Being fit and being a SMOKER! Motivate me please!

amandavictoria80

When I started this journey five months ago, I was a non-smoker of about a month. I ended up quitting for about four months all together. Then I had a bit of stress and thought I could just smoke a bit and stop again. Of course, that didn't happen. I am now smoking again. BUT, I do badly want to stop again.
I quit the first time with the help of Champix (a stop smoking prescription). I started taking that again to help me but I have now been on it for over three weeks and have been unable to stop smoking. I realize that this time the Champix is not going to help me like before and this time quitting will be a complete act of my motivation and wanting to quit.
I can not afford to get the patch so I purchased Thrive gum. I also plan to fill another Champix prescription. That sucks because that prescription is $65 per 2 weeks. But I do think I need that extra bit of help.

The biggest reason I want to quit is because of what I experience when working out. When I wasn't smoking I never felt it. Now I can't push myself nearly as much as when I wasn't smoking. Cardio makes my chest hurt and causes me to be winded in about five minutes. I was working out on my elliptical for at least 45 minutes straight and now I think that would kill me. There is no way I can go for 45 minutes being a smoker. All my workouts seem to feel so much harder now.

Basically, I need some motivation and realistic words to help me. I would also love to hear about similar stories. I know that I need to stop smoking and will be trying tomorrow.

I want to be fit and healthy. My major long term goal, and please don't think I'm crazy, is to have a body like Jillian Michaels.
I want to be one of those active people that runs and works out and eats healthy. As well as being a role model for my kids. Both my kids have watched my healthy eating and fitness journey and have definitely emulated. My daughter even says things like "Let's do a workout" and "I love working out". I love this and it gives me such a sense of pride. I know that what they see will be what their future holds.
I am going off and blabbing a bit here. LOL

I know that I quit smoking once even though I never imagined I could. It was complete hell but I did it for four months! I know this time will be much harder and I need help to get through.

Thank you to everyone! And Happy Thanksgiving as well!

Anyways....thanks to everyone in advance.