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Complete list of quit smoking articles What it means to be an ex-smoker Are you powerful enough to quit smoking? Yes, of course you are! But unless you believe you have that power, you may find yourself trying and failing to quit over and over again. One of the most important steps toward successfully quitting smoking is believing you have the ability to do so. But to believe it, you must see it. You must be able to visualize yourself successfully quitting, and living the life of an ex-smoker. In a previous issue of The Quit Smoking Report I asked readers to send in a one-paragraph statement of "What it Means to Be an Ex-Smoker." So many people sent in their "visions", and I will share some of the best here. Space doesn't permit all of them to appear here, so I've put all of the entries on our web site. Be sure to read them all. Then take just five minutes to write down YOUR vision of what it means to be an ex-smoker. Read it at least three times per day and begin to believe that you are living that life.
Hi everyone. Ah, to be an ex smoker. It means freedom from bondage. I
was a slave to cigarettes. It means fresher breath, more money, dating
non smokers, no more hacking, a cleaner smelling home and car. The greatest
advantage will be a longer life, and my small children will no longer
have to breathe in second hand smoke. What not smoking means to me is freedom. I don't have to stop what I
am doing to have a cigarette. I don't have to stand out in the cold on
my break to smoke. I can sit and watch a movie without thinking "I
can't wait til this movie is over so I can go out and have a cigarette."
I have control of my life now not the cigarettes. I can go anywhere I
want and not have to worry that it is non smoking. it feels good to be
free from cigarettes. What it means to be an ex-smoker...it means the world to me!! I feel
healthier than I have in a long time...just the thought that I control
my life now is great!!!!!!!!! I no longer have to answer to a cigarette/nicotine.
I no longer have the 'smoker' smell lingering around me. I no longer have
to take breaks outside during work because I need a fix. I'm no longer
tied to a death stick. What more can you ask for!!!! Being an ex-smoker means freedom. An ex-smoker has the freedom to sit
through a three-hour movie without having to leave for a smoke. An ex-smoker
has the freedom to leave the house without worrying that they do not have
enough smokes to last the day. An ex-smoker has the freedom to attend
any function they wish without wondering how long they will have to go
without a smoke, or how they can slip away for a quick smoke. All the
little fears and stressors associated with smoking are gone. No longer
do the cravings start shortly after the last smoke is put out. No longer
does the ex-smoker have to stand out side in the rain, subzero temperatures,
or other inclement weather every hour to feed the addiction. Walking into
a restaurant becomes a pleasure as the ex-smoker proudly asks for a table
in the non-smoking area. The ex-smoker is free of the guilt that is associated
with smoking. Most of all the ex-smoker is free to celebrate life, and
to experience all that life has to offer without being subject to a small
tube of tobacco. It means I'll be able to see my children grow up and have money for food
, utilities, cookouts etc. Hi, FREEDOM: To be an ex-smoker means that you feel in control of your life again,
with each passing day you feel this strength growing inside you because
you did it, you finally did it. It means that your clothes don't smell
anymore, your fingers are not yellow, your friends don't leave the table
as they used to do when you reached for a cigarette, you don't have to
have a constant supply of mints and breath freshener in your bag, the
ashtray in your car looks unused, you don't accidentally make holes in
your sofa or carpet anymore. And believe it or not my cat used to leave
the room every time I smoked. He cuddles up with me now and just for that
it is great to be an ex-smoker. To be an ex-smoker is to accelerate a natural function. All smokers WILL
QUIT. That is a known fact. Sooner or later, all smokers WILL QUIT. Those
that wait until they are deathly ill, or wait until they stop breathing
surely wish they had quit earlier. For me, being an ex-smoker means that
I've taken control of that part of my life. I made a choice to stop smoking
-- just as I had chosen to start smoking -- just as I had chosen to addict
myself to smoking. I've made that vital change in my life. We all will
be ex-smokers someday. Being an ex-smoker today is frankly just better
than waiting until tomorrow. Being an ex-smoker means better sleep, more money and not feeling embarrassed
when I smoked because of people making faces. It means a clean house for
me, better smelling clothes and body. Not smoking also means spending
time with my family and all of us, including me, being smoke free and
much healthier and happier. It has been great for me. I love the total freedom of not worrying about
when can I have the next one and just working my schedule around them.
I still have my good and bad days but I am so glad that I have done this
for myself and for my family. If anyone out there is having problems with
their quit just remember that you can do it you have the strength within
you to defeat it. It is a terrible addiction and you can overcome it and
it has such wonderful rewards. My husband and I quit smoking two months ago. We both used Wellbutrin,
and it was easier to stop. What it means to us is not being a slave to
the smoke. We always went outside to smoke, and it seems that we were
always outside. It's amazing how much time we have now for other things.
Let's not forget to mention the money we've saved ($300 in just two months).
