OK running, you win. I quit......

smoking. Last week when my husband was unwell, I felt so bad too (we are joined at the hip normally), I barely ate, didn't drink any alcohol, and didn't smoke either. Well, as you can imagine, I've had to eat, and he likes his beer, so we're back in the pub, but it seemed a good time to take a break from smoking. Over the years I've smoked on and off, regularly taking breaks, but this time has been really hard. Headaches, really bad cravings and I'm so grumpy! It just made me more determined not to give in. I never smoked much, about 6 a day, but it's kind of part of who I am...or was! It remains to be seen whether it will affect my running, it never improved my swimming when I stopped before. Wish me luck...

[old_git Graduate]

Well done! I found the first week the hardest, but it takes a long time for the cravings to disappear. I used to wake up feeling guilty as I had been smoking in my dreams! If you can graduate c25k, you can get off the evil weed!

[Hidden in reply to old_git]

You're doing well aren't you? You have or had lots of weight to lose too if I remember correctly...so, no smoking, diet, running....hardcore you are! Yesterday was easier, Saturday was awful, I went to bed at 9.30PM to get away from t...

[JohnBlake Graduate]

Dirty, disgusting habit! And there's no-one worse than an ex-smoker, like me! I gave it up 30 years ago, and find the smell utterly repulsive now.

[Hidden in reply to JohnBlake]

I know all about that, my husband smokes... last time I gave up I made him wash his hands all the time, couldn't stand the smell... so unlady-like too

[Bazza1234 Graduate]

I gave up drinking coffee a month ago - had a headache for a week , but I'm over it now!!! Why do we shove stuff like coffee and tea into our bodies - and all those "Sports" drinks with their high levels of caffeine and sugar???

[Hidden in reply to Bazza1234]

I've no idea Bazza, I hate the way I feel when I drink coffee, like my thinking is all fractured into bits, so I never touch it, and I can't stand sugar either...I do guzzle gallons of strong tea though, more caffeine than coffee but different effect...

[Runon Graduate]

Good luck - it's not easy - but then neither is lung cancer. I gave up last year and took up running to 'reclaim my lungs'. Two of the best things I've ever done and I've never felt fitter. I went to an NHS Stop Smoking Clinic - they were amazingly helpful and supportive. Stick at it - I don't know if it will make you run faster but I bet it will make you run easier

[Hidden in reply to Runon]

My brother dies of lung cancer 5 years ago, he was my age... you'd have thought I'd know better wouldn't you...

[Runon Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Indeed - but then it's just a damn hard drug to give up - but you are over the worst so just stick at it and win because going back to smoking isn't really an option x

[Tomas Graduate]

You can do it, curly. You graduated c25k, so you can do this as well! Stick with it, as you know, it WILL get easier fairly quickly.

[useitorloseit Graduate]

Wow I had no idea you were a smoker - social death!!! Glad you've decided to knock it on the head. 6 a day wasn't bad, but goodness - as an ex smoker (rebellious teenager and divorce in mid 20s the only times I smoked) I HATE the smell of a smoker. When someone walks past you in the street you can tell. That's why I think those e cigs are brilliant. If people can't give up (and some people just have no willpower) at least they don't smell like a 1970s pub! Good luck Curly - if you can quit you will smell like a gorgeous sexy girl instead of like a smelly old git! x

[Hidden in reply to useitorloseit]

Most people didn't know I was a smoker, I only ever smoke in the house...and not tailor mades, I gave them up so years ago, only rollies...they don't smell much..

[useitorloseit Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Sorry CG - just re-read my earlier post and I sound really preachy! Ooops! Good luck with giving up anyway x

[Hidden in reply to useitorloseit]

Not at all, I too hate the smell of "real" cigs and those who smoke them... ashtrays too, yuck!

[useitorloseit Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Ha ha one of my strong childhood memories: my dad's ashtray. He had one of those ones where you pushed down on a knob and it span round and the ash would go inside. It smelt like nothing on this earth!

[Hidden in reply to useitorloseit]

I remember those! Years ago when I was a really heavy smoker, I saw a hypnotist, he told me I would hate ashtrays and matches... that's still true today even though I've continued to smoke on and off.. weird huh?

