Gus's Journal and Day 1 of quitting smoking..

bigmaii · 25-Oct-07, 02:11 AM

So finally after 3 1/2 years of smoking today I decide to quit. I am 20 years old and have been a frequent smoker since I was 17 years old. In the beginning it was on occasion because I hid it from my family, I averaged in about 4-6 cigarettes a day but as the years went by my family eventually caught on, I was going out more and it ended up to an average of 5-6 packs a week and even more if I'm out partying. At 2:00 am I had my last cigarette and normally a person would enjoy it, but for me I thought of how it would've been different if I had'nt smoked my life away. I thought of the positive and not the negative effects of my withdrawal from the cigarette addiction. I am ready for the obstacle it will bring upon me and usually in cases when I want to prove somebody wrong I usually stick to my word. I'd be lying if I were to say that I had quit numerous times but it bothered me all day yesterday and would be one of the first times I actually was committed into doing it. Never in the past few years I have tried to quit, I always had a cigarette or even a pack in my mouth in one day. I know it will be hard to get away because it was a big part in my life. Aside from the reasons to smoke mentally and how people always blame stress for why they smoke, but for me it had turned into a drug and it pains my body if I don't have that bit of nicotine inside my body. Before, I would not even last 15-20 minutes without lighting another. As for now I can't wait to drift away from these withdrawals. It will be tough but I am looking forward to the new me in the next couple days. I will keep you all posted

WISH ME LUCK!!

bigmaii · 25-Oct-07, 02:16 AM

forgot to mention that recently I have been training for fire academy..I am overweight and I've lost a 4 pounds since I started last week, and what better way to excel in my training once I slowly drift away from the cigarettes. I'll finally be able to focus in my routines now and not half ass them so I could smoke in the end..

**Lady C** · 25-Oct-07, 08:39 AM

I wish you Lots of Luck! That will be one big accomplishment.

25-Oct-07, 09:07 AM

Hello Gus and . . .

You've made the first step in changing your fitness and health, you've gone on record, even in cyberspace, that is what you want. Take it one day at a time, better yet, one breath at a time. You may need to make some changes in your daily activities so that the daily associations you have with smoking will be minimized, but I know you can do it if you want it bad enough.

I will be looking for your journal posts daily to see how you are doing, and to encourage you and give you suggestions. You can count and expect others here will do the same.

Have a great day and don't quit until the miracle is completed!

**.V.** · 25-Oct-07, 12:57 PM

Hey Gus. I wish you the best on your endeavor. Cigarettes killed my wife at an early age. Stopping now will contribute more to your health and fitness than any diet plan, any workout plan, anything else you can do. Best to you.

And welcome to DF. Lots of great fitness stuff here and many helpful, supportive people.

**minime** · 25-Oct-07, 01:14 PM

good luck on keeping away from the evil cigarettes! that is a tough thing to do. My parents both smoke and i do not think they will every quit, it is very sad. I smoked myself once, i am ashamed to admit it, i used to smoke 'socially' that is when i drank. It got a bit out of control, i kept saying i should quit but until you really WANT to it is difficult. It sounds like you have reached that point.

Just remember that smoking is a digusting habit : it makes you stink, it makes you cough, it ruins your workouts, it is bad for your health and it can kill you. WHen you look at all the bad things about it, why would you want to keep it up? Kick the addiction now while you are still young. It will be hard for a while but soon you will look back and wonder how on earth you ever did it. The idea of it now repulses me.

sweetdream · 25-Oct-07, 02:34 PM

welcome :wave:

I am a former smoker and quit december 31st, 2006 had my last cigg as I was driving back to my boyfriends house to watch the ball drop. I was sick of it, I tried quitting thousands of times and used stress, peer pressure and drinking as excuses that I needed to start again. I was sick of spending the money, I was sick of smelling like stale ciggs, I was sick of my car smelling like stale ciggs, I was sick of ashes being everywhere, I was just ready and it seems to me like you are willing to do it so I say GOOD FOR YOU! The bad thing is, the cravings never go away (well for me) some of my friends still smoke and even if I smell it I still want one so it's hard but as long as you stick to it it gets easier

some tid bits to keep you going:

What Happens When You Quit Smoking?

