Anyone giving up smoking for Lent?

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Its been 12 hours since my last cigarette and I feel like I’m in hell. I wish this “need” in my lungs would go away, I feel it in my chest, my back, my throat, everywhere. I keep tensing up my shoulders. I keep having to tell myself “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”.
 
Lorrie:

Been there, it is hard, but it will get better. Take nice, long, slow, deep breaths, hold, exhale slowly. Go brush your teeth. Take a good long time to brush your hair. Have a tall glass of water. Take a brisk walk. Take a nice hot shower. Treat yourself to something yummy. Pound a pillow. Clean your home/ apartment/ car/ clothes – they stink of stale tobacco, although you don’t notice that yet – you will after a couple of days. Get to bed early. I spent my first day or so sleeping it off. It will get better. Trust in Jesus and his Mom. You CAN do this thing. KG

PS and no, you’re not in Hell. You’re doing some of your purgatory here and now, rather than later. . . offer that up. . . Jesus loves you more than you can possibly imagine. You’re doing great!
 
I am starting to recognize these awful thoughts about missing smoking in a new way. Now I’m thinking, “wow, another one of those terrorist smoking thoughts trying to get to me”. Disguising itself as
something I would find pleasure in but the truth is it wants to enslave me again. Threat recognition - must be a military term but seems like it fits this situation. I am at war!
 
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grotto:
I am starting to recognize these awful thoughts about missing smoking in a new way. Now I’m thinking, “wow, another one of those terrorist smoking thoughts trying to get to me”. Disguising itself as
something I would find pleasure in but the truth is it wants to enslave me again. Threat recognition - must be a military term but seems like it fits this situation. I am at war!
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Terrorist Smoking Thoughts!!! :eek: Aint that the truth. I asked my husband when will these 'cravings go away. He said a few more months…:eek: My spiritual director put me under obedience against smoking :eek: and I had to offer thsi pain up against all the desecrations against our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament! :eek:

:crying:

:crying:

It has been 50 days today…thank you Jesus! I am sending one of those doves. Please remeber, friends, of the rainbow at the end of the storm…
 
My strategy for today to divert me from smoking was to do a major cleaning of the family room. We’d had it painted white about 18 months ago. My husband’s and my favorite TV watching/ reading/ lounging sofa is shoved up against a wall, where it hasn’t really been moved since we painted. I rearranged furniture today. There is now a large sofa shaped white object on a yellow-brown wall. :eek: Happened so gradually, we didn’t notice. Getting the Clorox out to scrub down the wall as soon as I finish this.

I remarked to my husband, that’s what our lungs look like. He said, no, our lungs are worse – the wall only has second-hand smoke. He seems to be committed to quitting on Monday (wants to wait until he’s been on the Wellbuterine a full week).

Maybe I should leave the wall as it is for now as a reminder.

No, want to get the stench out – funny how I can now smell that there is a stench. . .

Like the thought about the cravings being terrorist thoughts. . will use that. . .

Thanks, people! Continuing prayer for us all. .

kg
 
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kaygee:
My strategy for today to divert me from smoking was to do a major cleaning of the family room. We’d had it painted white about 18 months ago. My husband’s and my favorite TV watching/ reading/ lounging sofa is shoved up against a wall, where it hasn’t really been moved since we painted. I rearranged furniture today. There is now a large sofa shaped white object on a yellow-brown wall. :eek: Happened so gradually, we didn’t notice. Getting the Clorox out to scrub down the wall as soon as I finish this.

I remarked to my husband, that’s what our lungs look like. He said, no, our lungs are worse – the wall only has second-hand smoke. He seems to be committed to quitting on Monday (wants to wait until he’s been on the Wellbuterine a full week).

Maybe I should leave the wall as it is for now as a reminder.

No, want to get the stench out – funny how I can now smell that there is a stench. . .

Like the thought about the cravings being terrorist thoughts. . will use that. . .

Thanks, people! Continuing prayer for us all. .

kg
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You go girl!!! 👍
 
Gotta confess, after dinner is tough, especially since there is still one smoker in the house. Shouldn’t blame him, should pray for him and should avoid hanging out around the supper table – go do dishes immediately. But I don’t – I grab a drag or 3 after supper off his smoke. :o But that’s it for the day. . . DH has cut down substantially, but hasn’t quit yet. Still praying for us all. How are y’all doing?
 
