How I did it: After I tried to quit smoking by cutting back, cold turkey, switching brands, and even trying the gum (that lasted less than a day - yuck!) I decided that I was going to really invest in quitting smoking by using Chantix. I talked to a smoking cessation counselor who gave me lots of information. Just reading that alone really helped put me in the right mind set to be successful at quitting.

I knew that Chantix would be expensive, but I thought about it like it was investing in a gym membership - for my lungs, my sinuses, and my life.

I had some insane dreams, and had trouble sleeping but I was able to quit smoking without slipping. I cut my dosing down after 2 weeks when I stopped thinking about smoking. I stopped taking Chantix completely after 3 weeks.

It was still difficult after I stopped taking Chantix. I kept myself busy to make up for the idle time I now had since I wasn't smoking. I tried journaling on line, but that got boring. I read some good books. I started knitting and crocheting - again that hobby didn't really take, but I made myself a scarf, in June! Whatever it took to keep my hands busy!

I got regular emails from Chantix, like an online counselor with some little things to think about, or silly activity to do. It helped since it was a daily, then weekly, then monthly reminder about what I had been (a smoker).

Eventually I stopped reading the emails - or would only read the emails when they warned me that I hadn't read them in months. I forgot that I was a smoker! I was amazed when I got the email this June telling me I had quit for a year.

Occasionally I am in a place, or the weather is just right, or a song comes on the radio that takes me back to a memory when I smoked. It is still just that, a memory.

It has been 506 days, 21 hours, 31 minutes & 7 seconds. I have avoided 6,080 cigarettes since then, and saved a total of $1,824.83.

Its something to be proud of.

Lessons & tips:

• It gets easier. Eventually everything about smoking becomes disgusting and the cravings stop.
• Find something to keep your mouth busy with LOW calories and sugars - I carried a water bottle with ice and lemon with me everywhere I went. Sugar Free Popsicles are awesome.
• Don't step on a scale or worry about your weight while you are quitting smoking. It will be easier to address that issue after you are a non-smoker!
• You will eventually have to be around friends who will still be smokers. Don't whine about it, suck it up. Be strong. Consider each of these opportunities a test.
• If you slip once it doesn't give you a break to have a second or a third cigarette. Trying to quit again after your slip can be harder than quitting initially.
• If you are still smoking a single cigarette 1x a day, 1 x a week, or even just occasionally when drinking... don't fool yourself, you are still a smoker and harming your body. That's a great goal when first cutting back, but don't stop there!

Resources: Smoking cessation counselor, Chantix, Ice water, Stress ball, Packed lunches with lots of snack choices, a good book, a new bike (or other exercise), a good friend to listen to you, or even just a blog to post comments to.

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Nov 04, 2009, 06:57PM PST | 0 comments | 2 cheers