Quit Smoking: Day One
Posted on August 9, 2007
Filed Under Health, Personal
As I venture into my life changing events, I have also decided to tackle on one of the biggest challenges in my life. To quit smoking!
I have been smoking for almost 10 years now, and like many teens today, I was sucked into the ‘every one is doing it’ phase at the age of 16. Sure I started smoking just for the sake of smoking, to fit in, to do what I assumed all the ‘cool’ people did in high school. It only became apparent to me that I became addicted to it, when I started my first full time job, which were only a few months after I lit my first cigarette. It wasn’t long until I was smoking half a pack a day.
Now that I think about it, it was probably inevitable that I would smoke. Growing up, my family (mom, grandpa, aunts and uncle, and a few cousins) all smoked. So I knew that it would just be a matter of time before I did as well. So when did I decide to give this all up. Well a lot of things factored in.
Changes:
As some of you know I recently purchased property, so that alone was a big change for me (will post more about that experience later on). During this time I knew it was a great opportunity to make adjustments in my life and changes that will reflect to be positive. Not to mention that I will now be paying a mortgage rather than rent so saving the extra $156.00 a month on smokes will do justice.
I am also trying to be more health conscious and gain the weight I’ve always wanted. They say smoking makes you lose weight. And for the longest time I have been trying to gain weight and work out to get my body just right. I also want to maintain the youth look. Yes, I know this all sounds kind of superficial, but as humans I think we can’t help but care about our image in some sort of way. My skin has been damage from all the smoking.
The Experience:
I have tried to quit in the past, but I always failed within the first 24 hours. I think it’s because I was not mentally prepared. I also found that it was harder to quit cold turkey without any type of assistants from either patch or gum.
This time around, I knew one thing for sure. I was mentally ready. I also decided to go on a patch, and as I hit my 24th hour of not having a cigarette I realize that this might be easier than I thought it would be. During that time I thought about cigarettes but my way of thinking was different. I wasn’t thinking that I wanted one, instead I was thinking about how gross it was and that I am now a non smoker. The patch is really helping me beat the craving and of course there are times when I get antsy because of the oral fixation. But I occupy myself with snacks and food. This also helps me build up the mass I am trying to reach.
This will be the first time since I lighted my first cigarette, that I will not have one for 24 hours. This is already a big accomplishment. I am excited and look forward to another smoke free day.
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5 Responses to “Quit Smoking: Day One”
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I am on day five now, and the craving and the pain has peaked. Like you I have been smoking since a teen - but i’ve been smoking heavily, which has scared me recently. The sudden realisation that if I’d carried on as I would I would just probably gunk up my lungs and die. Serious! When you smoke 20-30 a day the chances of making 65 are very slim.
Keep an eye on my blogg for nonsmoking updates and good luck, I enjoyed your article.
Thanks Jimbo for sharing a bit of your experience. I know what you mean about the realization of smoking too much. I too want to retire healthy so I can enjoy my retirement. I’ll definitely keep checking your blog out. Until than, keep off the smokes.
I know you can do it.
After the first day, which is the hardest, it gets easier.
Steer clear of things that would make you crave a smoke for a while.
Like beer…?
I smoked for almost 16 years, and if I can quit, so can you.
We’re here for ya!
M
Welcome back and congratulations on your become a home owner! Doesn’t it feel like some sort of rite of passage? Like when you got a car (dunno if you have one but when I got one I felt like I had added to my “adulthood” - a the age of 34!) or moved out on your own, any of those types of things.
I really do think that because you see yourself as a non-smoker you have changed your attitude towards cigarettes. That is so great! It sounds a bit like what I’ve read in one of Anthony Robbins’ books about how changing your metaphors can change your life. He mentioned how someone couldn’t lose weight but he was very spiritual. He wasn’t too concerned with his appearance as he was more about the spirit than the body. But he was very overweight and that wasn’t healthy. When he changed his metaphor to one of thinking of his body as a temple, he didn’t want to power his temple with junk food!
Anyway, there is much to be said that changing how we think and see things, changes our reality. You don’t see yourself as a smoker and well…that’s going to be your reality!
I look forward to reading more about your positive changes. As a side note, I recommend taking photos of yourself to track the change you’re making to your body.
I think there is something to be said to have photos of your body and to be able to see how its changed over time. I wish I had photos of my body in my 30s. Now that digital is available, I have no excuse!
Hello All,
I was reading around some of the posts here and I found interesting things that you guys talk about, I just made a blog about quitting smoking resources and ideas that you might want to check out.
If someone is interested in this topic just go to; http://endthehabitnow.blogspot.com and let me know what you think.
Thanks in advance.