Never to late
Cant believe it. Have now lasted 13 smokefree days. I was a smoker for 50 years and enjoyed it. Have gone "cold turkey" with a little help from gum and the constant reminders of chest pains and the morning coughs and the outcasting by my friends. My life has been a contradiction. I ride my bike 15kms most days and when not riding I am walking the golf course dragging a buggy. People say how fit I look , but they dont know that I smoked as well, and I felt bloody awful and breathless after a long bike ride or 18 holes. I am fearful that I have left it too long to quit, but already after the 13 days I feel a different person. So fresh in the morning, little or no coughing already and the pains on exertion have gone. I am breathing easier now. Have struggled with the morning coffee trigger but I now read the paper inside rather than on my deck. Had to give up the booze "temporarily" as that was a terrible trigger. But the fact that there are lots of us all striving for the same goal encourages me to persist and stay strong. Perhaps I will live a little longer now to play with my grandchildren.
Hi Gezza, well done. 13 days is terrific! I can identify so strongly with that first cup of coffee trigger, changing routine really does help with the triggers you can anticipate. Stay strong, for yourself and those grandchildren.
Hey Gezza,
Great work mate! I know exactly what you mean by the coughing and sore chest - it felt grubby waking up like that and was always a bit of a worry in the back of my mind over the years. I wheezed a lot too and I was certain I had some serious, permanent chest damage going on - but was really pleased when my coughing and breathing went totally clear after a couple of weeks (expect to still cough up dark grey/ black stuff for a while though. I'm three months down and I still cough up a bit of muck now and then!). It sounds like you're doing everything right. If you're interested in one tip from a fellow quitter...? Don't overthink your quit - try to get into cruise control with your time, especially when you crave. Best of luck mate. Jack
Thanks JackGarner for your comments and encouragement. I simply didnt want to be the healthiest corpse in the cemetery. Going good but still early days.
Hi there Gezza,
I have to agree with Jacks comment about not overthinking the quit process, For me I would wake up and my first thoughts would be ' i made it to day whatever", seemed like i was on this huge big countdown to no-where, I had no idea what I was counting down to and where the counting would finish..was driving me crazy.Now im at a pint where i dont care how many days its been, cos I just dont smoke anymore, Its not important to count and by doing this, there is no pressure, no expectations anymore. I am now a non smoker..Anyway your doing great.AT the end of the day we are all on the same road, same journey, we all find what works for us and stick with whatever works.. Just stay focused and strong and keep posting..Good luck
Appreciate your wise comments Gammy. I thought about it. You and JackGamer are right. I seem to be on that huge countdown to nowhere. By removing that ever present thought process it also removes the pressure and expectations. I think I can almost claim to be a nonsmoker now. Still going good.