Minti - Recent Comments on Question "Help Wanted"

quitting

merlin0903 — Mon, 21 May 2007 01:00:43 -0700

i have done that and it works, its a good idea

Quit smoking ideas

astrobeka — Sun, 20 May 2007 23:25:04 -0700

That is so true that you need to replace one habit with another.

I tailored that advice to suit me... I swapped my morning cigarette with a yoga session, daytime cigarettes got replaced with glasses of OJ, rice crackers, chewing gum, Extra sugarfree lozenges, applying lip gloss ( I am a lip gloss junkie, and this one also helps with the hand to mouth withdrawal ) and house work!

A good book to read, and spending time on minti also helped me pass those dreaded times when Rylan was napping and I'd be bored and crave a cigarette.

Just remember to focus on how well you're doing, not how hard it feels.

What great idea's

bellachell — Sun, 20 May 2007 22:27:52 -0700

Hey I really like the idea of starting up a quit smoking group. Does anyone know how to start a group coz I don't lol. I just wanna say thanks to everyone for their ideas. I'm not sure if I can use patches or anything coz I'm pregnant at the moment.

quitting

mumof2b — Sun, 20 May 2007 21:18:31 -0700

I like that idea!!

I'll have to keep that in mind for when my hubby gives up (hopefully).

quitting

lunaeclips5 — Sun, 20 May 2007 21:14:48 -0700

Ha Ha mad mel, grose but could possibly work!!! You would also possibly lose wait to from chucking lol

help wanted

jenaya04 — Sun, 20 May 2007 21:10:24 -0700

I gave up for 17mths cold turkey! I worked out how much it was I spent on ciggies and how often I was buying a packet (in my case every 3 days at $13.95). Then everytime you would normally be buying some, put the amount of cash u would have spent into a jar. After a month take it out and spend up big cos u will find u will have a decent amount in there! Look at putting the money into your kids bank accounts for a present for when they move out of home, or use it as a savings for a holiday. It will all add up real quick! Even tho I started again, I found this method helpful as u have something u can actually see in return.LOTS OF MONEY!!!

What great idea's

MadMel — Sun, 20 May 2007 20:37:33 -0700

Yes it does need to be replaced with another habit. YOu just need to make sure its not another bad one. Like replacing smoking with eating...

What great idea's

cheleinkal — Sun, 20 May 2007 20:01:30 -0700

I'm going to cut and paste these idea's so I can keep them. Hubby leaves for a week tonight and I was thinking about giving it a go too (he's a smoker too). I have half a pack of 40's lft and the flu so have cut down heaps over the past few days already, I figure this is a good opportunity as ever. I like the jar idea. I quit once before (well several times really) and one thing I did was to keep one in a taped up tin, that way I didn't panic because I didn't have any....I had an emergancy one and I never smoked it. That time my girlfriend bought me a pack because she was sick of my wingeing and whining.....and I thought I was doing okay LOL. But I think I'll try that again as well. I also NEED to lose weight, bad idea to combine the two, but thought I might try excercising and as I only smoke outside I thought I'd attack the garden whilst out there to replace that with the habit of smoking, hard to smoke when your hands are covered in dirt. I saw a thing on tv that said a habit DOES need to be replaced with another habit, so you need to have a plan before you start. Ie. what to do when you're outside, have something for your fingers to do, (I'm going to chew on tooth picks, cheap, dissposable and non fattening), I am also going to by weight watchers brands of deserts etc as I'm addicted also to choclate so I think replacing that with a weight watches choc moose (how do u spell it???) will fill the spot & stop me eating anything & everything with sugar.

I love the tips about vitamin c etc. I have never heard that before. Maybe we need a quit smoking group??????

Help Wanted

astrobeka — Sun, 20 May 2007 19:35:37 -0700

Hooray for you!

I have just made it to two months without a smoke and it was the best decision I made. Take all the advice given to you, and tailor it to suit your lifestyle.

Use nicotine replacement ( gum, patches, lozenges ) if you feel you need to, as they can greatly increase your chances of continuing to be smoke free. Don't feel like you are cheating by doing this. You are helping yourself conquer your cravings.

If you don't already smoke outside, smoke outside starting NOW! Get rid of or hide ashtrays, lighters, cigarette cases... anything that reminds you of smoking.

Have a stash of fat free crackers and sugar free/low fat lollies for when you have cravings. When you smoke a cigarette, you put your fingers to your lips at least 10 times, so nibbling on a cracker helps with the physical aspect of your craving.

Increase your vitamin c intake, as this helps flush the nicotine from your system, which in turn will reduce your cravings.

Hope this helps, message me if you want more tips.

Doing that

MadMel — Sun, 20 May 2007 19:06:51 -0700

They are some fantastic ideas! I just want to add one...

