I am replacing it with exercise, when I can. Every time, I get a bad urge, I jump on my recumbent stationary bike for 5 minutes....that seems to work, and it cant' be too bad for me

When I am out and about, I use gum.....and chomp like a cow I am not a gum chewer by nature, and am sure this will eaase off as the urges subside. I also chew on straws, toothpics, etc.

I think the main thing is to keep your mind busy....then you keep your hands busy. Deep breathing, yogic breathing help too....

Vicki - Breathing Free and Healing for Seven Days, 3 Hours and 53 Minutes, while extending my life expectancy 23 Hours, by not smoking 286 cigarettes that would have cost me $25.79.

I have used toothpicks, sugar-free gum, straws, writing in my journal, squeezing a rubber ball and coming here to this forum. When the urges get really bad, I find a bubble bath is very relaxing. Light some candles, put on soothing music and just relax your cares away.
I also have started jumping rope and I'm also gonna start doing crunches to shape up. Crossword puzzles and magazines also pass the time. Good Luck, you will succeed.
Jean

I get on my eliptical machine.... But walking, even just around the house would be good. That works on different levels. Gets you past the craving, gets you mind on something else and it's exercise which - in addition to not smoking - also helps the body. Also, do you like crafts? I've found basic crocheting is very relaxing and gets your mind off of cigarettes. You don't have to do it for hours, but five minutes get you set to continue breathing free.
Pam

Hey thanks...some great ideas there. I don't have any exercise machines..can't afford any...plus I have a bad back...and too many times I need to just sit. Walking though at times does help loosen up tight muscles...wish the weather here was so bad! With icy side walks...snow on the ground and just so darn cold, I don't want to go outside! brrrrrr. I smoke alot out of boredom..its become a habit to smoke while waiting on something..waiting on my son to finish getting ready for school so we can go...waiting for food to cook...waiting for the stupid commericals on TV to get over so I can watch the show! grrrrr. I am trying to find other things to do with those few minutes though..go get a drink of water...go to the restroom because I drank so much water...lol. Wandering aimless around the house! whatever I can figure out. Been back to working on my nails again. I finally found my lost nail polish...so I go get that and work on my nails during commericals. Can't really do that when I am cooking though or about to leave the house and drive...I need one of those squishy balls...I think that will help.

thanks!

wildpony05...well I posted a reply to you but got an error message when I tried to submit it...the other day it was doing that to me really bad and I finally gave up posting for the day.

Anyway I said that the other day I did fill the time during boring commericals with reading a magazine istead of 'taking a smoking break'....that helped. Thanks for the suggestions.

imwriter..I used to do cruel sewing but the looking down got to my neck too much and I had to give it up. Trying to hold things up so my head is up then makes my arms tired really quick...its rather awkward. My neck and back go out very easily then I end up with massive headaches. Any art I do is usually drawing, working with pastels, pencils or painting. I guess I need to find something to draw...lol. Thanks for the suggestions.

Drawing is wonderful. Really start pursing that. Look at things outside or around the house, and draw them. Then bring them to life with colors. I'm oil painting now. (No, don't expect to see my exhibition soon.....LOL) but I get engrossed in it, even if a mess as well. You've got to not mind a bit of mess with oils. Also, do you like to read? Here's what I just read. Don't try to force yourself to "not think about smoking." It won't work. If you think about having one, just think, I'm so happy I'm a non-smoker rather than to think I want a cigarette. Regarding bordem, also what I just read, think about this. If you are bored and smoke, are you thinking, wow, now I really feel excited about life again because I am having this cigarette. Probably you are thinking, I shouldn't be doing this to myself....why am I?
Pam

O am replacing smoking with....this message board (my friends!) tai chi, yoga, walking (weather permitting) checkers online, deep bnreathing and reading..... all good things!
Tish