[rebeldiver Graduate]

Good Luck Curlygurly gave up 28 or something years ago, just double my goals !! so gave up for a day so thought see if I can go two days then a week and so on worked for me so wishing you good luck and don't forget should improve the running as well so double bubble ::))

[Hidden]

Well done Curly, it is a hard step to take as i know, i was a 30-40day smoker before i stopped last feb .. so glad i did now if you can do C25K and more you can stop smoking

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

30 - 40? Gasp! I used to smoke like that when I smoked tailor-mades, rollies just aren't so addictive..

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

That is shockingly alot when you put it down on paper , don't know how i actually afforded to smoke that much. i have a new addiction now

[Ullyrunner Graduate]

You can do it curly! If you have the determination to do C25K you can stick this out. Good luck!

[Hidden]

Best of luck...an ex smoker myself. I was a 5 a day girl too. I took it 1 ciggy at a time. Every time I would normally have had one, I took that as a mini win. Take each day as it comes and you'll get there. I haven't smoked for 2 years now and am still proud of myself.

I have to say though that it took a while for me to really really notice the difference in my lungs whilst doing exercise. The first thing that stopped happening was the coughing which was great. Then slowly and surely, my breathes were getting bigger and much more controlled.

Good luck, I know how hard it is. Congratulate yourself each time you don't have the cigarette and I found it helped when I said out loud when I had a craving for one. Once it's out in the open, it's easier to stop yourself!

[no-excuse Graduate]

Stick at it Curly, you can do it! I agree with performing_monkey, take it one ciggie at a time and that way it doesn't seem like you're never going to have another one. Coz that's a gruesome thought! But one at a time- you can do it x

[5kOrBust Graduate]

Good luck Curlygurly. All my brothers have been smokers, (though not me, for some reason) so I know how hard it is to kick it.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

That is a very brave and public declaration, Curly, but you know we will all support your efforts. I stopped nearly thirty years ago and really cannot for the life of me understand why I ever smoked. An observation I made recently regarding two life long smoking friends was that neither could manage to give up until they were told by the medics that it would kill them, one following severe hypertension and the other a stroke. They promptly gave up overnight and both feel better for it, but I haven't persuaded them to start running.

Why wait until you are at death's door? You can do this CG. Good luck.

[Hidden in reply to IannodaTruffe]

My sister in law has had a double mastectomy and full hysterectomy and nearly died when the op went wrong. She's nearly 70 and still smokes. That to me is really stupid...I kinda kid myself that I'm fit and don't (didn't) smoke much so it's ok...

[AncientMum Graduate]

The first week is definitely the worst Curly, so clench your fists, grit your teeth and try to avoid committing GBH if someone is foolish enough to cross you. I was officially appalling when I stopped- cranky and waspish are 2 of the less offensive words my OH used to describe me ( although, when he stopped a year later, he was, in my opinion, a million times worse!) I don't know what to suggest to help with the craving but I'll send you my very best wishes and a big cyber hug, because it's a hard thing you're doing but, given the way you've owned the c25k+ podcasts, failure isn't an option. xxx

[Melly2 Graduate]

Best decision you' have made, of course after running! Best of luck, I know you can stick it out! We are all behind you.

[Slookie Graduate]

Not in a position to judge (I have tried, failed, tried, failed, etc... to kick coffee for years) but sounds like a great decision and I wish you the very best of luck Curly.

[Irishprincess Graduate]

Good luck CG. I've never smoked but can appreciate that, like all addictions, it is hard to give up. We always say that running is as much a mental challenge as a physical one so that will stand you in good stead now. When you feel like a smoke just go for a run instead!

[misswobble Graduate]

Give up the fags for good! It'll be the best thing you ever did. That and taking up C25k. You'll feel much, much better for it Curly. Maybe not immediately but hang in there

I drink tea and coffee but they're my only vices now

[poppypug Graduate]

Oh Curly , keep at it, you wont regret it

I smoked loads for many , many years and I quit 2.1/2 years ago. It wasnt easy, but it is soo worth it .

I LOVED smoking, ( or I thought I did ! ) I could make a night of it to be honest, it was my " hobby " in a funny sort of way.

Quitting the fags and doing this programme are the best things Ive ever done.

You can do it Curly, hang on in there, it does get better , I promise xxx

[Zev1963 Graduate]

Good luck CG, stopping smoking is a very good decision. I stopped in October 1998, having tried to stop every month or so for years. Each time I would throw my half smoked packet away and vow it was the last one. A week or so later I would find myself buying another packet. I dont know what was different about October 1998, but I just decided to stop, and stopped. I'm really pleased that I did.

