Another Quit Attempt for my Health
I've lost count of the amount of times I've tried to quit. They say you never really fail until you stop trying though so here we go again!
I have asthma and recently suffered with a cold which aggravated chronic bronchitis - both of these exasperated by smoking. These diseases cause shortness of breath and horrible coughs.
I absolutely hate what I've done to my lungs. The damage is irreversible. If I do not quit smoking, the damage will only get worse.
So here we go again - try to stop myself from buying, lighting up and inhaling something that is slowly and surely killing me. Fingers crossed 🤞🏽
Hi Joze. You are right that if you keep smoking, your lungs will only get worse, but if you quit, you will have some relief with your breathing. Most of us notice it as quicky as two or three days. Those breathing exercises we do to get past a craving also strengthening our lungs and allow more oxygen into our bloodstream to benefit our entire body. Allan Carr's book to quit smoking uses simple logic to dispel our fears while Joel Spritz does the same, he also goes into more graphic detail of lung damage and other repercussions of smoking. Click on my name here, and find both names in my story titles, and the links to the free e-book within.
Learn about nicotine and what it has done to you, Learn about you and your relationship to it. Break the ties and be free. You can quit smoking if you CHOOSE to.
Hi Joze I too had many attempts, and couldn't understand why this was, until I came to the understanding that I was not the only cause of this dilemma. The strong hold that Nicotine has on your mind and body cannot be underestimated.
To this extent you will need to read more and explore your personal relationship to Nicotine and the cigarette once again with a journal or notes of some kind, you are familiar with this so it should be quite easy for you. Get on board this forum so that you are not alone.
The main thing to remember is to get it in your mind, "That you cannot take another Puff" - Long term. Once you do this it will get easier to stay quit. I am glad you are doing this for yourself once again.
For me, its always helped to not focus on the damage done. We can't fix that now. But you can become a non-smoker. You can start to taste and smell the world in a way you forgot. You can walk up stairs without puffing. This is in your future and all you have to do is ride out the cravings one by one.
But remember, every time you feel a craving and it passes, its a positive thing. Because every craving is reminder that you are a non-smoker now. And you are saving money and feeling better every day and doing yourself a favour.
I agree with the other two comments in that you need to want to do this quit for you. Scare tactics simply don't work. The turning point for me was realizing that there was an outstanding chance that I actually could quit . Reading posts and learning how to and starting to make my own plans and believing that I too could be one of these people who could break free was invaluable to me. I thought I would smoke until i couldn't. I never in a million years would have thought that I could quit after over 40 years. Once I made up my mind to, it was easy. Read Allan Carr to help you accept and believe . Perhaps reading the ugly truth with Joel would be worth reading after you are quit to stay quit.
You have the support and tools this time around to make the difference. You really can quit smoking.
Hi Joze. I had asthma and chronic bronchitis. As I weaned myself from cigarettes that dissipated. I took years to quit. However, I am now free of those breathing constrictions and no longer have a wheeze on my chest. Never quit quitting. It is well worth the effort.
Thank you all for your encouraging words. Every bit of encouragement helps.
Today is day 4. I finished breakfast about half hour ago and had a major craving which I find is the most common time; after a meal.
I came here to read inspirational stories. The first one was from a mother who is celebrating her first full week and everything she has noticed. Her strength has given me strength.
I love this site ❤
There are some amazing stories on here Joze. I am glad that you find the strength through them to persevere. I think the forum is a major part of many quits for those who never used them before. I know that it gave me the incentive to try and quit. Seeing others succeed gives hope, stories give understanding and encouragement. Joining is being accountable and also a feeling of belonging. We have all been where you are and understand completely . Stay strong and stay positive. You really are doing it!