One Year Smoke Free, I beat the habit!
Monday, 12. January 2009, 15:34:12
I felt like I should really talk about quitting the habit of smoking. Last year at this time I learned that my blood pressure was elevated and I was feeling slow, sluggish and not myself.
January of 2008 I decided that I was going to throw away the last 7 NEWPORT 100s and quit cold turkey. I couldn't keep going on smoking day after day...putting my kids at risk from the second hand smoke. We all know (or should know) what cigarettes do to your lungs, blood, and heart. I couldn't be more proud that I was able to quit before it was too late to fix all the issues that it has caused. So...I am giving a pat on my back and saying "Good job Sarah" for putting down this disgusting habit that more than likely killed my father. 
The cigarettes made me so angry, yet gave me so much comfort.
The whole big fat deal to 'babysit' your smoking habit was also part of the addiction. Making sure you
had a pack, making sure you had a light, making sure where you could go would have a 'smoking section'. I mean, it is all a stupidly ridiculous, time consuming habit!
Now that I have quit, my hair smells wonderful, my skin smells heavenly. I am not constantly trying to cover up the smoke smell with gum, perfume and mints. I don't feel like hocking up a wad of snot in the AM. Let's get real folks, smoking isn't pretty.
I hope that I hear from some of you that have quit smoking as well.
-Sarah
PS-I DON'T miss it!
January of 2008 I decided that I was going to throw away the last 7 NEWPORT 100s and quit cold turkey. I couldn't keep going on smoking day after day...putting my kids at risk from the second hand smoke. We all know (or should know) what cigarettes do to your lungs, blood, and heart. I couldn't be more proud that I was able to quit before it was too late to fix all the issues that it has caused. So...I am giving a pat on my back and saying "Good job Sarah" for putting down this disgusting habit that more than likely killed my father. The cigarettes made me so angry, yet gave me so much comfort. The whole big fat deal to 'babysit' your smoking habit was also part of the addiction. Making sure you
had a pack, making sure you had a light, making sure where you could go would have a 'smoking section'. I mean, it is all a stupidly ridiculous, time consuming habit! Now that I have quit, my hair smells wonderful, my skin smells heavenly. I am not constantly trying to cover up the smoke smell with gum, perfume and mints. I don't feel like hocking up a wad of snot in the AM. Let's get real folks, smoking isn't pretty. I hope that I hear from some of you that have quit smoking as well.
-Sarah
PS-I DON'T miss it!
(i take that as a yes)
(31%)
WIDGETIZE
Hermitess # 12. January 2009, 17:42
Another pat on the back from me!
I've never been a smoker but know others who were (yes WERE, go dad! Pat on the back for you too).
Good job on all your hard work.
angel292005 # 12. January 2009, 18:30
I agree about giving others a pat on the back as well, even if they are smoke free for only a few days.
dortejakobsen # 12. January 2009, 19:21
- and thank you for adding me as your friend
I smoked for 10 minutes once when I was around 12 years old. A friend and I STOLE one of my father´s cigarets and shared it. After half a cigarette our faces turned green and we threw the rest away
I told my father many years later and we agreed that something good may come out of crime
Stardancer # 12. January 2009, 22:15
I know how hard it is, personally. In May, it will be three years that I have been nicotine-free, after smoking for the better part of 31 years. Every day, I watch the long-term effects of smoking in my own mother, who lives with COPD and emphysema, heart disease, and various other ailments, turning off her oxygen so she can light up that next cigarette, hiding her habit and actually believing that she's fooling everybody. It's a sad way to live. Or not.
Never forget what it was like, Sarah.
Always remember what you have accomplished, and what you have done for your family.
SpicyFlier # 13. January 2009, 02:48
I'm pretty much the only person in my family who has never smoked. However, all of my family members have now stopped - even my parents, who smoked for the better part of 55 years (cold turkey, both of them)!! It's so much nicer to visit their place without the smell.
Dacotah # 13. January 2009, 04:18
I still smoke, been tring to quit.
Cois # 13. January 2009, 08:25
maddysman2003 # 13. January 2009, 13:25
DuckyChickenLady # 13. January 2009, 15:22
I have to laugh at this..
I think that would have cured me -had I a smoking habit!
angel292005 # 13. January 2009, 16:39
beimprimatur # 13. January 2009, 17:40
Nerak # 13. January 2009, 18:00
I totally agree that smoking is a horrid habit. It's disgusting on all levels...and I don't miss it either.
angel292005 # 13. January 2009, 18:06
fact that I quit.
angel292005 # 13. January 2009, 18:08
That coming from you makes me feel very good. I am so glad that you quit as well...and I hope that we both stay smoke free!
Nerak # 13. January 2009, 18:18
qlue # 14. January 2009, 06:51
No more 'headaches' that aren't actually headaches, no more not being able to sleep 'cos you don't have a cigarette, no more constant sinus problems that are just your body's reactions to noxious chemicals beins imbibed. Waking in the morning and feeling refreshed instead of exhausted. Only smokers and ex smokers will really understand just how much smokers hate smoking.
You are blessed to have taken back your quality of life from that vicious slave driver called nicotine.
angel292005 # 14. January 2009, 20:32
angel292005 # 14. January 2009, 20:34
Soooo true! So...you were a smoker? Didn't know that.
Nerak # 14. January 2009, 22:04
MsBeHaven # 15. January 2009, 00:29
clean # 15. January 2009, 07:02
It's based on the AA model, I suspect ... even if a person hasn't had a drink in 50 years, they still have to think they're an alcoholic (to guard against their ever giving in to temptation and drinking again, which could lead to a relapse of alcoholism, etc) ... which (IMO) is a complete slap in the face to their achievement (but whatever works for them, I suppose). Beimprimatur meant well.
Good going, S!
beimprimatur # 15. January 2009, 17:27
Mickeyjoe_irl # 16. January 2009, 18:38
angel292005 # 16. January 2009, 20:20
MsBeHaven, Ooo please do it! You won't regret it.
David, I realized that. But it's ok to tell someone you don't agree with on your own blog to shut up and go away if you want to. (in a round about way) As far as I am concerned, I don't like the whole AA idea. I have beat the habit no matter what popular opinion is.
beimprimatur, I want to say thanks...and I don't need luck. I have my mind made up...come on I am sure you know the feeling....
I_ArtMan # 20. January 2009, 02:57
i hope you last a lifetime. i got started again with just one cigarette. i'm planning to quit again soon myself... i love to smoke but it's just too much trouble, expense and besides it'll kill ya.
qlue # 21. January 2009, 00:37
People who've never been addicted to anything just don't understand how hard it is leave it.
prophetone # 24. January 2009, 18:58