Giving up smoking the Alan Carr method...

Go on the vapes, Rob.

There's nothing wrong with nicotine.

In fact, it's been shown to be a great anti-Alzheimer's drug (as even mentioned by that doctor who is so up in the world with IVF, on The Wright Show, a few months ago).

It's the rest of the 4000 odd chemicals in tobacco that does the harm.

No smell, health complications, etc etc on the e-cigs (vapes).
Just imbibing pure nicotine.
Excellent stuff.

Saves a fortune too.

I'm amazed that you did all that marathon training Rob whilst being a smoker. Can't have been easy.

Nicotine is addictive.  I dont want it.  I read, but didnt finish, his book.  He has two big all encompassing reasons as to why people smoke.

1.  Nicotine addiction
2.  Brainwashing

His theory is also that no one actually wants to smoke.(i know I dont), but some people pretend they do for various reasons.  Would any of the smokers on here recommend it to their children!  I doubt it.  Apparently there is some sort of hypnotherapy involved, fk it, worse that can happen is I get my money back.

I gave up using Zyban a drug  that over a few weeks, simply removes the desire to smoke. First time I used it I managed a year and then smoked just the one because I thought I had beaten it. Next time was five years ago and no **** since.

Rob, the man has books/a method to sell.

He'll say whatever he likes to make himself more money.

He's dead. Died of lung cancer

Caffeine is addictive.

You don't see anyone making a big deal about how many people frequent Starbucks and the rest of the cr@ppy coffee shops do you?
That's because they have nothing to sell.

Doantwineasy...  Anyone can run 20 miles with a bit of training.  I was doing 9 minute miles, i did a 5k park run in 20:55.  My hope is that I will do 8 minute miles for 20 miles and a park run in well under 20 minutes if I pack up the smokes.

By the way I didnt do the marathon in the end as I had a cold come the big day.  I spend at least a month every winter with a cold, and this is blatantly due to smoking.  I hate smoking.

Fair enough, Dobbo.

His estate will say whatever they like to make themselves more money.

I dont drink coffee.  And very seldom tea.  Caffeine doesnt give you lung cancer either.  Come on Tommy.  Smoking is sh1t.  It only makes you feel better because it releases the stress that it put there in the first place.  Self fulfilling prophecy.

I'm just trying to say that 'smoking' e-cigs is giving you the 'hit' you like with tobacco without any of the nasty stuff involved with tobacco.

Nicotine isn't the problem, as such, it's the rest of the cr@p in tobacco which is the problem.

Read up on it.

I know I did when I changed to the vapes.

Three years ago last August now - and I was a 'professional smoker' and had no intention of giving tobacco up.

Ok mate.  I did try some sort of e cig a few years back and smoked it in the pub but used to go outside for a proper smoke on top.  So it didnt work for me.  I just want rid of the whole disgusting habit.  I hate it.

fair play to you for putting the hours in Rob.

Fair enough Rob.

But if you change your mind, this is the best vaping company out there:

http://www.vapeescape.co.uk/

Type in ECR69 to get 10% off any order you make.

Dontwin2easy...

I am still doing the brighton marathon in april and aiming for sub 4 hours.  I have a good base due to my previous training.  Would really love to beat my workmates' time of 3:49 tbh.

I've managed not to smoke since mid-October - except for one cigarette, which tasted ghastly.  I was previously on 20 a day.

The money I'm saving - thus far around £360 - is a motivation for me.

Was that through blind will power Muntz?  If so good luck to you.

I was sitting at home one morning, and was down to my last cigarette.  I realised that I'd need to go to the cashpoint to get the money to buy another packet.

This struck me as absurd, so I decided to do without - though in all honesty I only expected to manage a day or two.

I suppose I've taken it one day at a time.

its all physiological Im afraid....


If someone offer a million pound cheque for giving up the cigs for a year....I reckon 99% of people on here would give up no problem.

yep. read his books and eventually it worked.

at some point the penny will drop. it's one thing reading the words, another accepting them, and that's what the course is supposed to help hugely with.

you should end up reframing the feeling of nicotine withdrawal as something positive.

(and it's Allen Carr, rather than Alan Carr who is the gapped toothed tw@t on channel 4)

£260 for a days course ! You must be desperate . Just buy the books !

Why don't you get some self discipline and resolve and just quit. Go cold turkey. It only takes a few days for the real craving to subside. Then about a fortnight to really break away from the addiction.There's all sorts of distraction / avoiding methods to keep mind occupied.

