Seanpcola
Moderator
Well, I think I'm succeeding. Stopping smoking that is.
I'm starting this thread in hopes that maybe other members on here will get motivated to do the same. Lots of thoughts, no particular order.
My habit was between 1 and 2 packs a day. Been smoking for 35 years. Never seemed to bother me for most of that time but over the last 3-4 years it seemed to.catch up to me on several levels.
Here's thoughts on why I finally nutted up.and did something about it.
First: Health. I know I'm getting older but damn, by 4:00 I was just flat beat every day. This irritated me as I'm the kind of guy that would get home from work at 5:00 and really get stuff accomplished. Household projects, hobbies, yard work. It was nothing for me to not even slow down till 9:30 or so. I know I'm older but the slow down just seemed to be catching up faster than I thought it should. My dad is 84 YO and that man still does yard work all day. He quit at the same age I am now and he's just amazing for his age.
I got the usual talking-to by my doctor. Had a minor bout with pnuemonia a while back so he had me checked, X rayed, the whole thing to check my lungs. Of course he didn't paint a pretty picture but he reluctantly told me that lung capacity, oxygen levels, heart rate and BP were better than they should be. This made me more determined to change since it gave me hope that quitting might not be too late for me.
I did notice when I went to bed at night, when the house got real quiet, I could hear myself breath. Momma also said I was snoring and it was getting worse.
The smell: We.don't smoke in the house but have a sun room on the back that was a smoking area. Over the last year that room stinks. Its bad when I notice it. This Fall im pulling the carpet, new flooring, walls painted.and everything scrubbed. After that any smokers on my property that want to light up will go outside, I don't care if its 10° or 100°.
Of course I couldn't smell it on myself but I can on others and my work trucks stink inside. I'm bad about smoking and driving, a nervous habit. I got my new truck about 6 weeks ago and it is so pristine, leather interior, just smells like a brand new car on the showroom floor and before I even laid down the cash I vowed to never light up in it or allow anyone else to. Every time I climb in the cab I'm reminded how much better it is to drive a clean vehicle. I used to be embarrased for anyone to get in my vehicles if they didn't smoke. I've burned a hole in the upholstery of every vehicle I ever owned. Eff that too.My instrument panel in my main work truck is almost unreadable. The chemicals from cigs fogged the plastic lens. The inside of the windshield is always dirtier that the outside. Enough to make you want to puke.
Cost: Momma and I both smoked. I burned more than she did but we spent around $350 a month on cigs. Eff that! That's a new AR every two months, a decent 1911 in three, a car payment, serious house remodelling, travel funds, just a horrible.waste of money with zero return. I finally had a hard look at the finances involved and its just ridiculous. And cig prices are going to always go up. The cost didn't seem to put a dent in my lifestyle. I mean, never had to live paycheck to paycheck (at least since my 20s), never worried about bills or food on the table but damn! All the goodies I could have bought. My dad said it best one day: "Do you know any wealthy people that smoke?". Uh, no.
Being a slave: Always gotta be sure there's a pack around. Got your lighter? Anytime you leave the house you gotta take inventory. Getting low on smokes, climb in the car and run to the store. Stuck in a smoke free motel? Trudge through the lobby, down the elevator and out into the parking lot. At a party or get together? Slink off like a second class citizen and find somewhere to hide. Butts: At work I would field strip them and put the pieces in my pocket for later disposal. Damn you smell good with a dozen of those in your pocket! Find an ashtray, walk all over looking for a butt can. Stop what you're doing to light up or go.somewhere you can. On and on.
Well, some thoughts on why I decided to quit. Next post later today I'll detail what steps I took to quit, what I've discovered about me and smokers in general and the changes I feel.
In the meantime everyone is invited to give me a reason to NOT quit if you currently smoke, or if you're reformed, add to my untouchable argument TO quit.
I'm starting this thread in hopes that maybe other members on here will get motivated to do the same. Lots of thoughts, no particular order.
My habit was between 1 and 2 packs a day. Been smoking for 35 years. Never seemed to bother me for most of that time but over the last 3-4 years it seemed to.catch up to me on several levels.
Here's thoughts on why I finally nutted up.and did something about it.
First: Health. I know I'm getting older but damn, by 4:00 I was just flat beat every day. This irritated me as I'm the kind of guy that would get home from work at 5:00 and really get stuff accomplished. Household projects, hobbies, yard work. It was nothing for me to not even slow down till 9:30 or so. I know I'm older but the slow down just seemed to be catching up faster than I thought it should. My dad is 84 YO and that man still does yard work all day. He quit at the same age I am now and he's just amazing for his age.
I got the usual talking-to by my doctor. Had a minor bout with pnuemonia a while back so he had me checked, X rayed, the whole thing to check my lungs. Of course he didn't paint a pretty picture but he reluctantly told me that lung capacity, oxygen levels, heart rate and BP were better than they should be. This made me more determined to change since it gave me hope that quitting might not be too late for me.
I did notice when I went to bed at night, when the house got real quiet, I could hear myself breath. Momma also said I was snoring and it was getting worse.
The smell: We.don't smoke in the house but have a sun room on the back that was a smoking area. Over the last year that room stinks. Its bad when I notice it. This Fall im pulling the carpet, new flooring, walls painted.and everything scrubbed. After that any smokers on my property that want to light up will go outside, I don't care if its 10° or 100°.
Of course I couldn't smell it on myself but I can on others and my work trucks stink inside. I'm bad about smoking and driving, a nervous habit. I got my new truck about 6 weeks ago and it is so pristine, leather interior, just smells like a brand new car on the showroom floor and before I even laid down the cash I vowed to never light up in it or allow anyone else to. Every time I climb in the cab I'm reminded how much better it is to drive a clean vehicle. I used to be embarrased for anyone to get in my vehicles if they didn't smoke. I've burned a hole in the upholstery of every vehicle I ever owned. Eff that too.My instrument panel in my main work truck is almost unreadable. The chemicals from cigs fogged the plastic lens. The inside of the windshield is always dirtier that the outside. Enough to make you want to puke.
Cost: Momma and I both smoked. I burned more than she did but we spent around $350 a month on cigs. Eff that! That's a new AR every two months, a decent 1911 in three, a car payment, serious house remodelling, travel funds, just a horrible.waste of money with zero return. I finally had a hard look at the finances involved and its just ridiculous. And cig prices are going to always go up. The cost didn't seem to put a dent in my lifestyle. I mean, never had to live paycheck to paycheck (at least since my 20s), never worried about bills or food on the table but damn! All the goodies I could have bought. My dad said it best one day: "Do you know any wealthy people that smoke?". Uh, no.
Being a slave: Always gotta be sure there's a pack around. Got your lighter? Anytime you leave the house you gotta take inventory. Getting low on smokes, climb in the car and run to the store. Stuck in a smoke free motel? Trudge through the lobby, down the elevator and out into the parking lot. At a party or get together? Slink off like a second class citizen and find somewhere to hide. Butts: At work I would field strip them and put the pieces in my pocket for later disposal. Damn you smell good with a dozen of those in your pocket! Find an ashtray, walk all over looking for a butt can. Stop what you're doing to light up or go.somewhere you can. On and on.
Well, some thoughts on why I decided to quit. Next post later today I'll detail what steps I took to quit, what I've discovered about me and smokers in general and the changes I feel.
In the meantime everyone is invited to give me a reason to NOT quit if you currently smoke, or if you're reformed, add to my untouchable argument TO quit.
