Quit Smoking Update: 5 Weeks

Yep, I did it. 5 weeks no cigarettes, no nicotine. Done, fini.
Easy???  Heck NO!

And you don't even know the half of it!!! My personal life has taken a major tumble in the past 9 months. Most people would definitely not even consider quitting smoking. My own doctor was shocked that I did it. My timing was certainly not good, and I put alot of extra stresses on myself; both physically and psychologically. But I would still encourage anyone anytime anywhere to quit smoking. The final act is liberating. No longer am I a slave to nicotine. Constantly buying cigarettes, making sure I have a lighter, making sure I have them with me................like some kind of ...............addict!!!

I still very occasionally think about smoking. But the thoughts are fewer, last mere seconds and are farther between each other.

I think that the saving grace for me was sticking to a daily exercise program and adding a nutritional plan. These two things help to re-balance things for me physically and psychologically.

Please, if you are considering quitting but need that extra push, just drop me a line or post a comment here and I will respond.

I'm an Ex-Smoker

Okay. I am reasonably confident (88%) that I am now an ex-smoker.  Its been since midnight on March 14th, 2012 when I had my last cigarette. Today is day 6!!!

Honestly, I did not think I could do it. I tried so many times before and never got past the first day. What was different this time?? No clue!! Well, maybe the fact that my BF doesn't smoke, that I'm rarely around smokers anymore, that I was tired of smelling like a cigarette, I was tired of always making sure I had them with me (addiction), I was fed up with having to stop what I was doing to have a cigarette (addiction). I read a bit about cigarettes; discovered what I'd already suspected, which is that smokers become addicted to cigarettes. I didn't want to be controlled by my addiction anymore.  

Yes, I still get moments of intense craving. I expect that this will continue for a few more weeks. And I expect the moments will become shorter, further apart and less intense.

Last night, I had a dream where I was smoking in the dream. I became really annoyed and woke myself up. I was worried I had started back into the habit. Luckily, it was only a dream.

On the Smokers Helpline website, part of the information they asked me to fill out included giving myself rewards for reaching milestones, one day, one week, one month etc. I didn't put anything in there for my rewards. At the time, I was so focused on just getting thru hour by hour; I could not consider a day, a week, a month. So today, I decided to reward myself.

I got my haircut. Full deal; wash, cut, dry and style. Normally I only get a cut.

Heck, I deserve it!!!

Smoke-Free - Day 4 Update

Its Day 4 since I quit smoking. Each day seems a bit less painful (cravings) than the previous day. Although I must say, I am right now in mid-wave of a very powerful craving fit. I'm a bit surprised at this, especially since the nicotine is supposed to be out of my system now. Typing this post and having a bowl of cereal is helping.

I did not go to the gym today. But I did go yesterday. I have not noticed a change in my endurance level yet. Probably still too early.

There have been a couple of bizarre things I've noticed during this early stage in the quitting smoking process. I was doing some household chores earlier and while doing them I was thinking, "okay, so I'll finish this, have a smoke then go ......................." Wait a Minute!! I don't smoke anymore!!!

Smoking was such a regular part of my daily routine, I conciously planned and arranged for when I would have my next cigarette. Wow!! That's Insane!!

So now, I actually have more time in my day. I figure each cigarette took me on average 5-7 minutes to smoke and I had on average 20 per day. That gives me 120mins extra per day. Holy Moly!! 2 hours of my day were spent smoking!!! Seriously?!?!?

Wow!!