December 30th will mark 6 years since my last cigarette. After many years of self loathing and failed attempts, I finally got one to stick. These days not smoking isn`t even an issue. Once in a blue moon an urge to smoke will come out of nowhere, and I`ll wonder, "where the hell did that come from?" But they are rare, and I`m certainly no longer worried about acting on them. There was a time however, when I was one slip away from being a pack a day smoker again.
I could never quit on New Years Day. I`d always have one after midnight, and that blew it right at the start. I wanted to quit cold turkey. I wanted the nicotine out of my system as quickly as possible. I had read that after 72 hours, your body was clear of nicotine. So I picked the 30th. It was a Saturday, and I was at work. The first day wasn`t too bad because I was determined, and had that adreneline that first day always brings. Stay busy at work and don`t make that long walk to the smoking area. I made it.
Day 2, New Years Eve. Sunday. I live near the Illinois Prairie Path, and spent much of the morning and afternoon walking outside in typical Chicago cold. By 2005, much of Illinois was smoke free indoors. The party at the hotel was smoke free. Already on that 2nd day I could smell stale smoke on other people when they returned from outside. It helped keep me motivated. Day 2, done.
Day 3, New Years Day. I kept my hands busy by taking down Christmas decorations, and did more walking outside. I had that 72 hour number in my sight. I actually smoked my last cigarette about 9:30 Friday night, and I kept telling myself to get to that 72 hour mark and after that your physical addiction will be over. Any urges after that is just your brain trying to fool you. I made it.
About 10 days later I joined a website called Quitnet. I believe it was the final piece in keeping my quit. You post, you support, you cry if you have to. You do whatever is necessary to NOT smoke. I have a quitmate in Salt Lake City. She and I quit on the same day, and we have remained friends to this day. I made at least a dozen friends on that website. We have gotten together several times over the years. Once in Utah, once in Denver, once in Seattle, once in New York City, and once here in Chicago. I was never a big believer in the support group concept, but I was proven wrong. Having others going through the same emotions and being able to share those emotions and giving encouragement and support is far more important than I thought. Those people saved my life.
The next few months had some very tough moments. Back then it would have been so easy to give in a get a pack. But this time I was determined to win my battle with this addiction. I am an addict. I envy those who can go out, smoke socially and the next day be fine. I`m not one of those people. One smoke and I`m back. I`ll never forget that. Anyway, little by little, my craves lessened, my confidence grew, and the freedom I felt empowered me. By month 4 I had pretty much learned how to disregard a crave. But I didn`t feel like I had truly defeated the addiction until I was celebrating my one year anniversary.
The side effect was a weight gain of about 10 pounds a year, even though I was riding my bicycle on the Prairie Path 25 miles 4 times a week. I ate. By the end of year 3 I had gone from 165 lbs to 200. Knowing I quit smoking, I knew I could also lose weight. Starting in January 2009, I started a journal logging every single item I put into my stomach. The discipline I attained from the quit helped tremendously in changing my eating habits. Within a few months, I had lost most of the weight, and by 6 months it was all gone. I have kept a healthy weight since. Keeping that journal has also educated me where I have a good idea how many calories are in many food items.
Today at 50 years old I am in the best physical shape of my life. Last year I did my first 2 century rides on the bicycle. (that`s 100 miles). About a year ago I started running, and although I won`t be running any marathons anytime soon, I can run about 7 miles in an hour. I still overeat sometimes, but I monitor my weight daily and make sure I stay within the parameters I`ve set for myself. If I go over, I`ll cut back a day or two and bring it back where it needs to be.
So to all you Kossacks who smoke and want to quit, or have just quit, or are about to quit, I`m here to tell you freedom from smoking is liberating beyond your wildest dreams. I was a hard core smoker. Smoking was part of my identity. Not anymore.