Giving Up Smoking

Yea I’ve got there and to coin a far too much used phrase from minor TV celebs ‘it’s been quite a journey’. Giving up smoking has been easier this time round than I expected and now after one month I will take a look at what I have gained.

1. My smokers cough has virtually disappeared

2. My mouth doesn’t taste dry and horrible all of the time

3. I can lay on my back at night and not be woken up by the frightening noises that my chest was making.

4. I don’t get out of breath and light headed if I rush about or climb a steep hill.

5. I don’t feel as tired after an 8 – 10 hour shift at work as I did.

6. My circulation has improved

7. I don’t smell horrible any more

8. My house doesn’t smell horrible any more.

9. I have saved about £50

10. I won £115

11. I have gained some kudos with my workmates

12. I’ve gained this blog and some earnings from it

13. I’m not stressing

14. I feel brilliant

15. My skin looks really clear

16. I gained some weight

Oh well not every gain is a positive, but once I get going properly on my Wii Fit I should lose the extra pounds and feel better for it too.

What has been remarkable to me is that I feel really calm. The last 2 weeks have been really difficult at work but I’ve got through it without feeling too stressed. There has been an odd time when buying a pack of cigs has come into my thoughts but I’m told that is normal and ca happen for years after you stop smoking.

How did I win £115?

I was bored on Sunday evening. Too tired after a long shift at work to want to do any work on my websites, nothing on the TV worth watching and I didn’t feel like reading. I needed to keep occupied and from out of nowhere came the idea of joining one of those bingo sites where you get monetary credits worth more than you deposit when you join.

I hate bingo, really do. It’s boring and just not my thing at all. I also don’t like gambling having been married to an addicted gambler many years ago, but I reasoned that I was only spending £10 and had saved more than that since stopping smoking.

I joined think bingo and got $40 worth of free credit after depositing £10. Played a handful of bingo games and became thoroughly bored. Had a few goes at a noughts and crosses game and won $100. Moved on to a fruit machine game and won another £40. After playing a few different things I deposited £115 in my bank account and left £50 of credits on the site.

I consider that a giving up smoking gain because I was playing with money that I’d saved and wouldn’t have talked myself into it otherwise. I know that I won’t get addicted because the games on there are very boring with no skill involved whatsoever.

Most days I just have a puff of my electronic cigarette now and again, but some days I put a nicotine patch on if I feel like it. The times without either are growing naturally and I expect that to continue during the next month.

My e-cigarette has sparked off a lot of interest, even the tobacco rep who came to check our cigarette stand wanted to know where I got mine. I figure that if I bought some in bulk I could probably make even more money out of stopping smoking – just like those who go round selling duty free!!

Be Sociable, Share!

•