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Looking back at 8 months since I quit smoking.... Cancel The title field is required!

1. atp

   

   501 posts
   Registered:
   31 Dec 2018
   29 Aug 2019

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   Wow. I quit January 01 2019 and here I am coming up on 8 months. I still can't believe I actually managed to quit smoking after more than 30 years. 
   
   At first I missed smoking, I was struck with a grief like losing a close friend. Smoking was there with me for everything I did for my entire adult life. 
   
   Now I see what an addict I was. Smoking was robbing me of everything - money, health, time, friendships. The cough, the constant nasal congestion, wheezing and my heart thumping after just walking up the stairs, the stink of my winter coats, the film on the glass of my van, the ashes and butts littering my property - all that is gone. 
   
   After 27 years of marriage I now hang my jackets in the hall closet with the rest of the family. Before that they hung in the garage because they stunk to high heaven. 
   
   My wife kisses me an awful lot more - seems my breath is way more pleasant now that I don't smoke. 
   
   Last flight I took I was actually relaxed. My leg wasn't going mile a minute due to nicotine withdrawal. 
   
   I feel healthy. I really do feel so much better. 
   
   I went to my doctor for a physical, did blood work, etc. I am looking after myself, instead of avoiding the reality of the physical costs of smoking. 
   
   I just feel better about myself now. Yeah, the first few weeks were terrible, and the first few months were hard, but was it ever worth it!
   
2. atp

   

   501 posts
   Registered:
   31 Dec 2018
   29 Aug 2019 in reply to atp

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   Oh yeah, I changed my avatar a few months into my quit to really capture that sense of freedom I was feeling. That's me, soaking up the days and living life. I suspect that is a feeling so many others have that have quit after smoking for many years. 
   
   I guess the point is that you can be free of the addiction to smoking. It takes work, but it is worth it. 
   
   NOPE - NOT ONE PUFF EVER. 
   
   
   
3. mari_m

   

   92 posts
   Registered:
   03 Jan 2019
   02 Sep 2019

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   Hi Atp, good for you on being smoke free for 8 months! I can sure relate to a lot of points you mentioned. It is definitely hard work but can be done, and we are doing it!! I have learned from past attempts that I must remain ever vigilant to never have a puff again, no matter what the circumstance. One of the things that keep me on track is reading these posts on SHL. It helps me to remember we are not alone in this journey. I hope everyone is having a good weekend. 
4. atp

   

   501 posts
   Registered:
   31 Dec 2018
   03 Sep 2019 in reply to mari_m

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   Hi mari,
   
   Congrats for you too - I think you're at 9 months now, aren't you? 
   
   I find reading the posts keeps me on track with my quit as well. It is hard to just erase all those of years of the smoking habit. And we do need to be ever vigilant as you said - I'm afraid if I have a puff or two that I'll be right back to smoking in a week. 
   
   
5. jenna c, quit coach

   

   58 posts
   Registered:
   29 Nov 2018
   03 Sep 2019

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   Hi atp and mari_m, wow you guys have quit for quite some time!  Thank you for sharing the details of your journey atp. Its got to feel great having that freedom from the 'ball and chain'.
   
   You and everyone on this forum is not alone and we can help you if you run in to any future challenges with maintaining to stay quit.  Recognizing the benefits of quitting and the changes like, hanging your coat with the rest of your family (atp) is so rewarding.
   
   Becoming a former smoker is a huge accomplishment and your health/body appreciates it!
   
   Well done and keep up the great work!
   
   Jenna C.
   
6. nevnosmokey7

   

   1 posts
   Registered:
   03 Sep 2019
   03 Sep 2019

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   Hey there atp.
   
   Thanks for sharing.  I only stopped after my birthday (Aug 31st) so, technically, I've only been quit for two and a half days. 
   
   I was having a hard time this afternoon and found this site.
   Nice to see a success story-Congrats!.  And congrats to you too Mari!
   
   I will admit, I thought after the first few days it would be easy (i quit once years ago and recalled it being easy after the first couple of days), so I was a bit disheartened to hear that it was rough for you for weeks and months, but, still I appreciated reading this.  But then again-when I quit then I was a lot younger and more stubborn I think. 
   
   Anyway, I have smoked (not including a brief 2 years off) for 26 years-but I need to stop.  I have an amazing lady in my life and two beautiful sons now.  And quite frankly, i'm sick of the habit. 
   
   Thanks for showing me a picture of 'down the road' to inspire to.   
   
   One day at a time I guess eh?
7. atp

   

   501 posts
   Registered:
   31 Dec 2018
   04 Sep 2019 in reply to nevnosmokey7

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   nevnosmokey7,
   
   Congrats on your 3rd day of quitting smoking! 
   
   Quitting is hard work, you are fighting a nicotine addiction plus breaking the habit side. I quit cold turkey and in a way it was hard, but during my last quit i was motivated and was really looking for all the positives of quitting as the days and weeks went by. I smoked over 30 years, my entire adult life, and I had to learn how to be a non-smoker. Just trying to break the routine part of smoking was challenging. I had times where I'd be checking my pockets for smokes i didn't have anymore and going back inside to look for them before realizing what i was doing. In a lot of ways I think my most recent quit was easier than most, but that was because I was ready to quit. I wanted to quit. That is the main difference - the motivation and willpower. 
   
   Everyone's quit is different. Some people have a real hard time with the nicotine withdrawal and use NRT's to wean themselves off, other use Champix, some go cold turkey. This site can really help, and you can always call the support line for more help. Include your lovely lady in the process - talk to her, let her know how you're feeling, etc. 
   
8. nadia, quit coach

   

   51 posts
   Registered:
   29 Nov 2017
   04 Sep 2019

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   Hi nevnosmokey7,
   
   Congratulations on your quit (Day 4 today!) so glad you found our site!
   As you can see, there is great support for you and shared experiences that really help along the way..... 
   Going from smoking for 26 years to being smoke free is not easy but definitely possible.
   You have to remember to take it One Day at a time and remember that as atp said, everyone's quit is different!
   If you ever want to speak with a quit coach, please call us at 1-877-513-5333.
   
   We are all rooting for you! 
   
   
    
9. mari_m

   

   92 posts
   Registered:
   03 Jan 2019
   04 Sep 2019

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   Hi all, thanks for your congratulatory message Atp, it makes my day to hear from others on this same path to Freedom! Sometimes when the reality hits me that our year one is just around the corner, I do feel very happy but I do not want to get too relaxed as I feel if I let my guard down, it would be easy to slide back to old habits. and I do not let myself think too far ahead, one day at a time seems to be enough for now to handle.                                              Hello nevnosmokey7, good for you for taking the step to quit smoking. there is really good support here, everyone is very helpful...all we have to do is reach out and connect with one another to get past this addiction. There really is strength in numbers! Hope all is going well with you, and remember Not One Puff Ever...NOPE!                                                                                   And thank you to all the quit coaches, you helped get me through some tough times. I wouldn't have got to where I am today without you! 
       - m