After smoking for 35 years, and after numerous times trying to quit, I
think we'll stick with it this time. To anyone trying to quit, stick with
it. It takes time, and with time it does get easier. You deserve a lot
of credit for the effort. It truly is a hard thing to do, but well worth
the benefits. Having quit smoking I save £4 on a pack a day as I live in the
UK. Having quit smoking I know what my food really tastes like. Having
quit smoking I climb stairs without puffing and panting. Having quit smoking
my clothes no longer smell. Having quit smoking I gave the practice nurse
at the doctor's office print outs of quitsmoking.com so I am now helping
others quit and passing the word about the website. Thanks again. (Seven
months coming up 7/27/2000) What it means to me to be an exsmoker is "life", I nearly killed
myself smoking, I was really sick with cancer, very depressed, my life
was going nowhere, I wanted to die. My children talked me into having
surgery and radiation, after that I went to support groups, and started
my tobacco prevention program, So "life" is what being an exsmoker
means to me, life is so precious. Freedom is a very good word to describe how I feel. I no longer have
to worry about going someplace and when/where I will smoke. I feel free
to go anywhere I want. My self-esteem has also improved. I no longer feel
like a "second-class citizen" because I'm a smoker. I don't
get dirty looks from non-smokers anymore. I also feel better about my
health. I am watching my mother slowly decline; she smokes about 2 packs
per day. I decided that I did not want to end up like her. I enjoy exercising
and I would not feel vital if I could no longer do that. So I take each
day as it comes and every day that I do not smoke I thank God for giving
me the strength to quit. On April 24th of 1999 I really and truly quit. Now I not only don't stink,
I realize that I did. I'm not wasting peoples time by making them wait
while I dart off to have a cigarette. I don't have to worry about the
price of cigarettes. I don't have to run out late at night and put myself
in danger just because I forgot to pick up cigarettes and I'm out. I can
run more than a block without sinking to my knees. I can brag that no
one in my family smokes. I can say (smugly or otherwise) when asked for
a light, "Sorry, I don't smoke." I can be proud of myself. It means no burns on my clothes, no ashes falling on my floor or into
my lap, being able to breathe when I go up stairs, clothes not smelling
like "old butts", not worrying about polluting my grandchildren's
bodies, not coughing a lung out when I wake up in the morning, not hurrying
out of a "no-smoking" establishment to grab a puff as soon as
I get outside the door, and not cleaning over-full ashtrays. My quit day
is July 17. I'm hoping remembering all these things eases some of the
discomfort. Quitting smoking is the one thing in my life I can be very proud of.
It has been the hardest thing. My slip ups are hard on me and my children.
But they are few. When I look back at the last 30 years smoking, I know
if I quit, I can have the possibility of looking at the next 30 years.
Thank you for your newsletters! Hello. Today is July 13 and I have been a non-smoker now for 36 days.
This is my 4th attempt and I believe that I am going to make it. Since
June 6, I have been hiking/running with my father-in-law, and mountain
biking with my father to curb my cravings, although I don't physically
feel the need to smoke, sometimes it just feels odd to not have a lung-rocket
hanging from my lips. I feel more alive now, I enjoy pushing my body to
being physically fit again. It seems as if I am tasting food for the first
time, I can smell the flowers again. I have more energy every day. But
the best part of being a non-smoker is looking into my boys' eyes (ages
4 and 6) and knowing that I am no longer harming them, and knowing that
they recognize that I am no longer harming myself either. Good luck to
all of you. Fred, you asked me to tell you what not smoking means to me? It means
I now have choices. I smoked for over 40-years, up to three packs a day.
Yesterday I celebrated my 55th birthday, and I will always be a smoker.
The difference now is I take it one day at a time. Next month in August,
it will be two years choosing not to smoke one day at a time. When you
choose, you are the one in control. It is wonderful. What it means to me to quite smoking........not having to use my inhaler/nebulizer
as often. Not scrounging around enough money to buy another pack when
I can't even afford to pay all my rent. Not having to leave any building
when I wanted to smoke. Actually the cigarette smokes, I was just the
sucker on the end of it. I'm on day five without a smoke. So far, so good.
I can do this. If I can be an ex-smoker it would mean I could be proud of me for accomplishing
what I know to be a very difficult taks. It would mean I could breathe
through my nose again. It would mean my children wouldn't run from the
room or roll down the car windows when I "lite up". Most importantly,
it would mean I have regained control of my life and given myself a better
chance to live a longer, healthier life. Of course, I'd have to figure
out what to do with the money I'd be saving but I'm sure I could figure
out something. Quitting smoking means to me that I will be creating a better life for
my children and a better role model, they are still young so they will
hopefully not follow my horrible example. I also means that I will be
able to have more energy to want to play with them and have more money
to buy them things and maybe even have enough left over for me, But I
want to be the best mother in the world to my children, and as a smoker
I couldn't be that person, not with out putting there health in danger,
what kind of mother have I been to them, It would mean the world to my
children to provide them with safer and better air to breathe. My quit
date is July 15, 2000, and I can do it, I believe in ME! Being smoke-free means I can enter a roomful of people and not be constantly
sniffling or clearing my throat or coughing. I can relax, breathe deep
and enjoy whatever I'm doing without the cloud of smoke, or needing a
smoke. I feel clean and calm and much more alive! What it means to me to be an ex-smoker? I have alot more money for food!
