Life Begins at 40.

[nsd_user663_deleted]

Hi Guys, and ladies,

Since roughly the age of 25 I've always said to family and friends "I'll give up when I'm 40". Well, that time arrives on 1st march 2012 and I have decided to quit smoking on 1st January 2012, 2 months prior to my 40th.

Just a little background, I have smoked since the age of 17 in which time I have only quit once for a one week period. For the past 22 years I have smoked everything from cigarettes to cigars and for the last 7 years, rollups with no filters.

I'm 6 ft 1, well built ( although more overweight than anything!) and haven't done any serious training or fitness regime since I was about 22. I realise as well as quitting the dreaded weed I also need to start exercising, and to be honest, I'm looking forward to that part ... I haven't looked in the mirror and liked what I've seen for many years!

I've decided, unless you guys can persuade me otherwise, to quit via cold turkey and try to just keep myself busy until the cravings evaporate to a certain degree.

Anyone with helpful tips I would love to hear from. I fully intend to use this site as a diary to keep everyone whose interested up to date with my progress, as well as keep my fingers busy and distracted from holding a ciggie!

So today is the 2nd November, so by my calculations, after 22 years of smoking around 20 cigarettes ( more like 40 rollups ) a day, I have roughly 59 days of smoking left in which to try and build myself up to D-Day.

My decision to quit is more than just a pie in the sky reason, obviously there is the financial aspect and the hope that in a year or so i will be fit, smoke free with an amazing body but maybe also the realisation that Iam arriving at the half way house of life.

I'm not going to let the weed beat me on this, and i realise it won't be easy, however I'm hoping with help from family, friends and you guys, I will have the support network to realise my dream and become a healthy, non-smoking 40 year old guy.

Great to be here folks xx

[nsd_user663_20591]

hello there! and welcome to the forum. so happy for you that you have made

this choice to quit smoking! we are all here for any needed help and support you WILL need!

i started smoking when i was 14 yrs old and now i am 33. i have been quit for 10 months and i feel great! it was well worth the first days of hardship to get to this wonderful feeling of freedom and good health! i too quit cold turkey and it worked for me. everyone is different and some have a more difficult time than others so try what will work best for yourseld ..but i personally reccomend quitting cold turkey!

i look foward to seeing your progress and good luck to you!

[nsd_user663_20591]

thanks whatever works as a motivator is always good!! for the first 2 weeks i went through a big bag of lollipops! it worked for me---just make sure you brush you teeth more often lol

[nsd_user663_27963]

I know where you are coming from Daz, I will be 40 in July and will not be a 40yo smoker! so very similiar motiviation.

[nsd_user663_36292]

Daz - I am 51, smoked since I was 15. Like you for last 6 years or so been smoking unfiltered roll ups, 'bout 35 - 40 per day.

Today is day 19, it hasn't been easy but this forum is as good as any NRT, counsellor or champix type drug. The people on here are encouraging, inspiring and available 24/7.

You're right about teeth, roll ups are the worst for this. I had mine cleaned a week before I quit and they're still not stained, neither are my fingers.

Another thing I've noticed is how much better I breathe. Atnight, when I had been lying down for hours I would wheeze, that stopped within a week!I can walk up hills more easily.

It will the best thing you would ever do - good luck and welcome

gtat

[nsd_user663_36288]

Hi Daz

I planned my quit (and joined this site a bit beforehand too) - and it has really helped. I read and read and read ... and then read some more! I think I went through every single thread on the 'tips' section of this site!!! Frankly, by the time my 'quit day' arrived, I was actually to glad to stub the last cigarette out and get on with it! This forum is THE place to share anything and everything about the quitting experience - so you're in the right place!

Good luck

Sue

[nsd_user663_35351]

Why not quit tomorrow Daz ? Sorry just playing devils advocate.

Mark

[nsd_user663_18145]

Welcome to the forum Daz

for some people planning there quit is better for them as you can prepare yourself mentally reading all the threads and books and links will certainly help you keep motivated but the best way for alot is writing a list of all the reasons your quitting and everytime that nicorette demon trys its hardest to get you back smoking you can read your reasons and if that dont work come on here and type it keeps your hands and mind busy thats for sure

you will get as much support you need of the wonderful people of this site who between them have helped so many through all the stages and afterwards just to have somewhere to come and chat to the friends you have made on here people you will never have spoken to in real life or met for that matter but come to become good friends anyway the cyber world is the new world and more and more people are embrassing it as a part of there lives and it does help knowing no matter what time you come on here someone somewhere is there and that is a big help to alot of people

so enjoy and keep us posted

regards

Carol

[nsd_user663_18145]

sorry to hear about your loss

an MOT sounds like a good idea its always agood idea to get a check up when your changing your lifestyle

[nsd_user663_37212]

Do it

Hey Daz,

I'm 37 days in, 45 years old, quit cold turkey. You want advice? Here's my two cents...

1. You sound like a smart guy who is trying to "intellectualize" the quitting experience. That is precisely what I did and I found it helped to read well researched and documented studies, not just online heresy. I spent my first couple weeks just reading to better understand the physiological and psychological effects I was going through. It helped.

2. Quitting, for me, was a series of plateaus. When you first quit, you are in the valley looking up at the massive peaks all around you and think, "there is no way I can climb that". Soon enough, you climb to the first plateau (for me, day 4) and you are off the valley floor, but still climbing. Then, the next plateau (day 24 for me). Etc. I'm waiting for my third plateau. But, each time, it gets a bit easier, you are further from the valley, and close to the peaks. My advice? Seek put with all your might the next plateau, as they do exist.

Good luck.

[nsd_user663_27121]

Hi Daz - just read through your posts and it sounds like you are approaching this with lots of thought and consideration. Also noticed that you're also from Leicester!

I have been quit now for nearly 7 months and I did rely on NRT for the first couple of months. If you struggle, do you think you would slap a patch on or something? Also there are a lot of quit smoking counsellors in Leicester - they can really help bolster your will power.

Be prepared for good days and bad days, safe in the knowledge that it does get easier, but for some the little voice keeps chattering for a long time and you can find yourself relying very heavily on your will power. If you want to do it, you will do it.

Good luck!

[nsd_user663_6358]

Go on do it

I agree with Francob you obviously want to quit - January is a long long way away, why not dabble with the quitting idea now , say to your self I will not smoke tomorrow, get a feeling for what you are up against. It can only make you stronger .

Jonny