Another day

Today was un-eventful. Alarm went off at 5:45 AM, woke up shut it off and turned my cell phone alram on for 7 AM. I ran for a mile and jammed to Bob Marley and some Rasputin song about a monk in Russia who was killed during I think the Bolsheviv(sp) revolution that ushered communism.

I worked and was among people who were smoking, BUT, I didn't smoke or crave any. I think at the end of the day the decision is mine, to smoke or not to smoke!! As an encouragement to anyone who visits this site in pursuit of some way(s) to quit smoking, all I offer to you is courage and hope and faith that with the struggle comes redemption. The redeption that will make you breath and feel good about yourself, save some bucks, smell good and not worry about being a statatistic.

I am exhausted and know I need to sleep but I don't want to sleep, so I will force myself to go to bed. Will write more tomorrow.

Njenga, J.

Taking Back control-Living Healthy, Smoke free!!

Taking Back control-Living Healthy, Smoke free!!

I finally did it

Since the last time I posted on my progress on quiting to smoke, I went back to smoking and finally decided it's really time to either enjoy the smoking without worrying much or quit and stay away from it. I tried the patch on Jan 21st 2006. That didn't work out well-it gave me a rash which was very itchy. I decided to quit cold turkey, and I did. The third day was very hard for me. I was very edgy, very irritable and anything set me off, from watching something on the TV to shutting people off my life. I contemplated on buying a pack and setting up another day to quit. The thought of failing once again pushed me to take some deep breathes, read my Clinical Medicine powerpoints, drink tea, and more tea and more tea....and finally it was time for me to get to bed. I felt like a winner, and true enough, I was. I had bit the urge to smoke, the enticement of another puff, the frustration of failing, the smell of more tobacco on my breath and clothes, hidding the fact that I smoked from people...and it felt GREAT.

I honestly don't crave smoking anymore, I only remember I used to smoke when I see someone smoking. I decided not to tell people that I quit smoking because some of them are not very supportive when you fail. They will laugh at you and see you as a failure, which I am not in all aspects of life, at least in my own standards.

It has been 25 days today, and I am still going strong on staying free of nicotine. I have started exercising everday at home. I started walking on the treadmill for 1 mile a day, it has become my lifestyle for now, walking/running and jamming to some Tracey Chapman, Bob Marley, etc. I am having much fun and not just doing it as a duty, but as something that I need and really enjoy now. I have been doing well at school to which helps a lot. But, I just sat for a Clinical Medicine exam on monday which was really, really really hard(atleast all the students said it was), and I didn't feel the urge to smoke to calm down my nerves even after an offer from a fellow student. And BTW, I passed the exam, which brings me to 50 days b4 Residency rotations.

So, John(me), well done and keep pressing on with the struggle and the lpositive ifestyle changes that u have made!! And for those that will one day visit this site in search of a motivation to quit smoking, have faith in yourself, you have more in you than you realize. Soul force is stronger than physical force. No matter how many times you fail and go back to the smoking habit, always know that if you will to quit, and have the caurage to do so, you can and you will because I did it.
Njenga, J.
The wonderer!!

after 3 weeks without a smoke

When exams came around and I was stressed out, I ended up smoking. But now Iam 11 days without smoking. From 12/21 till now. I don't wonna make quiting smoking to be my new yr resolution, cuz when u fail, it messes up ur year. So for now just taking it a day at a time.

John

Smoking is great when you don't wonna quit

I am 3 weeks without a smoke and at times it makes me edgy