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General Discussion & Feedback => Just Chat! => Topic started by: Seany on 03/05/2007 22:25:12

Title: Paul cutting his smoking by 50%
Post by: Seany on 03/05/2007 22:25:12
YAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY! 50%!! That's loads!!!

CONGRATULATIONS!
Title: Re: Paul cutting his smoking by 50%
Post by: ukmicky on 03/05/2007 23:24:22
YAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY! 50%!! That's loads!!!

CONGRATULATIONS!
No cutting down never works over the long term and often leads to the person for some reason to end up a heavier smoker.
Title: Re: Paul cutting his smoking by 50%
Post by: another_someone on 04/05/2007 00:24:11
No cutting down never works over the long term and often leads to the person for some reason to end up a heavier smoker.

I cannot comment on smoking, since I have never been a smoker, but personally, I do find the only way to really stop something is total and instantaneous cessation.

That having been said, i have heard of people for whom gradual reduction is the best way, although it still requires a clear timetable, and to be able to stick to that timetable of reduction.  If you simply cut down to 50%, and then lose the inertia to keep cutting down, then I do agree, it has the same effect as yo-yo dieting.
Title: Re: Paul cutting his smoking by 50%
Post by: paul.fr on 04/05/2007 01:08:41
Quote
No cutting down never works over the long term and often leads to the person for some reason to end up a heavier smoker.

i agree to some extent, Micky. i have tried before and have always gone back to the same level of smoking, although it have never gotten heavier.


I cannot comment on smoking, since I have never been a smoker, but personally, I do find the only way to really stop something is total and instantaneous cessation.

That having been said, i have heard of people for whom gradual reduction is the best way, although it still requires a clear timetable, and to be able to stick to that timetable of reduction.  If you simply cut down to 50%, and then lose the inertia to keep cutting down, then I do agree, it has the same effect as yo-yo dieting.

basically George, i suppose i am a drug addict. where nicotine is the drug, i have no clear timetable to reduce the cigarettes further. cutting down by 50% in less than a week and sticking to it, is for me, an achievement. it's not been easy, and at times i have desperately wanted just one extra cigarette. but, so far so good. will it last? i have no idea, but if i can maintain my present level then i feel sure i can reduce the cigarettes further. i just don't want to do it too quickly as this has failed miserably in the past.
Title: Re: Paul cutting his smoking by 50%
Post by: Carolyn on 04/05/2007 01:25:08
YOU CAN DO IT PAUL!!!!!  That's how my mom quit.   She's been smoke free for a year now. 

 Now when you get comfy at 50%, cut that down by another 50%.
Title: Re: Paul cutting his smoking by 50%
Post by: another_someone on 04/05/2007 01:28:00
basically George, i suppose i am a drug addict. where nicotine is the drug,

Yes, I do understand that.

i have no clear timetable to reduce the cigarettes further. cutting down by 50% in less than a week and sticking to it, is for me, an achievement. it's not been easy, and at times i have desperately wanted just one extra cigarette. but, so far so good. will it last? i have no idea, but if i can maintain my present level then i feel sure i can reduce the cigarettes further. i just don't want to do it too quickly as this has failed miserably in the past.

As I said, different things work for different people; but you do need to forward plan, otherwise it will not work - even if that means that on 4th August you start cutting back a further 50% (i.e. down to 25% of the original level), and on 4th November you go for complete cessation - but that still allows to to retain a constant inertia.
Title: Paul cutting his smoking by 50%
Post by: Ben6789 on 04/05/2007 13:18:36
Congrats george.
Title: Paul cutting his smoking by 50%
Post by: DoctorBeaver on 04/05/2007 13:40:45
When you fancy a cigarette say to yourself "No, not yet. I'll wait another half an hour". Then, when that half hour is up, try putting it off a while longer. You'll be surprised how much you can cut down like that.

Also, try to cut out the habitual cigarettes - post-somnolence, post-pranial, post-coital etc - and you'll find it easier not to have the others.