Buy gum. LOTS of it. Then instead of smoking have a piece. And when you get bored and find yourself going to the fridge in search of something to eat (and your not hungry just bored) have some then too. People complain about weight gain. I say its from eating when your not hungry and out of being bored. We want to smoke so instead we eat, replacing one thing for another unhealthy habit :)

Just a thought

rockclimbr4400 — Sun, 20 May 2007 18:46:55 -0700

If you want you could put up a post in this section asking people to leave you a note a few times a day, everyday, in your lounge encouraging you and your husband not to smoke. It would give you something to do with your hands (being on the computer) and be very uplifting.

help wanted

rockclimbr4400 — Sun, 20 May 2007 18:38:33 -0700

First of all, congrats for making a very good decision that will save up to 20 years of your life. It is hard, I know I quit too. Here are a few things that helped me, gum or candy, chewing crushed ice, getting through one day at a time, taking a deep breath and thinking before I said anything b/c most of the time things really weren't that bad, I was just on edge to try and stop smoking, and lastly, don't give up!!!! You and your partner need to keep each other in check, call each other a few times a day, letting them know you are with them through this difficult time but you will get through it together. Good luck I know you can do it!!!

Doing that

Norby — Sun, 20 May 2007 18:26:23 -0700

Hubby and I are just starting our third week of being smoke free.

What tips can I give you - welllll - the bloke sitting opposite you on the bus does really not deserve to die for looking at you sideways - honestly

Helpful tips I can give

1. Try going on fish oil capsules - they help straighten out the brain waves - hubby is finding them helpful.

2. Buy yourself a piggy bank and pop 50cents in each time you resist a craving. Check this at the end of the first week, and you will just about fall over.

3. St johns Wort is supposed to be helpful, but I would consult a doctor before taking that.

4. I love the idea of the jar filled with watersogged cigarettes. We had a commercial ashtray out the front of the house. By the end of week 1, Hubby threw it in the trash because we could no longer cope with the stench.

5. Walk, walk lots, open your eyes to all the flowers in the gardens as you walk. Check out the birds hiding in the foliage. The big bonus is that after a week your sense of smell will start to return and some of those flowers smell divine.

6. Keep a stressball handy at all times, gives your hands something to do.

7. Avoid clubs like the plague - my big smoke trigger is alchol - so I havent been to the club for three weeks. Good side point is no poker machines eating a few twenty dollar bills each trip. Woo hoo.

Stay strong, and remember my first point. Strangers who look at you sideways do not deserve to die

smoking is the hardest habit to give up!

lunaeclips5 — Sun, 20 May 2007 17:25:57 -0700

I wish it was as simple as that, i have tried threw nickorette to give up several times. With out luck. It's easier to keep smoking. It's a horrible habbit. THe longest i have given up for was 8 months and even then when i walked past someone who had the sent on them i'd go crazy for one. I have tryed and tryed and i am going to try again. just waiting for shannan to get older and then i will as with him waking up during the middle of the night and stuff at the moment because he is teething i end up having a cry because i'm tired. I feel less stresseed when i smoke. Probably because everytime i do i go out side and get away from it all and having a cigerette is like fiddling with a pen and doodling on a piece of paper, it takes my mind off of things and out of the upsetting situation. Great excuse hey, the reson why i smoke is because i'm board and because i dont care about my health!!!

Help Wanted

5kids — Sun, 20 May 2007 17:02:42 -0700

good on ya. yeh what a great step to take. if u have somewhere where u can go and scream or a punching bag these would be good for u when ur anxiuos and frustrated. once again good luck.

quitting

MadMel — Sun, 20 May 2007 16:43:15 -0700

Alana had the most brilliant idea.

Get a glass jar with a screw on lid. Fill the bottom with water. Buy your last pack and every smoke and ash put it in the jar and screw the lid on. When you have finished the pack you will have a full jar.

Now everytime you want a smoke, get the jar, open it and take a big wiff. Will definately make you not want one after all.

She used to carry it in her bag everywhere she went. A good jar would be one of those little cocktail onions jars :)

WELL DONE

jennibubs — Sun, 20 May 2007 16:33:01 -0700

YAY FOR YOU !!!! It is the hardest thing you will ever do they are more addictive than heroin and harder to give up. It will be through sheer will power nothing else. Just remember that nearly all lung cancers are caused by smoking and they are very hard to cure, so you don't want to put your kids through that. Try not to be around smokers as this helps the temptation alcohol is another trigger, coffee etc. Get the kids together and go for a walk it helps to be active also it helps with the stress. St John's Wort is good for your stress levels. Drink plenty of water to help with headaches, try not to eat as a distraction, if you need lollies sugar free are best but not too many.( don't want you pooing for a week lol) Have plenty of friut in the house to curb cravings. Carrot sticks are good too gives your hands something to do. Stay strong learn your triggers and remember you are adding years to your life and well being. It is the best thing you can do for your children. Good Luck Jen ( ex smoker who could still light up now after 10 years)

yay for you

jenlemen — Sun, 20 May 2007 14:42:11 -0700

i don't have any advice, but just wanted to congratulate you for taking this step! that's fantastic! it might help to write more on your blog and chronicle all the aspects of your experience as a way of processing and also of getting the encouragement you need to not give up. GOOD LUCK!!!!!!! you can do it.

help wanted

merlin0903 — Sun, 20 May 2007 14:35:17 -0700

hi good on you well done

it is one of the hard things that i have done, what i did was just kept lollies and gum in my bag,car and the house, and a straw. the reason for the straw is i found that when i was giving it up i always had to have something in my hand (the smoke hand), i hope that that helps you.

keep us posted as to how you are doing GOOD LUCK