Lex's helpful hints to stop smoking

[Mr lex]

Here are a few things that have helped me in my battle with Nicotine.

 

There is a lot of help out there from the NHS etc, but I feel everyone who wants to stop should read Allan Carr's very good book 'The easy way to stop smoking'.

 

To start with here is a run down of what happens to your body after you stop smoking, it's a sort of check list as time goes by and helps keep you on track :-

 

I found it helpful to print it out and leave copies where I could easily see them, by the computer, fridge etc......

 

Within 20 minutes - Blood pressure and pulse rate start to return to normal

 

Within 8 Hours - Nicotine and carbon monoxide levels in blood reduce by half. Oxygen levels return to normal.

 

Within 24 Hours - Carbon monoxide will be eliminated from the body. Lungs start to clear out mucus and other smoking debris. You won't believe the gunge that comes up at first as your body begins to re-grow cilia, the tiny hairs that line your airways and help push up impurities from your lungs - your smoking destroyed these.

 

Within 48 Hours - There is no nicotine left in the body. Ability to taste and smell is greatly improved

 

Within 72 Hours - Breathing becomes easier. Bronchial tubes begin to relax and energy levels increase

 

Within 2-12 weeks - Circulation rapidly improves

 

Within 3-9 months - Coughs, wheezing and breathing problems improve as lung functions are increased by up to 10%. Personally, my smokers cough actually disappeared after 4-5 days!

 

Within 5 years - Risk of heart attack falls to about half that of a smoker

 

Within 10 years - Risk of lung cancer falls to about half that of a smoker. Risk of heart attack falls to the same as someone who has never smoked

[Mr lex]

One thing you must never do is say you are 'giving up' smoking, you are stopping!!

 

to say you are 'Giving up' sounds like your missing out on something good, in fact you are getting rid of something that might well kill you

 

Here's a letter to Mr Nicotine, change the time line to suit your progress :-

 

"Dear Nicotine,

 

It's with great discomfort that I must write this letter to tell you I'm not coming back. The trial separation over the last ** days has opened my eyes to just how one-sided our relationship has always been.

 

I will not lie and say that I've not thought about you every day, many times a day since we were last together, but I'm missing you less and less and beginning to resent you more and more.

 

Okay, so maybe I've replaced you with chocolate, cursing and random fits of banging my head against the wall until I black out or the neighbors call the cops, but despite this temporary madness I've had the courage to take my life back and know that I will forever more live each day on MY OWN terms.

 

Look, we were just kids when we met and it's not your fault, it's mine. You are what you are, poison. You never claimed to be anything other than cancer, heart disease, tooth decay and 15 million other things I didn't want. I was just young and naive and now, as difficult as it may be, I'm letting you go. No, I'm not letting you go, I'm ripping you out of my chest piece by piece and I'm relishing the pain of separation. Each pang is a reminder of your hold on me failing, your grip loosening and your imminent demise approaching.

 

Yes, I know you're thinking that I will miss you so much that I'll come crawling back on all fours but you underestimate my intelligence. I don't want you at all. I never have wanted you. All along you've been the one begging me to take you in.

 

Well, worm, times have changed. I've torn you out and now you lay on the ground before me a withering mess of cancerous, heart diseased, tooth decaying misery. Such an ugly creature you are. To see you now for what you truly are fills me with wonder. How could I ever have been seduced by something so disgusting?

 

Oh nicotine, you're evil, and I hope your slow death hurts like hell. When you're finally dead I'm going to throw a party on your carcass and dance it into the dirt.

 

Bye now"

[Mr lex]

A good friend and longtime Cagger sent me this photo !!!

 

Another one to print off and keep

 

 

From 'Scrubs' I think!!!

[huggys boss]

Not said much on facebook, but I am now 2 1/2 weeks smoke free and I have done it cold turkey.

 

I am using a free online support group that I stumbled upon when I was looking up a medical problem for a friend.

 

You can find them here. http://www.stayquit.co.uk/uk/login/login.php

[huggys boss]

Also I have not given up, quit or stopped............

I am choosing not to smoke at this time

[babybear39]

How dull am I? Three months in hospital after the bloody coma and I stupidly started again! Boredom, stupidity and **** knows what??? Any offers to sit on me for eight weeks and shove patches on me??? Oh, and nice looking would be good too

[Mr lex]

Not said much on facebook, but I am now 2 1/2 weeks smoke free and I have done it cold turkey.

 

I am using a free online support group that I stumbled upon when I was looking up a medical problem for a friend.

 

You can find them here. http://www.stayquit.co.uk/uk/login/login.php

 

Thank you for the link HB, everything we can offer may help someone else !!

 

Lex

[Mr lex]

How dull am I? Three months in hospital after the bloody coma and I stupidly started again! Boredom, stupidity and **** knows what??? Any offers to sit on me for eight weeks and shove patches on me??? Oh, and nice looking would be good too

 

Hey BB,

 

The best use of patches I found was to put one over each eye, then I couldn't find the damm things !!

 

Lex xx

[babybear39]

Hey BB,

 

The best use of patches I found was to put one over each eye, then I couldn't find the damm things !!

 

Lex xx

 

That maybe an option

[Mr lex]

Well it's 12 months to the day I stopped smoking !!

 

How much better do I feel these days and I don't smell like an ashtray anymore

[Lucky11]

Congratulations, well deserved.

[Mr lex]

Thank you !! I feel very Lucky !!!