Supercalm

[LoreBond]

I start everyday with intention to quit. It extends much deeper than a desire.

Staying busy so i dont replace nicotine with any other habit, food for example. I pay attention to what I am feeling tired, I get sleep 

One thing to share is stress. I drink Nello Supercalm in my water. My doctor was right and it has helped with cravings, stress along with that, my sleep at night has improved

So i may not have met my first quit goal but I am feeling better and have not stopped my journey to being smoke free

[Barbscloud]

@LoreBond Welcome to the Ex and congrats on planning for your upcoming quit for the new year.   Using this time to prepare is a great way to plan for a successful quit.

You found a great group of quitters to support you on your journey. It's not to late to educate yourself about nicotine addiction and have a quit plan by identifying tools to use, how to cope with cravings and creating new associations to replace smoking/vaping. It took me 50 years and many attempts to finally get it right. When I found the Ex I learned how to to quit for the first time. This link will get you off on the right track to be successful.

https://www.becomeanex.org/guides/?cid=footer_community_linktobex

We have our favorite quit tools. I used Sour Patch Kids, chewing on straws, playing video games and walking. If you're able, walking is a great way to refocus your thoughts and get an added boost of dopamine needed when eliminating nicotine. And deep breathing exercises will help you get through some tough times.

The habit (or psychological aspect) has more to do with when and where you smoke. After a meal, in your car, when you're happy, when you're sad, etc. That's where creating new associations comes into play. What can you do instead of smoking when you're stressed, having your coffee, going to events, etc.? Be creative! Instead of smoking, go for a walk, take shower, chew on straws, hard candy, call a friend, and come to the Ex and read/post.

Have you chosen to use a quit aid? They can really help with the initial withdrawal symptoms.

Reinforce your quit by joining many of us quitters on the Daily Pledge, It's a great way to stay accountable to yourself and to stay on track one day at a time.

Attitude and preparation are keys to success. Approaching your quit one day at a time helps to alleviate much of the anxiety we experience when we think about quitting. We're here to support you so reach out anytime you need help, want to share your experience, and to support other quitters.
Stay busy and stay close.

Barb

[CommunityAdmin]

Welcome to the EX Community @LoreBond! My name is Quiana, and I’m part of the EX Team. Congratulations on taking the courageous step to quit! We’re honored to be part of this life-changing journey with you.

The community is here to support you every step of the way, so don’t hesitate to share updates about your progress or reach out if you need guidance. A great place to start is our Daily Pledge page, t’s a wonderful way to reinforce your commitment to staying smoke-free, one day at a time, while connecting with others on the same path.

Our mindset can be the reason we succeed or fail.  By you starting each day with the intention to quit shows just how committed you are to this journey.  It's clear that you're putting in the work, not just to quit smoking but to truly understand and address what you need during this transition. Mental Health is so important on this journey. 

The fact that you haven’t stopped your journey, even if you didn’t meet your first quit goal, is what truly matters.  Every step forward is progress. Keep going, you’re already making positive changes, and you’re well on your way to becoming smoke free. 

To help you get started, here are a couple of helpful articles:

• Right Before You Quit
• 3 Ways to Get Support

We’re so glad you’re here. You've got this! 💪

Quiana, EX Team

[YoungAtHeart]

Welcome!

Good to see you are preparing for your quit with positivity! It will go a long way to accomplishing your goal.   Understanding the addiction and having a PLAN going forward will reduce the anxiety of quitting.  Get busy learning and preparing, and I think you may actually start to look forward to this journey!  You will do this one day at a time, so don't be looking further ahead than that. 

An important thing you can do right now is to educate yourself on what nicotine does to your body and mind. I was amazed when I learned that the stress reduction you feel using nicotine is caused by the brain receptors calming that have gradually built in volume jonesing for their next fix!  I highly recommend Allen Carr's “The Easy Way To Stop Smoking."  He provides a new perspective on the whole quit experience.

To better deal with the habit part of the addiction, change up your routines so the smoking associations are reduced.  Drink your coffee with your OTHER hand in a place different from where you smoked. Maybe switch to tea for a bit.  If you always had that first smoke with your coffee, try putting your walking shoes on right out of bed, going for a quick walk, then taking your shower and THEN drinking your coffee!

After you have eliminated as many associations as you can, you need to distract yourself through any craves.  You can take a bite out of a lemon (yup - rind and all), do a few jumping jacks, go for a brisk walk or march in place, play a computer game.  Keep a cold bottle of water with you. Don't let that smoking thought rattle around in your brain unchallenged.  Here is a link to a list of things to do instead of smoke if you need some fresh ideas:  101 Things to Do Instead of Smoke - EX Community.

The conversation in your head in response to the "I want a cigarette" thought needs to be, "Well, since I have decided not to do that anymore, what shall I do instead for the three minutes this crave will last?"  Then DO it.  You will need to put some effort into this in the early days, but it gets easier and easier to do.

You might want to join other site members by taking the daily pledge when you quit. It helps to hold yourself accountable and also accountable to others here. Find it at Home (top left), then first box titled "Take the Daily Pledge."

Stay close to us here and ask questions when you have them and for support when you need it. We will be with you every step of the way!

Nancy

[McMoney]

Hi @LoreBond !  There is a method to quitting. It's not exactly the same for everyone but there is a structure that works. 

The right attitude, some preparation, and having a plan is how you outsmart and outlast cravings and with time you will break free from the addiction that has held you captive. 

You deserve to be free. Keep looking around here at the EX and gather your tools. Get ready and get excited. You're the only one who can change your life but you don't have to do it alone. We're here for you. We've all been through it or we're all going through it so we know it's not easy but we know it's doable. You got this! 

[biscuit9]

@LoreBond   Keep that goal running in your head.....quitting the nic addiction.   Like you, I had wanted to quit, so many times.  Thoughts are not action, though and this addiction can lull you right back to it, over and over again.  I got down to 3 cigs a day and that nic addict was whispering "3 a day is not bad".  Really want to give you credit for working toward your goal of quitting.  Come here often and just read other peoples' stories.  Since I had no desire to quit when I got started, I watched anything and everything about nicotine.   All the awful stuff I would never allow myself to think about as a happy nic addict, I was willing to listen to then.  Quit a little over 2 years and I hope you find your freedom from this.  Believe in yourself.