I smoked 30 a day for 25 years, and quit. Made the decision I didn't want to die of cancer. Quite simple.

£260 is an absolute bargain if it works.  I'd pay ten times that if someone could guarantee I will never smoke again and will never want to.

No amount of anyone ' telling  you'  what you should do will work. At the end of the day it comes down to you. And you alone versus the ' worm in your head ' whispering in your ear.

But, with the greatest of respect Facts, you're a clown.  You're stances on various matters is so inconsistent.  Of course getting help can, well, help.

well Facts, it seems extremely odd to be giving someone "advice" not to try something, when it will cost him nothing if it doesn't work.

this is all about getting an idea ingrained in your mind. what works or worked for you may not work for others. given that the course has worked for thousands of people, what possible reasons do you have for dissuading rob from attending.

What's more "There's all sorts of distraction / avoiding methods to keep mind occupied." would suggest you didn't use the Allen Carr method.

Facts 08 Dec 14 10:16
I smoked 30 a day for 25 years, and quit. Made the decision I didn't want to die of cancer. Quite simple.

There are no bounds to my admiration of your self expressed resolve and self-discipline, Facts, however, whilst, to a current smoker, there is nothing worse than an evangelical ex-smoker expressing their disgust at the habit, there is also nothing worse to the current smoker who is exploring ways to give up than having an ex-smoker bragging about their own resolve and self-discipline in packing them in.

p.s. good luck rd.

it's easy just switch to cigars

If you're going down the Alan Carr road, you'll need plenty of drive.

Clouseau     08 Dec 14 10:54 
Facts 08 Dec 14 10:16
I smoked 30 a day for 25 years, and quit. Made the decision I didn't want to die of cancer. Quite simple.

There are no bounds to my admiration of your self expressed resolve and self-discipline, Facts, however, whilst, to a current smoker, there is nothing worse than an evangelical ex-smoker expressing their disgust at the habit, there is also nothing worse to the current smoker who is exploring ways to give up than having an ex-smoker bragging about their own resolve and self-discipline in packing them in.

p.s. good luck rd.





I don't recall stating i was disgusted with the habit. I wasn't then or even now. I enjoyed smoking, and even now 20 odd years after giving up there are times when I'd love one. I had tried many times to give up, using various methods. But in the end , it's yourself that has to beat the habit. And you will only do that if your resolve is stronger than the desire to smoke.

I enjoyed smoking, and even now 20 odd years after giving up there are times when I'd love one

This method means you won't miss it.  In theory.  Wanting a smoke but not having one sounds sh1te to me.  Can your "oh it is just self-discipline" mantra be extrapolated to all people and all circumstances?

Don't believe you'll  ' never ' miss it.

Not as drastic, but it's like an alcoholic and drink. If they stop drinking , they know they're only one drink away from going down the bad road again. But do you think they think about alcohol a lot ? Do you think they miss drinking ?
You bet they do.

Anyway good luck rob. I know we don't see eye to eye on things. But I hope you succeed in this.

Facts, I did not intend to include you in the "ex-smoker / disgust" part of that. I was trying to compare the evangelical ex-smoker to the folk who generally come on threads like this, where someone is trying alternative methods, adding little more than a self satisfied story of how they, themselves, gave up using nothing more than will power.

Some people, and I include myself, find themselves needing a bit more than that, and I fully accept that as being somewhat of an admittance of a certain weakness.

I still get that from people I am walking past in the street who see me with the vape machine and feel it necessary to stop me to let me know how they managed the struggle unaided and just decided to quit smoking one day and stuck to it. Whilst I nod approval at their powers of self denial, it doesn't actually help me; if anything it makes me feel a bit sh1ttier for not being capable to give up that way myself and having to rely on outside help.

Hope you get my drift.

Ok. Hope you break the habit too. It's a cliche I know , but it really is one of the best decisions you can ever make.
Good luck

i gave up on october 10th,cold turkey,don't feel any better but at least i dont stink ,got rid of lots of nasty black speckled phlem also,was 15 a day for 20 years+

I'm not a smoker but it seems to me that whilst the vast majority of smokers are addicted to nicotine, some are more addicted than others.

think i put this on here before

but i was on 20-30 a day around 8 years ago

made the decision to give up and did as follows

!)set a date roughly two months ahead
2)went away on that date(take you out of normal environment)
3)always keep a few **** in the packet to give/throw away at that time
4)last **** will taste like sh1t
5)does require a limited amount of will power.

personally think 2 and 3 were most important when i gave up

There are loads of people out there who only have as little as 10 smokes a week - normally when out on the lash.  I know a few like this, mainly younger than me.  Don't know if they will progress from this to being like me..  I started out in the same way, normally just cadging off others.  And, like I say, it is 15 a day here.  plenty of people are on 20, 40 60+ a day.

