Quitting Cigarettes

Smoking History
Started: November 1994

First Quit Attempt: 1 January 2007
Reason: Pregnancy
End of Smoke-Free Period: July 2008

Second Quit Attempt: 22 December 2008
Reason: Disgusting habit, need to save money

Yesterday was the 1st day I went through an entire day without cigarettes. I had the help of nicotine gum and lozenges. Even though it has only been 6 months of continuous smoking, I could feel the effects of nicotine withdrawal. I woke up craving a cigarette, but didn't have any in the house - and Vincent didn't leave me any (I told him not to).

I went to work and announced to everyone that I quit cigarettes. I wanted to make sure that everyone would be watching me so that I don't fall back into temptation.

The worst times are mornings, just after waking and nights, just before bed. Mid morning, I was dizzy.. but kept drinking lots of cold water. I love my cough. I'm coughing up gunk. Not as much as I would like to.. perhaps I don't really have that much gunk after 6 mths of smoking, but it's satisfying to know that cilia is repairing itself in my respiratory tract and I am coughing up the toxins and tar that has caused my smoker's cough.

My gunk tastes of tobacco. It is disgusting but true. I was able to smell cigarettes on smokers who have just had cigarettes before entering the elevator. I'm making progress.

Right now, I feel like another cigarette. I feel a little light-headed but I'm sucking on a nicotine lozenge. I'm trying to cough up more gunk. This should keep me going for another day.