reasons....

Top 10 Reasons I Quit Smoking
I will reduce my chances of having a heart attack or stroke.
I will reduce my chances of getting lung cancer, emphysema, and other lung diseases.
I will have better smelling clothes, hair, breath, home, and car.
I will climb stairs and walk without getting out of breath.
I will have fewer wrinkles.
I will be free of a nagging cough.
I will reduce the number of coughs, colds, and earaches my child will have.
I will have more energy to pursue physical activities I enjoy.
I will treat myself to new books or music with the money I save from not buying cigarettes.
I will have more control over my life.

day 6

I am still absolutely shocked at how selfish I had become as a smoker. It turns out that the actual poison I was inhaling wasn't the only thing taking away my life. I have found so much joy in being with my kids, etc... It's amazing how much of my life was catering to smoking. Where I ate, who I hung out with, what I did socially, whay i spent my money on....it was all centered around my smoking....gross.

Right now, I am sitting at the park watching my kids play. We went to get ice cream today and to the library. I will stay at this park as long as they want today because I am not thinking about getting home and smoking a cigarette. I will put them first today...and every day. What I should've been doing all along.....

Tomorrow is one week! One week of seeing myself in a new light. One week of me practicing self control. One week of me being truly proud of myself, through and through. One week....so much can change in a week.

SIX DAYS

Well I had my first backyard BBQ being a non smoker. I was a little hesitant and honestly wasn't really looking forward to it all that much, but in reality, it ended up being more fun. When it started getting too cold to sit outside, we came inside....cause no need to sit outside to smoke :)

I'm am retraining my brain to enjoy things without a cigarette. That has turned out to be the hardest part....my mental addiction. The cravings have not been too bad....but the decision to keep going has been my nemisis.

Today my mom brought me Cadbury Eggs to congratulate me.....YUM! I am so excited!

Tomorrow makes a week....stay posted.

Wrapping up DAY FOUR

Wow. What a journey. I have put off quitting for so long b/c ... well b/c I didn't want to and also b/c I kept thinking about how hard it would be and how I didn't want to make a committment like that. Well It turns out that except for a few little bumps along the way, it hasn't been that hard. Sure, I have had my temptations....but I usually just try to occupy myself with something productive.

I will say this : I have maybe been the tiniest little bit snippy. I may have had a smidge of road rage. I may have wanted to sniff the guy at Starbucks that lit up as i was leaving...

BUT I have done this.

I have done this in spite of the NEVER-ENDING areas that are set aside especially for people who like to inhale dirty air into their lungs. Special areas that are like "members only" areas. I mean, try walking into the smoking area of an airport and just sitting there....you are likely gonna be thrown through the plate glass...you know...for being all high and mighty and healthy etc.

Well, I am no longer a member of the club, but.... I am a member of the "I said I was gonna do it and GOSH DARN IT, I am" club. There is nothing more gratifying that setting a goal and accomplishing it. While I know i still have a long road ahead of me, I am proud of the little path i've made in my life that is leading to a better me.

an epiphony

So as I close out day three as a nonsmoker, feeling pretty kick butt if I do say so myself, I realize something. It has hit me like a ton of bricks. It has literally ceased my breathing for a moment. And this is it....
My sweet Bella has spent the better part of her life being stuck with needles, being put under, having surgeries, having doctors poke and prod her, having to take medicine that only makes her feel different, but makes her look different too, having to eat a special diet, not getting have bday cake at some bday parties, take meds that taste yucky, pee in a tray....SHE DIDN'T CHOOSE ANY OF THIS. As sick as she's been. She didn't do anything to make her that way.

How selfish. I have spent the last 15 years being so self centered. I have been doing something that not only could make me sick or even kill me, but it could make me unable to take care of my precious baby that didn't ask for any of this.

Bella is such a trooper. Through all her trials, her smile has always been present. Her willingness to accept the situation has always been present.To watch her resist temptation when she's on a special diet, has been remarkable. But most of all, her courage walking into the fear of it all has been astounding.


This is the least I can do.

DAY THREE

"My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life. " (Psalm 119:50)

Today I will meet my biggest temptation. I am gonna hang out with some great friends that all smoke. I fully believe I can overcome this. I am going into this with my defenses up and a strong will.

Yesterday Bella said to me... " Mom, I am glad you quit smoking. I told you it was not good for you"

Nuff Said.

Owww

So...this afternoon has been difficult. I have really wanted one. I have instead :
1) cleaned my house
2) washed all my clothes
3) went to the grocery store
4) mopped floors
5) dusted
6) made a flower arrangement
7) lit....candles....not cigarettes

So I guess the upside of not smoking is being ultra productive...
It actually caused physical pain to get the lighter off the front porch (my ex-smoking area) to light some candles. Which by the way...this IS LIKE A BREAKUP.

I've been with my trusty cigarettes for over 15 years...
They've been with me through boyfriends, breakups, makeups, bad dates, good dates, long phone calls, long nights, stressful moments, good conversations, hard conversations, long trips, school nights, weekends, bands, overseas, meltdowns, celebrations....it's just endless....they've always been there....

But as any toxic relationship, I AM DONE PUTTING MYSELF 2ND! My health is mmore important. My kids are more important. Hell, my breathing deeply is more important.

Things I look forward to as a non- smoker....

long walks, deep breaths, smelling fresh (at least more so), less headaches, no chest pain, long life, proud children , proud family, proud friends, inspiring others, saving my life, saving someone else's, being an example, accomplishing something, finishing something, getting my sense of smell back, not being the one that seeks out situations to smoke, being able to stay inside on COLD days/rainy days, not trying to hide the fact that I do something that I'm not proud of, BEING PROUD OF MYSELF

This is GOOD.

DAY TWO

Well here we are...Day two.

Feeling pretty good, at least still motivated.... :)

"So do not fear, for I am with you;do not be dismayed, for I am your God.I will strengthen you and help you;I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

Isaiah 41:10

Here goes....temptation #1...work...

I will be in touch.

read this....wow, makes me so glad I am doing this...

http://whyquit.com/whyquit/BryanLeeCurtis.html

DAY ONE

So today is DAY ONE of no smoking. I have made the decision, I have asked for accountability and lastly...I have gotten rid of all my cigarettes...gone.

It's really not a "good smoking day" today anyway. You smokers know what I mean... the kind of day where the weather is awesome and you will smoke a cigarette just to be outside for a while? It's rainy and cold and I think I have a touch of a stomach bug to boot...soooo today (DAY ONE) should be a breeze!

I have church tonight, so no idle time to sit around wishing I could have one. I think today is gonna be great. ONE day at a time, right?

Check out this link if you too are trying to quit....it's definately encouraging me!
http://www.whyquit.com/joel/Joel_02_17_smoke_in_lung.html