Three months ago I stopped doing this:
I didn’t make a big deal out of it at the time because I didn’t know how long it would last. I’d tried this before but I never succeeded but today I feel like I’ve accomplished something good. I have been a nonsmoker for 90 days (excluding that slip up Las Vegas*).
So how does it feel to be a non smoker? Well here’s what I look like today:
For the record, here is the official Be the Boy method of quitting smoking:
1- Allow your appendix to become enlarged (Important: do not let it burst).
2- Get hospitalized for emergency surgery, have surgery go wrong.
3- Spend a week in hospital post surgery with morphine drip.
4- While in hospital, don’t smoke.
5- After not smoking for a week, don’t start again (not even in Vegas). Repeat.
The full rundown of the appendix and the hospital can be found here.
* Yeah, I smoked, very briefly, in Vegas about a month ago. What was it like to quit smoking and then pick it up again? It’s like meeting someone for dinner after they’ve broken up with you. It seems harmless enough but you’ll feel sick before the night is over.
Yay for being a non-smoker! A hardy congratulations. I smoked for well over 20 years and my quitting guide goes: 1. Get diagnosed with COPD, 2. Go to Walgreens and buy pack of Camel Lights and first inhaler. 3. Feel like a total sick mofo and loser for said purchase. 4. Don’t buy any more cigarettes after that.
So yeah, yay you.
I thought you were gonna blog about how you quit cleaning the bathroom with $20s. But this is good, too!
WOOOO!!
I will totally send you lollipops. Thank you for not smoking anymore. It really negatively affects me and I appreciate it so much when people stop.
Congratulations, sir!
Personally, 1) I got the flu, in February, 2007
2) felt so sick that I couldn’t move for a week, let alone go out into the cold to smoke
3) Stayed that way for about three weeks.
4) same as your #5
I think your EXTREME! method works pretty well, too, though…
So, so proud of you. Also, glad you’re not getting deader one cig at a time.
Proud of ya Wilma. Keep at it brother!
congrats. toughest thing you’ll ever do!
Over the last 12 years, I’ve attempted it to great success numerous times, using various forms of this method:
1) go to acupuncturist for treatment for 3 days in a row because it takes that long for the toxins to flow out of your body
2) realize you just spent $300 or more to quit, so you better make it a good one this time
3) stay away from escrow deadlines, job changes, bars, roulette wheels, other smokers, or other personal triggers that may impact your tobacco-freeness.
That can work for a varying amount of time – my longest before falling off the wagon was 3+ years. Then rinse and repeat.
Currently tobacco free for 90+ days myself, with 3 minor evening-long lapses due to “social events”.
Keep at it!
Yay!
congratulations and keep at it!
i tried smoking, thinking that it will deepen my voice and turn me into a young bette davis, but eventually i realized that i would have to smoke for a hell of a lot of years to achieve noticeable results.
the feeling that i just couldn’t breathe properly while doing it pretty much put me off smoking, though, moreso than the health risks.
I didn’t know you were in the road company of ‘Oklahoma’ when you were a kid. We must have just missed each other.
I’m so incredibly proud of you. My ENTIRE family smokes, I don’t. Growing up having been drove in cars with the windows up, cigs in ashtrays around the house, kissing my parent good-nite to touch their nicotine lips, I don’t miss that.
Ironically last month I was diagnosed with Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) which was ascerbated by growing up in a house full of smokers. It’s usally something smokers get, lucky me I beat the odds. Not really.
Good for you, and good for Nina too. I’m sure she’s happy to not kiss an ashtray anymore.
You were a freakin’ adorable kid.
I certainly don’t miss my smoking days. I have had temporary bouts of smoking since I quit for good 8 years ago, but your dinner date metaphor PERFECTLY sums up my feelings about it.
Well done!!
And just look at how much younger you look (and feel?)
You are a fabulous quitter! Congrats. :)
I quit because I wanted a baby. Lame! Now I am responsible for another human! Talk about wanting a cigarette. ( It’s OK, though. I am going to start smoking again when I am 75.)
By the way, I’ve done the dinner with the ex thing. It was awesome! First time he ever paid!
yay for you!
that is awesome, and i’m glad you posted about it. i’m slowing down quite a bit but haven’t completely let them go. (i’m still taking the medicine that makes you feel suicidal. that’s fun.)
Yay! I quit smoking too last year!
Good for you!!! It really did put years back on your life. And just think how you are no longer contributing to the L.A. air pollution. Between that and your carpooling, you are quite an example for “going green.”
My mom got her appendix taken out and spent 2 weeks in the hospital. I WISH she had quit smoking but who am I to judge I am a smoker. Kickin the habit is hard. I might have a similar story to tell later in life *shrugs shoulders*
BUT CONGRATS to you…. Great job on not jumping back into the smoke (((HUGS)))
Excellent site. Good work.