In the field as an ex-smoker

honestagent · 03-13-2007, 11:41 PM

Hey there,

I'm a smoker wanting to quit. And I'm thinking about how I'll run appointments with no smokes!!! ???? !!!!

At least, for me, the 1st 3 days I need not be in the vehicle. I'm thinking that now.

I'm wondering if any of you have quit and what 'tools' or 'gimmicks' did you use to help you cope - especially on those 3 hour trips for the first few weeks?

Thanks in advance.

salpro22 · 03-14-2007, 12:08 AM

Code:

I'm wondering if any of you have quit and what 'tools' or 'gimmicks' did you use to help you cope - especially on those 3 hour trips for the first few weeks?

Alcohol :smile:

*STIBROKER@AUSTIN.RR.COM* · 03-14-2007, 12:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by honestagent

Hey there,

I'm a smoker wanting to quit. And I'm thinking about how I'll run appointments with no smokes!!! ???? !!!!

At least, for me, the 1st 3 days I need not be in the vehicle. I'm thinking that now.

I'm wondering if any of you have quit and what 'tools' or 'gimmicks' did you use to help you cope - especially on those 3 hour trips for the first few weeks?

Thanks in advance.

I use to cologne and mouthwash before knocking on the door and if my client smoked....would have a cig with him during the pres or filling out the application.....

honestagent · 03-14-2007, 10:47 AM

Hey all,

I mean I want to quit. Period. No more smoking at all and I was wondering if any of you quit and what you did to occupy your time while driving those long routes (if applicable). I mean a 2 hour or more commute each way to and from territory and all the driving in between from home to home.

Okay, there are straws I could chew on. Gum. Hold a pen or something similar to a cigaretter. It's those first few weeks of the cessation I'm with mostly concerned.

I am sorry if I was not clear in my initial post.

johnrocks · 03-14-2007, 11:31 AM

I smoked for 30 years even when my dad passed away in 2000 of lung cancer I tried to quit and failed I've tried patches going cold turkey just trying to wean myself by smoking less but nothing seemed to help then about a year ago a friend of mine replaced his cigarettes with cigars so I said heck smoking a cigar is bad but at least I won't be inhaling so I got some black and milds and started smoking them then I bought some kind of expensive cigars and I got down to smoking about one a day then one every 2-3 days after about 2 months I realized that I had went maybe a week w/o smoking a cigar that was about 10 months ago or so every once in a while I will have a craving and get a cigar sometimes I will fire her up sometimes I will just chew on it but for the most part I am tobacco free sometimes though I will get around a friend that smokes an bum one it don't take but 1-2 drags to realize how nasty they are if I smoke a whole one I will get sick ( went drinking one night and proved that point) anyway try it might work good luck

*STIBROKER@AUSTIN.RR.COM* · 03-14-2007, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by honestagent

Hey all,
I mean I want to quit.

I just went cold turkey.......

DHocott · 03-14-2007, 11:58 AM

I went cold turkey. Had to quit drinking too to do it. It may sound silly, but what helped me through it was to say the same thing to myself every time I wanted to light up.

I would simply say to myself, "Not having a cigarette right now is not going to kill me."

arnguy · 03-14-2007, 05:35 PM

Well, I quit cold turkey the hard way----in the ER with an asthma attack. I used to moke cigarettes occasionally, never liked them, but the old lady would kick me out of the house if lit up a cigar. Really enjoyed cigars, like 2 or 3 a day----especially after dinner. But that ER inciident stopped me cold. I did try to light up once and couldn't hack it. I am like a reformed alcoholic----I preach NO SMOKING.

arnguy · 03-14-2007, 05:38 PM

Yeah, I know "moke" should be "smoke" and "inciident" should be "incident." Where the hell is that spellcheck.

Slick · 03-14-2007, 06:27 PM

Pray.
In AA they have twelve steps to deal with addiction. The first three in summation are:
1. I can't handle it.
2. He can.
3. Let him.

honestagent · 03-14-2007, 11:43 PM

Wow, lots of encouraging news here. Thank you very much for your suggesstions. It'll be a battle but well worth the fight. Thanks again.

Frank Stastny · 03-15-2007, 01:00 AM

A friend of mine use to be a heavy smoker. He also tried to quit and couldn't. So, one day he decided to see how long he could go without a cigarette. It became sort of a contest with himself. He still hasn't quit but he has been able to go over seven years without one. If you ask him he will tell you he hasn't quit somking, he can have one anytime he wants, but he is "just seeing how long he can go without one".

What has worked for me was limiting myself to one cigarette per hour. The first few days I would have one maybe at 5 minutes before the hour and another fifteen minutes after the hour. Then a 45 minute wait for the next one. After a couple of days I discovered that I could go maybe two or hours without wanting one. I would "save them up". Then before dinner I could have a couple with a nice glass of wine and "relax" with a couple of cigarettes.

Eventually I was only having one every two, three or four hours. That's when I noticed a tremendous difference when I ran. Eventually they didn't even tast good. But, I loved the "buzz" I got when I hadn't had one for a day or two and was with a friend who smokes and bummed one. :biglaugh:

Just tell yourself you are not quiting, you can have one anytime you want, you are just going to see how long you can go without one.

cadylou · 03-15-2007, 01:06 AM

I smoked forever - had the heartrate of a gerbil for years. If you clapped too loud, I'd have probably had the "big one". Just quit. I did it all, wore the patch while I smoked the gum, had accupuncture, did it cold, etc.

I finally just got so sick of the fact I couldn't beat it, I was disgusted. I used those lozenges this last time. I say though, don't follow the directions--use as many as you need - if it's constant so be it. Use them longer than they tell you to. Put something in the car to play with - some drug stores used to sell phoney cigs that looked real. I kept one in the car to hold while driving & one on the coffee table to fidget with while watching TV. Deep breathing helps - many smokers use smoking as a big way to breathe, inhale & exhale. Breathe as if you're smoking every on in awhile.

I smoked 3 packs a day in my hey-day & haven't smoked at all in over 3 years. It's a miracle.

I just think it's hard to tell people how they are being severely punished in the rate dept, if you come in smelling like smoke yourself. For me now, it's a horrible turn off.

Good luck - the more you quit - the easier it will get. Don't stop quitting!

honestagent · 03-17-2007, 08:40 AM

Frank - Wow, what a way to handle it and think of it in a different manner. Thanks for the tip. I like that. Thanks again.

And Cadylou, I'm right where you were at your end about being disgusted with it all. You REALLY gave me some advice about how to manage in the car and while I read when I'm online. Thank you! GOOD FOR YOU! I AM PROUD OF YOU REGARDING YOUR SUCCESS - KEEP IT UP!!!