Hi Bliss,
I quit now over 3 years ago. I did it "cold turkey" which should be called "tortured tormmented turkey!" Prior to that time, I''d start, stop, start, stop, while using the patch, gum, etc. For me, nicotine replacement simply kept me addicted and while the idea is to step down, my dependence on the drug didn''t go away, hence the start, stop, start, stop routine. In between I''d beat myself up and feel utter disappointment in my lack of willpower. So, when I decided to lose weight and start working out, I also knew I had to quit smoking and what I did was completely reengineer my life. Instead of gaining weight, I lost over 70 pounds. I dropped my cholesterol from the 300s to the low 170s and became addicted to fitness over a nasty smelly, lung destroying, artery clogging drug machine. I also had to stop going to places where smoking is not only OK, it''s the norm. Places like Starbucks (I do go there now though) and bars are havens for smoking. Cigs and coffee or alcohol seem to go hand in hand. I also had to stop being around people who smoked, which meant I couldn''t be around friends who did for a long long time. It was hard. Unbelievably hard. I lost friends. But I gained so much more. Also be aware of the ''foggies'' If you go "cold turkey." The foggies are weird. Time stands still at times. Seconds seem like minutes [or more]. Your mind seems to be stuck in mud and there times I felt panicky, grumpy, angry and confused. The foggies last about a month, but does go away. Oh and unlike others who say that after so much time, they hate the smell of smoke and no longer crave a smoke. I''m not so lucky. I still find myself staring at a smoker when they light that cancer stick and envy them. Sad but true.
Well, I just reread what I wrote and I hope I haven''t discouraged you. I truly hope you are successful. It''s probably the single best thing I''ve ever done for my health and I will never regret giving them up. I''ll just be one of the reformed smokers who will likely always miss them.
All my best to you. I truly hope you succeed. Just remember that if you don''t the first time, try again. And if you don''t succeed the second time, try again. It usually takes smokers multiple tries before they are fully successful. I am certainly an example of that.
Good LUCK!!