Psychologically it's better if you think of yourself as a non-smoker from the day you give up, not as someone trying to give up.
Title: Paul cutting his smoking by 50%
Post by: Hadrian on 04/05/2007 13:46:11
you might like to read this    
help on quitting smoking  (http://activity4life.com/forum/index.php?topic=304.msg3917#msg3917)

Top 10 Reasons to Quit Smoking (http://activity4life.com/forum/index.php?topic=274.msg3640#msg3640)


Title: Paul cutting his smoking by 50%
Post by: another_someone on 04/05/2007 14:03:26
Congrats george.

What's this about - I am not cutting down smoking - where do you cut down from zero?
Title: Paul cutting his smoking by 50%
Post by: another_someone on 04/05/2007 14:05:42
When you fancy a cigarette say to yourself "No, not yet. I'll wait another half an hour". Then, when that half hour is up, try putting it off a while longer. You'll be surprised how much you can cut down like that.

It known as procrastination - you'd be surprised about how good I can get about procrastinating (just, I have no need to do it for cigarettes).
Title: Paul cutting his smoking by 50%
Post by: Hadrian on 04/05/2007 14:43:42
i forgot i had this ........ LOL


(https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.activity4life.com%2Fphoto%2Fsmoak.gif&hash=5bc13a8f210e12fc722ee79452558973)


Title: Paul cutting his smoking by 50%
Post by: Ben6789 on 04/05/2007 15:07:49
drat and blast! i congrats the wronged person! *bangs his head on a wall* [:-[]

I'm gonna go crawl under a rock..  [xx(]
Title: Paul cutting his smoking by 50%
Post by: Hadrian on 04/05/2007 15:22:36
drat and blast! i congrats the wronged person! *bangs his head on a wall* [:-[]

I'm gonna go crawl under a rock..  [xx(]


???????????????????????
Title: Paul cutting his smoking by 50%
Post by: Ben6789 on 04/05/2007 15:24:12
 [::)]

Paul fr. was the one quitting, not another_someone. I got mixed up. what's so hard to understand.  [???]
Title: Paul cutting his smoking by 50%
Post by: Hadrian on 04/05/2007 15:32:55
[::)]

Paul fr. was the one quitting, not another_someone. I got mixed up. what's so hard to understand.  [???]


i found it hard to read with all the smoke...........LOL
Title: Paul cutting his smoking by 50%
Post by: Karen W. on 04/05/2007 15:59:50
Congratulations.. Hang in there and don't give up!! BIG HUGS!!
Title: Paul cutting his smoking by 50%
Post by: Ben6789 on 04/05/2007 16:21:05
[::)]

Paul fr. was the one quitting, not another_someone. I got mixed up. what's so hard to understand.  [???]


i found it hard to read with all the smoke...........LOL


LOL  [:D] [:D]
Title: Paul cutting his smoking by 50%
Post by: moonfire on 05/05/2007 06:15:09
Also, try cutting a little off the tip at a time...if you end up having one so you can trick your mind into believing you have had a whole cig...congrats handsome!  You are doing gr8!
Title: Paul cutting his smoking by 50%
Post by: kdlynn on 05/05/2007 06:17:53
i don't know about over there, but here in the us they sell marlboro seventy two's. they are shorter cigarettes. downright tiny!
Title: Paul cutting his smoking by 50%
Post by: moonfire on 05/05/2007 06:26:02
yes, but stronger though....
Title: Paul cutting his smoking by 50%
Post by: kdlynn on 05/05/2007 06:30:10
oh are they? didn't know that. i guess that wouldn't help then
Title: Paul cutting his smoking by 50%
Post by: moonfire on 05/05/2007 07:32:24
that is what I heard...maybe not, but maybe they make a milder one that is shorter????  Where is the cig experties....?
Title: Paul cutting his smoking by 50%
Post by: paul.fr on 05/05/2007 07:33:36
i don't know about over there, but here in the us they sell marlboro seventy two's. they are shorter cigarettes. downright tiny!

