More than a birthday to celebrate

[J9_54]

Good Morning All,

Well today is my birthday and I am pleased to report I am still a non smoker.

I also took on a new challenge; to try and get fitter and lose some weight.

So far I have lost 10lbs and completed 3 weeks of the brilliant Couch to 5k NHS programme. I've still a way to go but I'm on my way.

A year ago I could not run up the stairs without being out of breath now I can jog for 3 whole minutes at a time. It just goes to show how quickly your body can recover from years of smoking related abuse.

So if you're thinking of giving up, do it. If you're struggling, keep going. I am so pleased I did and the benefits of being a non smoker are now not just financial and have changed me in so many ways.

Good luck.

[Hercu Valued Contributor]

Returning from up North, litarally "dark Africa" and reading such an amzing positive post is so nice....Well done J9... and hope you are having the best birthday in years ...as always said, I love succsess stories..!! and here is one in the making...!!

[mushen Valued Contributor]

Hello and Happy Birthday!

Well done on still being smoke free. Also I think that you should be congratulated for taking up exercise and so on. Awesome!

I hope you have a wonderful day. 😁

[J9_54 4 Years Smoke Free in reply to mushen]

Thank you. Needed to make some changes and trying very hard. Want to be a completely new woman before I hit 50 in a couple of years time so getting there slow and steady.

[mushen Valued Contributor in reply to J9_54]

Well keep going! The body really responds to exercise, it really is like a magic bullet.

You'll be a new woman way before you hit 50!!

[RoisinO1 Administrator 3 Years Smoke Free]

Great inspiring post J9_54 and belated happy birthday, you will be some looking lady well before you hit 50

[Twinkle4]

Go you. And in no time at all you will be posting you did 5ks running. What a fabulous goal. Keep it up

[J9_54 4 Years Smoke Free]

Thank you. My running has had to be put on hold for now due to a back injury...just my luck but the plan continues re weight loss as head willing even if the body is too knackered to keep up. Lol.

[Hidden]

Great post, I'm a week in but staying strong and already feel better!!!.

[J9_54 4 Years Smoke Free in reply to Hidden]

Keep going, well done for giving up. It's hard to start but when you taste that first tomato when your taste buds have recovered it'll all be so worth it.

I'm 3 and a half years a non smoker now. I don't miss it at all. Can run 7.5k without stopping comfortably. Am almost 3 stones lighter too. Packing in was the start of getting healthy for me and I'm so glad I did.

Good luck