Last Step of my smoke free journey

[ScantyRadar]

So, I have found this forum for a bit of moral support, i know I am doing the right thing but a bit of positive reinforcement doesn't hurt.

I have had a smoking habit for many years, largely due to my preference for cannabis over alcohol. For the past 15 years I have smoked cannabis and cigarettes, in 2006 I stopped both for a period of 2 years, started again then stopped again in 2014 for 1 years, then started again. For the past 4 years I have vaped and smoked cannabis at the weekends. In March this year I started to think about what I wanted from life, sitting inside stoned every weekend was not it. I had my last cannabis experience 1/6/19 and have not looked back. I got into fitness again, particularly mountain biking and while vaping might be safer than traditional tobacco, I am certain it is what is restricting my current fitness level.

I am also getting increasingly concerned about the media stories and the effort it takes to clean the residual cape smoke from the inside of the car windscreen, if that's sticking to the glass, what on earth is it coating my lungs with?!

I read and watched a couple of the Alan Carr articles etc online. Clearly I feel I am ready to quit anyway and the steps really appealed to me so Saturday was my last smoking experience (I say with confidence).

I had been reducing my vape intake for the previous 6-12 months by changing from sub ohm device to an all in one mouth to lung and dropping nicotine level to the lowest 3mg I could buy.

I am on day three, after a couple of sleepless nights last night I slept like a log. I didn't wake craving a pull on a vape. I have slight tightness in my chest but it feels like lung capacity is increasing already ( I am sure this is psychological as I am pretty certain I won't feel positive effects already). I didn't get the irritability on my morning commute I did on the Monday. My morning mucus production has decreased though, that is for certain. I still have this thought popping into my head about getting some 0 nicotine juice but I don't think I need it. Maybe I should throw away the vape device and coils, just to remove that temptation and last 'crutch', what do you guys think?

One of the driving factors behind quitting is my mountain biking hobby. What I have been finding with my cycling sessions is first 10 minutes of moderate to hard exertion makes me cough up a considerable amount of mucus. Once that is cleared I can perform reasonably well until I start to need more oxygen, maybe around the 10k mark and a steep hill climb, that normally results in some further coughing and spitting (all thick clear/sometimes white mucas). After that I can go for another 15-20k with out adverse affects. I assume I am clearing whatever the vape has built up on/in my lungs.

What I really want to see from this is an increase in personal fitness, some improved strava times, save some money and of course the long term reduction in cancer risk/heart disease etc, something I think concerns us all more, the older we get. Is that smoke really worth a shorter life....

I'd love to hear from anyone a bit further along, when I can expect to start seeing some improvements in general fitness, when the chest tightness might start to improve etc and whether I should chuck away the device now for good or keep it at the back of a draw and just have the will power not to revert.

[Briarwood Administrator Ducky]

Hi ScantyRadar and welcome to quit Support👋

You’ve come to the right place for help and support.

Your fitness levels will improve so please be patient. You’re doing all the right things to help this.

Have a look at the pinned posts as lots of info there to help.

Day 3 and you’re doing well👍🏼

Regarding the vape you say you don’t think you need it, so that’s brilliant.

You could tough it out or keep no nic as a back up in case you need it. Chances are you won’t but knowing it’s there is a safety net.

We look forward to supporting our on your journey to a healthier future.

This great community makes a big difference so stay close and good luck🍀xx

[ScantyRadar 6 MONTH WINNER in reply to Briarwood]

Thanks Briar,

I checked out the breathing exercises, I really like the one designed to clear mucus, it really works! I shall do that a few times a day.

I find it hard talking about this with friends/family (and can't with work friends) because of a certain part of my smoking life so its great to be able to be honest without worrying it could damage my career etc. Part of all this has been admitting I had a problem, I have for the past 18 months been risking my career and future prospects by thinking I could cheat random drug tests and as a senior manager in a big organisation, I am lucky I stopped before I was found! Bit of a light bulb moment earlier on this year and that is what really started me on this path. I got rid of my psychological addiction to cannabis (no other way to describe the stupid risks I was taking). I stopped the other cold turkey, so I should be able to do the same with this last crutch.

[jillygirl Administrator Queen Bee]

Welcome to Quit Support SR, Reading your post I get the impression you are very determined sort of guy, who once you set a goal you will achieve it.

Our lovely Briarwood has given you some good advice. You need to decide whether its the routine of smoking - hand to mouth, or is a a habitual thing where you smoke when your doing certain things or in certain places.

Try change your routine, instead of vaping or smoking have a drink of water, like Briar says some breathing exercises. Write yourself the reasons your quitting and put it somewhere prominent so it reminds you why your doing this.

Everyone is different with their quit journeys, but exercise , and healthy diets go a long way.

I will assign you a progress badge ( next to your name) and also add you to our wall of winners.

Shout if you need anything.

Look forward to supporting you. xxxx

[ScantyRadar 6 MONTH WINNER in reply to jillygirl]

Thanks Jilly, appreciate the message. I like to think so, I just need to get my head in the right place to do it!

I think its a bit of both, I have always seen smoking as antisocial and I have always hidden the fact I have smoked, in part due to why I was smoking.

For vaping its the morning and evening commute and chill time in the eve. Yesterday evening I was feeling very restless, went for a drive, had a glass of red wine and the feeling passed. Had the best nights sleep for a long time.

Health and fitness has become increasingly important to me, I have a bit of an all or nothing type personality, I am not going to be happy until I achieve what I want with my fitness/cycling and I know my bad habits are getting in the way of that so I think that will be enough of a drive to stay on course! I will take your advice and write some motivational notes, message with the wake up alarm on the phone for some early morning inspiration!

Thanks again for the message of support.