i hate 72's. You always seem to smoke more, as you never feel like you have had a full cigarette.
Title: Paul cutting his smoking by 50%
Post by: paul.fr on 05/05/2007 07:34:42
Also, try cutting a little off the tip at a time...if you end up having one so you can trick your mind into believing you have had a whole cig...congrats handsome!  You are doing gr8!

why, thank you Gorgeous!
Title: Paul cutting his smoking by 50%
Post by: moonfire on 05/05/2007 07:36:29
You are so welcome!  Have to support you through this as it is tough, but you are stronger!!!
Title: Paul cutting his smoking by 50%
Post by: paul.fr on 05/05/2007 07:36:58
that is what I heard...maybe not, but maybe they make a milder one that is shorter????  Where is the cig experties....?

I don't think the shorter ones are in anyway stronger, as i noted earlier, you just tend to smoke more of the shorter ones.
Title: Paul cutting his smoking by 50%
Post by: paul.fr on 05/05/2007 07:41:05
You are so welcome!  Have to support you through this as it is tough, but you are stronger!!!

me, stronger! i cry at dead spiders..........well, no i don't but im not strong when it comes to cutting the cigs down/out. i have however, suprised myself with how well i have done.

At one point last night, i had gone many hours without and just got so hot and felt like i was sweating buckets and all i could think of was running out and having a cig. i just had to, had to.

but im ok with that, i still stuck to what i set myself for the day and even had 3 left over.
Title: Paul cutting his smoking by 50%
Post by: moonfire on 05/05/2007 07:52:52
Okay, how long did you smoke?  (symptoms normal for someone who has smoked for a while)
Title: Paul cutting his smoking by 50%
Post by: moonfire on 05/05/2007 07:55:03
You are strong!  You took the first step, then the next and you keep walking the path...Who doesn't cry at dead spiders?  LOL  Okay, maybe I don't either.... :-)
Title: Paul cutting his smoking by 50%
Post by: paul.fr on 05/05/2007 07:56:18
Okay, how long did you smoke?  (symptoms normal for someone who has smoked for a while)

for the last 23 years.
Title: Paul cutting his smoking by 50%
Post by: moonfire on 05/05/2007 07:59:46
I thought it was a while...same symptoms of a young lady I spoke with the day before after her 24 years of smoking.  I am an ex-smoker too. 
Title: Paul cutting his smoking by 50%
Post by: kdlynn on 05/05/2007 08:28:29
you're doing good paul. i don't know if i could do what you're doing. you can be my inspiration if you quit!
Title: Paul cutting his smoking by 50%
Post by: Karen W. on 05/05/2007 18:08:50
Proud of you Paul.. That is a hard thing to do, it sounds like you are doing well!
Title: Paul cutting his smoking by 50%
Post by: Seany on 05/05/2007 18:30:07
I thought it was a while...same symptoms of a young lady I spoke with the day before after her 24 years of smoking.  I am an ex-smoker too. 

