Diary of a smoker

[subaqua]

its been fun today watching the smokers all huddling like penguins in the smoking pen so they can light them . makes me think why i ever bothered.

 

[Mr Phoebus]

Well, well, if it isn't the ex-smoker.

 

[Peteaud]

I now have to walk past a huddle of smokers lepers outside the door to some council offices in a multi-storey car park. I can no longer stand the smell, but I don't half feel smug.

I occasionally miss the craic that was associated the smokers' group, but this evening as I was going home I went past a bar with the smoking area at the front. There was a guy in a goretex jacket, pint in hand, struggling to draw on his fag due to the gale force wind blowing rain at him.

By now Peteaud I reckon you'll be starting to feel the real oxygen rush. A small word of warning though. I used to go straight from the last mouthful of my main course to the garage and baccy pouch. Now I fill the time after a meal by eating a pudding. I was never a pudding person before. Now I am a confirmed fan.

Me too, i find the 1/2 hour after tea is the worst time, although i have now found the power of the blueberry. Have got a bag of the dried ones and much on 3-4 of them and it seems to work.

 

[Peteaud]

Well, day 5 and all is well, still no fags.

not any easier but to be honest no more difficult than the other days.

Not feeling any better as such, although i dont expect to wake up and be running a marathon. The two things i have noticed are:-

1) things taste different, coffee (which i love) now tasted bloody bitter, have had to change my coffee number in the machine at work to include extra sugar.

2) I can smell smokers, not sure if its because its on the overalls and they all huddle in a group (of which i was part of) and it impregnates the cloth or that smokers do stink. I dont want to come over as an ex s who moans, but i can smell it.

To all those who have posted, especialy the ex smokers giving words of support, thank you, not only are you an inspiration, but i dont want to let you down, along with the mrs and my daughter and all the friends who are supporting me.

 

[TVC]

Excellent work Peteaud

Here, ripped from a webpage, are some of the things you're doing for yourself:

I think one of the main reasons it’s so hard to quit smoking is because all the benefits of quitting (and all the dangers of continuing) seem very far away. So here’s a timeline about some of the more immediate effects of quitting smoking and how they will affect your body right now.

• In 20 minutes your blood pressure will drop back down to normal.
• In 8 hours the carbon monoxide (a toxic gas) levels in your blood stream will drop by half, and oxygen levels will return to normal.
• In 48 hours your chance of having a heart attack will have decreased. All nicotine will have left your body. Your sense of taste and smell will return to a normal level.
• In 72 hours your bronchial tubes will relax, and your energy levels will increase.
• In 2 weeks your circulation will increase, and it will continue to improve for the next 10 weeks.
• In 3 to 9 months coughing, wheezing, and breathing problems will dissipate as your lung capacity improves by 10%.
• In 1 year your risk of having a heart attack will have dropped by half.
• In 5 years your risk of having a stroke returns to that of a non-smoker.
• In 10 years your risk of lung cancer will have returned to that of a non-smoker.
• In 15 years your risk of heart attack will have returned to that of a non-smoker.

 

[Peteaud]

Excellent work Peteaud

Here, ripped from a webpage, are some of the things you're doing for yourself:

I think one of the main reasons it’s so hard to quit smoking is because all the benefits of quitting (and all the dangers of continuing) seem very far away. So here’s a timeline about some of the more immediate effects of quitting smoking and how they will affect your body right now.

• In 20 minutes your blood pressure will drop back down to normal.
• In 8 hours the carbon monoxide (a toxic gas) levels in your blood stream will drop by half, and oxygen levels will return to normal.
• In 48 hours your chance of having a heart attack will have decreased. All nicotine will have left your body. Your sense of taste and smell will return to a normal level.
• In 72 hours your bronchial tubes will relax, and your energy levels will increase.
• In 2 weeks your circulation will increase, and it will continue to improve for the next 10 weeks.
• In 3 to 9 months coughing, wheezing, and breathing problems will dissipate as your lung capacity improves by 10%.
• In 1 year your risk of having a heart attack will have dropped by half.
• In 5 years your risk of having a stroke returns to that of a non-smoker.
• In 10 years your risk of lung cancer will have returned to that of a non-smoker.
• In 15 years your risk of heart attack will have returned to that of a non-smoker.

So it will take me 10 - 15 years to effectivly recover, or 2022 & 2027, makes you think what a bloody idiot i was for starting smoking. I am going to be 60 before before the risk of a heart attack is that of a non smoker.

 

[ianrauk]

So it will take me 10 - 15 years to effectivly recover, or 2022 & 2027, makes you think what a bloody idiot i was for starting smoking. I am going to be 60 before before the risk of a heart attack is that of a non smoker.

