So I smoke 🙈 not 20 a day or anything like that but enough some days to wake up the next day and notice my breathing is not good (yesterday about 6) This is not a lot compared to some but I also used to have asthma as a teenager , I know , I know this is awful I think that’s why I’m writing it here , I have to stop , I don’t buy any for a day or two and then think sod it I’ll be fine and off I go to the shop but no more , currently lying in bed thinking I must run today but my breathing is putting me off so no more!!!
Sorry for the uninteresting post but you lovely people always reply to posts and I think I’m looking for support / telling offs! 😊
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Tracytrace
Graduate10
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Well done. Brave first step ..which is posting here for support ...which in turn shows you do really want to stop. There’s loads of advice and support available nowadays ( I stopped over 20 years ago and still remember how truly hard it was!) “Smoking matters” is still available throughout covid and you can self-refer or ask your GP for advice too.
Good luck , but stick with it. You’ll never look back...
Yea, I know what you mean about the “sod it” mentality. I get that with food /chocolate sometimes (as a T2 diabetic, I really need to control this). Still, committing on here should help you.
For what it’s worth, it was difficulty breathing whilst swimming that finally convinced me to stop smoking.
Oh, and, nothing to apologise about; I just hope you succeed in kicking the habit for good!
Thank you for posting, it means you trust us and really want to stop. I don't know if you follow my posts but I've been doing hedge words for our neighbours. The word just now is "believe" how are you going to use it? Look back for my post on "hugs" I sent this community, there's one there for you too. Take care and happy running 🤗
Not an uninteresting post! But a good idea - you've just made yourself accountable to a lot of people!!I hope you can take strength from this group. We're all rooting for you!
Hello I'm an ex smoker of many years and gave up around 5 yrs ago I went on to vaping and never looked back, I'm now running 15km which I wouldn't have been able to do 5 yrs ago. Couldn't just stop smoking and found vaping was a much better alternative it worked for me, and now just the thought of a real cigarette 🤢🤢
Oh please don't have any more fags! I stopped for good in 2013. Like you only a few sometimes only 2 a day, but what's the point? The thing that shocked me in to stopping was that I was waiting in hospital for day surgery and I read a leaflet about smoking delaying healing. I didn't know that. I wanted to heal. I stopped. Cold turkey. Never looked back. You can do this. 🤗
Well I did smoke 20 plus per day and hated everything about it , the smell , the cost etc. I was going in for an operation in April 2013 and was scared of a general anesthetic so I thought I'd try again. I used lozenges and they worked. Not had a cigarette in over 7 years.
Its bloody hard but can be done . Good luck😊👍
There is an Health Unlocked form you can join for support also
Go and join quit support, then get yourself something to help stop those nicotine cravings, I still have the odd lozenge or nicotine gum,it’s enough to keep me smoke free for over a year now I don’t know how old you are but I can just run on and on now, feels like forever some days and my breathing is amazing
What truly amazes me about your type of smoking is the fact that you can go a couple of days without buying any!- I NEVER COULD when I smoked - two packs a day!- I vape now but my running is more of a priority and classing yourself as a 'runner' instead of a 'smoker' would probably help change your mindset - if you can go two days without any cigs you can do this for sure - be a RUNNER👍
I reckon you’ve made your decision- so we’ll done you! It’ll be hard I’m sure but you know you can do it! After all you’re a runner and runners can do anything! And just think about all that lovely runny gear you’ll be able to buy with the money you’re going to save! Good luck!
I think you’ve answered your own question Tracytrace. When you don’t smoke your breathing is so much better and you can get out there for a nice run, simples 👍🏃♀️
Giving up smoking is easy. I've done it many times! Seriously, I stopped 7 years ago (I loved those mini cigars). I used gum and inhalators. I still do occasionally. The inhalators give you the feeling of holding onto something, which is part of the addiction. All replacement stuff weans you off nicotine, as it still contains som nicotine but you're not taking in those other chemicals. The replacement stuff might make you a bit snotty and might even make you a bit phlegmy but nothing like fags.
