I Quit Smoking

Let me begin with saying that I never really wanted to quit smoking. UGH!

I LOVED SMOKING! and felt cigarettes were a steady companion in addition to being a very loyal reward system. For me to quit smoking was going to be a KICKING & SCREAMING effort. It is neccessary that you know all of those components to understand that if you feel the same way that you too can quit smoking.

At this point, you are probably wondering the “WHY” behind my quitting if I love smoking as much as you. My cousin, Judy was diagnosed with Lung Cancer after she had quit smoking just months earlier. When I told my oldest son this news he said that he was going to quit smoking after he called the Doc for some sort of medicine to assist him with his “No Smoking” effort. I was overjoyed that he was going to put down his cigarettes. What came next shocked me. My response to him was that if he quit, I would commit to do the same. WHOA!!! What was I thinking??? I love smoking cigarettes.

Enter Chantix Miracle Medicine ! The Doctor prescribed Chantix for my son the very next day along with many words of encouragment. He started taking it immediatly as he told me that he intended to smoke on it for 1 week and then QUIT smoking. Yes! He actually made it sound that simple. He was sincerely committed to become a non smoker. Ricky went on to share that he intended to give my husband and myself his left over Chantix to take when he was finished because he was certain he had plenty for at least 3 - 4 people to quit smoking. You know in the spirit of “Pay It Forward”. Now the funny part here is that it never dawned on me to ask him WHY??? he would have left over medicine. Ricky quit smoking exactly 1 week later and that same day I started taking his left over Chantix. Yes! My husband started taking the Chantix also. I felt sort of desperate as if was preparing for a Funeral. At that point I felt as though I could not find a single person that understood my feelings. Too afraid to share them with the people around me that still smoked for fear I would undermine the effort to quit smoking.

My 1st day on Chantix left me concerned because I did not feel any different and was quite certain my portion of the medicine was a placebo. As the days went on, I never experienced any side effects although I have friends that had some pretty crazy dreams while taking Chantix. We had an unexpected business trip to Mexico come up during the week so I asked my son’s permission to quit smoking 1 day later than was planned. He was somewhat disappointed but understood. (I laugh that I cared at that point…Man! was this medicine turning me into someone that was submissive as I was giving up SMOKING)

I QUIT on Day 8 of the medicine. Sincerely my only pain associated with not smoking that 1st day was the habit of the triggers that caused me to smoke in the first place. My advice on that particular piece is to write them down on paper and prepare your reaction. I chose to suck on Hoodia Pops every time I wanted a cigarette which worked very well for me. Hoodia Pops look just like a tootsie roll pop (not too pretty to use in public) and are used as a appetite suppressant. You will need to tell yourself that you are a non smoker. For additional “Quit Smoking” support go on the Chantix website or comment on my site.

My son started telling me after 1 week of quitting to get off the medicine…Oh My Gosh…Do I ever wish that I would have read the directions for taking Chantix at that time. But NO! I listened to Ricky and was at that point determined to never pick up another cigarette because I never thought I would quit….Heck! I don’t want to have to do it again.

My husband, Rick did not end up quitting although he did try to hide that from us for about 4 days. All bets were on him quitting smoking and not me. Just drives me crazy when we women are underestimated…I quit smoking in late September! The date for me is not relevant just that I did it.

Let’s talk about the positive aspects of saying goodbye to my friend, Cigarettes
1. Don’t have to avoid Non Smoking restaurants
2. I will not avoid Non Smoking Airports any longer
3. I will go back to Non Smoking California now
4. I will admit that smoke on Clothes smells crappy
5. I don’t have to hang outside of buildings in the cold to smoke
6. Do not have to clean out or hide 55 ashtrays in my house
7. I can stay at all Marriott Hotels again
8. I will happily go to my friends “No Smoking” houses without hurt feelings
9. I don’t feel like a 2nd class citizen
10. I’ve saved enough money to take a trip

SO I WAS GOING TO END THIS AT 10 but I am not finished

Ok! So I have gained a few pounds but I am now committed to loosing those as soon as I finish this article.