F a gs

I would recommend the Alan Carr book and the 4hr seminar.i smoked for 40 years and thought I never had the will power to stop.I left the seminar 2yrs ago and  never had another cig since.The Alan Carr method changes your "perception"
about smoking.Will power is not required,and nicotine addiction is the easy part,your over it in 2/3 days,it's the mental addiction you have to deal with,people who stop by using will power still crave because they still have the suppressed desire,and still believe it's way of relaxing and it helps deal with stress.The truth is they do the opposite,it's a great feeling being free from the constant need to smoke 15/20 times a day.Dont leave it till you have to stop,I've seen a family member die from emphysema,it's a terrible way to go.

Cut back from 20 to 10 a day. If you live another 40 years that the equivalent of being smoke free for the last 20 years of your life.

You don`t want to live to be 98 anyway.

i went to an alan carr clinic.

after the 2 or 3 hours it lasted i walked out thinking that it was a waste of £220 (at the time)

However i didnt have a smoke for over 2 years.

Unfortunately i started again

Did it yesterday.  Six hours.  Last smoke was at 1430hrs Friday.  So I have done 28 hours.  I listened to everything, tried to take it all on board with as much of an open mind as I can muster.  Even lied down on the floor for the group hypnotherapy.  Felt good when I came out, bouncing along.  That lasted about an hour.  Have had the cravings but have resisted but it seems like I am just using will power rather than having a revelation.  Think the nicotine withdrawal only lasts 72 hrs or so, so hopefully if I can get through that then the psychological stuff from the course will kick in.  Truth be told I could murder a smoke right not and so far this hasn't really been "the easy method".

Maleuk... If you are about I would like to know how you felt for the first three days.  You said it felt like a waste of money at first, does that mean you still wanted a smoke when you left?

Good luck with it Rob, you're a better man than me if you manage it.

Cheers kenbo.  I dont know how long it takes for the lack of smoking to effect your lung performance but I went to the gym today after 24 hours smoke free (many years since I did that long) and had the treadmill up to 5:30 min/mile pace and though I didnt last long it kind of felt good, felt like I could have run for ages and at a good speed. 

Have to confess it is getting better, the craving hasnt totally gone but i am getting used to it.  Yesterday afternoon I was just thinking I had wasted my money, feel a bit better tonight.

Cheers kenbo.  I dont know how long it takes for the lack of smoking to effect your lung performance but I went to the gym today after 24 hours smoke free (many years since I did that long) and had the treadmill up to 5:30 min/mile pace and though I didnt last long it kind of felt good, felt like I could have run for ages and at a good speed. 

Have to confess it is getting better, the craving hasnt totally gone but i am getting used to it.  Yesterday afternoon I was just thinking I had wasted my money, feel a bit better tonight.

Rob, You hate smoking. You want to improve your athletic ability. It's clear to me that you are almost there and you will succeed. let there be no doubt in your mind.

Thanks for those encouraging words Foinavon.  Feeling better by the hour have to admit.

Good luck Rob.

I know how much you want to stop smoking. I wish you every success.

Cheers Tommy.

Double Down and take a course of Champix to lessen the cravings. 40 year plus smoker that took this course

about 6 months ago and not had a smoke since the first tablet. Still get occasional mild cravings that

disappears within minutes. Stuff all side effects for me. 3 month course of tabs although i had stopped so

early that i kept the final month tablets unopened in case of a set back further down the track i still have 1

month of tabs to counter any set back.

Good luck.

http://www.patient.co.uk/health/varenicline-champixr

GL rob

Never quite sure how to define cravings.  What it is for me, every now and then I suddenly feel better because I have made some association with my current situation to having a smoke.  That cheers me up, I am thinking smoke imminent,  then I remember I can't smoke because I have given up.  Then I remember I can if I want to.  Then I think that I won't because I hate it.  This whole thought process takes about a second.  It was happening every couple of minutes yesterday afternoon and I was just thinking inevitably I am gonna crack sooner or later.  Tonight I am going through the thought process about once every half hour.  Hopefully once the nicotine is out the body it won't happen at all.  Hopefully.

Cheers Capt F.  AFL... I imagine champex means doctors appointments and subscriptions and time off work.  Would take weeks or months?  Maybe if this method doesnt work I will look into it cheers.

