One year as a non-smoker

[Joe King Jay]

This isn't so much for me, but for everyone here who is trying to quit or is contemplating quitting.

I smoked off and on from age 16 to age 32 when I became a regular smoker. I smoked for almost 40 years and I quit. I haven't had so much as a puff of a cigarette since last February.

If I can do it, you certainly can, too.

One day at a time, my friends. One day at a time.

And believe me. . . it does get easier each and every day you don't light up.

Smoking is something that has cause me great pain in my life. I lost my mother because of the effects of smoking. It is horrible to see what smoking can do to someone.

I'm very happy for you. If you've made it this far you can definitely keep it up.

Congrats

 

[shea]

Congratulations Neil, it is really worth it isn't it. All you other guys that
quit show that it can be done. It is an encouragement to others
trying to kick the habit.

I quit just over 2 1/2 yrs. ago and I will never smoke again.
Best decision I have ever made.
shea

 

[seven_sins]

Cold turkey is the only way to go. The gum makes it too easy to fall back temporarily thinking that you can stop again by just chewing another stick of gum. Same for the patch. I quit cold turkey after smoking 6 or 7 years.

 

[Ninja108]

Congrulations to you!

 

[cocktales]

WOW! Neil,



WE are so very proud of you!!!

After 40 years of smoking and you gave "IT" up....

Man, I know your food tastes better, you can walk or run further and you don't give out of steam...

I canNOT tell you enough how much what you did means to the world of non-smokers too!

REMEMBER....it's an addiction, so NEVER take just another puff to see, for that one puff is just like take another drink when you are an alcoholic, it all starts again!

Bravo my friend!!!

 

[rareboy]

Happy Anniversary!!​

 

[TriBi]

Well done Neil. I hadn't heard anything from you on this in a long while - so wasn't sure if you were still 'smoke free' or not.

Good to hear that you are.

For those who are 'on the journey' - well, it might not work for everyone - but for me, the trick was to replace a negative addiction (smoking) with a positive one (excercise).

I actually did the latter first - and the desire to smoke just diminished (was a social smoker for a while - this after being anything up to a 30 a day person)...and eventually I just decided "what's the point" - and stopped...and it really wasn't difficult at all.

Might not work for everyone - but it did for me....(and I'm now very glad it did - and quite proud of what I managed to do as an 'athlete').

 

[walkabout]

Awesome neil...you are doing your body soo much good...gratz on achieving a smoking free year

 

[Zeremonie]

Neil that definitely deserves all the kudos and bravos in this thread plus more! Well done!! Congrats! Smoking is just not a pretty habit. Cost, health, smell ...

 

[gsdx]

A little over three weeks now for me.......I think it'll work this time........

Please, keep us posted with weekly reports. Don't wait for anyone to ask. That will encourage you more than anything.

 

[dpnice]

After 43 years being a smoker I am now into my seventh cigarette free week.

We all know the benefits and wonders that will be gained by not smoking so I am a little sick and tired of hearing everyone telling me how great life will be.

We all know how expensive, bad for the health and socially unacceptable smoking is. Yes it is stupid to smoke which is the reason that I have given up.

In life one has to make choices which deprive you of certain pleasures. Giving up smoking is such a choice; I don't want to give up but the time in life has arrived when I think that I no longer have the choice to continue smoking.

But let us remember it doesn't necessarily bring you a life of joy, health and social acceptance. No longer is my life the pleasure it once was. No longer do I have those moments of calm and pleasure as a reward for work well done.

Now I am obliged to get out and do some form of rigorous excercise when I have managed to spend the majority of my life in contented sedantary splendour.

I shared my happiest and saddest moments with a cigarette; it was always there when I needed comforting; so with whom do I share my life now?

Farewell friend, I will spend the rest of my life missing you and every waking moment thinking of you. Unfortunately you are a friend I can no longer afford to have.

RIP.