It's hard to believe but 15 years ago today, I quit smoking. Done, over, nevermore. Somehow I was able to just stop cold turkey on this day.
I had smoked way too much the night before and had decided to not smoke for just that next day but it went so well, so easy that I thought, "hmmmmmmmmm, I'll just see how long I can go without a cigarette" and as I said, so far 15 years.
I never picked up another one. It really did seem so easy this time. I had truly enjoyed smoking. But it was weird, I had long prior, stopped smoking in my own residence. I really enjoyed a cigarette after a meal and after turning the ignition key, the next move in my car was to light one up. Going out and having some cocktails was another smoke-fest time for me.
Now, I know how hard it is to stop this addiction. Believe me. I'd quit for 4 years once before but when my Dad passed away, I started again. I'd also tried to quit numerous times in between those 2 events but never really made it past a couple of weeks. Why this last time was so easy I don't know, maybe I was just ready. Not quitting because I was being hassled or sick or anything else.
I'd even tested myself and I could hold someone else's smoke for 'em and not have the slightest desire to puff. To this day it amazes me. I could be around people who smoke and not want one.
Don't get me wrong now, I can't stand the smell of cigarette smoke around me but I can tolerate it in small amounts, but...if it's all over my or anyone else's clothes, those clothes go outside to air out.
I try not to get too judgmental about smokers. I ask them to go outside if they'd like a smoke, not smoke in my vehicle and all that but I'm not going to humiliate them. It's a hard thing to give up. But I don't like the smell and if some one is a really involved smoker, I have trouble being near them.
I remember this one time at work, a client came up to me and kept coming into my personal space to speak. I kept backing up respectfully a bit because of the assault on my nose but to no avail. After I got away from this client, I ran outside, remembering that there was a huge rosemary bush out there, and broke off a little piece of rosemary, crushed the leaves some and waved it under my nose as subtlety as I could. It worked by the way.
My father smoked. As I got older I found it fascinating that he still smoked, both cigarettes and cigars, but had had a stoma 4 years before I was born! He'd contracted cancer and had his larynx removed. He breathed through a hole in his throat.
My entire family ended up smoking except my Mom. She did try to once to lose weight but she didn't like it. One smart one in the family. Now none of us smoke. My sis was the last to quit and I'm so proud of her for doing so. It was soooo hard for her but she did it.
Smoking, drinking, eating, drugs, exercise, whatever the addiction is so hard to break. Yes, exercise can be an addiction too. You, typically, need some sort of support system. My guy at the time was very supportive. He no longer smoked himself so he was actually pretty grateful.
If you're not addicted be happy but don't berate the one who is. Help them, back them up. If they slip, encourage them to try again. If the addiction is severe, get some professional help. If you end up needing to walk away, walk away. Protect yourself. You must never put yourself in harms way. Good luck to all.
On to fitness, dance, etc. I got in quite a few workouts this last week. Tuesday, I did 4 and let me tell you, I was freakin' pooped! Dancing and water workouts, holy moley. After work I went to take dance class and dropped my zils (finger cymbals) twice while trying to put them on. My feet hurt so bad from all the workouts and new orthotics in my sneakers, I thought they were going to fall off my legs. I don't think I would've minded too much either if they had. My teacher kept giving me this funny look 'cuz I was such a walking disaster. Oh well, I went, I danced, I survived.
Dance week is next week and this time I'm in a hip-hop dance. Oh good grief! What the heck was I thinking? It should be good if I can just stop over thinking it. It's hard for me, but I do like a challenge, 'cuz I can't feel this. This dance style is foreign to me. I just want so much to do the choreographer proud. It's great choreography, just not my style. I have gone way outa the box for myself this time. It's good for me. Back off Alzheimer's, you're not getting me. Ha-ha!
Been gathering goodies and checking equipment for the party in 2 weeks. I've been making appointments and planning the time line for food. Should be a hoot and a half.
Soooo, lots to do today and it's a bit cooler than it was yesterday so I'm going to take advantage of that and get to going.
Peace out & keep dancin' .
