6 month hiatus
188 days today. Holy cow. I quit logging in and commenting because I wanted that part of my life gone. Then I realised that I came here looking for answers, looking for encouragement, and by not updating, I may be stripping someone else’s answers that they need. So here goes. About 6 months of no cigarettes. If I say it was easy, I’d be lying. If some dude light up 50 meters from me and the wind is blowing right, I could smell it. The cravings were bad at about the 60 day mark. I went out to see a mate. Didn’t cave in. That’s when I knew I had won. All I could think about was the 60 days of insomnia, anger, etc, and smoking would just throw all that hard work away. Now 6 months in. Breathing got better, then worse. Back and forth, but doctor says it’s normal. Could be tar and other junk just trying to break free. Good old resilience of the cilia is trying to do their job. Lungs sound good to dr now. No cracking, wheezing, coughing and my o2 levels are always around 98. I went for a 8 kilometre walk up and down big hills with very little struggles 2 weeks ago. I have gained weight. I ate like it was my last day on earth for awhile. Not to replace smoking, it’s just the food tasted so much better that I over indulged. Anyway. If you are reading this and are struggling, keep going mate. Heck, you made the decision to look for answers and encouragement. Looks like you made the decision to quit on your own. I’ll be here hanging out at the finish line to help you across. We can go through the next stage together. Until then...
Good job Hiatus, yep keep hangin around another perspective another person helped, and it even helps you too believe it or not!
It is indeed a great Chapter in all our lives, and yes, we need your support and personal experience to help guide others. I enjoy my time spend on here, love the success stories and hope that i can help to make other peoples journeys easier overall. We are indeed different , and every quit is as well. I found that although you think of cigarettes naturally while on this site, it does not want to make me light up, but reminds me of where i was, and where i am. That is my view, and i had a very easy cold turkey quit due to the proper mindset that i was in. Positive thinking and totalling embracing the journey does make a difference.
Congrats on 6 months smoke free and a lifetime of freedom ahead. I am sure we look forward to your comments of wisdom and encouragement.
Hi Chapter. Welcome back. A good reason to revisit this site is to give encouragement to others and to get more dialogue happening. Firstly congratulations on reaching the "first" epic milestone.
I called my craving "Margaret Thatcher" and found it powerful on my quit trail to tell her where to go with a few expletives added to my response to her when she tried to get me to light up. I guess I used food as a distraction or a reward or a replacement for cigs. Anyhow, 18kgs and 2 1/2 years later I had a new project. You guessed it. Get rid of all that weight. Figured if I could beat the addiction then food shouldn't be a huge problem. My "diet" required me to think and follow my rule. "Avoid 50 shades of beige. Eat bright, live light." 18 kgs later I can say it worked. Took 9 months at about 1/2 kg a week. No rapid loss. Slow and steady, one day at a time, no rush. Anyhow, whatever works for you. If you can give up the addition then you can work on the weight knowing it will not be your last feed but one of many. And food tastes so good, doesn't it. Just replace food with some other pursuit. Start doing more of those things you enjoy or wish you had tried.