trying to quit smoking, all and any advice welcome

[Aurkihnowe]

the title says it all....i am trying to quit cold turkey, but ive tried a million times before...the thing is, besides getting winded walking up the stairs to my apt., i want to start running soon....i tried last night, or early this morning to be precise, and let myself down again this afternoon, after waking up at 1, basically a 12 hour nap, and called and bummed a fiver for a cheap pack of cigarettes...

I want to beat this addiction!!!

Gassho,

Richard

s@ 2day

[Jishin]

http://m.wikihow.com/Quit-Smoking

Gasho, Jishin, _/st\_

[Aurkihnowe]

Jishin, thanks for the link. I actually have what is purportedly the number one cold turkey site on the net bookmarked on my tablet. I am seeking advice in a more personal manner, however, and advice especially from anyone here who may have beaten this habit successfully.

Gassho

Richard

s@ 2day

[Jishin]

Hi Richard,

Needs vs wants. Smoking is optional. If you don't light up, you don't smoke. That simple.

It's only complicated if it's complicated. No need to complicate. Just say no. Don't light up, no problem.

Gasho, Jishin, _/st\_

[Shokai]

Only method that ever worked for me was 'cold turkey'
Throw whatever smokes you got in the trash if you want to smoke tell yourself,"if I still want to smoke in ten minutes I'll go buy a new pack. Garanteed, in ten minutes you won't even think of it.

good luck with that
gassho,

satToday

[Amelia]

Very helpful advice. I am trying to quit, too, on a reduction method. Every day, I extend the time between each cigarette, and each day it gets easier because I become used to less nicotine. I find that simply not thinking about it is also really helpful. Also, since I am smoking less, I actually like it less, because my tolerance is going dn. I can only handle a couple of drags before it's too much.

Good luck!

Gassho, sat today

[Seido]

Hi Richard, and anyone else struggling with smoking.
Maybe this would help?

https://www.ted.com/talks/judson_brewer_a_simple_way_to_break_a_bad_habit

Gassho,
Seido
SatToday

[Jundo]

I would add ... just don't buy them, just don't hunt through ashtrays for butts (been there) or in the sofa ... if finding one, just don't put it to your lips.

Changing scene for a couple of days can help too ... maybe someplace clean and natural, like the mountains in a cabin (about 100 miles from the nearest cigarette machine! )

If finding oneself in a craving attack ... SHIKANTAZA! No need to cross the legs, but find that inner place. Chances are that, if you wait 20 minutes in such equanimity, the craving attack will pass. Repeat and repeat as needed. Really, Shikantaza helped me quit smoking 30 years ago.

First two days are hardest, then it starts to lessen. First two days will have many strong cravings, first week will have sometime strong cravings. Then, the body cleans out and it is easier ...

.... but never totally. Even a year later, after a good meal or the like, WHAM ... CRAVING! Just repeat. Don't stick the darn thing in your lips. NOT EVEN "JUST ONE!" ZERO TOLERANCE!

Oh, and patches.

Do everything folks above recommend too.

Gassho, Jundo

SatToday

[FaithMoon]

ou might consider going on a 10-day Goenka retreat (they call it a "course") https://www.dhamma.org/en-US/index. It's not zen, and they can be a little obnoxious with their claims, but the meditation technique they teach is very good for cravings, you will not have any opportunity to smoke, and if you are a new student the retreat is free (unless that's changed). There are centers all over the US and the world.

Faith-Moon
st

[Jyukatsu]

I ditto that, an amazing experience and a great way to rid yourself of any addictions and learn a very useful meditation technique....Frankly, it saved my life.

Gassho,
Marina
sat today

[Aurkihnowe]

So I'm in the process of smoking my "last" smoke, a cigar actually, I parenthesize last, because I've said this it so many times. Thank you all for your feedback, advice, metta, and links...I am going to try and sit for a whole half hour (interesting phrase!)...I tried to be mindful of unwrapping the plastic, and it so happens I got in the mail today a audio book (from a giveaway on goodreads)on breathing that touches on mindfulness, or so I've gotten from reading the back...so, ramble coming to an end, I'm going to try unwrapping THAT, in the morning, when I'm REALLY going to be tempted to give in to nicotine...

Gassho, metta, all

Richard

s@ 2day

[lorax]

Hi Richard, well you can see from the responses that you are not alone. So many of us have walked the path you are attempting and we have succeeded. I have two thoughts having been there and smoke free for over forty years. First on how to stop. Jundo offered one of he most effective pieces if advice. Take a break and go somewhere there are no cigarettes available when the urge gets overwhelming. The big thing is to get rid of all the cigarettes, the butts, everything. You can do it, but the only way really is just STOP. We are here sitting with you each day.

The second issue is getting out and running. I ran for years, mostly trail runs, but also competitive distance runs. A few years ago I came down with pneumonia and was in the hospital for months. When I recovered I found I could no longer run. My physician assistant found the following site for beginners and starting over runners and it was great. Ran a 5K with my daughter and grand daughter a couple of years ago at 75 (just realized, I am 77 in a couple of weeks!) and still running and distance walking each day. Take is slow, but be committed.... http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml

SAT TODAY

[Jundo]

ou might consider going on a 10-day Goenka retreat (they call it a "course") https://www.dhamma.org/en-US/index. It's not zen, and they can be a little obnoxious with their claims, but the meditation technique they teach is very good for cravings, you will not have any opportunity to smoke, and if you are a new student the retreat is free (unless that's changed). There are centers all over the US and the world.

Faith-Moon
st

Really any three day or more Zen or other Buddhist Retreat will get one over the initial hump.

Just make sure there are no smokers there, and it is a truly smoke free environment. My experience in Japan at a formal retreat at a famous Zen monastery was a bit bumpier. All went well the first day, until I found where the "bad" young monks hung out at night in the cemetery, and that I could bum a cigarette from one who kept his lighter in his long sleeves. Then, I found out they had a cigarette machine in the monastery in the guest building! That was the end of that! Smoking is just not a Precept thing in much of Asia (I understand that many many South Asian monks smoke like chimneys).

http://www.dhammawheel.com/viewtopic.php?t=20222

Anyway, the quitting took for good shortly thereafter. Highly recommended. After awhile, I did not miss them at all, made all the difference in the world ... no more hacking coughs in the morning, no more tobacco smell ...

Gassho, J

SatToday

[Byrne]

I had to keep quitting until I quit. It took a long time, but I did it. You haven't quit until you NEVER smoke another cigarette again. You got this.

Gassho

Sat Today

[Jishin]

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Gasho, Jishin, _/st\_