How did you STOP smoking?

[The Voice]

Is the eating a new habit to replace the smoking or does smoking suppress appetite?

From what I've read, smoking cigarettes stimulates the adrenal glands (you're literally poisoning yourself, so your body reacts accordingly), which in turn causes some stored (bad) fats and sugars to enter your blood stream for emergency energy - which they think can also causes heart disease from smoking. So you're practically "feeding" yourself when you smoke - so it acts as an appetite suppressant, I guess. If you've stopped, you may therefore start feeling hungrier.

There's also the fact that nicotine affects the dopamine receptors. Prior to beginning smoking, only three things trigger dopamine release: satisfying thirst, hunger, and the need for sex. Smoking eventually causes the brain to create new pathways, and creates a reward system. You smoke and you do actually feel better: you had a "hunger" for nicotine, you fed it, and feel good. When you stop, the "hunger" is still there, and to some it actually feels like you're hungry (I do, anyway - my stomach sometimes grumbles). You can either ignore it, smoke, or eat. And I guess that's why some people substitute food in place of cigarettes when they stop. So yeah: smoking is probably "all in your head".

 

[HelterSkelter]

Tried Zyban maybe 10 years ago, still in a little fvcked in the head because of Zyban. Around 5 years after that, just stopped cold turkey.

 

[Jings]

Day 10 of Champix. Had my last cigarette last night. Not gonna buy another packet

Awesome! Well done.

Is the eating a new habit to replace the smoking or does smoking suppress appetite?

Perhaps each person is different but in general smoking suppresses appetite. In my case smoking stuffed up insulin levels which increased dramatically after stopping, hence cravings for sweet things.

 

[carstensdj]

Hang in there. You're over the worst already. Try and cut down on the chow before it gets out of your control.

Thanks, Yea i'm definitely past the worst! You're right about stopping the eating before that becomes the new habit!

Day 10 of Champix. Had my last cigarette last night. Not gonna buy another packet

Congrats! Yip, don't buy more cigs and DO NOT keep a spare pack lying around. Get rid of it completely and it's actually not as bad as people might think. Well it wasn't for me anyway... I know people differ and handle situations differently. For me the hardest part was deciding to smoke my last cig. The rest has been fairly easy.

Is the eating a new habit to replace the smoking or does smoking suppress appetite?

Bit of both I think. See The Voice's comment below...

From what I've read, smoking cigarettes stimulates the adrenal glands (you're literally poisoning yourself, so your body reacts accordingly), which in turn causes some stored (bad) fats and sugars to enter your blood stream for emergency energy - which they think can also causes heart disease from smoking. So you're practically "feeding" yourself when you smoke - so it acts as an appetite suppressant, I guess. If you've stopped, you may therefore start feeling hungrier.

There's also the fact that nicotine affects the dopamine receptors. Prior to beginning smoking, only three things trigger dopamine release: satisfying thirst, hunger, and the need for sex. Smoking eventually causes the brain to create new pathways, and creates a reward system. You smoke and you do actually feel better: you had a "hunger" for nicotine, you fed it, and feel good. When you stop, the "hunger" is still there, and to some it actually feels like you're hungry (I do, anyway - my stomach sometimes grumbles). You can either ignore it, smoke, or eat. And I guess that's why some people substitute food in place of cigarettes when they stop. So yeah: smoking is probably "all in your head".

Very interesting, thanks for that. Makes sense

 

[early]

stopped smoking again! currently on day 3! I will do this!!!!

 

[carstensdj]

stopped smoking again! currently on day 3! I will do this!!!!

Best of luck man! Get rid of any smokes, DONT keep "spare" somewhere and just tell yourself "Whether you like it or not, you are now a non smoker!"

I'm on 2.5weeks free from smoking now and it's just getting easier and easier each day. Sure some days I have those cravings but they quickly go away if you distract yourself.

