Almost a year.... what has changed?

[taurean7]

This time last year I was such a mess.... off sick from work for weeks, losing weight, repeated chest infections..early signs of COPD on chest xray. And major stress at work. I coped by smoking and I knew it was killing me.

I put in for retirementa year early, started taking Champix on Feb 22, and smoked my last cig on Feb 28 last year. I found this site, which has been a lifeline.

I expected to feel better not smoking but instead I felt worse. So I just plodded thru each day feeling like death warmed up. As the weeks passed I noticed I was getting my energy back, could taste and smell again. And I was actually doing it this time!!

Now I can't imagine behaving like I did last year...shivering outside just to smoke that first/last cig of the day, the money/time/energy I wasted just to keep that habit. Big changes over the last year, good ones. I've got my life back, thank you all for helping me get here!!.

[RoisinO1 Administrator 3 Years Smoke Free]

Ah taurean7 - excellent post, so thrilled for you and great encouraging post to share with our newbies - how is retirement treating you?

[taurean7 2 Years Smoke Free in reply to RoisinO1]

Love it!!! Don't miss the stress and challenges of work one bit, especially driving in these winters. Now I can pick my days out to suit the weather. No more white-knuckle trips, thank God.

Finally have time to try out loads of new recipies I'd been saving. I've baked and cooked until my freezer is full, never ate so good.

Spring is coming and I'm planning my new garden. Really missed that living in an apartment. I can't wait to get my hands in the dirt again!! Meanwhile I'm quilting up a storm (new hobby).

[RoisinO1 Administrator 3 Years Smoke Free in reply to taurean7]

Hey taurean7 - 1 year today!! whohoo!!!

[taurean7 2 Years Smoke Free in reply to RoisinO1]

Yaayy! Thanks Roisin for all your help and encouragement, and love the new badge!

[CocoaXChange Valued Contributor]

Good to hear Taurean. Yes, it takes a while and everyone's quit timeline is different, but eventually everyone feels better.

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That’s exellent I can feel your enthusiasm of been smoke free and I love how you enjoy life !!!

[Hercu Valued Contributor]

Taurean....Yes, LiFe is good once you escaped the entrapment we were living in for so many years...

Truly..There is life after smoking, and when I say life I mean LIFE...!!

Thank you for a lovely positive post and although we all helped you were the one acting..!

Well done !!

[Phobicmaniac 2 Years Smoke Free]

Great post taurean7 - wishing you a great, long lived retirement smoke free