and hurt my throat. That reaffirmed the cure. I can't inhale a cigarette, nor do I like the smell or taste anymore. I don't even think of myself as a smoker. I do still enjoy cigars, especially when I'm riding or drinking, but can't inhale them either.

 

If asked, I say that I'm a non-smoker. It's almost hard for me to believe that I was a heavy smoker for so long!

 

Edited January 23, 2009 by 86er

[RoyalPain]

Wow! Let me first say that I honestly have a deep and abiding respect for all of you the have been able to quit cold turkey! I have tried several times without success. Even now, faced with the shame of knowing that it has a major impact on how long I will be around for my two young boys, I couldn't do it.

I have however found a "device" that so far has really done the trick. I'm not doing anything about my nicotine additcion with it(yet) but it did help me go from 2 plus packs a day to 0 overnight. Its not a perfect solution, but it is a major improvement! Its called an "e-cig" and you kind find tons of info about them online. Be cautious if you do decide to look in to them because as with anything else, some are total junk. If I can help anyone intrested in checking this out, please feel tree to let me know!

Pain

[halfwitt]

Back in '93 my wife and I were 2 packs a day each. We had 6 month old twins. They were starting to cough. It was a Friday night and we said, "We really need to quit." We chain smoked the last of our cigs and haven't looked back since. Don't miss it at all. I smell the smokers at work and never realized how bad I must've smelled. Third best thing I ever did in my life.

[ibents]

Quit 49yrs ago, my mother caught me when I was 10...was at it for a few mths... and she beat the crap out of me, guess it worked never did it again.

 

Ian

[I like to Ride]

May 18, 2008 just before boarding a international flight coming home from europe. Coming up on a year now and the extra money goes for trips with the extra $3000.00 I have in my pocket. Its hard to believe what I spent over thirty years of smoking 2 packs a day I was stupid. The other little things that have changed in my life also like buying shirts without pockets for the smokes and before leaving the house making sure you don't leave behind your lighter and smokes. The first three days were hard but really not as hard as I thought they were going to be I should have quit years ago. Now all I have to do is get my wife to quit or a least try but thats her call.

[juggler]

When I joined the Navy in 1986 they got me started on smoking. I quit for good using the patch in September of 1998. I have not had a cigarette since.

[sgripp]

Quit just over 6 years ago. Smoked for 25 years.

 

Took the patch and a very big jar of candies.

 

Now I am working on the 50 lbs I gained.

 

Will take the extra lbs over smoking any day.

[MasterGuns]

I use to say quitting smoking was easy, heck I have done it 100 times. But in 1984 I decided I had better give it up or suffer the consequences but I had to find something to do that I couldn't be smoking while doing it. After some thought, the only thing I had ever done and couldn't do while smoking was running. So, everytime the craving was at a high level, I ran three miles. I was on active duty in the Marine Corps, so running wasn't a big deal but for the first two or three weeks, I was running 21 or more miles a day. But, it worked and I haven't had a smoke since. Here at work I know colleagues paying over $6 a pack. What a bunch of absolute morons. Such a high cost to pay to ensure you have serious health problems. For all you that smoke.....get smart.

[RedRocket]

I smoked for 17 years, and quit 8 years ago. Hypnotism helped.

I got tired of hearing myself wheezing while I lay in bed.

[murph35640]

will be three months for me this saturday. my wife also quit a couple of days after i did, we have both done really well with this and i think we are past the rough part.

[Bob Myers]

I stopped smoking a couple time in late 80's, after smoking since 1970. On January 17, 1993 at 11am I quit. Cold turkey, almost 2 packs the day before, none since. Second and third day were the worst. My wife smoked on through the years until December of 07, she too quit cold turkey.

[Wrongway]

Smoked for 30 years or so. Quit in 2006 and started back up after Debbie Passed. I have a new life now and quit for good on April 1st this year. It's not easy but the long term benefits and money saved are worth it.

[N3FOL]

I smoked cigarettes back in High School more during my Jr. year. I've tried alcohol as well. It is the best thing ever invented until you start to throw up.

 

Fortunately, I never really liked smoking in college and now in my adult life. I'd rather spend my money on Bling and feel healthy.

 

I still have to witness a rider on his bike and smoking a cigarette at the same time.

[TATERS]

On May 27th, it will be 1 year smokefree for me.

I cannot believe a whole year has gone by.

Do I miss it?. . . yeah. . . I probably always will.

Do I feel better?. . . much. . .I don't have that cronic cough.

I know one thing for sure. . .I smell better. (at least I think so) Ha! Ha!

If you still smoke. . .stop

If you say you need to quit. . make this your year. You'll be happy you did.

[joer]

I smoked from the time I was 15 until I turned 52. I stopped hundreds of times but never really until my Brother-in-Law died from smoking. I used Ziban(Wellbutrin) to help stop and haven't smoked for 10 yrs. Yeah I think about it everyday but there is NO urge. Like DOW Chemical says "Better living thru Better Chemicals"

[Shot]

Quit a 1000 times until my kids backed me in a corner. I quit 12 years ago and would love to be able to smoke a cigar sometimes but I'm sure if I smoke one I'd buy a carton. It was the toughest thing I've ever done but glad I did.

[ctraylor]

I smoked for about 15 years about 2 packs a day. I tried everything to stop, patches, gum, and suckers to no avail. I wanted desperately to stop but couldn't. On my daughter's 4th birthday I asked her what she wanted for her birthday and she looke me right in the eye and said I want you to quit smoking daddy. I was standing by the fireplace and threw my pack of cigarettes in the fireplace and never smoked another. I guess it broke my heart and that gave me the strength to quit. My daughter is now 20 years old and a junior in college and I hope this adds many years to my like to spend with my grandchildren.

[Ponch]

I quit in 86 because health concerns and the price of a pack had risen all the to 75¢.

Ponch