You will no doubt know from previous posts that I had half my left lung removed last january, to remove a thankfully benign tumor. I have no idea if it was caused by smoking, I suspect not, but I dont know. But I'm certain that my quick recovery, and my ability to take up C25K 7 months later, will have been helped by having stopped 17 years ago.

I'm quite determined when I put my mind to something, I wish I'd put my mind to stopping smoking a lot sooner, but better late than never.

I am sure you will succeed If you keep reminding yourself why you are stopping, you certainly wont regret it.

[Hidden in reply to Zev1963]

I didn't know that about your lung that must have been terrifying. That's amazing that you can run now x

[Zev1963 Graduate in reply to Hidden]

It has surprised me how much you can recover from loosing 25% of your lungs. But the surgeon explained to me before the operation that the remaining half expands with exercise to take up the space left by the half that was removed, which is great news.

My workplace in France has medical checks every year, and they discovered the tumor during one of those. The surgeon believes that it had been there for many years. Initially they said that they would measure it each year to see if it would get bigger (after a fibroscopy and other checks to reassure them that it wasnt malignant). Then after a scan last year they measured it at about 24mm diameter and decided to remove it. My first spell in hospital in France. I woke up after the operation in intensive care with tubes everywhere. But after a week I was home and looking after myself. That was followed by one month off work convalescance.

During that month I walked every day. The first day just down to the river, sat on a bench for 30mins to recover then walked home. Each day progressively further. At the end of the month I was walking 10km each day. I continued to walk then each weekend. By August I'd halved the time to walk the distance. I then saw C25K and took it up at the beggining of September.

Last weekend I ran my first 10km in under an hour. I am aiming to be able to run to work and back by the summer (9km each way).

It's been an interesting journey, has given me a more relaxed outlook on life, and the running has been incredibly good fun

[Hidden in reply to Zev1963]

What an amazing story and journey! Are you in France now? Their medical service is quite extraordinary isn't it?

[Zev1963 Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Yes, I've lived and worked in France since April 2004. I was given the choice between moving to Paris or redundancy in October 2003. We had a look see trip to Paris, and I decided to give it a try. The contract ended in 2007, and I moved to a French contract for the same company, in Blois in March 2008. I love France (I love the UK too, but France has been a great adventure.) and yes, the French health service is impressive. Very proffessional yet at the same time very friendly and thoughtful.

[Hidden in reply to Zev1963]

I'm not sure where Blois is....I live in France half and half, winter in UK, summer in Cordes-Sur - Ciel, near Albi and Gaillac. I count myself really lucky to have access to both services, French if I feel something is urgent, NHS if I don't want to pay!

[Zev1963 Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Blois is on the river (fleuve) La Loire mid way between Orléans and Tours in the region "Centre", departement "Loire et Cher". It is roughly 200km south of Paris on the A10 which is the main motorway from Paris to Bordeaux, St Sebastien and Spain.

[Hidden]

Be pleased you've decided to stop. It's not easy. The only advice I can give is don't substitute smoking with anything, like eating sweets, gum, e cigs or food etc. Go about your life as normal, but without the cigs. And don't ever have a first cig or you will crave again. This is how I conquered a 200+ habit nearly 11years ago. I didn't use patches either. Stick at it, you can do it. Hey, you're a graduate CurlyGurly. This shows you've got will power.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

200+? Do you mean 200 a week? Gawd, that's a lot! Well done for breaking that! So expensive too....

[Hidden]

Yes, 200+ a week. Terrible isn't it. What a waist. But I, like you im a graduate too. Don't start again.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

When I smoked tailor mades 20 years ago, 200 wasn't enough for the week... that cost over £20 in those days, hate to think what it would cost now...I don't eat anything like sweets or junk, my habit was really so small it doesn't need replacing with anything else....I'm starving hungry though, wonder if that is not smoking or running a bit further?

[Hidden]

That hunger will be due to not smoking. I've heard so people say they have put on weight after quitting. Perhaps it's partly due to the hunger.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

I've lost quite a bit of weight with running, I'm almost feeling a bit skinny now. A bit more apettite won't do me any harm...

[Hidden]

There's a plus then CurlyGurly. An excuse to eat. Lol.

[Floe Graduate]

I'm sure it will in the long term. Have a good try.