Use promo code; HGA45 to get an extra 10% off
I had smoked way too much the night before and had decided to not smoke for just that next day but it went so well, so easy that I thought, "hmmmmmmmmm, I'll just see how long I can go without a cigarette" and as I said, so far 15 years.
I never picked up another one. It really did seem so easy this time. I had truly enjoyed smoking. But it was weird, I had long prior, stopped smoking in my own residence. I really enjoyed a cigarette after a meal and after turning the ignition key, the next move in my car was to light one up. Going out and having some cocktails was another smoke-fest time for me.
Now, I know how hard it is to stop this addiction. Believe me. I'd quit for 4 years once before but when my Dad passed away, I started again. I'd also tried to quit numerous times in between those 2 events but never really made it past a couple of weeks. Why this last time was so easy I don't know, maybe I was just ready. Not quitting because I was being hassled or sick or anything else.
I'd even tested myself and I could hold someone else's smoke for 'em and not have the slightest desire to puff. To this day it amazes me. I could be around people who smoke and not want one.
Don't get me wrong now, I can't stand the smell of cigarette smoke around me but I can tolerate it in small amounts, but...if it's all over my or anyone else's clothes, those clothes go outside to air out.
I try not to get too judgmental about smokers. I ask them to go outside if they'd like a smoke, not smoke in my vehicle and all that but I'm not going to humiliate them. It's a hard thing to give up. But I don't like the smell and if some one is a really involved smoker, I have trouble being near them.
I remember this one time at work, a client came up to me and kept coming into my personal space to speak. I kept backing up respectfully a bit because of the assault on my nose but to no avail. After I got away from this client, I ran outside, remembering that there was a huge rosemary bush out there, and broke off a little piece of rosemary, crushed the leaves some and waved it under my nose as subtlety as I could. It worked by the way.
My father smoked. As I got older I found it fascinating that he still smoked, both cigarettes and cigars, but had had a stoma 4 years before I was born! He'd contracted cancer and had his larynx removed. He breathed through a hole in his throat.
My entire family ended up smoking except my Mom. She did try to once to lose weight but she didn't like it. One smart one in the family. Now none of us smoke. My sis was the last to quit and I'm so proud of her for doing so. It was soooo hard for her but she did it.
Smoking, drinking, eating, drugs, exercise, whatever the addiction is so hard to break. Yes, exercise can be an addiction too. You, typically, need some sort of support system. My guy at the time was very supportive. He no longer smoked himself so he was actually pretty grateful.
If you're not addicted be happy but don't berate the one who is. Help them, back them up. If they slip, encourage them to try again. If the addiction is severe, get some professional help. If you end up needing to walk away, walk away. Protect yourself. You must never put yourself in harms way. Good luck to all.
On to fitness, dance, etc. I got in quite a few workouts this last week. Tuesday, I did 4 and let me tell you, I was freakin' pooped! Dancing and water workouts, holy moley. After work I went to take dance class and dropped my zils (finger cymbals) twice while trying to put them on. My feet hurt so bad from all the workouts and new orthotics in my sneakers, I thought they were going to fall off my legs. I don't think I would've minded too much either if they had. My teacher kept giving me this funny look 'cuz I was such a walking disaster. Oh well, I went, I danced, I survived.
Dance week is next week and this time I'm in a hip-hop dance. Oh good grief! What the heck was I thinking? It should be good if I can just stop over thinking it. It's hard for me, but I do like a challenge, 'cuz I can't feel this. This dance style is foreign to me. I just want so much to do the choreographer proud. It's great choreography, just not my style. I have gone way outa the box for myself this time. It's good for me. Back off Alzheimer's, you're not getting me. Ha-ha!
Been gathering goodies and checking equipment for the party in 2 weeks. I've been making appointments and planning the time line for food. Should be a hoot and a half.
Soooo, lots to do today and it's a bit cooler than it was yesterday so I'm going to take advantage of that and get to going.
Peace out & keep dancin' .
Use promo code; HGA45 to get an extra 10% off
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