Quitting smoking is tough, as I was never able to do myself, I salute anyone who is.

Over the past 20 years, I have cut down a lot, as I 've gotten older, I’m down to 3 to 4 Pall Malls a day and a full size Gloria Cubana on Saturday afternoon, and I’ve been steady at that level over the past 10 years.

I see it as a two fold problem, 1st that nicotine is definitely addictive, but also to me the smell of fine tobacco is very attractive. I don’t think I’ve figured it totally out, but I 'd like to quit the habit as well.
 
In a way I try not to figure it out too much because that causes me to think about the desire of smoking - I do just enough thinking to come up with the thought of breathing without “noise” and “a cough a minute”. I hope I beat the odds this time because the cough a minute and noise stopped within 24 - 36 hours! As long as I stay away from the odor of tobacco, would have to go out to get some, am not around others (that is a big temptation) - maybe this time I can stay “clean”. Its been four and a half weeks. In the past my DH smoked a pipe - I had the cigs. I tried to quit and not having any cigs I tried a couple drags of his pipe - plus I used to get it started for him when we were driving and he would ask me to refill it, etc. Well, I liked the pipe better than cigs and figured I would be “half quit” if I didn’t smoke cigs anymore - just the pipe. See how my thinking works? So, off I go, happily smoking a pipe. Well, after much effort and “equipment” I would feel the affects and want to quit. Throw out the pipe, lighter, pipe cleaners, favorite ashtray. DH decided one day to quit and did!
No going back! I think we may have quit together and I caved.
So then I had to hide my smoking from family - years of getting “busted” - resisting my loved ones begging me to stop - saying I would try - “when? soon was my answer”. My grandchildren would come around while I was trying to seclude myself and they would look, and pause and say “what’s that Gramma?” and I would just say “Oh, that’s my pipe” then they caught on that I was SMOKING! Now I’ve got big trouble - DH, two daughters and their husbands, son and wife - every time I gave them the chance they took it. Finally, after the last crisis in my life settled down, I was nagging myself while wheezing and coughing because the last cold I had was gone but not the effects, I had my last pipe-cigar and stopped. If I think one split second that I miss it I give myself a bigger breath and maybe a little cough just to get that straightened out. Keep on - keep the Faith! God love you all!
 
My girlfriend is still smoking. I am in recovery at this point, and it has been a while since my last one…I am doing ok. For the first time in a long time, I am doing ok!!! Feels good to say that.

Still, my girlfriend went out and had one before bed last night. Even after she brushed her teath I could still smell it. It is driving me nuts. Just had to vent a little. Thanks for listening.

Brad
 
major cave in this morning. had a very minor fender bender accident on the way to work this am. waited over an hour for the police to arrive and during the wait, I chain smoked out of dh’s pack and smoked the rest of the way to work afterward. It’s now 3 hours since I’ve been at the office and am CRAVING a smoke. I’m sucking a losenge and a straw and trying to start over again. . .
 
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kaygee:
major cave in this morning. had a very minor fender bender accident on the way to work this am. waited over an hour for the police to arrive and during the wait, I chain smoked out of dh’s pack and smoked the rest of the way to work afterward. It’s now 3 hours since I’ve been at the office and am CRAVING a smoke. I’m sucking a losenge and a straw and trying to start over again. . .
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It happens that way sometimes. Just get back on the bus with us. You can do it!
 
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kaygee:
major cave in this morning. had a very minor fender bender accident on the way to work this am. waited over an hour for the police to arrive and during the wait, I chain smoked out of dh’s pack and smoked the rest of the way to work afterward. It’s now 3 hours since I’ve been at the office and am CRAVING a smoke. I’m sucking a losenge and a straw and trying to start over again. . .
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Dont you hate that, it seems everytime I think of quitting something stressful comes up or something bad happens, and before you know it your lighting up! I guess thats the way it goes, the devil will always be there tempting you, as long as you keep trying you will have the last laugh. 👍 BTW are you OK?
 