Have you tried cinnamon toothpicks? I said on one of these posts I would buy candy cigarettes if they still made them. Everyone here has great ideas! I find, that this board is a big craving reducer. My urges to smoke come when I am cleaning house and take a break, it was always a cigarette break. When after cooking, everything is ready and waiting for everybody to get their plates, I'd go out and smoke. So now that I don't smoke (again) I come to this board. Now I do go to the gym with either one or both daughters, do yoga, walk on the treadmill, but still have urges. They are getting better. I think maybe I'll write a book about not smoking and then I can type as much as it takes to get past this. Though we are addicted to it and we may always have urges, but with time as with anything else, it will get easier. Today is my 5th day of not smoking, don't know how much time on my life I saved or how many I haven't smoked but feeling great anyway! PGW685

Try brushing your teeth and you will have beautiful white teeth and fresh breath to go along with your beautiful nails. I find brushing and having a fresh breath helps curb the urge. I also joined Weight Watchers a week before my quit date. I have spent hours with my laptop in my lap and reading all I can find about quitting. It has kept my hands busy and I am on Chantix 8 days now and hardly have the urge to smoke. When I think about it, I read and read online and get lots of encouragement. I am thinking about picking up the knitting needles again after 18 years not knittingt anything.

These are all great ideas. I've been doing a lot of deep breathing (breathe in deeply 10 times) and it seems to help. I have also been talking back to myself. I talk back to that nasty little voice in my head that tells me that I want to have just one, or that I NEED one. I treat that voice like a little kid. I say things like...we can't always have what we want, I'm being an adult and making adult choices, I will not give in for any reason, NOPE (Not One Puff Ever), I can do it, I am a non-smoker, I'm in control, etc...Whatever it takes to stay quit. I'm also taking Chantix which is a huge help.

Mindy - Breathing free for 1W 1D 5h 56m (8 days) and have saved $37.11 by not smoking 164 cigarettes increasing my life expectancy by 13h 40m since I quit 1/26/2008 4:00 PM.

Advanced Listerine Antiseptic Mouthwash with Tartar Protection - Arctic Mint. I have discovered if you rinse with this before smoking it changes the taste of the cigarette. You will no longer enjoy smoking. The bonus with this little technique is it last a good hour or so before you can actually taste the cigarette . . . so rinsing a few times a day has been a great deterrent in the days prior to my quite date. I found I was not enjoying the cigarette at all. Since my quite date I still use 6-8 times a day, since after several years of smoking I am enjoying having fresh breath . . . so do the people closest to me especially my 8 year old son.

moonglow,


I believe the biggest thing to overcome is the mental addiction and the lies we have told ourselves (like smoking helps with stress and bordom and what ever it is you have convinced yourself of) The actual nicotine withdrawals only last a few days but we are left with the mental triggers we have built up over the years. You have to start thinking like a nonsmoker...do nonsmokers have to be doing something with their hands??...that is just a habit.Don't get me wrong I don't think for a minute smoking is a habit..it is an addiction. It may take a little while to learn new ways to spend your time and keep yourself occupied other than smoking. I found I had to keep my mind occupied,,not necessarly my hands. I did Suduko puzzles.....go to the dollar store..I'm sure everyone has a Dollar General. Keep your mind busy..Smoke free since Jan 23 2007...I knowyou can do this

I clicked to reply to myself here...lol...since their is no option to just do a reply. Figured this would be easier then trying to reply to each individual post. Anyway I wanted to thank you all for all the wonderful suggestions! They are great..I think I'll print them off...no way can I remember all of them. I didn't get on here over the weekend...when my son is home he is on the computer alot..then some other things came up including bad weather yesterday that left us with flickering lights all afternoon and finally no lights for awhile.(right in the middle of cooking supper too!) I did try to get on here a couple of times but the board was down for maintance. Anyway I just noticed not being on here for several days my motivation was dropping badly...so I guess I need to be on here though it might not be as much as I would like as I am going to be job hunting. Some things have happened and I need to find some part time work...I am disabled and haven't worked in years and trying to find something I can do with my disability is not going to be easy. Yesterday I spent the afternoon looking for my resume which I cannot find anywhere! ugh! Frustration...

At any rate before I go hunting for it again, I realized I did need to get on here and read some encouraging words...and see where everyone was at on things. I am happy for those that have quit...can relate to those still struggling!

Thanks again all.

Julie