Did you stop smoking this year?
By jswindell10
@jswindell10 (417)
United States
December 2, 2012 8:55pm CST
My New year's resolution was to cut back and I did. I went from smoking 3 Newport Kings to 1-2 Newport 100s.
In less than a week, I could feel the difference in my breathing. Even though I never got up to a pack or more a day, I felt a little accomplishment and a few extra dollars in my pocket.
And yesterday it happened.
I was having some pretty bad gas that went up to my chest. I had one cigarette left and I'd been fighting w/myself all day to not have it just yet. After a trip to the bathroom, I suddenly got a bad taste in my mouth.
But it wasn't just the taste but the scary part was the taste of concentrated tar stayed in my mouth for more than 30 seconds. Sort of like suffocating in a pool of ashes.
Since then I've had no desire as it occurred to me the real reason why I took up smoking to that degree. In the past 15 yrs, I have forced myself to stay away or have proudly taken advantage of 2-4-1 deals. This time, I don't have the slightest craving.
How do you deal with the cravings? Once when I was in my 20s, I had a stress attack and just smoked until I couldn't stand it anymore. Think I got to the halfway point and gave them away.
8 responses
@belindayhughes (1096)
• United States
4 Dec 12
I haven't smoked to the point of a habit, just bummed a couple from friends after stressful events and stopped when I finishes those. But coming from a household with a pipe-smoking father, and coming of legal age when smoking was acceptable at college and in the workplace, I have fought the craving all my life and still do sometimes, though I no longer engage in it and haven't in several years, though I can't remember how many. I journal or find something else to do or work my way through my emotions when things happen. I value the ability to breathe without mechanical assistance and the chance to live out my life. Best wishes! :-)
@jswindell10 (417)
• United States
14 Dec 12
Yay! I've got finals coming up this week and I'm feeling a little stressed out. It's good that you quit though.
@busymom312 (122)
• United States
17 Dec 12
No, I didn't. I had planned to and made the same resolution that you did at New Year's to at least cut back. I've tried to quit a number of times--all unsuccessful so far. I guess I'm not to the point that, while I know I should quit, I'm just not ready to. My mind tells me all the reason I should quit and need to quit. But I really don't want to yet. I know that's dumb--but it's where I am right now. I've smoked for 14 years now, so I guess it's time to start getting serious about it. Good luck to you, though.
@saibal10 (89)
• India
4 Dec 12
Well, I don't know whether I should participate here because I am a non-smoker and I cannot understand the efficacy of smoking in our life. I believe that I should not be under the guidance of any addiction. Smoking is an addiction. And I must congratulate you that you did it. you have taken a resolution to stand up on your own foot.
@jswindell10 (417)
• United States
4 Dec 12
Saibal,
As the originator of this discussion, I have to say that I'm a little tired of people saying that they never smoked. If that's the case, of course you don't understand!
However, thank you and it's been more than two days without as much as a craving.
@bhelle76 (353)
• Canada
4 Dec 12
I am glad that never in my family got into smoking. Well, I tried when I was in high school but I have a set of good fellows. Most of my classmates in high school did smoke, they have their own groups while I am always alone in library and or studying some lessons. I got a chance to asked them to go with them and did some activities like drinking and smoking but they shrugged me off. I am with the group both boys and girls but they never allowed me to smoke and drink. Their reasons was, they didn't want to ruin my name in school for I was one of honor roll. So, I am a kind of feeling lucky to have this fellows around me.
@jswindell10 (417)
• United States
4 Dec 12
Meh...I'm glad you never got into to it as some people just don't have the feeling but I must say something.
Smoking and drinking one time will not ruin you or your name. I know there are other cultures here besides American but doing something once or even once a year hardly justifies a habit or a problem. If work and school are interrupted, then there's a problem. I never did it at work or around family.
Hopefully, you found some friends that can do these things in moderation.
@Rigel4 (47)
• United States
4 Dec 12
I quit smoking nearly a year ago due to costal cartilage inflammation and really bad acid reflux. Now I don't get respiratory infections any more.
@jswindell10 (417)
• United States
4 Dec 12
I think acid reflux is what I was suffering from over the weekend that made me purge my insides.
@Pen_Pal777 (245)
• Philippines
3 Dec 12
i have quit smoking for 6 years already. and i am glad that i was able to quit. i have been a heavy smoker for about 20 years. even if i am in he company of my friends who smoke i no longer crave for it.
@akosibinot (79)
• Philippines
4 Dec 12
I wanted to, but I guess, I must walk the preach. Especially when your friends around you are also into smoking. life is just like that.
