madaboutmoose's Journal, 05 August 2009

I wish you lived close to me so you could go to my hypnotist. But, alas, you do not. So buy a ton of veggies, like sweet peppers, celery, whatever you like to much on and then fill Tupperware containers with them. Not sure how much that person helped you since you feel the way you do so fast. Years ago my ex and I went on a river cruise. A man approached me, said he did not want me to be offended, he had smoked like a chimney forever, he went to this woman ~~he handed me a card~~ and we visited, inside it did irritate a bit for a few seconds, his coming up and saying that, but they were such a nice older couple and did not push and he was so genuinely concerned about my age and what would happen to me if I kept it up. I kept the card and finally called about 1 year later, I had developed adult asthma and had to make the choice, do I want to breathe or smoke. I really resented having to quit, I still do in a way, I enjoyed smoking. Carol, she took that physical craving away, that sensation that starts low in the chest, below the breasts, and works it way up until you feel like you are going to scream and claw at the walls, shredding the wall paper right off. I had to go 3 times, totalled 3 weeks. She said it only took once, I said excuse me??? You don't know me. In the end she agreed with me that I needed three times. I realased about 2 years later, tons of stress, smoked for 3 weeks, yuck!, went back for the three times again and I have never smoked since. It was so hard even with the hypnotist, it is not easy but she did make the initial onset easier. I found I gave up ice tea without realizing it because when I would kick back with a cigarette at home I always had ice tea. Strange how the ice tea became a thing of my past too without me really being aware of it. I changed my routine, changed where I sat, so I would not automatically want one. I really do not know about these group hypnosis things, I have never experienced that. Ask around, ask your doctor, ask at the health food store for someone who does hypnosis one on one, check the paper, there has to be someone within driving distance of you. I so feel for you my friend. I so understand what you are going through. Once about one month after I had quit the second time and smoking was still legal in public places there was a man sitting at a table next to me smoking. My daughter looked at me and said to my other daughter, mom is going to be on his lap breathing in his exhales in about 2 minutes. I did not tell them how close I came. You will find the cravings become less in time. But it takes time. I would have that sensations start and it would start working its way up into my chest and I would take deep breaths, exhale and in a short while it would subside. Hang in there. Carol, I look at your weight loss chart, anyone who can do that, can do this, just hang in there and quit smoking. A doctor said to me once, nicotine is more additive and harder to kick than morphine, cocaine, heroin and any other drug addiction there is. He said unfortunately it is legal and probably always will be because the tobacco companies are so powerful and have their hands in so many pockets of those in power that could make it illegal. I just do not know what to say to you, it is just so hard to stop. (((hugs))) 

Yikes, I just looked at my post, sorry about taking up so much space. :-) 

Mo ... no worries about taking up space. I appreciate your sharing. I've done this FOUR times before with the group hypnosis ... I know it will get easier. It is such a powerful addiction. I know I am better off to quit and stay quit. Really I do. It is addictive, not only physically but emotionally as well I think. The funny thing is ... my excuse for starting was because I was under a lot of stress at the time (20+ years ago) and I had lost a bunch of weight. I was worried about gaining it and was dating my husband who had started smoking again. I started so I wouldn't gain weight. Yes, I am college educated!!! Not very bright though!! What did I end up with? An eating problem AND a smoking problem. DUH. I had "played around" with smoking before then but it wasn't a habit yet. If I can just get through this first week I think it will get easier. It has before. If not I might shop around for a hypnotist in private practice. I bet my employee assistance through work would pay for it!! It is so expensive ... the smoking part ... not the therapy. It will be okay in time ... UGH!!! 

I have to leave in a couple of minutes but keep the faith. It does get easier but it takes time. The emotional part of smoking I think is just as addictive as the physical but the physical is what gives us hell at the very beginning. Would acupuncture help with that??? Not sure. I will ask Dr. Ahn when I go to him next Thursday and report back to you. He has gotten rid of a horrific migraine I had when I went in one week, he has helped so much with other issues so why not smoking. Gotta run, hugs, hugs, hugs.  

Just wanted to say I feel your pain and, like you said, it will get better. Every minute you don't smoke is a victory! I quit almost two years ago (for the last time!) and I think what helped me is truly realizing that I can never ever have another cigarette. Not even one puff, or I'll be right back in it. It was so hard fought to quit that I never want to do it again. In a weird way, that was a relief for me because I didn't have to fight with myself about smoking. I knew I wasn't going to. Does that make any sense? Anyway, you will get there. We're here for you! 

I have never smoked. I know that I am addicted to caffeine and I imagine that Nicotine is many 100's of times harder to kick. Take it a day at a time but unlike the healthy eating, I agree with erikag that you really need to do this one cold....not even a puff. One nice thing about smoking is you can quit completely....can't really do that with eating. So in a way controlling your eating may be harder than quitting. Try to realize the amazing self control it has taken to lose the weight that you have lost and maybe it will help you with the smoking. You should be very proud that you continue to attempt to improve.  

I'm so proud of you for kicking the habit! I've never been through what you're going through, but I've heard from others how very hard it is. I've heard that bubble gum helps - maybe you can challenge yourself to blow the biggest bubble for a World Record! Keep your mouth filled with bubble gum all day, and you won't be able to nibble! :) Hang in there! I know you can do it! I want pictures of your bubble gum efforts!