Stop Smoking Blog

So this will be the last time you will hear from me! It has been 10 days since I have smoked and I honestly feel brilliant for it. My breathing has improved, I’m not planning my day around when I can smoke, I smell lovely (well not of stale smoke), my skin has improved, my bank balance is happier and best of all I no longer rely on nicotine to get me through the day. I firstly gave up to prove to myself that I could give up if I wanted and would probably start again later down the line but I do not intend in smoking again, looking at all the benefits of not smoking I would be crazy to start again!

I’m not going to say that it has been an easy run but it has been so worth it…..after 10 days I can really see my life being smoke free forever! I hope you have enjoyed my blog and found it useful and if anybody reading this has given up too…..WELL DONE!

9 days down and I feel great! I haven’t even thought about a cigarette today until writing this and even now I still don’t want to smoke, which is great. I am really getting out of the habit of having a cigarette in my hand and my day is passing by perfectly smoke free! Something that really shocked me yesterday was the high death rate of passive smoking. I felt awful as not only was I damaging myself but others around me, yet another reason to lead a smoke free life permanently.

The weekend was pretty difficult. Friday night wasn’t to bad as was occupied in the colston hall where i couldn’t have smoked anyway. I was very thankful that i had given up by this point as would have struggled not being able to smoke for 4 hours and would have hindered my enjoyment of what was a awesome concert.

Saturday day was fine I picked my nieces up in the morning, who i never smoked in front of, which helped as it didn’t really cross my mind. It was lovely not to be thinking of when I could get away and grab a cigarette and really enjoy my day. I can’t believe how much I based my day around when i could smoke, its crazy and another reason why i am going to stick to this! Saturday night i went out for a friends birthday for food and bars after. I, for the first time ever, didn’t drink as i know i would have given into the nicotine tempation. I found it easier then first thought with the expection of wanting my after dinner quick puff. Everybody piled out the restuarant and lucky enough one of my pals had given up 9 weeks ago so we stayed put in the warm and nattered! Call me selfish but I was over the moon that it was freezing!

So today means that I have gone a whole week without touching a cigarette and I am so proud! The cravings have eased and I seem to be getting out the rountine of being a smoker. One thing that I think has helped is that I have kept cigarettes on me at all times, so that if i did want one i could have one as I usually want what I can’t have! Although I haven’t even gone to grab one.....as of yet!

I made it through last night, was difficult admittedly as I was in a place where I am used to smoking and with people that smoke. Luckily they didn’t smoke as knew I was giving up which was great and much appreciated. Everybody has been so supportive, especially at work and writing this blog has helped as it gives me an aim.

Again, this morning is easier still and the cravings are easing, it isn’t till later on in the afternoon that my cravings worsen. I am however aware that the weekend is upon us and this is going to be a huge challenge. I am going to try and avoid alcohol as recommended as when I have a couple of drinks inside me I transform into a chain smoker and I obviously don’t want that after doing so well. So off to a concert tonight so that should keep me occupied and smoke free……hopefully.

Yesterday evening was probably my worst craving yet, I was emotional, snappy and taking it all out on the people around me, so if this was any of you and you’re reading this, I’m SORRY! I just kept trying to keep myself busy and focused, telling myself that this was a craving and it will pass and it did and I survived! Still quite an uneasy night sleep, waking up a couple of times but I know after a while I will get my undisputed sleep back!!

This morning has been the easiest so far so this may be a sign that it my body is adjusting to a nicotine free lifestyle. Although tonight will be the first night where I will be out with smokers and will be my biggest challenge yet but I need to get out and socialize, I refuse to become a recluse!

Keep your fingers crossed for me!  

Last night wasn’t too bad, I’m trying to keep myself busy so finished work, nipped home for some tea and then off to the cinema I went. I’ve come to realise that even when taking a trip to the cinema I had my smoking routine; cigarette when I set off, before I go in and then when I came out. Seems like every smoker seemed to have a similar idea as when I was walking out there it was, my first proper encounter of cigarette smoke since giving up. This was tough but just briskly walked through, trying not to think about it and into my car where I was safe from temptation. Day two……done.

I have to say that this morning was much easier, got up and did an hour on the cross trainer and I’m really starting to feel a difference. My chest isn’t so tight and I can push myself a lot more without frantically trying to gasp for air! It’s this feeling I want to keep which will keep me on the straight and narrow and determined to give up for good!

Well by the end of my work day yesterday I was suffering huge cravings so when I got home I went out for a short run. This helped a lot and made me realise what an extreme effect smoking was having on my health, my chest was tight and I was very wheezy, hopefully it will get easier as time passes, that’s the idea anyway. The rest of my night included a night in front of the TV and getting my head down early so I wasn’t surrounded by smokers and to be honest I was shattered after my run! I did find it pretty difficult to sleep and wanted something, which was of course a dreaded smoke but I finally nodded off…..day one accomplished!

This morning was again difficult, it is my first cigarette that I’m missing the most, driving in the nice weather with the windows down and no cigarette to partner my right hand is a sorry sight. Come this time of the day it is a little easier and work keeps me busy but would usually be having a cuppa and smoke now. Am feeling hungry too but going to grab for an apple opposed to a chocolate biscuit which I would love right now which is strange as biscuits aren’t normally part of my diet, this nicotine withdrawal is playing games with mind!!!

Monday 2pm!

So it's my first day of being smoke free and so far so good although still early days. On a usual day I would have had 6 cigarettes by now but today there has been none. I am missing my en route to work morning cigarette and my after lunch cigarette and annoyingly it’s a lovely day out today so smoking won’t even mean braving the wind and rain but a chance to enjoy the sun!

The hardest thing for me is that I actually enjoy smoking and the social aspects which goes along side it. The majority of my friends smoke so when I go out I will struggle when everyone empties the pub for a cigarette leaving me minding the drinks, coats and bag…..looking forward to it!

My biggest fear is replacing smoking with eating…..I refuse to start piling on the pounds because of my cravings so my plan is to exercise, so I start to feel the benefits which will hopefully keep me on the straight and narrow….we will see!

Wish me luck and I will keep you updated.