12 Months Today!!!
Today marks 12 months since my last drag of a cigarette.
I am only making this post because "icanquit" emailed me. Otherwise it is business as usual for me; in that I no longer think about it (smoking).
Quitting smoking is one of the best things I have ever done.
These days, when I see people sucking smoke deeply into their lungs; I recognise I dodged a bullet. Lucky me.
For now anyway. My 30 years of smoking may catch-up with me, and there is nothing I can do about that. But I feel good everyday since giving up and I no longer have to cough and splutter all through the day and night... And since giving up I have played a season of cricket with my son...
There truly is no downside to stop inhaling smoke containing dangerous chemicals..
Happy to list all the upsides if anyone is interested...
regards,
Tony
Thank you Tony for your update status, and congrats on being 1 year free, a great incentive to others.
Congratulations, I hope to be like you in 12 months. I quit yesterday. Thanks for the inspiration and feel free to list the benefits of not smoking.
Thanks for coming back to share your success. So important for others aiming for this target. I am just a few days short of 260 days, not to mention $5300+ saved from the ashtray. Friends are gobsmacked by my cold turkey quit decision. So am I... Those who have lasted a longer time being smoke free do so much to encourage and inspire others. Good to have a "Success Manual" to refer to...
Okay, here are the advantages for me of quitting the habit, not in any particular order (simply blurting out):
- I no longer stink of smoke. My clothes and skin smell normal again.
- If my breath stinks, it is not as a result of smoking (many people think that smoke on the breath is the smelly thing. Not at all. Smoking causes gingivitis and halitosis. These smells are much worse than tobacco on the breath.. If you ever get a whiff of gingivitis or halitosis you will heave (want to vomit)... The worse part is the afflicted person has absolutely no idea of how offensive their breath is.
- I can get so much more done in less time. I no longer have to punctuate everything I do with a "smoke break".
- Other people no longer judge me and put me into the "feel sorry for him bucket".. They now see me as a normal non-smoking guy who never smoked (for all intensive purposes..)
- My mind is so much clearer.
- I no longer feel guilty about spending a few dollars on something I really want. Since quitting I have saved AUD$11,000.
- I no longer worry about an impending heart attack or stroke or lung cancer or mouth cancer or throat cancer etc...
- I can breath normally for the first time in a very long time. I forgot how liberating it is to simply breath without trying.
- I can taste my food. I look forward to eating again. I'm not fat. I have put on 5 kg and I love every single one of them..
- I can smell again. The last time I smelt spring was back in 1984. And what a wonderful smell spring is. Last spring brought back so many wonderful memories!
- I have almost finished playing a season of cricket with my superstar 13 year old son. This is something that was impossible for me 12 months ago because I could not even walk fast without losing my breath. As it turns out this season was the only season that would have been possible for us to play together due to his skill level.
- I am actually so much calmer as I no longer need to continually medicate myself with nicotine.
- I may live to see my grand kids.. Who knows...
Thanks for that list - it will motivate me for the next six months. As others say, it is great to read these success stories.