 

[Jings]

stopped smoking again! currently on day 3! I will do this!!!!

Yes you can. Don't worry about being grumpy. It will pass.

 

[Rubberpigg]

I read the "Why straight men should explore their butts" thread and now I put my finger in my ass twice a day and massage my prostrate for about 5 mins to try and achieve orgasm.
In the morning I use a finger on my left hand.
And in the evening I use a finger on my right hand.
I haven't touched a cigarette since.

 

[WaxLyrical]

I read the "Why straight men should explore their butts" thread and now I put my finger in my ass twice a day and massage my prostrate for about 5 mins to try and achieve orgasm.
In the morning I use a finger on my left hand.
And in the evening I use a finger on my right hand.
I haven't touched a cigarette since.

 

[Pixelatedzee]

Stopped smoking 3 weeks ago, it really gets easier as time goes by. The temptation after a few drinks is still there

 

[dzeeman]

I have been smoking for 25 years. No sickness or illness could tear me away from cigarettes. Pretty much felt like - if I die please let me take my smokes with me.
First started wit Zyban prescribed by a doctor - it made me horribly sick every time I smoked, but it did not deter me or take the craving away. I then stopped for 9 months and it was torture - just forced myself to quit. Started again, went unto Champax - did not work for me.

The easy solution for me was: Allen Car's The easy way to quit smoking. It is an e-book, but the DVD is also available.

Smoking is an addiction and a mind set. The withdrawal symptoms are so mild that you could sleep 8 hours without waking up. Cutting down on cigarettes is torture and does not help in the quest for quiting. Despite your convictions, you will need to open yourself to the myths of smoking and once you overcome that, it is easy to quit.

Taking only one cigarette again starts the cycle all over. You should not feel deprived of something when you quit smoking - you might just give in along the way and think - just one won't hurt. I know of people start smoking again after 5 to 6 years of quitting.

Determine when it is you tend to smoke more - if it is pressure at work - take some time of work, relax and choose that time to quit when ready. 9As example)

Just as a side - Cigarettes causes stress. (When you inhale the Nicotine, you feel better [making you believe it relieves stress] and as soon as your body crave Nicotine, your stress levels increases.)

6 months in for me.

 

[Jings]

Well done dzeeman for persevering and not giving up. 6 months smoke free is quite an achievement.

 

[carstensdj]

dzeeman, thanks for sharing. Yip, i also used the Easy way to stop smoking... I don't know why it's worked, but it just has! Tomorrow i hit my 3 weeks since my last smoke! It's been a lot easier than i had imagined!

 

[dzeeman]

Well done dzeeman for persevering and not giving up. 6 months smoke free is quite an achievement.

Thank you very much. I hope everyone that wants to quit an easy and pleasant time doing so.

 

[dzeeman]

dzeeman, thanks for sharing. Yip, i also used the Easy way to stop smoking... I don't know why it's worked, but it just has! Tomorrow i hit my 3 weeks since my last smoke! It's been a lot easier than i had imagined!

A pleasure.

I am happy for you and that you also find it easy with the Easy way to stop smoking... I envied those that never touched a cigarette in their life before (the best way to never start) and now I can also say - I am a non smoker. Yay!

 

[early]

2 weeks now officially quit. Wow, the difference in taste and not having cravings

 

[carstensdj]

2 weeks now officially quit. Wow, the difference in taste and not having cravings

Congrats man! Hope you manage to continue!
I'm STILL not smoking since i stopped on Sept 1st To be honest though i haven't noticed anything different... no easier breathing, no better taste, don't have more energy... it's weird...

 

[Frankie_Yale]

does anyone have a problem with phlegm and menthol cigarettes?

 

[Necropolis]

Vaping helped me quit smoking.

Still vaping though - but I reckon it's a better bet than inhaling burning tobacco products.

 

[NBC]

How are the quitters doing? Still haven't smoked since 22 March last year. Interested to know how everyone is doing...