Monday, February 14, 2011

One Month & Two Days.

Today marks one month and two days since I quit smoking.  You will not see any more of this:


I realized the amount I was worrying about the foods I was putting into my body was very silly while still putting poison into my body via cigarettes.  I realized I would be healthier gaining weight back and quitting smoking, than being thinner and smoking.  I realized I love myself, my fiance', my friends and my family too much to continue to kill myself slowly.  So, I made the decision.

I threw the cigarettes I had left in the garbage.  I found one about a week later in the car, and I snapped it in half, and threw it away.

I quit cold turkey.  No patch, no gum, just stopped.

You can do this too.  It just has to be your own decision, and click inside your head.  You have to know it for yourself.  You have to say silently in your own mind, "I'm done."  It's all downhill from there, because even though you'll want one after a meal or occasionally when you drive... you'll remember why you're doing it.


If you quit right now:

In 20 minutes:
Your heart rate and blood pressure drop.
In 12 hours:
The carbon monoxide level in your blood drops to normal.
In 2 weeks to 3 months:
Your circulation improves and your lung function increases.
In 1 to 9 months:
Coughing and shortness of breath decrease; cilia (tiny hair-like structures that move mucus out of the lungs) start to regain normal function in the lungs, increasing the ability to handle mucus, clean the lungs, and reduce the risk of infection.
In 1 year:
The excess risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a continuing smoker's.
In 5 years:
Risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, and bladder are cut in half. Cervical cancer risk falls to that of a non-smoker. Stroke risk can fall to that of a non-smoker after 2-5 years.
In 10 years:
The risk of dying from lung cancer is about half that of a person who is still smoking. The risk of cancer of the larynx and pancreas decreases.
In 15 years:
The risk of coronary heart disease is that of a non-smoker's.
These are just a few of the benefits of quitting smoking for good. Quitting smoking lowers the risk of diabetes, lets blood vessels work better, and helps the heart and lungs. Quitting while you are younger will reduce your health risks more, but quitting at any age can give back years of life that would be lost by continuing to smoke.





19 comments:

Unknown said...

Way to go, Jenn! I'm so proud of you.

Liz - Lizzle - Libby Lou said...

Way to go! I'm a smoker and I DID quit cold turkey last year for 9 mths. I expect to quit again and I just wanted to let you know that I feel the need to post those medical reasons WHY on my profile as a reminder to me that I need to do it soon! Ty! =)

Mom Weighs In said...

You can do it!!! ;)
www.momweighsin.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

Very impressive! Congratulations!!!

Chad said...

That's awesome! I stopped cold turkey about 10 years ago, too.
It's funny how easy it was when I simply committed to being done.

rach said...

Awesome job!! Its so hard, especially cold turkey. My husband had a huge medical scare this week and have decided to quit as of yesterday and thursday was the last day he smoked. I'm so proud of him, especially since he has been smoking since 15. I'm on that band wagon right behind him as well! congrats and keep up the good work!!

Jennifer Newman said...

way to go Jenn!!

I remember quitting all too well! congrats on taking the plunge! congrats on sticking with it!

The husband and I quit together about 3 and a half years ago (holy wow)!!

Keep it up, girlfriend!!!

MUCH LOVE

Erin said...

Congratulations! You've made an excellent decision. My mother was a smoker for 40-something years. She quit several times, and finally for good about 2 years ago. She died of lung cancer in November and I can't tell you how horrible it was watching her decline and finally succumb to it. Trust me when I say that you don't want to experience that, nor do you want to put your family and friends through it.

Stay strong and you'll be able to stick with it. The medical facts you posted are great inspiration!

Cole Walter Mellon said...

We may have to change your name to Ex-Smoker Girl, especially since the "Ex-Hot" doesn't really apply. ;)

Claire said...

Wonderful!

I am currently watching my father-in-law suffocate to death from COPD, a direct result of his smoking (unfiltered Camels) for over 40 years. He finally quit about 10 years ago, but it was too little, too late. He's 70, and probably won't see his 71st birthday.

So, I truly believe you saved your own life, and improved the health of everyone around you, as well. WELL DONE! :)

Shalalie said...

Awesome! I'm a longtime lurker.
My mom quit 6 years ago at the age of 63 after beginning to smoke at age 16.
You can do it!!!

Lalie

Chubby McGee said...

I'm proud of you! It's tough to quit, but you're 100% worth all the good stuff that'll come from it (well...minus the cravings and stress and stuff).

Megan said...

That's so awesome - congrats! It's so impressive to just quit cold turkey!

Unknown said...

Super proud of you lady! I think you'll find you like working out a LOT more once you're a couple months smoke free!

http://mollymariegetshealthy.com

Misty said...

Congrats. I quit 8 months ago. One of the accomplishments I'm most proud of :)

Run with Jess said...

Fabulous! I quite exactly 411 days ago. Hip, HIp, Horray for Quiters!!

Kristy @Loveandblasphemy said...

Good for you! One of the hardest things EVER!

HS @ Our Debt Blog said...

I quit 10 years ago but every time I drink I go for a cig?! uh frustrating... but at least I don't it every day.

NJ said...

Jenn, I think you just saved a life! Honestly. Just read your post to my daughter who is home for the easter weekend. She asked me to send this post to hear so she can print it out and put the points at the bottom up at work. My mother died of esophagus cancer at age 58. She had smoked from age 16. It was a slow death. She had breast cancer, lung cancer and esophagus cancer. I told both my kids that if they smoked it would kill me but unfortunately my daughter took it up and has been struggling to quit. She has reduced the amount she smokes significantly less than she did. A co-worker has helped her a lot with that. She also has people that love her and I think your words hit home. She also says your very cute and your pictures are awesome.