Hello everyone!
I’m on day 3 of being smoke free.
I’m 35 and have been smoking 3 years this time. I previously smoked two times in my life anywhere between 1-2 years, then quit those 2 prior times for a period of 5-6 years each. The times I have re-started smoking have been around major life events and extreme stress. I have had a much harder time this time, just making the decision that I WANT to quit. I haven’t really felt the health affects yet so it’s tough to focus on long term health versus the short term reward. But my biggest motivation is my daughter who is now 10, and I am sick of having to hide it and lie to my own family. She’s old enough to know what that smell is. And I want to be alive to watch her grow up, get married, have her own kids someday. I also am sick of the wedge it’s put between my husband and I. I don’t want him to have to think twice as to whether it’s “safe” to kiss me or if he’s going to be kissing an ashtray. I’m tired of being embarrassed of the smell of my car and always wondering whether I’ve covered up the scent on myself enough or whether other people think I reek of cigarettes. I’m also very physically fit for the most part, I workout 5 days a week including running, but smoking has definitely put a damper on my running.
This weekend has been harder than I thought it would be. I have been low on energy, and sometimes my thoughts get consumed with whether or not I should quit another day because I just really want one more. I’m doing this cold turkey just like the prior two times. I do have some Zyban, which I tried for 2 days a week ago and then stopped bc I hated the way it made me feel foggy. I was also worried seeing stories about people having a hard time stopping Wellbutrin, so I got scared that I would be one of those people and end up on one more thing i’d have a hard time quitting. Anyone here used Zyban and have issues or no issues stopping? How long did other people take it just for smoking cessation? (12 weeks?)
I am nervous about going back to work today which is when I usually smoke the most.
I am extremely nervous about gaining weight, especially because I’m only 5 feet tall so even 5 pounds makes a difference on my frame. This may sound weird, but one part of my stay-quit plan is to get a cosmetic procedure done about 2 months after my quit date. The reason for this is to provide a short term goal/reward, and help keep me from slipping. You cannot have ANY nicotine/smoking at least 2 weeks before and 2 weeks after the procedure so that your skin heals properly. So for me, it’s a bonus motivator/reason to continue to refrain from smoking, while giving me something to be excited about that I otherwise couldn’t do if I was still a smoker.
Anyway, I was hoping to find support in this site through the experiences of others to help keep me going, especially in these first few days which for me are the absolute hardest. Thank you and good luck to everyone else in the same boat.