Ooo! So Lo didn't used to be such a sweety softy eh? LOL. She is a sweety pie now. [;)]
Title: Paul cutting his smoking by 50%
Post by: moonfire on 06/05/2007 04:57:36
uh,oh!  I have never been sweet...I do like sweets! LOL  don't ruin my reputation!!!  That Dansy, Carolyn, and Karen! telling such things about me!!!  LOL
Title: Paul cutting his smoking by 50%
Post by: kdlynn on 06/05/2007 05:43:49
paul i also heard today that when you have a cigarette craving it sometimes helps to brush your teeth instead
Title: Paul cutting his smoking by 50%
Post by: paul.fr on 06/05/2007 05:50:25
paul i also heard today that when you have a cigarette craving it sometimes helps to brush your teeth instead
how strange, i started doing that yesterday! I then just pop the cigarette in my mouth and pretend to smoke.
Title: Paul cutting his smoking by 50%
Post by: kdlynn on 06/05/2007 05:54:37
hmmm.. that is odd. let me know how it works
Title: Paul cutting his smoking by 50%
Post by: Karen W. on 06/05/2007 05:56:24
Hey my mom did that too. she said it helped. anytime she had a craving for one, she would brush her teeth or chew gum or mint leaves. She liked chewing fresh mint leaves when she wanted a cigarette as it was healthy and good!..
Title: Paul cutting his smoking by 50%
Post by: paul.fr on 06/05/2007 05:57:34
Well it does work, i wonder if its because i smoke menthol though?
Title: Paul cutting his smoking by 50%
Post by: kdlynn on 06/05/2007 05:57:55
worst case scenario your dentist will love you!
Title: Paul cutting his smoking by 50%
Post by: Karen W. on 06/05/2007 06:07:58
could be the flavor.. My mom did too!
Title: Paul cutting his smoking by 50%
Post by: moonfire on 07/05/2007 00:51:24
Hang in there Paul!!!  You r doing gr8!
Title: Paul cutting his smoking by 50%
Post by: Karen W. on 07/05/2007 02:31:59
How are you doing Paul?
Title: Paul cutting his smoking by 50%
Post by: Ben6789 on 07/05/2007 13:06:20
You there Paul?  [???]
Title: Paul cutting his smoking by 50%
Post by: Karen W. on 07/05/2007 15:07:29
Hope you are doing well!
Title: Paul cutting his smoking by 50%
Post by: paul.fr on 07/05/2007 17:16:22
You there Paul?  [???]

i am now, Ben [;D]

Hope you are doing well!

well i had a slight relapse yesterday, but all is fine now.
Title: Paul cutting his smoking by 50%
Post by: Karen W. on 07/05/2007 19:07:38
You there Paul?  [???]

i am now, Ben [;D]

Hope you are doing well!

well i had a slight relapse yesterday, but all is fine now.

Good I am glad you have it under control.. It rally is hard but you can do it!
When My son was two, he ran up to his Grandpa who was sitting on the floor in front of the couch watching TV and smoking a cigarette.. well Grandpa did not see him coming and he ran square into the cigarette . It went straight into the corner of his eyeball not the outside, the inside.. It was aweful.. He was ok after a couple weeks, he had a bad burn inside his eye, and it horrified Grandpa that his cigarette burned that baby, and through away the pack and never smoked another cigarette for the rest of his life!.. He really hated it!!
Title: Paul cutting his smoking by 50%
Post by: another_someone on 07/05/2007 19:43:30
well i had a slight relapse yesterday, but all is fine now.

Well done! [^]
Title: Paul cutting his smoking by 50%
Post by: paul.fr on 07/05/2007 20:15:29
well i had a slight relapse yesterday, but all is fine now.

Well done! [^]

Thanks, george. The problem is by association, have a meal smoke afterwards, wait for a bus, have a cigarette..... Once i can overcome these i feel sure the habit will be kicked.
Title: Paul cutting his smoking by 50%
Post by: Ben6789 on 07/05/2007 20:16:48
Excellent George, Your first relapse that you lasted through.
Title: Paul cutting his smoking by 50%
Post by: Seany on 07/05/2007 20:21:13
Hmm.. My dad smokes. Said that he'd quit smoking after my exams. Hasn't so far! [:(]
Title: Paul cutting his smoking by 50%
Post by: another_someone on 07/05/2007 20:50:58
Excellent George, Your first relapse that you lasted through.

 [???] [;D] You've done it again - confused Paul and me - remember, I was the one that has never smoked. [;)]
Title: Paul cutting his smoking by 50%
Post by: Seany on 07/05/2007 20:51:32
LOL! I was reading through it.. And eh.. But I was right [;)]
Title: Paul cutting his smoking by 50%
Post by: Carolyn on 07/05/2007 21:05:00
well i had a slight relapse yesterday, but all is fine now.

Well done! [^]

Thanks, george. The problem is by association, have a meal smoke afterwards, wait for a bus, have a cigarette..... Once i can overcome these i feel sure the habit will be kicked.

YOU WILL OVERCOME!!!!  I'm sure you can!