What they don't tell you about... Quitting smoking

Yesterday was my 10 year anniversary of quitting after 30 years of smoking a pack a day.

In that time I have not smoked 73,407 cigarettes, I have saved $21,914.22 (based on $5 per pack) and added 8 months, 1 weed, 3 days and 15 hours to my life. I use an ap called Quit Keeper to track this info and motivate me.

The list of changes is endless but some of mine are that my skin now glows. It no longer has a greyish look to it. I don't stink anymore. My house and car don't stink. My teeth are whiter and gums healthier. I don't have to wash clothes after one wearing. I can be more active without struggling to breathe. I can taste and smell food better. I don't have to leave a group of friends to step outside and get my fix. I don't have to worry about plane travel and how long I'll have to go without a smoke. I don't have to make sure I have enough cigarettes to get me through until I go into town next. No more having to wash stinky ashtrays all the time.
Oh, my list could go on and on and on.

I'm so happy you have made the choice. It is hard, once in awhile I still have dreams about smoking even after all this time but I know that I will never smoke again.

I quit by being hypnotized, my session was recorded and I listened to it every morning before getting out of bed and again when I went to bed. I also discovered whyquit.com which is similar to MFP in that it has a fantastic community of support and information. I told everyone that I had quit so that they would understand why I may be cranky at times and kept sugar free lollypops nearby as a crutch for awhile. I also began walking when I was staring a hard craving in the face.

Congratulations on your decision, you will discover that it is one of the best choices you make in your life!

food and drink finally have flavor.

I am really in support of anyone that quits smoking. I lived in a household where 3/5 people smoked a pack every 2 days at least. The amount of hacking and coughing going on in the household daily is rather nasty. And the amount I end up coughing from secondhand is very concerning to me. Nothing worse than having coffee at the dining room table and 2-3 people's smoke is billowing into your face... I think the biggest reason I would quit is the extra cash. 3 packs a week for 52 weeks at 12 bucks a pack (in Canada I believe) is about 2000 bucks a year! Could do something really substantial with that! I really hope you succeed and hope everything good you hear about quitting is true!

How about just reducing risk on your health overall? I smoked for 20 years (less than a half pack a day) and my one regret in life is that I wished I never did. It's compromised my endurance and cost me more than I thought over that time monetarily. I could have done so much with that money I spent over that time.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

AdobeTree wrote: »

I quit smoking 15 days ago. In the midst of a cravy morning, I am wondering what kind of positive experiences other people have had after quitting. Better teeth color, money saved, that weird symptom went away, etc.

I have not run this week, but I am looking forward to stronger lungs.

Well done to you!

Most obvious thing I noticed after quitting was the annoying cough I was developing (that would also wake me up during the night) disappeared. 2 years quit. One of the best things I ever did.

@thereshegoesagain, I've used Quit Keeper, and visited whyquit.com, great site!

Well done to all of you here also!

Good luck and congratulations!!! I am quitting for the new year and it will be 2 weeks on Monday. Did not think Id make it the first day and now I am excited to be able to say non-smoker. Still crave but its easier now than it was before. Just know it will be easier tomorrow than it is today.

Next month will be 8 years since I quit. Best decision of my life!!!! I quit when my dad got sick (he had a triple bypass at age 50). The first 6 months were the roughest. I bought a new coat and purse because of the smell. I will never forget about a year after I quit I apologized to my husband (who never smoked) because of how bad it smelled. Definitely one of the hardest things I have ever done, but I am so thankful I did. I also appreciate not coughing up a lung every morning.

I quit in January of 2000,i had a terrible sinus infection and while i was sitting in the docs office ,waiting in absolute misery, a medical segment came on the office T.V. stating the effects of smoking . one of of which was increased sinus infections. I quit that day.... cold turkey... i was a 3 plus pack a day smoker.. and i have to tell you i liked smoking.. i really enjoyed it... that rush from the first butt of the day with a cup of hot coffee...mmmmm.

the first couple of weeks are the worse... i drank a lot of coffee back then... all day long in fact.. but once i quit smoking i had to stop drinking coffee as well, it was my trigger to smoke. i only have one cup in the morning now. when i tell you i was a miserable S.O.B. , I really was a miserable S.O.B. ,,my lovely wife wanted to smother me in my sleep... but after that first month it got better and each month after that. next thing i know its 6 months then a year..... 16 years later i can say it was one of the most difficult things i have done but one of the best...the list of benefits is very long... you don't stink, you taste food..ect.ect. you know the list... here is the bottom line
YOU WILL LIVE LONGER!!!!

i read somewhere that nicotine only stays in your body for 24 hrs, its the reason why we smoke so much is to keep those levels mantained in our bodies... (don't quote not 100% sure of this fact) after 24 hrs the drug is out of our bodies but the addiction to that drug is what drives the cravings.

just for giggles and chits i looked up what is in a cigarette

from the American Lung Association

There are approximately 600 ingredients in cigarettes. When burned, they create more than 7,000 chemicals. At least 69 of these chemicals are known to cause cancer, and many are poisonous.

Many of these chemicals also are found in consumer products, but these products have warning labels. While the public is warned about the danger of the poisons in these products, there is no such warning for the toxins in tobacco smoke.

Here are a few of the chemicals in tobacco smoke and other places they are found:

Acetone – found in nail polish remover
Acetic Acid – an ingredient in hair dye
Ammonia – a common household cleaner
Arsenic – used in rat poison
Benzene – found in rubber cement
Butane – used in lighter fluid
Cadmium – active component in battery acid
Carbon Monoxide – released in car exhaust fumes
Formaldehyde – embalming fluid
Hexamine – found in barbecue lighter fluid
Lead – used in batteries
Naphthalene – an ingredient in mothballs
Methanol – a main component in rocket fuel
Nicotine – used as insecticide
Tar – material for paving roads
Toluene - used to manufacture paint

Good luck.... its will be tough... you already past the really worst 2 weeks... you can do this. don't give in, don't give up

Well done! I gave up 30 months ago and I've not looked back. Not even had a puff.

I save my smoking money every month and have used it to buy a sports car but mostly to travel. £7,000 up to now. Can't believe I used to spend that much! I've had my teeth cleaned and they are soooo much whiter. My skin is better as is my fitness and stamina. I do not miss smoking one bit.

So, the not so great stuff. After a few weeks your breath will stink. Horrifically. That's because the blood with circulate around your mouth properly, your gums will most likely bleed too. You'll have cravings and you'll most likely eat and drink more. BUT THIS IS SHORT TERM! What you are doing is amazing! You'll live longer and you'll be able to afford to do the things you love.

Congratulations and good luck