Wellness

[Annabellethecat66]

We all have our vices. Good luck.

[BeckiWV]

I quit smoking in 2002 cold turkey, the best thing I ever did. I had tried numerous times to quit, even went through hypnosis, wore a rubber band, etc., but I finally quit on a day when stopping smoking was the farthest thing from my mind.

I went to a bridal shower and all the ladies were smokers, including me. Because I had children and also worked in a nonsmoking environment, I was used to going outside to smoke on my own. The party went on for hours in a small room with constant smoking. The hostess' husband came in to join us and lit up a cigar. The air was actually blue. I couldn't see.

When I left that smoky din, I stepped out into the cool, clean, clear night air and took a deep breath, looked at my cigarette pack, and thought "I don't want to do this anymore." I never smoked again, never even cheated. I was tempted sometimes, of course, but just couldn't make myself do it.

One trick that I used at work to stay on track, was I kept a cigarette in my desk. Anytime I was tempted, I would take it out and smell it....just smell it and then I put it back. I never lit it. After a year or so it didn't smell anymore and I tossed it out.

It's not easy to quit, I won't say it is but it is so worth it. No more smoky hair and smelly clothes, no more expense. No more hacking and coughing.

I have done two half marathons and many 5K's since I quit smoking and my DH and I ride our bikes all the time. I wouldn't have dreamed of doing those things when I smoked. I was always out of breath.

Quitting smoking is FREEDOM, so liberate yourself. You CAN do it.

[NAES1]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^? 'We [all] have our vices.

Habits? Yes, sometimes. Vices, No....that is referring (usually) in meaning BAD or ILLEGAL.

I do not fall into that catagory in reference to <<Have To Have It<<,i.e., drugs, alcohol, hoo*Krrr, or gambling (casino).

As far as weakness- giving too much away to those in need. Definitely have a genuine sensitive (if that is a vice) need for all homeless or ill children and pet, including animals wild or domestic in need of being protected.

JUST DID NOT UNDERSTAND ' We all Have Vices '.............may be a bad choice of words, wouldn' you say? I don't expect much feed back from the -all vices poster-, but have learned, to an extent......not to argue about cigs, politics or religion.

Everyone - HOPES FOR a Healthy New Year Filled With Positive Attitudes,,,,,,,,,,, ~~~~~~~~_Naes

[snapdragons]

First let me Thank you to all who posted for your words of encouragement, and your quitting smoking experiences, and know that everyone is different in their reasons and how they quit smoking. I too said enough with the expense, smell, and not good for my health and the others around me. Cigarettes became my friends, they were there to help me get through some tough times, making me feel warm and calm. I have smoked for over 30 years, and have tried everything from cold turkey, gum, patches and was miserable, depressed,angry,sick and would start back to smoking again(I must be weak) I enjoyed smoking.

Finally looked into e-cigs and chose Mistic/Haus Bridge starter kit- i believe you can only buy from Walgreens or Mistic website, with some cartridges and Cool Ice liquid. Yes expensive to get into it, but really like the liquid which lasts for weeks. My husband likes the cartridges. Very similiar to smoking. Midnight Shadow I feel your pain, just jump in and try an E cig, really takes the edge off,the nicotine level keeps me from craving real Cigs and it does produce a vapor like smoke.Midnight watch you-tube videos on it, they help a lot.

Not an easy sale,I believe Annabellethecat was right on with her wording Smoking is BAD= vice. Lucky for you, you are much better than I, I am glad your passion is helping animals and children.

[Group 5 minus 1]

Not a smoker. Never have. My mom was a smoker and when was son was about 2 I did not permit her to smoke around him. He would complain that she had to have a cig before reading him a story. She quit cold turkey and lived to be 98. My son is 47 years old.

[SweetyPie]

Good luck to you and your hubby. I quit in March 2002 cold turkey. At the time, I was a 2 pack daily smoker for 30 years. The habit left me with mild COPD. I don't take meds. My Dad had a couple bouts with mouth and throat cancer from smoking. He passed on after the second surgery. My Mom passed from smoking related cancer as well. Since quitting, I get evaluated and tested for lung cancer every couple years. My dentist checks my mouth/gums regularly and my ENT checks my throat. I realize I'm at risk and try to stay on top of things. Please post back as you go along and let everyone know how you're doing!

[NAES1]

On 1/5/2015 snapdragons said:

Smoking is BAD= vice. Lucky for you, you are much better than I, I am glad your passion is helping animals and children.

No, I am not better than you, snapdragons, but I was smart enough never to have started, though. 90% of all smokers (cig) started when they were at the age of 18 years old. A child's mind is not fully developed to make sound judgements until approximately 26 years old.

I was reared in a family of non smokers, became a clinical nursing director teaching medical students.........what I had seen in our patients, from the after effects of smoking, would stop anyone in their tracks.

One story: a 30 year old mother with a devoted loving husband and three wonderful children lay dying in a private room gasping for 'air', then onto my white shoe, she coughed up a piece of her blacken lung. That's something no one will ever forget.

I have all of the faith- you will succeed. You don't need luck if you focus on what your goal is set ON for health, "IF" you having some control. I am not speaking of any particualar disease, ONLY PREVENTIVE......

You may fail several times but I know you have the strongest desire to meet that challenge. And, you are not a weak person by any means.

_Naes

[snapdragons]

Hi I thought I would come back and report that I am still not smoking cigarettes! Stopped smoking on Dec. 1,2014 and been able to stay away from cigs this time. I upgraded my Ecig to the istick 20 by eleaf and was able to cut my nicotine level down from 24 mgs to 12 mgs. The Mistic brand that I started with is 24-18 mgs nicotine and the battery life was terrible so researched my new ECig to step down my dependence on nicotine.Plus I wanted to get away from the flavor and look of a real cig, now I am vaping Fireball, Pink Champagne,Blackberry flavors.

These ecigs have given me the courage to fight the cigarette addiction, I can control and lower my nicotine down to zero. Thanks to everyone for their support, I know everyone has to be able to deal with their struggles on what will work best for them, whether it is cold turkey or Ecigs, Nicotine patch or gum. I have tried all the other ways and found ECigs are working for me.

[poppinfresh]

Way to go snapdragons!!!!

[Wsmom]

On 2/6/2015 snapdragons said:

Hi I thought I would come back and report that I am still not smoking cigarettes! Stopped smoking on Dec. 1,2014 and been able to stay away from cigs this time. I upgraded my Ecig to the istick 20 by eleaf and was able to cut my nicotine level down from 24 mgs to 12 mgs. The Mistic brand that I started with is 24-18 mgs nicotine and the battery life was terrible so researched my new ECig to step down my dependence on nicotine.Plus I wanted to get away from the flavor and look of a real cig, now I am vaping Fireball, Pink Champagne,Blackberry flavors.

These ecigs have given me the courage to fight the cigarette addiction, I can control and lower my nicotine down to zero. Thanks to everyone for their support, I know everyone has to be able to deal with their struggles on what will work best for them, whether it is cold turkey or Ecigs, Nicotine patch or gum. I have tried all the other ways and found ECigs are working for me.

I'm so happy for you!!!