Quit day today

[Sohan]

I'm glad to hear quitting is going well. Keep it up, we're all pulling for you!

With respect,

Sohan

[cathal]

Shotokan-kez: I am finally at a point of wanting to quit smoking (again). I easily quit when I was pregnant with my first child, without nary a thought of falling off the wagon. So I know it can be done... still wondering why I started back after 4 years! Any words of wisdom, tricks, warnings?

When I wanted my mother to quit, we stole her cigarettes and flushed them. It became too expensive and she went cold turkey, but she did it. It ended up to be too late for her though.

A trick, I remember, was a dirty one. A friend of mine was 13 and smoking a pack a day. So under the guide of volunteer work at the hospital for a community day we tricked him into going to the room of someone who was in for an operation on his esophagus, directly related to his smoking. My friend was scared straight after a few hours sitting with the man, watching over him, and learning the ugly side of hospital visits. Those are the things even nurses don't really talk about amungst themselves.

[Shotokan-kez]

Hmmm well i just tred to avoid certain places, at first its hard cos you feel a bit isolated but its great when you can go back to those places wthout concern. I also had to reduce my time on the pc cos i smoked a lot while chatting. I removed all the keys from my keyboard so i could clean it cos they were sticking To my horror it was full of tobacco, i rolled my own so it used to drop all loose bits inbetween the keys. Anyway seeing that made me realise i have made the right choice and that makes me feel good

[Akaratechick]

the pc cleaning was a wake-up call for you I'm sure. thanks for sharing with us. We are all really proud of you and you can tell by how many friends have viewed your post. Perserverence overrides resistance. I wear a bracelet that says Be Strong, it's not about smoking but about not letting my weaknesses rule me.

[Empty_Hand]

One of the reasons I started taking karate was in hopes that the training would act as a catalyst, guiding me towards making many lifestyle changes, one of which is to quit smoking. Threads like this one are a great inspiration. Best of continued success to you Shotokan-kez and to all who struggle with addictions and dependencies.

[Shotokan-kez]

Wow everyone thank you so much for your on-going support. Today i went shopping and was able to spend £200 on clothes for the children and i actually spent £40 on a pair of trainers for myself, which is something i have never been ablt to do before. I was amazed, this money is what i have saved since quitting.

Also i have to say i am much happier in myself, with a better sunny outlook to life. I'm not coughing my guts up in the mornings. I was worse when exersizing, but now when i train i don't get out of breath as much. I have hardly any heartburn anymore. My diet is better as i am enjoying my food more, before quitting i didnt eat properly but now im having three meals a day.

I know it's not all clear yet. I read that it takes up to ten years for your body to rid of all the badness from smoking but i have gone so long now and feel so good i will never go back.

Once again thank you everybody...i'm so appreciative for your support.

Kez xxxx

[cathal]

Fantastic. You should have your own TV show.

[Akaratechick]

You can use this success to motivate others with. Each time we conquer something we become stronger and can help others with their issues, even while you are still struggling you can motivate others thus helping yourself. Your an inspiration.

[bushido_man96]

Keep up the great work, Kez! If you really want to get an idea of how much you are saving, take the money that you would use every time you would normally by cigarette materials, and then put it aside, in jar or something. Then pull it out and count it at the end of the month.

[Shotokan-kez]

Hmm yeah money money money lol