I am going to the doctor tomorrow morning.

[murielm99]

I will follow his recommendations, but I will probably get the patch.

I have smoked since I was 18, and I am 57. I quit a few times, but it lasted for a few days at most.

I am serious about this, but my husband will not be quitting with me. I can't force him to do anything he is not ready to do.

I am most worried about weight gain. I am 5'2", and I weigh 112. My weight has never been a problem. I do not want to be overweight. I will not be buying any fat clothes.

What experiences has this group had with the patch? And how did you do it when your spouse did not quit with you?

[swimboy]

1. Hi, murielm99.

There has not been a lot of activity in this forum recently, but it has helped some people quit, myself included, and I want you to have that help too. If I were you, I would read through some of the existing older threads in here and there will be some information on the patch and antidepressants also. You can pick through that information and if you have any follow-up questions, I'm sure it would be all right with most people if you sent a Private Message asking about their experience. If you get someone who doesn't want to help, just move on without agonizing. It's their issue, not yours, you know?

There is a recent thread about someone wanting to quit with spouse who is not quitting. Maybe you two have some things to talk about.

I didn't use the patch, but still this forum was an extra incentive to actually quit smoking and I hope it can encourage you too. Let me know if I can help.

[murielm99]

2. Thanks.

My doctor spent an hour with me today, and none of it was that scare tactics stuff. He is being really helpful, and wants to see me again in a month.

He figured out how many calories I will need to maintain my weight, and recommended following the South Beach diet plan if I gain too much. I am a bit worried about the holidays.

My husband decided that he will smoke outside. He suggested it, not me, so he is not undermining me.

I bought patches today. This will start Sunday, the first day that I can be at home to begin.

[politicat]

3. I am a big fan of the lozenges...

commit. That's what helped me quit a year ago. The patches were too... sustained; my body apparently wanted and needed the rush of the nic jolt.

I'm a year out, and relatively happy.

As far as weight goes, eat sensibly, don't eat in place of smoking (okay, celery or carrot sticks are probably okay), and get exercise. Nicotine is a great metabolism boost, so you may find that your metabolism slows a bit (though, being 57, it's probably doing that to begin with.)

Take walks or put in a yoga video when you would have been smoking in the past - like first thing in the morning, after eating. Something active and meditative and "for you". Because for a lot of us, smoking that cig is our time for ourselves - I know I used it as a way to get away from people when they overwhelmed me.

[Skittles]

4. step up on your exercise, muriel

keep a food diary to track your calories; I like www.fitday.com - it is free and easy to use

Ask your hubby to step outside to smoke while you are quitting - really it is the courteous thing to do (on edit - he volunteered? He is a sweetheart)