Quitting smoking can be extremely challenging, but it can be achieved if you stay mentally strong. We bring you two smoking cessation success stories of Gavin and Anu who woke up one day and decided not to smoke any more. Find out why and how they quit.
Gavin:
I was a smoker for almost 13 years. I started smoking when I was at university in the US. Like most smokers, it started nonchalantly with the 'have-a-drag' while you were having a drink at the bar. At first it was only when I went out, then progressing to 'after lunch' and then 'coffee and a cigarette' and before I knew it I was hooked. Smoking a pack a day and on bad days almost 2.
I had tried to slow down and stop a couple of times. It never really worked. What ended up happening is that I would slow down and before I knew it I was smoking more then I was before I had slowed down.
A couple of things happened for me to quit and they happened simultaneously or around the same time forcing the thought to the top of my mind.
I was catching a connection at Miami International Airport. If you are not familiar with this airport – it is designed in a big circle without walkways at the time. My flight into Miami was late and I was not able to walk all the way to the gate on the other side of the airport as I had to keep stopping to catch my breath. When I missed the flight it was a massive wake up for me.
Around that time we discovered that my wife was pregnant! That served as a second incentive to Stop. I just woke up one day and decided I won't smoke any more. And never did. I remember being extremely irritable initially, getting headaches that lasted for a few months, and being hungry all the time. These too passed with time.
Anu:
One reason to quit smoking was health. As a smoker one lives in fear and getting frequent throat infections was scary.
Also, my daughter casually mentioned once “You are such a strong woman and yet you are so weak when it comes to cigarettes”. That statement lingered.
I mediated for a month before I quit. I said “I am going to quit voluntarily and the whole process is going to be smooth and easy”.
And I did quit on Jan 1, 2015.
I did have a few (very few) bad days. Stressful situations made me crave a cigarette. However, I did not touch a cigarette after that quit date.
I did start chewing Nicotex gum and I also used e-cigarettes for about two months.
Quitting is a decision that you first take in your head. Then take physical action. Use quitting aids like gum. And do NOT ever touch a damn cigarette again.
Learn from our Other Success Stories of going Cold Turkey:
I Breathe Better After I Quit Smoking
I Value Every Breath I Take Now
I'll Stay Off Smoking Come What May
The Smoke Rings Are Not Worth This
Take the pledge to Stop Smoking Now