But you cycle right? That's gotta bring the time forward to getting as a total non smoker.

 

[Cubist]

Well, day 5 and all is well, still no fags.

not any easier but to be honest no more difficult than the other days.

Not feeling any better as such, although i dont expect to wake up and be running a marathon. The two things i have noticed are:-

1) things taste different, coffee (which i love) now tasted bloody bitter, have had to change my coffee number in the machine at work to include extra sugar.

2) I can smell smokers, not sure if its because its on the overalls and they all huddle in a group (of which i was part of) and it impregnates the cloth or that smokers do stink. I dont want to come over as an ex s who moans, but i can smell it.

To all those who have posted, especialy the ex smokers giving words of support, thank you, not only are you an inspiration, but i dont want to let you down, along with the mrs and my daughter and all the friends who are supporting me.

Another advantage is your own clothes. Not just the smoke smell, but all of your body odours will improve. By the end of a working day my shirts used to stink: smoke, stale sweat. It was most noticeable if ever I had to put the shirt back on after a shower. In a very short time I realised that if I wanted to, I could wear the same shirt two days on the trot.... in other words I was noticeably fresher all round.

Try a better quality coffee. You've earned the right to treat yourself. Watch the sugar.... your metabolism will have altered, and that sugar is a bit of a substitute. Not all bad, but the blueberries are a better idea.

That mouth taste will eventually disappear..... the body has a lot of toxins to shift. In the meantime good toothbrushing is important as your teeth are under attack by a new pH level. However, treat yourself to a toothpolish or whitening paste.... and enjoy watching those stains disappear.

Welll done, keep it up. I reckon we could find a new incentive every day if we try hard enough.

 

[Peteaud]

But you cycle right? That's gotta bring the time forward to getting as a total non smoker.

True, but makes you think.

And even more of an incentive to keep away from the smokes.

 

[TVC]

So it will take me 10 - 15 years to effectivly recover, or 2022 & 2027, makes you think what a bloody idiot i was for starting smoking. I am going to be 60 before before the risk of a heart attack is that of a non smoker.

Yep, but bear in mind you are also going to become a fit cyclist, so your cardiovascular health will be much better than the average bloke of your age.

Just a couple of things whilst I remember:

1. Did you know your resting heart rate whilst you smoked? If not start monitoring it now. When I smoked I had a RHR of above 80, within a couple of months it had dropped to mid 60s - very dramatic, it just showed how much less work my heart was having to do with thinner, better oxygenated blood flowing through it. Now, being a fitish cyclist my RHR is down to 55 and gets as low as 50 when I'm training toward an event.

2. Work out how much money you are saving over a year, and multiply by 1.32. That's how much of a pay rise you've just given yourself.

 

[Peteaud]

That mouth taste will eventually disappear..... the body has a lot of toxins to shift. In the meantime good toothbrushing is important as your teeth are under attack by a new pH level. However, treat yourself to a toothpolish or whitening paste.... and enjoy watching those stains disappear.

Can i bin the smokers toothpaste now?

 

[smokeysmoo]

You Sir are doing fantastically wellbut I'm sure you know that already. Your family must be chuffed to bits with your grit, resolve and determination. So now you know you can do it because you are doing it, keep focused on the positive and just keep telling yourself, (and anyone who'll listen), I'm a non-smoker, before you know 5 days will be a week, a week will be two, and next thing you know you've got your new bike reward

 

[ianrauk]

i'm going to sticky this for a while as more inspiration for you and for other smokers thinking of giving up.
But please try keep it updated on a very regular basis.

 

[Peteaud]

Yep, but bear in mind you are also going to become a fit cyclist, so your cardiovascular health will be much better than the average bloke of your age.

Just a couple of things whilst I remember:

1. Did you know your resting heart rate whilst you smoked? If not start monitoring it now. When I smoked I had a RHR of above 80, within a couple of months it had dropped to mid 60s - very dramatic, it just showed how much less work my heart was having to do with thinner, better oxygenated blood flowing through it. Now, being a fitish cyclist my RHR is down to 55 and gets as low as 50 when I'm training toward an event.

2. Work out how much money you are saving over a year, and multiply by 1.32. That's how much of a pay rise you've just given yourself.

Didnt / dont know the RHR, but did have high blood pressure, not massive amount but over what it should be.

How do you get to 1.32, i will save £1000 a year approx on not buying baccy, papers, lighters and filters.

 

[TVC]

Can i bin the smokers toothpaste now?

I remember that stuff

If you're hands are still a bit whiffy then try to nick some ex foliating scrub from any nearby female and give your fingers a good going over, it will help speed up the cleansing process.

Once again - well done!!!!