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Hi, I have decided to stop smoking, so the money i would normally spend, I am putting into a jar, and when i have saved enough, I am going to book a holiday for me, my husband and our two kids. I figure, it was my fault in the first place for getting into debt, that i should sacrifice my smoking, so my children can have their usual family holiday. Early days yet, but i am so determined to do it... Wish me luck... Haven't had a cig since yesterday!!!

Good luck debbi, my partner smokes (I don't!) and she keeps trying to give up, but she is struggling as she has quite a bit of stress at work. Having never smoked, I find it hard to grasp the concept of the addiction that smoking has.

I gave up before for 8.5 months, and once i got over about 2 weeks, it was a doddle. I started again when i was on holiday, just thought i would have one by the pool, and before i knew it, i was smoking again, I was so angry with myself, as i stopped for such a long time. I WILL do it for good this time. x

Well Done, This is a very good decision, i have stopped too, today is my 7th day,tomorrow is the D Day for my Br, I am going there without smoking, Good luck to you

NL

I think it would be easier to give up smoking now as you can't smoke anywhere without going outside in the cold and being anti-social, having said tat I am not ready to give up yet [:0] but have cut down lately.
Mon Village
Good luck for tommorrow[:)]

Good luck Debbie! I've never smoked, so like Cr15py I can't understand what it must be like to have to give up. I must say it's so much nicer going out for a drink since the smoking ban!

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Good luck Debbie, you can do it, what a lovely idea too saving for a holiday for the children, I stopped in May 06 and somedays even now could kill for a smoke but other days think they are vile. Take one day at a time and keep positive.

Hi all

I just wanted to say congratulations on choosing to give up smoking and all the very best with this. I used to smoke and was so pleased when I finally managed to quit.

Kind regards,
Terry Balfour
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I gave up smoking for 2 years and actually found it very easy.
Sadly i was then diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and went through every emotion imaginable. When i got to the anger emotion, my whole family started to suffer which was really unfair. I reached for a cigarette and funnily enough i found comfort in it (mind over matter i know) so i started again. Bring on the fags i say LOL
But hey well done you i wish you every success with quitting.

mrs skint

good luck Debbie. I'm nearly 10 week into not smoking now. Used Champix.Saved a fortune.Between the two of us , at least £70 each week!!! Doesn't stop me thinking about them though. Keep up the good work.Cat

whats champix?

no matter how bad money gets, theirs stll alot more important things in life

Champix is the new tablets that are out. They are simular to Zyban. You have to get them from your doctor. I started on Champix before Xmas, but had to stop taking them as they were making me feel sick! I am now on the patches which are doing the job! I find i am worse on a morning, when i get up. My kids are so excited because i have quit, just to see their faces when i get home from work, and they ask me if i have done another day, and i say yes, their faces make me carry on! x[:D][:D][:D]

Hey Debbie. Well done girl [:D][:D]

I quit in June last year. Have had a couple of relapses (I wonder why - lol[:I]), but otherwise it's been fine. I'm using the lozenges. Am down to the 1mg ones and now buy Boots own brand as they're cheaper and work just as well. I tried the patches, but found that I still wanted to smoke. With the lozenges whenever I want a ciggie I just pop one of those in my mouth and forget about it. Am hoping to be off them by the end of March, but I'll have to see.

I know what you mean about starting again on holiday though. I quit for 2 years before. Then on honeymoon, I had some with my evening glass of wine and Wham!!! There I was back on 20 a day. So lesson learnt. No matter how much I want one, I just don't do it now.

Good luck mate. Take it half an hour at a time, and don't stress too much if you lapse every now and then. My uncle had quit for over 20 years and told me that once you're a smoker, you're always a smoker no matter how long you go without. You just have to make sure you keep on top of it.

Johnz

Thanks Johnz, I am on day 2, and all i can think about is smoking, but i won't have one. I hope this feeling passes soon, and i start to go longer without thinking about it.

Personally I found the 1st day easy, then the next 2 weeks were horrible. Smoking was all I could think about literally from the minute I opened my eyes in the morning, until I went to sleep at night. But it does pass.

One thing you'll notice is how much time you have on your hands now. I never used to smoke in the house, so would be stood in the garden first thing in the morning and then popping out during work and then out in the garden several times in the evening. I never realised just how much time I spent smoking every single day.

Why don't you give the lozenges a go. Get the mint ones. They start off tasting a bit nasty, but after a while you get used to them. And like I said, the Boots ones are much cheaper than the labeled brands. And it gives you something phyisical to concentrate on while you're having a craving. You start off having loads in a day, but then start cutting down without even thinking about it. I was on around 20 or more a day and now there are days when I only have 2 or 3. I have more at work, which is where I smoked more anyway.

Johnz