Did you make and new year’s resolutions? And, how’s it going??

[Jovi]

I am embarrassed to admit this but I didn’t quit smoking 😞

I swear I have made more failed attempts than anyone alive!  If you have any good tips, please send them my way, I could use all the help I can get!!  🙂

And, after I smoke what’s left in my pack, I am going to quit for good!

Wish me luck 🍀

[darlicious]

@Jovi 

Quitting smoking is a tough one.... trust me I know I've been there and done that. I quit May 26th 2008. So I can share with you what worked for me. It starts with picking a date. Once you do that spend the next three weeks to a month verbally reinforcing your intention several times a day out loud. Tell your friends and family and talk about it....a lot. Tell yourself and others how determined you are to succeed. If you are a heavy smoker slowly cut back....one less cigarette a day. Think twice before you light a cigarette. Put it down and do something else. When my late partner quit ( about 5 years after I did.) he would announce I'm going for a smoke and go outside but instead of smoking he would play plants vs zombies or angry birds on his phone. But while you are in this prep stage don't deny yourself you don't want to quit wishing you had another cigarette.

When it comes to the day before the big one you can smoke right up until you go to sleep....no matter the time. But make sure you get rid of all access to cigarettes once you hit the sack. No ashtrays, no cigarette butts , no other smokers in the house and if you do have another smoker have them hide any evidence of cigarettes or smoking from you for at least 3 days. When you wake up the next day you are a nonsmoker. After 8 hours 97% of nicotine has left your body you have to think like a non smoker and use your new mantra to help you thru the nic fits....

" I am smarter than my brain!" Your brain is going to constantly try to trick you into just having one little puff. You have to outsmart your brain. Remind yourself that cigarettes are like heroin. Would you have one little poke? Of course not! The next 3 days is the hardest 3 so if you can have those 3 days off even better because you wont function like normal. But you can have a back up alternative. The weaker the better but set yourself up with a smoking alternative. That can be clove cigarettes, herbal cigarettes or bc's common cash crop. When you just really need to smoke something then do it....just not tobacco or anything with nicotene in it. After a few puffs you'll probably put it out but you will have satisfied that smoke craving without using a highly addictive substance because you are smarter than your brain! Get thru those 3 days and your next hurdle is three weeks....then three months and finally three years!

[stevenanto]

@Jovi I have been getting to spend plenty of time with my family since last January. I left one of my jobs that took many hours exactly one year ago. Right before Covid hit, then the job got completely shut down as it had to do with weddings and events. Got lucky there 

[Jovi]

@stevenanto 

Thanks for the encouragement.  Not as ready as I thought I was but getting there!

I hope you get to spend more time with your family in the coming here.  Cheers!

[stevenanto]

@Jovi I hope you’re able to quit soon, I kn9w it can be hard but I’ve heard people say you know when you’re totally ready. 

I haven’t made any real resolutions lol. Just to get to spend more time with the family. 

[Jovi]

@celinemenard 

Congrats on sticking to eating low carb!

I am going cold turkey too and have the next few days off!   Thank you for the good wishes and may the coming year bring all that your heart wishes ... 🙂

[celinemenard]

My resolution was to go back to eating low carb.  So far I have been on track. 

@Jovi  Keep trying to quit.  I smoked from the time I was 15 until I was 50 years old.  Usually 1 pack a day but if I got into the beer, it was two packs.  I finally manged to quit September 4,2016. I went cold turkey this time but I took a few days off work, shut my phone off and told people to leave me alone. On day 4 of quitting smoking, I had to go back to work.  I work customer service which can be hard at the best of times.  I just took it 1 hour at a time. Sometimes 1 minute at a time. Deep breathing and closing your eyes and going to your "happy place" helps.  Good luck.!!!

[Jovi]

Thanks so much!!

I am going to give it another go later today and appreciate your support!

May the year ahead bring you endless joy and wonderful opportunities 🙂

[dabr]

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@Jovi wrote:

I am embarrassed to admit this but I didn’t quit smoking 😞

I swear I have made more failed attempts than anyone alive!  If you have any good tips, please send them my way, I could use all the help I can get!!  🙂

And, after I smoke what’s left in my pack, I am going to quit for good!

Wish me luck 🍀

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@Jovi   I'll definitely wish you good luck as I can only imagine quitting smoking would be extremely difficult having read how addictive nicotine is, but keep trying as I know lots of others have succeeded after failed earlier attempts, so don't give up.  Just keep trying until (hopefully) one day you get there!  The health (not to mention financial) benefits are too many to not try again...

I don't remember the last time I made a new year's resolution, but it's been quite a long time, perhaps as long as the last book I read! 😊