Quitting Smoking: The Beginning
Today I was reading a post on Scientific Blogging about most smokers being sucessful in quitting are using the so called "cold turkey" approach. That post triggered me to write this one.
January 1 this year I actually stopped smoking. I told my family, friends and colleagues in advance that I was going to, but was not ready yet to post it here in public. In the spirit of the 30 day trials you will find on many popular personal development blogs I decided not to post about my efforts unless I managed not to smoke for 30 days.
Since I am now at day 41 and still haven't touched a cigarette, I feel like I am ready to write my first post about my journey of quitting smoking...
The Hard Facts
- Started smoking when I was 14 years old.
- From 16 till 22 I smoked about 30 cigarettes a day.
- Always smoked tobacco and rolled my own cigarettes.
- Quitted smoking for about 18 months from 22 till 24.
- Started smoking again after having a cigarette at a bar, and thinking I could become a weekend only smoker
- Smoked 15-20 cigarettes a day since then till the first of January this year (at the age of almost 29).
Cold Turkey
Forget nicotine patches, I agree with the post on Scientific Blogging that the best way to give up smoking is by going cold turkey. Quitting "cold turkey" is the abrupt cessation of all nicotine use as opposed to tapering or gradual stepped-down nicotine weaning. It is the quitting method used by 80% to 90% of long-term successful quitters. So that is what I did. Smoked my last cigarette at December 31, and smoked many of them. And then on January 1 it was over ...
Immediate Effects
The immediate effects of smoking cessation include:
- Within 20 minutes blood pressure returns to its normal level
- After 8 hours oxygen levels return to normal
- After 24 hours carbon monoxide levels in the lungs return to those of a non-smoker and the mucus begins to clear
- After 48 hours nicotine leaves the body and taste buds are starting to improve
- After 72 hours breathing becomes easier
- After 2–12 weeks, blood circulation improves
- After 5 years, the risk of heart attack falls to about half that of a smoker
- After 10 years, the risk of lung cancer is almost the same as a non-smoker.
The Preparation for D-Day
I prepared myself for quitting by:
- Deciding positively that I wanted to quit.
- Made a list of all the reasons I wanted to quit. Whenever it got hard not to smoke I took that list and read it.
- Admitting that I am an addictive person, so when I stop I can never ever have a smoke again, because I would be smoking 15 cigarettes a day in no time again.
- Began to condition myself physically: I was allready running 2 a 3 times a week, but I took it to another level (more on that in a later post); I drank more fluids, especially water; Reduced alcohol (but still get drunk now and then :-)), and started fitness exercises with my own body weight.
- Set the target date at 1.1.2010. I am not a big fan of New Years Resolutions, but the date was as good as any.
- Told my family and friends that I was quitting and when. They are an important source of support, both before and after my last cigarette.
So what is next?
Since I really liked smoking, and I know I am an addictive person by nature, my journey to stop smoking is something that will take the rest of my live. So I will keep you posted now and then if I am still succeeding. I have no doubt that I will not smoke a single cigarette again. But since I am often wrong but rarely in doubt, we will see... Continue Reading...
