Brandy Ink

Six Months!

September 17th marked the six month anniversary of me quitting smoking. I'm pretty stoked about that. I know what you all must be thinking.... has she cheated? And well...

I must admit that in May, I had a slip-up. I was cleaning the house and I found a pack of cigerettes stashed on top of my fridge. I put them in my purse, and later that evening (my birthday), I brought them out when I was over at a friends for drinks. I wanted to give myself a birthday present. How stupid (but this is how smokers think). Unfortunately, I smoked one.... my friend just about killed me, Grady was super disapointed in me, and I suffered MAJOR regret and guilt after I did it. It totally wasn't worth it. The good news: I haven't had one since.

I rarely think about smoking now. Once in a while I get a little, "Oh man, I sure could use a cigerette right now," but I quickly talk myself out of it and move on. I was around smokers a few weeks ago and I had some pretty major cravings all night, but somehow I made it through and didn't have one. Thanks Grady, I couldn't have done it without you.

I look forward to the day that smoking is a distant memory for me. I look forward to the time when I can be around smokers and not crave one at all.

 

It was 4 months yesterday since I was a smoker. Man, I feel so free. The guilt has lifted. I feel lighter. My lungs feel more clear. I feel less on the edge. I feel healthier. I love not having to hide anymore.

When I calculate how many cigarettes I would have smoked in the past four months, it comes to approximately 1,800. Ewwh. When you figure about 15 drags (or puffs) per cigarette....I just saved myself about 27,000 puffs of smoke to hit my lungs. When I look at it that way, it makes me ashamed that I ever smoked in the first place but also proud that I was able to kick it. I've already added years to my life. Approximate money saved: $660.00

Yay me.

Good for me!

I am so proud of myself. Two months today. I can't even believe I was ever a smoker. What was I thinking? It's so nice being FREE. Yay me! And no, I haven't even had one little drag or anything. Totally clean, 100%.

Yesterday marked the ONE MONTH anniversary of quitting smoking. I can't begin to describe how great this makes me feel. I'm relieved that I don't have to hide anymore. I am proud of myself for doing it, and more so for sticking with it. I feel better, physically and mentally. I feel like a weight has been lifted and oddly enough, I don't even miss it. It's truly amazing. Yay me!!

Thank you to all of my friends and readers for all of your ongoing support! I love and appreciate you all.

Route 18

I've taken the high road and finally QUIT smoking. Yup, you heard me, I'm a QUITTER. 18 is the number of consecutive days I've quit for so far! Yay! I'm seriously so excited about this. Cravings? NONE. NADA. ZERO. I feel so done with smoking it's almost too good to be true. I keep waiting for a craving to hit me, but it just hasn't happened yet and I hope it never does. Any time I've quit in the past, it's been such a struggle, every day, every minute. But not this time! It's been EASY PEASY. Whoot whoot!

I'm so excited, and so relieved because it feels easier than ever before. Like, really easy.  The kicker is... I haven't drank any alcohol since I quit and honestly, THAT will be the true test. But, for now I figure, why tempt myself? I'm gonna stay off the booze too until I feel ready. No wine with dinner for me.

I would seriously recommend this book to others.

It's done wonders for my mind set which is really what quitting is all about. Awesome.

The Confession - Quitting

I've been quitting smoking all week, and actually, this time feels different. I think I feel more ready than I ever have before. But, like any addict, I fell off the wagon a few times, but I'm not giving up. I know I can do this. I feel like I've made more progress this week than I have in years. Things I've learned this week through personal exploration and reading:

• I am a drug addict.
• I am addicted to the most powerful drug in the world.
• Smoking is not a habit, it's an addiction.
• Hundreds of people die per year from heroine, but millions from nicotine.
• Smoking does not taste good but smokers love to say it does.
• Smoking doesn't do anything for us except get rid of the feeling of wanting one.
• Smoking doesn't not relieve stress, it makes it worse.
• You can become addicted to nicotine after smoking only ONE cigarette.
• If the nicotine from just ONE cigarette was injected into your vein, you would die instantly.
• Smoking destroys your nerves and confidence.
• Smoking destroys your health and wealth.
• The actual physical withdrawal symptoms from nicotine are so slight that smokers only know the feeling as "I WANT A CIGARETTE!"
• Smoking is not your friend, your pleasure, or your crutch.
• The less you smoke, the more hooked you are, and harder it is to quit.
• All smokers lie to themselves.
• Using willpower to quit does not work.
• The advantages of being a smoker: There aren't any.
• Fear is what keeps us smoking.
• Quitting is a frame of mind.
• Smoking causes lethargy.
• It will never feel like its the right time to quit.
• Quitting takes courage.
• Addiction is mental, not physical.
• Smokers spend half their life upset because they aren't allowed to smoke and the other half upset because they're smoking. Wouldn't it be nice to be free from this?

I've been reading this book. Actually, I've almost read it twice now. If anyone out there is trying to quit, I would highly recommend it. Alison at Black Bear Books can order it in for you. It's probably the best thing I've ever read on quitting smoking and honestly, I think it's working for me. I can't say I'm totally there yet, but I did make it four days this week smoke free and that's more than I can say for myself in a long time!

The book is all about changing your frame of mind, and because I just bought the book four days ago, my mind is going through a transformation but it hasn't totally soaked in yet. The book is amazing, it just takes a few days to fully obsorb. I'm so excited though. His theory is awesome and I really feel like it's the only thing I've ever heard that will actually work for me. Yay!

Seriously, if you're a smoker, READ IT. You'll be glad you did.