I just really want to start this new thread to say CONGRATULATIONS to all of you on here who have recently made the bold move to give up smoking. I know it is an incredibly hard habit to kick and I think you all deserve your very own thread of Congrats for doing so. Also, I think it would be nice if you folks keep us up to date on how you are doing. Like...posting the stats some of you did in the other thread. Post them here every once in a while so we can see how you are doing and maybe give some encouragement. Why do I care?? Well, please don't think I judge you if you smoke!!! I DO NOT! I DO, however, wish that every smoker could get a glimpse into his/her last months and weeks of life before they have to live it. I'd like to share a glimpse of what that might be. I care because I have watched (so far) 4 members of family die as a direct result of smoking. Most were pretty healthy other than their lungs literally dying over the last months of life until the lungs could no longer take in oxygen and they began to turn blue. It started with the toes and feet and worked it's way up, the blueness, that is. It is the sign of your body dying, starting with you extremities. Shortly aftr that, the breathing becomes an impossible struggle (hard to watch too) until they just can't do it any longer. Then, it is over. I won't give all details. I will say that my FIL was the most frustrating smoker. You better not DARE tell him not to smoke in your home or not to puff in your infants face. However, when he got really bad off and found out that taking even ONE more puff would kill him, literally, his attitude changed. He spent his last months trying to tell other smokers that the torture they think quitting will be is a tea party compared to not being able to breathe. He died 3 years ago. My MIL follwed him in death this past summer. Now, my DH is left with NO parents at the age of 40. My kids lost their grandparents. We ALL watched them both die an early death. Yes, I know it is all in God's time, but I don't think they had to die such an agonizing death. MIL had a stroke also and had the mind of a baby for 6 months until death. Sometimes DH gets angry thinking that his parents were pretty healthy and might have had another 20 years or so here if not for the smoking. None of us blame them for starting and becoming hooked on cigs because, back then, no one knew the dangers. But, after MIL watched her own Dad die a wretched death from smoking and then her own husband, you would think she might have thought of how her own kids may have to endure the same if she did not try to stop. Now, my DH's brother looks to be the next we will watch go through this. Smoking literally stole my DH's parents from him. Again, I'm only sharing this in the hopes that it might strengthen the resolve in some of you who have already taken the big step. And, maybe it might strengthen the hearts of others for the sake of their children and grandchildren. It's not easy to watch your parent die such a torturous and senseless death. My kids have already had to see their grandparents do this. They won't be watching their own parents do the same. Anyway, congratulations again to those of you who are doing it!! Keep it up and post your progress here. If you don't mind, I'll be checking this thread and I'll be praying you keep the strength to keep it up!! And Hey!!! If you are thinking of quitting, post here. If you decide to quit, post it here. You guys can all help each other throught it in some ways I bet!!! So far.....GO Ken, Clif & SB!!! Keep up the good work!! Your kids will thank you one day! PS....let's not let this become an arguing or bashing thread PLEASE. Let's let it be a positive place for folks to post their progress.
I gave it up September 2006 and it was the hardest thing I ever did. Congrats to everyone that has achieved this goal.
I had my last smoke on oct. 30 this year. I know not a very long time but I'm proud of myself. And thanks mommysaidno. Any one out there who can tell me when you lose the desire to smoke and when you lose the desire to hurt the people around you? j/k (or am I)
I have been quit for 1 Month, 4 Weeks and 28 minutes (58 days). I have saved $182.62 by not smoking 1,160 cigarettes. I have saved 4 Days and 40 minutes of my life. My Quit Date: 10/16/2007 2:10 PM
LOOK AT ME LOOK AT ME!!! Seriously, congrats. I'm sure it's been a long 1 Month, 4 Weeks and 28 minutes ......Well deserved congrats!!!
For those who want to keep track of how long they've been smoke free (as well as other interesting data, there are several freeware programs out there. Personally I use QuitKeeper, but I've seen others here, and I'm sure they'll be happy to provide a link to theirs as well.
I tried to quit, but thought in an effort to save my marriage it would be better if I smoked - I wasn't a very nice person. :twisted: Imagine that. So... non smoker and be divorced OR smoke and be happy I choose to be happy.
hahahaha...I used the counter too....I quit after about 10 months because I do not think of it much anymore.
I gave up smoking about 12 minutes ago....I'll be starting back in 5, 4, 3.... Congrats to those who did quit. Maybe one day I'll WANT to.
That's okay HG. It's not easy to do and maybe this is not the time for you. We all love ya no matter what! :mrgreen: I think that (and correct me if I am off here folks) probably the driving factor in many smokers to quit is thinking a about how it will be for their kids to care for them when they are older. If I recall correctly HG, you said you have no kids yet. So that would not really be a driving factor for you now. Still, do it for yourself...but only when YOU are ready. It won't work otherwise IMO (and it could cause bodily harm to your DH:lol: j/k)
Cool....Here is what I have: Congratulations mmciver- You've now been a non-smoker for: 1years, 3months, 3days, 9hours & 50minutes In that time you've saved over $4,127.94 You've avoided smoking over 27519cigarettes. You've extended your life by over 133.77days. Here are my body achievements over the past year: After 20 minutes, your blood pressure drops back to normal In 8 hours, the carbon monoxide levels in your bloodstream drop by half, and oxygen levels return to normal In 48 hours, your change of having a heart attack decreases. All nicotine has left your system. You sense of taste and smell return to a normal level In 72 hours, your bronchial tubes relax and your energy levels increase In 2 weeks, your circulation increases and continues to improve for the next 10 weeks In 2 month coughs, wheezing and breathing problems dissipate as your lung capacity improves by 10% In 1 year, your risk of having a heart attack drops by half
The main reason I quit is because I wanted too...But I believe the driving factor were my kids because I wanted to see them grow up and have kids of their own...My parents smoked and had heart attacks by 45 and strokes at 50....I wanted a different life!
I am amazed at the cost of cigs. Okay, I smoked as a teen, briefly. Then, I was in a near death accident and had to be on some heavy narcotics (prescribed) a couple of years due to some severed nerves. I didn't have time to get seriously hooked on smokes. But, I CAN tell you that the withdrawel from those prescribed narcotics was h***. Guess it makes kicking a habit easier when you have to get the Doc to write you a prescript in order to continue said habit:?:mrgreen: But really, I recently looked at the price for a carton (forget the brand it was) and nearly croaked:shock:. I know my neighbor plans to quit next year but now is smoking often. I'd say she nearly lights a new one before the old one is finished. I wonder how much that adds up to $ wise? How many packs a week were you smoking Clif??
It's ok, Harley. If and when your body is ready to quit, you will. If not...so be it. Happy marriage . Frogger
Hey mmciver..... That is AMAZING! CONGRATS!! Bet that info made you feel great!! See...I knew this thread could be a good thing! Keep it up. I think I will go plug in my Mom's info. She stopped a serious smoking habit 22 years ago. She's coming up for Christmas. I can show her the results and give her a great big Thank You HUG!! Thanks for the links guys.
I have been quit for 1 Year, 5 Months, 4 Days, 6 hours, 3 minutes and 57 seconds (522 days). I have saved $913.93 by not smoking 5,222 cigarettes. I have saved 2 Weeks, 4 Days, 3 hours and 10 minutes of my life. My Quit Date: 7/9/2006 8:57 AM