HAHAHA! Actually at the end of the day I don't feel like I have run a
marathon and can breath clearly! Thanks for the support! Keep up the good
work! I know I need it! What it means to quit smoking is to be able to breathe and maybe my health
will improve to the point that I can enjoy life again. Maybe I won't wake
up (or be afraid to go to sleep) gasping for air. Maybe I will be able
to stop wondering when the next emergency room visit will be. Maybe I
can go off all the medicine that keeps me breathing and then I can lose
the weight I gained from it. It means that maybe I will have my life back. This may sound a bit racy, but one of the benefits of quitting smoking
for men AND women is increased enjoyment of sex. Much of our sexual function
relies on good circulation- our genitals engorge with blood when we are
aroused. Many male smokers have erectile dysfunction because of their
smoking. Both genders will experience enhanced sexual functioning on a
purely physical level. In addition, waking up earlier with more energy,
something that happens to a lot of people who quit smoking, creates new
opportunities for amorous activity. Your breath smells great, your skin
glows, you have increased cardiovascular functioning for vigorous activity.
Being a lover is a great way to work off some of that nervous tension
that occurs from withdrawal. To me, being a nonsmoker means being a better
lover. Ahh.....what it means to me to be a non-smoker. I smell better. I can
stand close to someone without being ashamed of smelling like smoke or
having them move farther away from me. I look better. My skin has a cleaner,
pinker look and the wrinkles seem to be going away. I am free-er. I don't
have that panic feeling that I used to get when I was down to my last
2 or 3 cigarettes or have to run to the liquor store at midnite so I'll
have a cigarette when I wake up. I can breathe. It feels so good to take
a deep breath without wheezing. Or having cough fits...Yecht..... I have
more money. When I go to the store and see a pack of cigs for $3.50 per
pack. I buy myself some flowers and enjoy their fragrance and beauty and
think of how proud I am of Me. I quit smoking Christmas '98 after smoking
for over 40 years. I love myself. My diet is getting better and I take
better care of myself because I'm worth it!! Hi This must be the umpteenth time I tried. I have been on the habit
for more than 25 years. I tried everything. This time I went cold turkey.
First three days was hellish, but I persisted. I was having headaches,
irritable and miserable. Thanks goodness I was on holiday with a group
of non smokers, that helped tremendously. Its been a year now. I feel
good. I smell better and have more stamina. I put on five kilos but have
shed it since. Its been a waste of money not to mention at the expense
of my lungs. I get bronchitis in cold climates. Seek divine help and have
a personal mentor or coach. It helps. I stopped smoking and started living a year and 4 months ago. I'm very,
very happy that I have been able to make other habits, healthier and more
positive ones, that haven't replaced smoking, but have enriched my life.
The quit smoking web site, e-letter and stories have helped tremendously.
Thank you. If I don't quit now I will have to be hooked up to an oxygen tank for
the rest of my life. I am a smoker who chooses not to smoke,Oct.2 7:00 pm 1989 I made the
commitment to myself. I used nicorette gum to help me in my fight, I still
use it to this day long ago I reduced the use somewhat by cutting it in
4 pieces and adding a small piece of sugarless gum. It helps me to keep
on top of the fight. I am angry to the bone with the tobacco company that
invaded my young body and MIND with such a lethal substance, it has influenced
my entire life in a negative way. I am 60 years old now and still addicted
but I am winning the fight. In August, I will be smoke free for one year after 40 years of smoking
(up to 3 packs a day). For the most part, I don't miss it. Once in a while
I do...like when I lost my job last November and again this June. But
I have stayed strong thanks to people like Fred Kelly and his great newsletters.
Incidentally I quit cold turkey because I am allergic to so many things.
But it can be done. It means I am a strong person and it also means I
am not alone out there. There are many others who have done it and continue
to do so. Please keep up the great work Fred. Thanks again My husband & I quit smoking together last Nov.. We decided to quit
using Zyban as we didn't trust our own will power. The actual quitting
takes about 2 weeks(we figure). The physical withdrawal is only a few
days at worst but the body goes through SO MUCH cleaning up that it feels
like a couple of weeks before the body settles into the new routines.
At first, we thought of smoking all the time(more him than me) and had
vivd dreams of everybody smoking, including young children! My like dreams
have stopped and my cravings have turned to disgust of the whole habit
but because it's been so long, I totally sympathize with those trying
to quit because I know how badly they want to and I keep encouraging them
without pestering them.
Want to add your one-paragraph explanation of "What it Means to
Be an Ex-Smoker"? Just email it to whatitmeans@quitsmoking.com
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