Sometimes I forget how far we come on this journey. I'm sitting here with 5 minutes to go until a healing client arrives for Reiki and Tarot - yes I know it's not everyone's cup of tea but it mine :)  I started following this path firmly once I quit. I had extra time and money to train and hone my skills. I LOVE what I do and the feeling that I get to help people and I could not have done this as a smoker, I wouldn't have had the money and would have been fretful of needing a smoke part way through and getting the jitters or plain old just smelling. I don't think I smell now ;)

 

What did you change after the quit? Have you been able to use the money for any positive stuff?

Devoted a lot more of my time to my kids instead of finding an excuse to get away and smoke.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

That and having the "Babe of the Day" thread available for all to enjoy :wub:

I arrived at my (beloved) gym about a month into my quit and found the parking lot empty but for two huge moving vans and men carrying all the equipment out of the building into the vans. I had been there just the day before and everything seemed normal. I learned that they had lost their lease (had been in negotiations up until the night before for a longer term but no dice). Closed!

 

That was early on a Saturday morning and after doing my workout at the nearby gym that my membership had automatically been transferred to, I spent the whole day shopping around for a new gym. Each one had its pluses and minuses but the very last one I went to was the one. So big, beautiful and clean, tons of machines and equipment and not 1, not 2, not 3 but FOUR pools, steam room and sauna and yes, more money but SO worth it especially now.

 

I live in 2 places, so this gym is for Thursday-Sunday. Also got a new Nordic Track elliptical for the Sunday-Thursday home.

 

Best part of all this is, I'm either at the gym or on the machine at home almost every day and I'm feeling the positive effects and enhanced stamina since quitting. I feel so grateful to be able to do as much as I can.

Oh gosh..were to begin...quitting has been life changing for me...

I kept my two feet..they were at risk of being amputated..I'm so thankful every day...

I've more energy...I'm more alert..I've more money... I've made great friends...I'm free...

My whole life is new...and I love it...freedom is a fabulous place to be...

I try not to deal in hyperbole, but quitting smoking has either directly or indirectly improved every facet of my life.

 

Gave up smoking.  Took control of my health.  Started working out again.  Also started eating clean.  Took up trail running.  I feel better now than I did in my twenties.

 

The combination of taking care of my body and ridding myself of an all-consuming addiction has had a tremendous affect on me psychologically as well.  Less stress and anxiety.  A mind that is more calm and focused.

 

When the mind and body are working together at more optimal levels, positive change abounds.

 

When the mind and body are working together at more optimal levels, positive change abounds.

Amen!

My health situation is like night and day since I quit.  No more hacking, lethargy, shortness of breath, etc.  I now work out daily, eat better, and have exponentially more energy.  I also have abs......first time since I was in my twenties!  As a result of my improved physical health, my mental health and relationships with others has improved too.  Quitting was the best decision ever.

 

The extra $ is nice, but secondary to the restored health. 

I have so much extra time for everything I want to do in life, and the energy and health to do these things.

 

As a smoker, I was spending 40 cigarettes @ 5 minutes each = 200 minutes a day smoking !

 

That is over 3 hours a day, interrupting and/or distracting my time with just smoking !

 

Not only did quitting smoking give me more time to live each day, it also gave me a longer life !!!

 

What better gift can a person give to themself ???

 

 

Cristóbal

I volunteer at an animal shelter when I have the time - myself and some friends walk the dogs to give them time outside their kennel.  Not only do I not avoid doing such activities anymore (through fear of not having a cigarette for a few hours) but I actually run with the dogs and don't feel knackered at the end.  The dogs are so excited, and have so much pent up energy, that all they want to do is run.  As they are always on a leash, I have no choice but to follow.....but its no problem!  

Hi It's only been 3 weeks for me, but I am enjoying the extra lung capacity.. Since I have quit I have been training to run a 5k this fall.

I am also looking forward to fall mountain hikes.

Hi It's only been 3 weeks for me, but I am enjoying the extra lung capacity.. Since I have quit I have been training to run a 5k this fall.

I am also looking forward to fall mountain hikes.

 

Happy hiking Jayhawk.  You're going to find that quitting smoking and starting a running plan will allow you to rack up trail miles far easier than before.

 

Maybe I'll see you out there as I plan on doing a lot of hiking this fall.

I used to not be able to take cold/allergy medicine because it made me want to crawl out of my skin.  Now I can take it and feel great.  

 

Nicotine is a motha'

I used to not be able to take cold/allergy medicine because it made me want to crawl out of my skin.  Now I can take it and feel great.  

 

Nicotine is a motha'

Wow- I could never take it either for that same reason. Maybe I'll try it if I get a cold. Thanks for that!

I don't get colds anymore. Felt like I had one every season before.

 

I talk to smokers all the time. "When your ready...." then I tell them how much it is better starting with "you know that calm feeling after a smoke and it goes away until the next one? We got that all the time. You will see when your ready". Not preaching but on the same side.