Within 30 minutes of quitting smoking, your pulse rate slows down and blood pressure drops toward normal.
Within hours of stopping, the level of carbon monoxide in your blood drops, enabling the blood to carry more oxygen.
Two days after quitting, nerve endings begin to recover and your sense of smell and taste begin to return.
Within 72 hours of quitting, your lungs’ bronchial tubes expand and lung volume increases.
Months after quitting, shortness of breath diminishes.
In the first year, the risk of heart attack attributed to smoking declines for both men and women.
Two to three years after quitting, the risk of heart attack attributed to smoking is virtually gone.
After 10 years, the risk of developing cancer is about the same as for nonsmokers.
Distributed under license.
© Parlay International 1640.030
What Happens When You Quit Smoking?

bigmaii · 25-Oct-07, 09:59 PM

So day 1 is finally over whew... I thought it would be a lot worse but I manage throughout the day. I found it hard to sleep last night I was just so nervous how my first day would turn out. I found myself sucking on halls all day, drank lots of water and it helped me out tremendously. Plus today I had a big practical exam in my medic class and I was so nervous that I thought without the nicotine I would do horrible on the test but it all turned out well when I got 2 100's so I was pretty happy. Today would be the day the longest I ever gone without smoking. It is now 10pm and my last cigarette was approximately 18 hours ago. That is a huge accomplishment for me because I used to smoke 3-4 an hour on an average. Thank you for everyone's support I really appreciate it and I'm looking forward to the next couple days. Keep you all posted

The Flash · 25-Oct-07, 10:20 PM

Congrats on giving up smoking. You have taken a huge step forward in health and a huge step backwards in your money spending! Good luck!

bigmaii · 27-Oct-07, 12:37 AM

so day 2 wasn't so bad..long story short the cravings were there but did not bother me as much as the 1st day did..although it killed me earlier this evening looking at people smoking walking out of the movies, walking passed cigarette butts that were just recently thrown away..it made me cringe but other than that overall i think I'm starting to get a hang of it. Like day 1 I ended up eating lots of halls and drank so much water that one glass earlier I drank it so fast just to fight the craving ended up spilling some in my shirt. So far my family is aware of me quitting and very proud of my decision. Today I went to my car and it started to smell of dirty clothing instead of an ash tray mixed with dirty clothing hehe. I searched around the car for any lighters I might have misplaced throughout the passed few months and ended up with 7 lighters all over the car. It was funny because every time I lose a lighter I always end up getting another. Every time I clean my car I always end up finding them. So not only did I spend so much money with cigarettes but buying lighters adds up : D. So it felt pretty great to just get all of the lighters and put them on storage in the kitchen cabinet. I'm sure there are probably another 10 more lying around in my room but ehh I'll end up discovering them sooner or later. Aside from all that I'm looking forward to Day 3. I have a clinical tomorrow at the fire station, at least tomorrow I don't have to sneak behind the firefighters backs while I go out in the back and light up a cigarette.

Today's severity from 1-10 in cravings:

6

**Lady C** · 27-Oct-07, 08:53 AM

After a 6, the rest is downhill!! Keep up the good work.

27-Oct-07, 10:27 AM

I think you are doing great. Journaling will help you for sure. We are cheering for you. Yell when you need support.

sweetdream · 27-Oct-07, 01:07 PM

.. the moment you think of having one just think hmmm my great supporters at discuss fitness would say NOOOOOOOO ahhaha!!

keep it up!

bigmaii · 28-Oct-07, 02:33 AM

so end of day 3..had a clinical down at the fire station today and it was pretty cool not sneaking outside for a smoke. For 12 hours I was there from 7am-7pm, the craving's were pretty intense at the end of the night after I ran out of halls. I feel I can control the cravings more now but there is still a part of me that wants that cigarette so badly and that side of me is like making me feel guilty that my body is not satisfied and needs that smoke. I guess I must have underestimated the process it's so ****ing hard..sorry for the inappropriateness.

Todays severity of the cravings:
8 : (

Thanks to you all for all the support you've given I will keep you all posted!

bigmaii · 28-Oct-07, 02:53 AM

I've read some other forums from other sites and I'm just going through the emotional part of the withdrawal. As of this moment I feel very sad out of nowhere, I don't even feel like associating with people right now. I think I'm going to take this weekend just for me and get some reflecting done. I'm afraid I might lash out on one of my friends because of the withdrawal. I've been chewing some Orbit gum for the passed 20 minutes and feel much better gone down to a severity of 4.
I fear I'm not going to be able to last long, I realize how much stressful my life has been these passed few months and the next few month's will be even more stressful with school.