10 Reasons I Quit Smoking

I quit smoking just over 7 months ago now (April Fool's Day! Haha!) I did it for a lot of reasons, but the fact that it was affecting my mental health wasn't even on my radar, at least not in the chemical way (I knew it wasn't good for my self esteem). I wonder how much of a contribution this has made to my best year in dealing with my depression in as long as I can remember? Interesting!

Congratulations, Teresa and Eileen. I quit smoking 2 years ago, in spite of the fact that I was convinced I would never enjoy life again without cigarettes. I did it anyway, because I wanted to have a baby. And surprise! Life is so much better now. Mainly because I find so much more enjoyment in other things, now that they're not overshadowed by cigarettes.

Brooklynchick, my secret was two-fold:

1) replace cigarettes with nicotine gum, and learn how to live without cigarettes first - which meant I had to quit nicotine gum after a few months, as well, but by that time, I had stopped reaching for cigarettes.

2) I realized that, for me, the greatest joy of smoking was anticipation. No matter what - even if a loved one is in the hospital, dying - no matter WHAT, smokers always have something to look forward to: the next cigarette. It may be a measly thing to look forward to, but you have something. So my trick was to replace the anticipation with something else (which sometimes, yes, was food, but not always). It took a while for me to feel like I wasn't faking the anticipation, but now I look forward to a cup of tea or a movie or a trip to the beach with the same anticipation that I used to feel only for cigarettes.

I hope that helps. Best of luck to you.

p.s. My husband and I are expecting a child next year, and I am doubly relieved I don't have to worry about quitting smoking now :)

WOW!!!!

What a time for me to read this! I have been and is struggeling with smoking right now as I type this. There is absolutely no excuse for my smoking and I know it! GOD has delivered me so many times and I know it! But I still smoke! My urges are so small but I still smoke! I have quit for months several times but I still smoke! I have pain and discomfort in my chest but I still smoke! I have prayed to GOD so many times about smoking until I feel as if he does not want to hear from me any more!

I feel in so many ways in my life I am loosing and the adversary is winning! Because of my smoking and I mean chain smoking especially with beer; I think of death and dying but I still smoke!!!!

Can anyone tell me what is wrong with Me? I love life and want to live a long and healthy life! I do know that greater is He that is in Me then he that is in the world but I still smoke! What do I do?

Thanks!
Larry

i decided to give me back my smoke free life, just as i gave ME the cigarettes. All is that I ask for one day at a time,or 24 hours at a time,so far after asking for 24 hours,ive got 240 hours.hang on in there,and remember,one day at a time.

I have never smoked nor do I ever intend to smoke. However, I have been exposed to the effects of smoking most of my life. I lost my mother recently to cigarettes. She was my best friend. I miss her every day. I am really proud and excited when I hear that people want to quit. I am now on a mission to enlighten people on the devastating effects of smoking and help them to attain freedom from the addiction of smoking. I believe that anyone can quit. I commend you all for doing it. Don't leave someone you love alone when you don't have to. Good luck to all of you. God Bless, KimberlyAnn
http://www.squidoo.com/effect-of-smoking

I am about to become a security guard and I know I won't tolerate anyone smoking in my zones even if outside. They had better be smoking on the cancer sticks in the designated smoking zone. I don't want to come across as harsh, but I DON"T SMOKE. It is the number one cause of fire, at work, in the home, outdoors, etc. I'd better not encounter your smoldring butts anywhere near my post, on my shift, in my workplace or you will be written up. So there! When security says "Put the Cigarette Out! We mean it. Or maybe you'd prefer I get out the fire extinguisher and test it on you. Please try to quit, I hate to attend co-worker funerals for people younger than me. Breathe Clean Air, OK?

I've been smoking since I was 13, at 39 I had my first heart attack - tried quiting, at 42 second heart attack (also found out I was diabetic) tried quiting again (but didn't) at 45 had quadruple heart by-pass was determined to quit this time (still didn't happen) at age 50 had my left leg amputated (there went my golf game) 2 months ago had another heart attack and another stint (still smoking) What an idiot am I and how many more chances will I get?
I live alone and will admit to being extremely lonely, actually I've had my heart broken soooo many times I can't count that high. My first heart attack I weighted 275lbs, now I'm 183 (the leg only weighed about 5-6 lbs). I wish I had someone in my life to give me the support (not the nagging) and love I need so very badly. Who knows maybe someday I'll quit before they kill me.

I had a heart attack earlier this year at the age of 45. Women be careful because I went to the hospital thinking that I was having a heart attack only to find that while I wasn't having one then, I'd had one three months earlier. I've since found that a lot of women have heart attacks and don't know it.

I was a 30 year smoker, and I did not quit initially. I felt like a complete idiot, because you couldn't have told me before it actually happened that I wouldn't have quit smoking on the spot after having a heart attack. I didn't.

I did quit on August 26, 2009 and I have been clean and smober (not a typo; that's what we smokers call it)for 71 days now (2 months, 11 days, and 13 hours). This journey has not been easy, as I did it 'cold turkey', however it's been worth it. Stopping has done wonders for my self-esteem and self-confidence. This was something that I just could not get a handle on over the years, and I finally conquered it.

Understand, though that the cravings don't just disappear; I crave cigarettes just about everyday. I just remind myself that I don't smoke, and that just makes them go away.

Also, the smoking dream is the worst! It feels SO real, and I always think I've smoked before I come to full consciousness. That helps though, because the bad, awful feeling I have when I believe I've smoked keeps me from wanting that feeling in real life.

To all my fellow smokers, keep persevering, praying and striving. It WILL happen. If I did it, BELIEVE me, anybody can.