Diary of a smoker

[compo]

I think all you guys who have enjoyed fantastic success in leaving behind your chemical dependencies should reward yourselves with a set of the brand new CycleChat stickers, available here;
http://www.cyclechat.net/threads/cyclechat-stickers-would-you.95244/post-1734245
I know this is a shameless plug, but hey I've got stickers to sell and money to re-coup. Come on guys, fly the CC flag and show your support

Money has been sent...........

Us non smokers can afford it now..

 

[gbb]

I was a fairly heavy smoker (30 roll ups a day) then I decided to join a dating site on the internet. I received very few replies to my approaches to the ladies. When I looked closer most ladies on that, and other, sites listed non smoker as a requirement in a future partner. About the same time my doctor's surgery started an NHS Quit group so I joined. The best decision I ever made. After a one to one with the counsellor I was recommended to use Champix which my GP prescribed for me. The idea of Champix is to set a quit date about 7 - 10 days ahead, start the tablets then quit on schedule. I started the tablets and didn't make the quit day. About 4 days and I just didn't want to smoke so I didn't. Just like that. No cravings, no side effects, I went to bed a smoker and woke a non smoker. For me it was a miracle. I had tried to quit so many times but failed. Now I have been quit 4 years and a month and don't even miss them. I also met a fantastic lady through the internet and got married again two and a half year ago.

My daughter used Champix although she failed in the end. She did say it killed any desire to have a ciggie. Her failing was when she came off them, plus having another smoker in the house. I'm glad having another smoker in the house hasnt worked against me.

Not really noticed much difference to be honest....but not been on the bike yet.....not doing too badly on the cross trainer though.
One thing i will say though is i am not coughing half as much as i expected to having stopped. Thought i would hacking my lungs up every morning....but no...... again that might chnage once i get on the bike

TBF, i havn't coughed at all, but i wasnt a heavy smoker either. I push myself on the bike(in my own small way compared to others) and it's not causing me any problems, far from it. I think you'll find you'll be ok.

 

[Francesca]

Well its now 4 weeks as an ex smoker.

Still want one, but not as difficult now as in the first week.

My taste had definately improved, as has my sense of smell.

Fitness, or should i say recovery time, again improved, long, long way to go but the signs are there.

Bike fund now at £80


One thing that really annoyed me, i watched crocodile Dundee yesterday, nearly every scene shows mick dundee rolling / smoking, i could almost taste it.

To all those given up well done and keep at it.

To those who are thinking about giving it up, its your choice, but you could do worse than joining us on cc and giving it a go.

awe!! really proud of you!! well done, been there ,and done it, and you are doing just fine - keep it up and watch that bike fund grow!!! yippee!!!

 

[Scilly Suffolk]

Do you feel fitter / healthier?

i know i do.

I noticed a difference just a week after quitting, mostly on the hills. I just have so much more "puff" to see me to the top and I seem stronger too.

I can't log into MyCyclingLog for some reason so I can't compare where I was at this time last year, but if my memory serves I am doing distances up to 160km at an average speed that is about six km/h faster.

In less than two months I have kitted my Pug out with a Croce D'Aune drivetrain and myself in some mega-cool vintage tops.

I thought I fancied sitting in the sun with a pint and a fag this afternoon; so I sat in the sun with a pint and no fag: it was good.

 

[Peteaud]

I noticed a difference just a week after quitting, mostly on the hills. I just have so much more "puff" to see me to the top and I seem stronger too.

I can't log into MyCyclingLog for some reason so I can't compare where I was at this time last year, but if my memory serves I am doing distances up to 160km at an average speed that is about six km/h faster.

In less than two months I have kitted my Pug out with a Croce D'Aune drivetrain and myself in some mega-cool vintage tops.

I thought I fancied sitting in the sun with a pint and a fag this afternoon; so I sat in the sun with a pint and no fag: it was good.

Had to read the end of that twice!!

 

[marafi]

Has anyone actually seen the lungs of a smoker? It is utter horrible. Truly horror. This is why i will never smoke, nor ever will. Anyone tried Shisha not that its any better then the fags but i know its alot worst. Well done on those who have stopped. I was told Honey helps if you have it alot good in natural antibodies also.

 

[compo]

People have asked and commented on feeling fitter after quitting. I was always very active whilst smoking, cycling, running 3.5 hour marathons and a lot of walking and backpacking. When I quit I didn't actually feel much different. The big difference I did find, and still benefit from, is a speeding up of my recovery time. If I climb a decent hill I can breathe deeply and once at the top my breathing gets back to normal very quickly. When a smoker I would climb the hill just the same but I would be rasping for breath and once at the top it would take a long time for me to breathe normally. The thing with feeling better is that the improvement to your health tends to be very gradual so you don't really notice it. It would be great if we could go back in time for a few seconds just to compare with how we now feel. i think many of us would be astonished and very pleased!

 

[Peteaud]

People have asked and commented on feeling fitter after quitting. I was always very active whilst smoking, cycling, running 3.5 hour marathons and a lot of walking and backpacking. When I quit I didn't actually feel much different. The big difference I did find, and still benefit from, is a speeding up of my recovery time. If I climb a decent hill I can breathe deeply and once at the top my breathing gets back to normal very quickly. When a smoker I would climb the hill just the same but I would be rasping for breath and once at the top it would take a long time for me to breathe normally. The thing with feeling better is that the improvement to your health tends to be very gradual so you don't really notice it. It would be great if we could go back in time for a few seconds just to compare with how we now feel. i think many of us would be astonished and very pleased!

Pretty much spot on, i dont feel fitter, slightly better, but it the recovery thats really notiable.

I probably have more energy, so feel fitter.

I guage myself on a particular hill, i am now doing it without killing myself, so def improvements.

 

[ianrauk]

Questions for the now non-smokers.
Does your partner smoke or not or have they given up also?
If they don't smoke, what difference have they noticed?

 

[compo]

Questions for the now non-smokers.
Does your partner smoke or not or have they given up also?
If they don't smoke, what difference have they noticed?

My wife doesn't smoke and we met after I quit so she never knew me as a smoker.

 

[Peteaud]

Questions for the now non-smokers.
Does your partner smoke or not or have they given up also?
If they don't smoke, what difference have they noticed?

Mine has never smoked.

She moaned all the time i stank of an ashtray.

She says i am a bit more moody, and fatter

 

[ianrauk]

Mine has never smoked.

She moaned all the time i stank of an ashtray.

She says i am a bit more moody, and fatter

LOL oh dear... but smell nice right?

 

[AnneW]

Well done guys (just seen this thread as I'm fairly new).

I'm an ex-smoker - I was a 30 a day girl, got it down to 10, then went for 0. That was 21 years ago and but I remember how it felt.

I'm impressed with the motivation levels you've all got and with the support you've been given.

Pete - hoping that your avatar will be a photo of you and your new bike this time next year.

Keep it up.

 

[The Brewer]

Mrs B still puffs away in her little porch.

The odd thing is somedays i go and sit with her just to smell the tobacco and other days it disgusts me

 

[gbb]

Mrs B still puffs away in her little porch.

The odd thing is somedays i go and sit with her just to smell the tobacco and other days it disgusts me

My wife always has been a smoker...and the above is just about where i'm at, partly love, partly loathe the smell.