Quitting Smoking - No Progress?!

Given the many ways we can abuse our bodies - poor diet, substance use, lack of exercise, poor sleep, and stress, to name a few - our bodies can still be very forgiving (sometimes). I was a pack-a-day smoker for 26 years when I quit cold turkey one day, 14 years ago. One of the first changes I noticed was my ability to take a DEEP breath. I never realized how shallow my breathing was until I was waking up one morning, still in bed, and took a deep breath, which felt much deeper than what I was used to.

Everyone's recovery following their quit will be different. I could go on and on with this topic because I am very passionate about it. But I am not an in-your-face reformed smoker and hope not to come across as one.

Having said that, please consider checking out this website that is packed FULL of information about your quit, including answers to any questions you may have along the way. I found there was so much value to the information provided, that I printed the e-book and put it into a binder for quick reference. It's also applicable to the work I do, so I'm always happy to share it with others as they begin their quit journey. You have the option to print the entire book or individual chapters.

The website is www.whyquit.com. There are two e-book links at the bottom of the page. I downloaded John Polito's "Freedom from Nicotine - The Journey Home"," but I think Joel Spitzer's "Never Take Another Puff" (NTAP) is also a good read (it includes a lot of graphic photos). NTAP talks about the lung's cilia, which are like little hairs that "sweep" and clean mucous in the lungs. Fewer cilia is found in smokers, and the existing cilia is slowed down or paralyzed, which makes it difficult to keep the lungs clean.

The good news is that cilia will begin to repair in just 72 hours, and new growth will occur within 1 to 9 months, making breathing easier! Your lungs will begin to feel better and the burning sensation will gradually go away.

Be patient and keep one foot in front of the other - figuratively with your quit, and literally on the treadmill. The benefits of working out will carry you well and far, especially as a new, non-smoker. You say you are confident you'll stay quit, and I believe you. Starting smoking when I was very young was one of the most terrible decisions I have ever made. Quitting was hard, but it was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I hope it also becomes one of your best.

Not a smoker. But in weight loss I’m always on the lookout for my brain telling me that things I know are good for me aren’t working or aren’t good enough. A month is a big deal. Give yourself some credit. Keep your expectations in check. Exercise is incremental. Sometimes the increments are small.