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kaygee:
major cave in this morning. had a very minor fender bender accident on the way to work this am. waited over an hour for the police to arrive and during the wait, I chain smoked out of dh’s pack and smoked the rest of the way to work afterward. It’s now 3 hours since I’ve been at the office and am CRAVING a smoke. I’m sucking a losenge and a straw and trying to start over again. . .
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Code:
So sorry to hear this news kaygee! I hope you are okay and no whiplash stuff going on! As far as the cigs go…you can do it because we will vouch for you before the Lord!!! We plead for His mercy and ask Him to stop all these stressful incidents in your life…loving ya…🙂
 
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Myangel:
I guess thats the way it goes, the devil will always be there tempting you, as long as you keep trying you will have the last laugh. 👍 BTW are you OK?
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Everyone is fine. was in a 2 mph traffic jam, car in front stopped short, i was distracted by pouting teenager in back and just barely tapped the car in front of me. The other driver got out and dh who was riding with me got out – not even a scratch on either car, but her first words to dh were, “are you insured?” he answered in the affirmative. She said she wanted to report it. He stopped traffic, we both pulled to the side of the road and waited FOREVER for the police to show up. That’s when I started grubbing smokes from dh. Police officer arrived and confirmed that he saw no damage, but she said she was going to have her car checked out to be sure that the tap hadn’t caused and leaks or other hidden damage. I’m sure it’s not over yet on the other driver’s end. But for me now, No ticket, Just a paper to file with insurance agent who tells me on the basis of the police report it won’t effect my rates. Anyway, it got me smoking all day. . . Couldn’t believe the yuk I coughed up last night. I’m off now. Sucking a losenge with a plastic straw hanging out of my mouth.

Back on track. Thank you for your prayers. I’ll be sure to pray for all of you at adoration today.
 
This has been one of the toughest Lents EVER for me.
I know what I gave up, but have yet to sucessfully give it up! Ugh!

I asked God to PLEASE help me…and do you want to know what happened?

I have a major case of Bronchitis. I can’t even breathe well. I went to the Doctor’s yesterday and had to get Antibiotics and an Asthma inhaler to help me through this one.

And, so what was my major thought this morning when I could breathe a little better? “Hey, I really want a smoke.”
I haven’t had one, I am fighting it with ever fiber of my being.
 
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LynnieLew:
This has been one of the toughest Lents EVER for me.
I know what I gave up, but have yet to sucessfully give it up! Ugh!

I asked God to PLEASE help me…and do you want to know what happened?

I have a major case of Bronchitis. I can’t even breathe well. I went to the Doctor’s yesterday and had to get Antibiotics and an Asthma inhaler to help me through this one.

And, so what was my major thought this morning when I could breathe a little better? “Hey, I really want a smoke.”
I haven’t had one, I am fighting it with ever fiber of my being.
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Lord, for the sake of your sorrowful Passion, have mercy on LynnieLew and cover her with Your most Precious blood. Surround her with you Light and bring her to full health amd with no more addiction to cigs. Thank you lord Jesus!
 
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LynnieLew:
… and had to get Antibiotics and an Asthma inhaler to help me through this one.

And, so what was my major thought this morning when I could breathe a little better? “Hey, I really want a smoke.”
I haven’t had one, I am fighting it with ever fiber of my being.
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Lynnie Lew: About the only good thing about being a smoker is that the set of skills required to use an asthma inhaler properly is the same required of being a smoker… . the ability to draw a foreign substance down deep into ones lungs without choking. Use the inhaler to the fullest extent your doctor has ordered. . .

Remember that cigarette smoke freezes the fibers in your lungs that allow your body to rid itself of excess mucus, thereby causing you to cough less. That’s why it feels so good when you smoke when you’re sick. BUT the reality is that the smoke is keeping you sick and making you sicker. Drink lots of water and fruit juices. inhale on a straw. If you used to smoke menthols, suck on a Hall’s cough drop while inhaling on the straw. Ask your doctor about using the patch or a losenge to help the cravings. Know that there are people out there praying for you and your health and the ability to stop this terrible habit. And there are people out there going through the same thing right along with you.

Keep the faith, baby. (remember Kojak’s famous lolipop – it was started when he stopped smoking in the story)
 
:bounce: :bounce: I have been looking high and low for you guys to see how you are all doing. I even started a thread in the water cooler and thanks to Annunciata I found you all 😃 Has this thread been moved?

So how is everyone doing?
 
Hey gang! It has been a few days since I have been on, but I wanted to report that I am approaching the 100 hour mark without a slip! I think I am going to make it!!! God be praised!!! I hope that you are all doing well. I am on the patch, and that is working for me!!!

I also started working out, and I find that is helping too. I get to see the results as they happen!

God Bless You All
 
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