Nahh  1 appointment got prescription for 1st month and return doctors appointment after that 1st month. ...and

then got the last 2 months tabs. 

Some people report some crazy dreams with the Champix....i had some mild weird dreams lol.....and very dry

mouth that was about it.

Cheers.

I wont hear a thing against smokers.. they are the most unselfish people in the world...they pay for the NHS even though they know they'll never get to use it.

smokers are weak pathetic excuses for a human being, if you can't give up smoking by sheer will power than you deserve pity

If you read the book it's how you interpret the cravings. If you think I want a cigarette you haven't taken his words into your mind. You should be thinking along the lines of killing the little nicotine monster, revelling in it's death throes and that thank god you don't smoke and keep it alive. Each cig merely creates the desire for the next one, this will soon pass.

I am certainly missing the laxative effect of the early morning smoke.  Was great for keeping yourself regular.

agree with big issue to a degree.

that doesn't mean you wont get it, but think about why it is you want a cigarette: it's because you want to feel like you don't want a cigarette anymore. that's the main reason we all smoke - to relieve nicotine withdrawal. we smoke so we can feel that we no longer crave a cigarette. in the grand spectrum of drugs available, nicotine is by far and away one of the shittest.

I remember Carr saying that he could understand smack addicts, smack is very pleasurable in its own right as well as being addictive. Nicotine is crap: high dependency, very limited pleasant effects. Every positive effect you think it provides is an illusion you've created in your own mind. It doesn't relieve stress; you're under stress because you crave nicotine. It doesn't help you concentrate; you can't concentrate because you crave nicotine.

in choosing to stop, you're going to soon be in a permanent state of no longer craving nicotine without needing the habit. that's how you need to be thinking.

if you have the short book it's worth reading (again). it does take different people a different amount of time for the penny to drop (it took me about 7 months, i was big book only though) but i think you'll know when it does.

good luck

48 hours down and defo getting easier and easier.

WD Rob and GL.

I don't smoke but I read the Alan Carr book, out of interest, many years ago.

Iirc, it said that it's not day 1 or day 2 that's difficult but day 1,000 or 2,000. I can't recall the reasoning behind this statement but I assume it meant that once you're past the addiction, it's easy to let your guard down and think, "I'll just have one".

I smoked for 10 years, in fact the hardest thing I have ever done in my life was give up smoking.It was months before the cravings got easier.I just kept telling myself that I was the master of my body and nothing will ever control me.....It was bloody hard but I did it.

Was a tough one tonight.  Did about six hours in my local because it is closing down tonight.  Was the first time I had been in a pub since I did the course.  I was not immediately worried because i do not smoke much less at home than I do in the pub.  And I had the cheeky smoke at home nailed.  Well My mind was fked as soon as I got in the pub.  Everything and everyone I looked at triggered thoughts of "let's go out for a quick drag". This was pretty much incessant for the first half hour, a real shock to the system,  just did not know what to do with my hands and that.  Got playing darts and that helped.  Matey is bang on the vapes.  He has a pipe thingy, i mean looks like a pipe.  I used his pipe and it is electronic and is full of all sorts of stuff but not nicotine.  So I was sucking it back big time and it was a nice diversion.  I got really into it.  Seemed to me it proved a point..... Just need the diversion not the nicotine.

End result is...  56 hours and no smokes.  And that is the main thing.

I'm having a lovely Cohiba just now

I've just been outside for a smoke. Won't smoke inside, gets on the cat's chests.

I have barely even thought about smoking today.  Unbelievable.  I might actually be free.

Has this thread been bumped from 2009? E-cig , job done.

how you getting on rob?

8 days.  Getting easier every day.  Have only had one pub session mind and that was tough.

well done.

and good luck.

If you can do one day, you can do forever, it's only a series of single days anyway. You need to get the mindset of enjoying not smoking and NOT yearning to have a cigarette or you are defeating the object of the exercise. I've been switched to vaping just over 6 weeks btw after 30+ years and was up to 40+ a day when I switched.

I'm off for a lah-di in the garden.

just think that oxygen is heaven on earth ,take a deep breath enjoy the intoxicant of pure oxygen .

Quit again 2 weeks ago & will be for good this time

E-cigs make it the easiest time ever too quit now , though still sucking nicotine , no tar , much nicer , cheaper , no smell or mess

Just got a new E-cig & is a real beast , Electron3 Mega

Totallywicked .  com have a 25% Off everything January sale on for anybody interested , cool for new liquids