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It just hit me this morning – it has been exactly five years since I quit smoking! Honestly, I am so removed from who I was then, it seems weird to me that I ever smoked. But I did, and I used to love it. In all, I smoked from 16 to 26, although I started out very casually and tried quitting twice in between, so I probably had a habit of smoking (one pack per day) for about seven years.
It was hell quitting. H-E-L-L. I pretty much had permanent indentations in the palms of my hands from digging my fingernails in whenever I had a bad craving. Still, I was determined. I envied those who could smoke one or two cigarettes every few months at a party, but I was not one of those people. It was all or nothing for me.
Eric had been pushing me to quit for a long time, and he was a big factor in my decision, although he alone could not have made me do it. Nobody could have. I had to make the decision for myself. So, what finally got me to quit? I wish I could say it was concern for my health or money or that I didn’t want to contribute to something so environmentally damaging, but that isn’t true.
No – it was vanity. Pure vanity. I caught a glimpse of myself in the (very unforgiving) car mirror one day, and saw my first lines. *gasp* I was shocked. I was only 26! How could that be?! In that moment I saw what smoking was doing to my body and, more importantly, what it would continue to do to me (knowing it was probably far worse on the inside).
So, I bought myself one more pack and relished every single minute of it. Then I bought several boxes of Nicorette and started digging my fingernails into my palms. The Nicorette did help – I think mainly because I needed that instant gratification. I used it for about five months before going it alone. Yeah, it was expensive, but I knew I would save money in the long run.*
Of course, that is just my experience. Quitting is very personal, and what works for (or motivates) one person may not be what works for another. I can say that I was totally addicted and it wasn’t easy – so if I can do it anyone can. Really. And once I got over the first six months it got a little easier, then even easier after a year, and so on. Now, the thought of it honestly grosses me out.
This morning, after realizing it had been five years, I decided to take the Real Age test – once as I was at 26 (15 lbs heavier, pretty sedentary, and a smoker), and once as I am now at 31.
Here was my Real Age at 26:
And here it is at 31:
In the last five years, I have actually gotten five years younger! 🙂
* I did a quick calculation of what I would have spent on cigarettes if I hadn’t quit. Are you ready for this? $6,000!!!!!!!!! And that is not accounting for inflation. Hmmmm … maybe I should buy myself a five year anniversary gift!
Wow! Congrats to you. You’ve inspired me….I’ve struggled with quitting so much in the past. I quit while I was pregnant, but now find myself bumming from people more and more frequently. Whenever I get the urge now I will just come to this post. 🙂
Cheers from a new reader!
Yay! Thank you! That is so awesome that you are trying to get healthier. I totally understand how hard it is, and how easy it is to bum one here and there until it snowballs. Keep up the good work!
PS One trick that has really helped me for the long haul – and that I still turn to when times are tough … menthol cough drops! It seemed to satisfy the need for instant gratification and oral fixation, but I didn’t have the urge to chew one after the other like I would with candy. 🙂
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