SMOKERS... LETS KICK the HABIT!!

[Jesse]

When I logged on and saw this thread pop up on the screen it reminded me that today marks 3 years since I last smoked a cigarette. Quitting that habit is one of the best things I have ever done for myself.

I have faith in those of you who are trying to quit, just don't give up on yourself!

Congrats to those who have quit!

- Jesse

[ahk]

Tomorrow marks my 6th year!
Congratulations to Jesse and others.
Every day gets easier.

Some fun facts--

1. 20 minutes after you smoked your last cigarette, your HR (heart rate) will have alread started to return back to normal.
   
2. After 2 hours without a cigarette, your heart rate and blood pressure will have decreased to near normal levels. Nicotine withdrawal symptoms usually start about two hours after your last cigarette. Early withdrawal symptoms include:
   
3. intense cravings
4. anxiety, tension, or frustration
5. drowsiness or trouble sleeping
6. increased appetite
   
7. In just 12 hours after quitting smoking, the carbon monoxide in your body decreases to lower levels, and your blood oxygen levels increase to normal.
   
8. In 24 hours, the heart attack rate for smokers is 70 percent higher than for nonsmokers. But, believe or not, just one full day after quitting smoking, your risk for heart attack will already have begun to drop. While you're not quite out of the woods yet, you're on your way!
   
9. After 48 hours without a cigarette, your nerve endings will start to re-grow, and your ability to smell and taste is enhanced.
   
10. 3 days--At this point, the nicotine will be completely out of your body. Unfortunately, that means that the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal will generally peak around this time. You may experience some physical symptoms such as headaches, nausea, or cramps in addition to the emotional symptoms mentioned above.
    
11. To fight the mental symptoms, reward yourself for not smoking; use the money you would have spent on cigarettes to treat yourself to something nice.
    
12. After a couple of weeks, you'll be able to exercise and perform physical activities without feeling winded and sick.
    
13. One to 9 months-- About a month after you quit, your lungs begin to repair. Inside them, the cilia—the tiny, hair-like organelles that push mucus out—will start to repair themselves and function properly again. With the cilia now able to do their job, they will help to reduce your risk of infection.
    
14. The one-year mark is a big one. After a year without smoking, your risk for heart disease is lowered by 50 percent compared to when you were still smoking!!
    
15. 5 years -- A number of the substances released in the burning of tobacco—carbon monoxide chief among them—cause your blood vessels to narrow, which increases your risk of having a stroke. After five to 15 years of being smoke-free, your risk of having a stroke is the same as someone who doesn't smoke.
    
16. Ten years after quitting, your risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, kidney, and pancreas also decreases.
    
17. Fifteen years of non-smoking will bring your risk of heart disease back to the same level as someone who doesn't smoke.

Keep fighting!!

[Lady Pamela]

As of the 4th I have been smoke free 23 months...Wasn't able to post.

For everyone else trying or who have quit, KEEP UP THE GREAT JOB!

Blessings to you as well.