QUITTER
To be honest I really never thought I could do this, stop smoking. Every time I tried to do it previously resulted in me smoking as a reward for not smoking as much. I do not believe there was even one time where I actually went a full day without smoking at least one cigarette. In fact on Father's day 2014, I went the entire day without smoking one cigarette until I rewarded myself with 2 loosies from the corner store late that evening.Ten days later I stopped and even then I was not sure I would do it. I started wearing a patch on the Monday after father's day and still I smoked. Until finally I decided enough was enough and I stopped.
It has been 28 full days since I smoked a cigarette and 26 days since I used a patch and I am happy to be able to say I am a quitter. It is the only time I have quit anything in my life. I have never been a quitter but in this particular context I am proud to say I am a quitter. That's right I quit and my body's response has been interesting. I still have the cravings and I have dreamed that I was smoking on a few occasions. Woke up happy that it was dream and I did not have to try to quit again. The first few days were very hard and even now there are moments when I crave a cigarette and my friends and family who quit say that will last for sometime.
I have noticed a few things have changed but it is not what I have typically read or have been told.
- The first thing I noticed is I sleep through the night now rarely awakening for any reason.
- The skin around my face feels different.
- The chronic illness I suffer with is less prolific.
- I am going to the store less frequently.
- I have more pocket money.
- I am going to the ATM less frequently.
- My truck smells better.
- I can now smell smoke on smokers.
So on this 28th day of changing my lifestyle to become a non-smoker I am proud of myself for taking the initiative to bring my claim to good health full circle. No longer will be people see me with a cigarette for the first time and exclaim disbelievingly, "You Smoke?" No more holes in my clothes or ashes all over the place. No more needing to requesting a smoking room when I go away. No more standing out in the weather and no more making sure I have enough cigarettes to make sure I have enough to last me until I am prepared to go out in the morning.
I am done smoking and I am done writing for today. Have a great day and remember "CHIT CHAT WON'T BURN FAT."
