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1. vin7mick

   

   1 posts
   Registered:
   01 Jan 2019
   25 Jun 2019

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   Just got an email from our forum, indicating that its been 6  months since I quit. Last few  months went very quick. I did have horrible smokers flu, with nasty symptoms. The worst feeling started turning around after around 10 weeks. Or at least the lung and chest pain deminshed by then. I only pretty much stopped being constipated around 2 weeks ago. So the extra fiber isn't needed. Thankfully. Intestines appear to be still healing though. One thing that probably gave me bad symptoms for long, is that unlike many who cough off alot of gook, I never coughed up anything at all. I had smoked for over 50 years, aprox pack a day. But did exercise often, and was active in sports till quitting. Oh, yes, my "wind" or breathing anyway is almost back to pre stopping levals. Meaning, before I stopped i always didn't get out of breath. But after quitting, i was out of breath really bad while going up steps. Thankfully that is improving. For the first 3 months certainly, I was on this forum every night, and I found it very helpful, and Jilly Girl and other admins of course do I great job supporting all of us. I will play 2nd game of softball with most players half my age Sunday, and will continue. Can't wait till my runing capacity is back to normal. But its getting there. If I can quite, anyone can. 
2. nadia, quit coach

   

   51 posts
   Registered:
   29 Nov 2017
   25 Jun 2019 in reply to vin7mick

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   Hi vin7mick,
   
   Thank you for sharing your progress and congratulations on being 6 months smoke free! It's quite an accomplishment. 
   It looks like you went through a lot during this process but pushed through all the discomfort as your body was healing itself and still getting used to being smoke free. 
   As you said, for someone who has smoked for 50 years, it's such a huge change for your system... I am glad that you have continued being physically active and happy to hear your running capacity is increasing. Keep us updated on your progress!
   
   PS: Have you done anything to reward yourself so far? 
   
   Congrats again! 
3. atp

   

   501 posts
   Registered:
   31 Dec 2018
   26 Jun 2019 in reply to vin7mick

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   vin7mick,
   
   Congrats!  Quitting is hard, but I have to admit it sounds like you got put through the ringer with the symptoms and still you stuck with it. The payoffs of quitting are huge though. 
   I'll be 6 months on July 01. Smoked pack a day for 30 plus years and I can honestly say now I am so glad that I finally quit. 
   I don't know about you,but somewhere in the last month or so I really started to notice how much better life in general is being a non-smoker (not craving a smoke, or thinking about missing smoking, or getting triggered by other smokers) from the overall health benefits, to the extra time I have, to smelling better. But it's the freedom on not being tied to the smoking schedule. Not rushing out for a smoke after the hockey game, or getting all antsy for a smoke during a meeting, etc. 
   
   
   
4. treepeo

   

   832 posts
   Registered:
   29 Nov 2017
   26 Jun 2019

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   Hi vin7mick,
   
   A huge congratulations to you for being smoke free for 6 months!  What an awesome accomplishment, especially since you smoked for 50 years.
   
   I find it surprising that you got winded after quitting.  I have never heard of that happening before.  So it is even more extraordinary that you stuck with your quit, even though you were not reaping the benefits that most of us did after quitting.  I remember how astounded I was after running up two flights of stairs and getting on a streetcar, and then realizing that I wasn't huffing and puffing.  I was ecstatic that my heart wasn't beating out of my chest, which is one of the many things that helped me to stay motivated when I quit.  But you had just the opposite experience, so kudos to you for staying the course and committing to your quit.  It's obvious that you really wanted to quit, and your inner strength helped you to achieve your goal.
   
   It sounds like your body is finally starting to adjust to life without all of those chemicals.  I hope that you continue to feel better.  And show those young 'uns that you are a force to be reckoned with!  I doubt that any of them have your guts and determination, vin7mick.  You should  be really proud of yourself.
5. jeyan

   

   180 posts
   Registered:
   28 Nov 2017
   26 Jun 2019 in reply to vin7mick

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   good job vin7mick!  Keep it up and watch out for Canada Day long weekend. always remember to say NOPE!!
6. elke, quit coach

   

   21 posts
   Registered:
   14 Jun 2019
   26 Jun 2019

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   Hi everyone,
   Congratulations vin7mick and atp for making it to 6 months being smoke free! What an accomplishment and what determination behind it!
   Thanks everyone for sharing your stories. It really shows how every journey is different and it can inspire others when they are going through a difficult time.
   I agree with treepo that you can really be proud of yourself and like jeyan said, remember NOPE (Not One Puff Ever).
   
   Wishing everyone to celebrate their successes and a wonderful Canada Day weekend!
   
   Elke