I started smoking when I was 18. Looking back, I don't even remember why I started. I do know that I wish I hadn't.
I played squash with my brother recently - the first time I've played in almost a year (I work in London but live in Lewes, near Brighton, which means I spend four to six hours a day commuting - which doesn't leave a whole lot of time for exercise). It did feel good to actually do some exercise, and that night, I had the best night's sleep I've had in ages. Unfortunately, my brother did win the game. Which made me realise just how unfit I am at the moment. Things need to change.
Fortunately, I have a perfect opportunity to do just change - change things. My current job ends in a couple of months. When it does end, I'm going to be working in Hove, for Propellernet. I'm also moving to Hove, so my commute will be no more - I'll get my evenings and weekends back!
And, as I'm moving to a new flat, it's going to be a non-smoking flat. It's a great chance to change all the things about my life I want to change, and fresh surrounding and a fresh job will help no end.
So to get the ball rolling, yesterday morning I quit smoking. Straight away, my train was late, then when I reached London there was no underground service to Camden - generally not a perfect start. But I am determined, this time, to quit. Day 2, so far, is going fine. Wish me luck!
16 Comments
Good luck.
Every time you feel like reaching for a cigarette, reach for a JD!
#1, Keith, United Kingdom, 13 October 2004. Reply to this.
Good luck in staying cigarette free. I've been off them now for over three weeks. It's amazing how much more energy you have. I feel great for the first time in 15 years. I have even opened a quit smoking blog to help others stop. Check it out and please leave your comments.
Neil
#2, Neil, United Kingdom, 2 December 2004. Reply to this.
Congratulations on your decision. All the best!
#3, kalind, India, 16 February 2005. Reply to this.
Hey man I realize this is an old post... how did you make out? Did you finally quit?
#4, Danny, Canada, 16 November 2005. Reply to this.
I smoked 4 years, and then stopped it for 4 years. I dreamt that I am smoking maybe 5-7 times after quitting. The dream was always the same: I am smoking and the smoke is empty, insipid and I feel bad, because of this relapse and have no pleasure from smoking. I awoke with happiness that it was just a dream. Then some day I decided that I am "return bend" J and I am able to have one cigarette?8364;¦. So I smoke around 10 cigarettes a day present time and I have also started blog that I hope will help me to quit. It is here - <a href="http://quitsmokingpro.com/" target="_blank"><b>QuitSmokingPro.com</b></a> - welcome to visit!
#5, Anthony, Unknown, 19 December 2005. Reply to this.
Surprisingly, I used to play squash too! I love the game because it is so demanding. And I was a smoker too for 15 years even when I was at the game. I have been smoke-free for three years now and publish a newsletter to help people quit smoking with ease.
It is at http://www.easyquitsmokingsecrets.com
Feel free to check it out.
All the best to you in quitting smoking,
Tony
#6, Tony James, Malaysia, 23 March 2006. Reply to this.
The easiest way to quit smoking for good is by using nicotine replacement therapy. I have personally used Final Smoke to quit smoking after 15 years of nicotine addiction. Check out
http://www.quit-smoking-basics.com/
For reviews of the best nicotine replacement therapy
#7, Dave, Australia, 22 April 2006. Reply to this.
I have surgery in 2 weeks and have to quit smoking. I am 2 days into cold turkey. I am allowing myself to eat as much as possible until I hit the 72 hour mark when all of the nicotine is out of my system. Does anyone have any CT advice, I would like nothing more than a cig right now, does this ever go away?
#8, lcherie, Unknown, 5 November 2006. Reply to this.
Icherie,
It gets much better, yes. The physical symptoms will last 3 to 4 days - then it's all mental. Try not to eat too much if you can help it - it is easy to replace one habit with another.
#9, Dave Child, United Kingdom, 6 November 2006. Reply to this.
Try Chantix. It really works.
#10, Betty, United States, 17 March 2007. Reply to this.
If you're looking to get fitter and healthier (and quitting smoking is a very good start!) then maybe my blog would be helpful: http://www.geeksdontrun.com/
#11, Geek Fitness, Unknown, 3 May 2007. Reply to this.
When I quit smoking I found myself eating every minute. I also was restless all the time, so I started walking. My friends started calling my "Forrest" (Gump) because I became a walking fool. Rabbits that used to scatter at my sight now don't even flinch.
#12, Martin, United States, 4 June 2007. Reply to this.
I quit smoking myself 18 months ago after being a smoker for 23 years. I feel so much healthier for it and the curent UK ban on smoking in enclosed spaces has been very welcome. Best of luck!
#13, Help Me Quit Smoking, United Kingdom, 7 July 2007. Reply to this.
My mom smoked for over 20 years and I decided to buy *** for her. She quit in less than 2 weeks after trying to quit about a billion times before! It's a little pricy, but it's worth it to me.
#14, *** Helped My Mom Quit Smoking, United States, 6 November 2008. Reply to this.
I've also been a smoker for a really long time - more than half my life in fact! I haven't even attempted to quit yet, since I just know I don't have the willpower. (Or won't power as the case may be!)
I have been looking into self hypnosis though, since that might work - it's worth a shot anyway!
I found a site some of you may be interested in - www.discoverselfhypnosis.com. There's a free download section that I'm thinking of taking for a test run - can't hurt to try can it?
Wish me luck!
#15, Mala, Unknown, 8 December 2008. Reply to this.
hey man,
how do you do now.. am glad that you decided to quit and happier that you quit. you know many people think its really impossible.
but, everything is there, they can do it. they just have to trust them and believe in them..
good luck to everyone
#16, smoke deter, Unknown, 10 March 2009. Reply to this.