A thing I think helped...

[smoke gets in my eyes]

... that I did differently this time than ever before (I am now 5 months smokefree) was to change my eating habits. I had the weight gain thing, of course, but that's coming off now. But quitting can just make you feel like a lump of damp playdo. Weak and lifeless and kind of doughey. So I chose foods that were super nutritious. Usually I don't eat very well. I think the improvement in the quality of food helped to balance out some of the energy loss. I also drank a lot of water, just for something "hand to mouth" as I think Chalkie put it. I just read that drinking a lot of water is a very good thing for flushing the nicotine out of the system.

[Chalkie]

I think when I do quit, I think it will be cold turkey and I'll start with the water process. I'm not the healthiest of eaters myself...I'm a junkie...a junk food junkie and since the aforementioned gum surgery, the sugar is really a killer on my gums. I know I don't drink enough water, coffee is my beverage of choice. I think not only does the water provide the hand to mouth reflex (and I also learned, thanks to Smoke, about flushing the nicotine out of my system), but the act of getting up from where I'm at, getting away from whatever I'm doing to go get that drink of water (i.e., don't just have the glass of water sitting on my desk, end table, etc.) just might provide the distraction to get me over the hump of the craving at that moment.

Once I get rolling on conquering this nicotine addiction, I'll move on to caffeine addiction (as I'm sipping a Starbucks right now...overindulgence!).

[smoke gets in my eyes]

Heaven help me if I have to give up the coffee.

[Chalkie]

<Heaven help me if I have to give up the coffee>

Sorry, I don't know how to bold or block this in this forum...

LMAO Smoke! I used to have just a couple of cups of coffee a day, now it seems to be a daylong/nightlong affair! Ironically, my A says he only has a cup of coffee with each meal and perhaps one at only one meeting (out of maybe 3 or 4) per day! I'm hoping it's only the cold weather that's making me do it. I just know the water will be better for me...perhaps I can create an even balance between the two.

I have thought more about the nicotine lozenge and might give it a try. I've already stated my doctor won't give me anything artificial and I've seen what the nicotine gum has done to others and with my recent gum surgeries, I need to stay away from the gum. Sucking on the lozenge just might give me that "hit" of a cig as well as the hit of nicotine but one bad reaction by my gums, then I'll know it's up to me, my will power and yes, even my Higher Power.

Once I get started (next week? next month?), I'll be sure to let you all know how it's going (especially since I've proven to throw a tantrum or two already). I'll be especially pleased to see how others start their process and read of their progress.

[Chy]

Good for you Smoke!

[Loulouise]

Hi All,
I found not just drinking water but brushing my teeth whenever I could helped as you never want to stinky up your mouth again real quick after you brush.

I quit 15 years ago, cold turkey. Personally I wanted to get the nicotine out of my system ASAP and that doesn't happen with the patch, gum, etc.
You can do it!!!!!!! Hugs
Loulouise