This is one of the things that will happen to you when you quit smoking

[Droopy]

I also had to quit drinking when I quit smoking because alcohol is a major trigger for me. I've got probably a dozen times when I was trying to quit smoking that I started up again because I wanted to have a few beers.

So, I just went to the corner store to get some sunflower seeds. FYI, Planters sunflower seeds, roasted, salted, and in the shell are the perfect quit smoking device. You can get a big bag for 99 cents and it should last you for several days and there is only 450 calories in the whole bag. Anyway, I happened to glance over at the beer cooler and saw several people there buying beer. There were other people at the counter buying cigarettes.

Not only did I walk out of the store with my sunflower seeds, I also have a bag of Reese's miniature peanut butter cups and a bag of Rolos. But I don't have any beer or cigarettes so mission accomplished, I guess.

I've quit for 6 weeks now. I feel a lot better and I've saved almost $300, less that spent on Reese's and Rolos. My smoker's cough is gone.

[ghostsofgiants]

1. Congrats on quitting.

[Droopy]

2. Thank you

Now if I can just kick my sugar jones before I get diabetes. :)

[ghostsofgiants]

3. That I can definitely relate to.

Mmmm, sugarrrrr...

:P

[CaliforniaPeggy]

4. My dear Droopy!

Congrats!

You are doing so well, and I knew you would...

I think the candies taste extra good, because your taste buds wake up after you quit smoking!

Mission DEFINITELY accomplished!

:yourock:

:hug:

[Droopy]

5. Thanks, Peggy

Yeah, I'm going to have to do something about my diet. I've put on some weight since I quit smnoking. My appetite has increased and, you're right, food just tastes better.

[Haole Girl]

6. Good for you!

I almost had a "relapse" myself last night... I've since realized the GD-P - added with boredom - can make me want to drink! But I didn't. I just have to nurse my muscles and joints too much - motorcycle riding - to have a drinking habit too! Also, I went through 14 years worth of liquor in about 1 year, this year....that's when I knew I needed to slow down (and fast). I wish us both much success!!

:bounce:

[Droopy]

7. I hear that motor cycle riding can be a natural buzz

That's what I need. Something to take the place of my old bad habits that is healthy and not this sugar laden diet I've been on for the last six weeks.

But, yeah, boredom is a kicker. The weekends used to be my drinking time. Now that I quit doing that I find myself trying to deal with the reality that I was trying to avoid with all of the partying.

[mike_c]

8. congrats! I quit 25 years ago-- after about six months...

...I couldn't imagine smoking again and it was all downhill from there. I was married to a smoker for about ten years until just a few years ago, and was never even tempted. After you've been off tobacco for a few months it's really easy to stay off, IMO.

[applegrove]

9. Good for you Droopy. That isn't easy to do. I know - I'm trying to quit.

[Madrone]

10. June 5th will be 5 months for me.

The SUCK thing is that I don't feel any better and food tastes no different. x(

Why'd I quit smoking again? :P

Congratulations to YOU - and hang in there! :)

[hiaasenrocks]

11. Congrats. I am jealous. I want to quit so bad. May I ask a question?

The toughest part for me seems to be the routine smoking that I have associated with other activities. For instance, I often step outside to smoke and I'll bring along whatever book I am reading. Now reading a book is associated with smoking! It sucks. Same with driving. There are other examples but I'll leave it at those.

My question: How did you break THAT part of the habit, if you indeed associated smoking with certain everyday routines. Did you just sub the seeds for the cigs?

[Droopy]

17. Don't be jealous. Be a non-smoker! :)

Most people need a crutch in the early going, like me and my sunflower seeds and chocolate. Sugar free gum is also a good crutch. I go through a 15 pack of gum at work every day. I have to ride in a truck for 7 hours with someone who smokes.

This might sound bad to you, but I would suggest that you give up, at least temporarily, everything that you associate with smoking if it's possible. If it's DU, then we'll see you in a couple of months :). If it's books, then become uninformed for a little while.

One thing that has really helped me this time is a drug called bupropion. It's a generic for Wellbutrin and I think Zyban is the same thing as well. I suggest the drug over nicotine replacement therapy. With NRT you will have withdrawl symptoms longer because you do not immediately stop using nicotine. Bupropion really helped me out. The cravings weren't as intense as they were when I tried to quit without the drug.

[Tikki]

12. Isn't it wonderful to say..." Nope, it ain't no joke...I don't smoke."

Smokers' cough gone...:)

Tikki and son...quit 4 years ago.

[arcadian]

13. I went to chocolate too

Did same thing, quit drinking and smoking at the same time, for pretty much the reason you described. Almost six years for me.

[Steven_S]

14. That's great Droopy...

Keep up the good work. It took me 7 months to lose the cough. I quit, in this order, 22 years ago: Booze, cigarettes, caffeine and sugar. It was hard. I had this compulsive, hand-to-mouth addiction thing that I had to take care of to stay off all that stuff.

Sunflower seeds is a much better temporary alternative than anything I can think of.

Stay quit!!

[Mojambo]

15. I got a big sunflower seed habit.

The sodium can be a bit tricky, but even so they are much better than most snack foods.

Great stoner treat, IMO.

[yellowdogintexas]

16. I just think it is flat out awesome that you quit.

Try apples, carrots, grapes for those munchie cravings, and popcorn too.

They are my standby go to foods in Weight Watchers when I get hungry.

[My Good Babushka]

18. Good

I quit almost ten years ago. I bought a big bag of lollipops thinking I would need them, but I didn't!
I sometimes still get urges to start again, even after ten years. I think it's the price that keeps me from backsliding. When I quit ciggies were $2.11 a pack.

[ThomCat]

19. I hope this works and you stay off the cigarettes.

:)

I guess giving up drinking is a good/benign side effect, depending on how much you used to drink.

Congratulations on the saved money and your improved health. Keep up the goodness. :)