Smoking cessation has been a topic of discussion a lot lately. Several people I know have decided to take on the difficult journey to kick the habit. I myself have been on the same journey more than once. But the last time I started the journey was almost 6 years ago. But in this post, I want to talk to you about my observations about when I was smoking to when I am not.
First and foremost…..my breath smells 1000% better! 🙂
Second, I don’t feel like I have to cough up a lung every morning.
Third, I ran a freaking marathon! SERIOUSLY?!?!? OK, so losing 125# also helped me do that, but do you REALLY think I could have done it while smoking. I had to take guaifenesin to clear my lungs just to be able to breath every day.
Forth, I want to tell you about the difference in healing. I have had 3 back surgeries. For the first 2, which were only laminectomies, I was smoking. My healing took FOREVER! In fact, I only had 5 months between the first two, and I am not sure I had fully healed from the first one before they cut me open again. But when I had my 3rd, I had quit smoking. It was a laminectomy with a spinal fusion following. I had open bolts packed with bone that needed to grow, besides my regular healing. I actually healed MUCH faster after that one. Dr attributed the healing time to my quitting smoking before I had it done.
Fifth, my skin and around my mouth look SO DIFFERENT. I no longer have that gray look to me, and I don’t have those leathery looking lines around my mouth that make women look WAY OLD before they are!
Sixth, I don’t have to go out in the cold when I am in public to smoke! LOL! Seriously though! Did you know that you can not smoke ANYWHERE in public in Illinois? And we have some COLD ASS winters! LOL! No thank you! I get to stay in the indoor warmth when all of my still smoking friends are banned to the freezing outdoors if they want to smoke!
I am going to stop counting there, but come on! Let’s be real for a minute! I am more healthy. I have more energy. And them suckers are EXPENSIVE! I know, because my husband still hasn’t quit! 😦 But I see him thinking about it more and more. It is ridiculous how expensive they have gotten! And in Illinois, the taxes on them make them even more crazy! And I am sure that he is really getting sick of my nagging and whining about how things stink, and the crappy nicotine stains on EVERYTHING in my house and car! LOL! But he needs to come to it on his own, just like everyone else. I can’t make up his mind OR do the work for him.
So please, if you are thinking about quitting smoking, I will tell you that my biggest saving grace when I quit was my exercise and my support system! If you want to try to quit and improve your health all the way around, I would love to help you, by getting you into one of my support groups that will encourage you every day. You will commit to drinking Shakeology, which will help your overall health through nutrition, stick to a fitness program, and staying active in the group for 90 days! And I will commit to helping you stick it out by being your coach for FREE! It is THAT IMPORTANT!
Within Beachbody, I belong to an AMAZING team of coaches. Our Motto is Passion Over Fear! Make your passion for living BIGGER than your fear of failing. You CAN change! You have to work to be the very best you that you can be! It doesn’t come free, and it doesn’t come easy. But it, AND YOU, ARE worth it!!!
Contact me through my website at www.bodybybrendat.net today and we can get you started ASAP!
BrendaT Live-Laugh-Love 