forum.nosmokingday.org.uk/p...
Hola everybody peeps!
I hope you and yours are all fine and dandy and you are still sticking it to your quit!
Well, 12 months ago, to the very day, I never thought for a single second that I would be writing a post like this.
My blood pressure was creeping up and I was beginning to become overweight so in July 2012 I started cycling and was really starting to enjoy it but was horrified as to how unfit I had become.
I mean 2 miles and I was gasping for breath, lightheaded, feeling sick and wobbly legged.
I knew I wanted to carry on and get better so I slowly came to the unfortunate (or so I thought at the time …. little did I know!) conclusion that the smokes had to go!
I would go on a ride for say 10 miles and come back physically knackered but mentally elated as the endorphins kicked in!
So what would I do to celebrate my achievement…..go in the garden and have a smoke!
What a ******* idiot!
Well one day (16th of October to be precise) in work at about 1.30PM I put a cigarette out half smoked.
The thought of not smoking again …. ever ….. frightened the living daylights out of me but to be honest this was not at the forefront of my mind.
The only thing I thought to myself at that time was “I’m going to go out on the bike tonight…tell you what….I won’t have another smoke until after I get back”
(I would normally have had about another 8 before going home!)
I went out that night and pushed as hard as I could. So hard in fact that when I got back the last thing on my mind was to go outside and smoke!
This was the start of my journey….as a trainee a non-smoker.
The following months were “a little strange” to say the least and sometimes quite emotional….both up and down.
Whilst reading my way through what felt like the whole of the internet, trying to educate myself about not smoking, I fell upon this site.
It was warm and welcoming and the advice and support offered to me in the beginning was immeasurable.
During my first wobbly months setting out on the rocky road I felt the friendly outreached arms from so many on here.
I know I shouldn’t make a list as there is always a risk that I could miss someone but I would like to say a massive heartfelt thank you to:
My better half :), Molly, Kazzy, Biggrin, Sian (hope she’s doing OK), Dippy Egg, Lostie, MrsM, Sassymomma (hope she’s doing OK too!), Cymro, Nutmeg & May.
I have been lucky to receive their support and sometimes a slap and am so glad they were around for me and each other at the time.
I would have to say that I am not “fully recovered” yet but I really cannot complain can I?
I smoked for 25+ years without giving it a second thought.
Apart from those first drags where I felt sick as a parrot and dizzy as a top and struggled to “look cool” the rest of it has been a doddle!
I learnt how to smoke so well that I could even do it with my eyes shut! Haha
Now I’m on my lifelong practice at not smoking and so far ….. it’s going brilliantly!
I humbly apologise if I have missed anybody moving into the Penthouse since I was last here.
I believe I have a very addictive personality and found myself becoming addicted to this forum and really needed a break.
Now I’m in the Penthouse I’ll hunt you down and shake your hand in person
Massive congratulations to you.
If you have just set out on the well trodden path to Quitsville or you are just thinking about it don’t worry … you CAN do it.
There will always be someone here to help show you the way if you get lost.
There will always be someone slightly behind you to kick you up the butt if you think about turning round.
I believe this site works wonders and people flow through it like waves.
Holding on to each other in the rough times, smiling and laughing in the good.
I am working myself back in to life now, a new life without smoking.
It’s certainly different
It’s certainly a challenge
But most of all….
It’s a MILLION TIMES BETTER!!
I’ll hand over to The small Faces to sum it up in a song as we all search for the other half of the moon! (that’ll make sense if you know the album :))
Take care and HAVE FUN ….
Greg
Take it away boys …. 2 …. 3 …. 4 …..
Life is just a bowl of All-Bran
You wake up every morning and it`s there
So live as only you can
It`s all about enjoy it `cos ever since you saw it
There aint no one can take it away.
So life is just a bowl of All-Bran - very true!
What you say has made it very clear
To be sure I`ll live as best as I can
But how can I remember to keep it all together
When half the moon is taken away?
Well, I`ve got the very thing
If you can laugh and sing
Give me those happy days toytown newspaper smiles
Clap twice, lean back, twist for a while
When you`re untogether and feeling out of tune
Sing this special song with me, don`t worry `bout the moon
Looks after itself
Altogether now….
Give me those happy days toytown newspaper smiles
Clap twice, lean back, twist for a while
When you`re untogether and feeling out of tune
Sing this special song with me, don`t worry `bout the moon