Keep running too! It will help you in thise other cravings you might get, like chocolate.
Once you stop you wont have a smelly clothes in your washing basket either (unless you have teenage boys!) Best of luck.
you are a runner, not a smoker, and have and will continue to find plenty of reasons for you!!! To stop smoking.
I’m a sucker for timelines of all the good things that “quitting” something brings me. Done a quick search... There’s one such timeline here nhs.uk/better-health/quit-s....
There are such timelines about the benefits of quitting for those around you, too... which could help you, too?
One piece of advice to trick your mind: Don’t think of it as “quitting”, I.e. losing out on something. The mind doesn’t like that at all.
LYou’re gaining something! Healthier lungs! Better health! Better ability to get blood and oxygen through to your muscles! Freer, calmer breath that rejuvenates you! An ability to run effortlessly! Sensitive tastebuds that allow you to experience new or old but long forgotten culinary delights! A fresh and attractive breath! A renewed glow to your skin! Some extra pounds in the bank! More time you’ve consciously chosen for yourself (replace the smoking break aka dark force of the cigarettes whispering in your ears to satisfy their craving with a stretching and conscious breath fresh air break?), and a million more....
The link I shared above links to an App too that helps you keep track of your progress (and how much you’ve saved). Treat yourself at the start if you like - each pack of cigarettes is almost a book, think of the library you could build guilt free every time you save on those packs... 📚
Or, to bring you back to the start.... ALL THAT RUNNING GEAR YOU COULD BUY WITH ALL THE MONEY YOU SAVE 💴 🏃♀️ 🩳 👟 ....now if that’s not motivation then I don’t know what is
Other things that might work are to replace the habit with a new one (it’s ok if that’s not as productive as “taking a sprint every time I want a cig” lol). We are creatures of habit. Think about what smoking means to you, what deeper desire it satisfies, and if there’s a healthier way you could satisfying that?🐣 If you used to roll your cigarettes, you could look at something fiddly (a source close to me got into juggling which addressed that restlessness and anxiety and took their mind of it) to replace it.🤹♀️
Remember that the momentary craving is the worst thing that can happen to you when you don’t smoke. You just need to wait to beat it. If you manage to resist it when it hits you, it will fade and disappear - and the more you manage, the weaker it gets, and the less frequently it attacks you until you don’t feel it anymore
You go!!! You can do this! You will love yourself so much for it and feel so proud - slippages happen and they are okay, you just try again. Less and less smoking is still better than giving up on giving up! - in the same way running slow and a little is better than never leaving the couch, as this forum has taught me :))) ) I wish you all the mental strength and inspiration for you to take charge of your running and your lungs! Let us know how you get on!!
Well I ran this morning but stopped more time’s than normal , I have a cough and my breathing not great but I think it’s just a cough/cold that started before I stopped smoking so fingers crossed I’ll soon be feeling A ok 😊
Good luck Tracy, i really hope you get there with the smoking!!! 🤞 i gave up 15 months ago, obviously feel so much better, my kids were always nagging me about it, but only stopped, once i was ready, nobody was going to tell me what to do! 🤣 stick with the running, which will help, i'd never be able to run over 10k, if still smoking. I know it wont be easy, keep posting on here, you'll get loads of help, you can do this!!! 💪💪💪
I've never been a smoker, so what do I know. 🤷♀️ However ...I agree wholeheartedly with @Teresafaith. It's the power of your mind and your self-identify. You have to change your habit of mind from 'I'm an occasional smoker's to 'I'm a runner'.
Immerse yourself in everything running, set a running goal and give yourself a mantra for next time you're tempted: 'I can't do that because I'm a runner'.
I'm sure there is much practical advice ex smokers can give you, but I'm a big believer in self identity (which isn't the same as willpower).
My advice, is to be kind to yourself. I was a heavy smoker for decades and made a decision after my mum dropped down dead (age 71 life long smoker) that I didn’t want the same to happen to me. That was 9 years ago, I’ve never looked back. You’ve got this 💪🏼
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Love this running thing
5K and a surprise PB 😊
Keep on running 
Does this even count?
