I Quit Smoking - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

**BigE** · 02-27-2007, 10:36 AM

It has been 6 days since my last cigarette. I am 32 and had been smoking since I was 16 or 17. I was a heavy smoker and was spending a lot of money to keep the habit. A pack of cigs cost $5.40 in Massachusetts.

Since I envied so many people who were smoke free, I decided on Ash Wednesday that I would also be smoke free. I had a nasty cold and felt like crap. Now I can save $40 a week towards all of my trips. Today I went to the gym and did a whole hour of cardio without a break. It was great.

I just wanted to share with you all my new happiness. Although I have moments when I want to smoke a Camel factory I have persevered. I have tried everything to quit smoking and this time I am only using will power. This has, so far, been my most successful attempt.

BigE is now smoke-free.

**florencia9699** · 02-27-2007, 10:44 AM

Congratulations!! I hear it's terribly difficult, so good for you!!1

Now if my will power would NOT let me eat pastries/baked goods/chocolate for an entire week...

**SuDz** · 02-27-2007, 10:47 AM

Nice job man, the first month is the hardest anyhow. Most people have it kick in during habbit times, like when drinking or what not. I'm not a regular smoker but when I drink I try hard not to start cause if I do, that's it, game over. I will go through half a pack on a good night if I start smoking when drinking. Same with one or two other specific things that make me want to but never sober. Not sure how that came about.

Stay strong on it and like I said, if you make it another two weeks or so you will be in the clear, plus think of the money you will save and then when you actually get to go on a trip you can run around all over the place seeing stuff without getting winded.

SuDZ

**LiveFreeorDie** · 02-27-2007, 12:19 PM

Congratulations BigE, that's great news! I am sure its going to be a hard road, but keep looking at it as one day at a time and focus on the all the positives...you can save a lot more money, be healthier AND can spend more time inside at the next Tpunk meetup instead of heading outside for a smoke break!

**simply_angelic** · 02-27-2007, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by florencia9699

Now if my will power would NOT let me eat pastries/baked goods/chocolate for an entire week...

God do I know that feeling flo...I have absolutely no willpower. I am so proud of you Ethan! That's really an amazing accomplishment. Good luck on the rest of your incredibly difficult journey ahead!

**freespiritz** · 02-27-2007, 01:25 PM

Congrats! Hope you can keep on track, don't get discouraged...and enjoy saving that money for other stuff! :D

Good job on the gym too, I've been trying to work out more this year and it always feels great after a good session.

**BigE** · 02-27-2007, 02:12 PM

Thanks peeps!

I am especially happy to see a couple of t-punkers I know from a recent meet-up give me the head's up.

Thanks!

**SuDz** · 02-27-2007, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigE

Thanks peeps!

I am especially happy to see a couple of t-punkers I know from a recent meet-up give me the head's up.

Thanks!

If ya get cravings post it on here and we can talk you out of it hehe.

SuDZ

**benna2** · 02-27-2007, 05:49 PM

Woo hoo Congrats BigE! I have never been a smoker, so I don't know just how hard it is to quit but I have seen plenty of friends and family members try to kick the habit.

Good for you though, that is definately something to be proud of yourself for. Your body is going to thank you as well as your savings account!

**travelpunk** · 02-27-2007, 07:49 PM

Congrats, bro

!

**marc873** · 02-28-2007, 04:08 AM

Great man, I'm 33 and have been smoking since 15. Currently I only smoke in the evening, and I only smoke clove cigarettes. God love the flavor, but we have been trying to quit too. Keep it up bro. Maybe you will inspire us even more.

**BigE** · 02-28-2007, 09:37 AM

If you decide to quit, don't jump to gum. It becomes just another addiction. I just chewed about twenty dollars worth of gum. I really like Orbit's Lemon-Lime flavor. It gives me both an "I had a Margarita and still sober" and "a just brushed clean" feelings.

**indierock05** · 02-28-2007, 09:40 AM

Good luck dear! Once I get out of college I plan to hop on the quit smoking band wagon...stay strong!

**noke_travel** · 02-28-2007, 12:39 PM

good to hear...after the number i smoked at the meetup i decided to cut down. hopefully i'll quit one of these days.

**LiveFreeorDie** · 02-28-2007, 03:06 PM

^Yeah...you guys must have left the pub 10 or 15 times during the course of the afternoon...or so it seemed!!

lemlern · 02-28-2007, 04:25 PM

As someone who also just quit smoking, I know how hard and also how rewarding it is not to have a ciggie constantly stuck between your lips. I no longer hack up nasty stuff and I can BREATHE! We just found out my dad has throat cancer from smoking for 30 years so it was a great big motivator for me.

**Delaney** · 03-01-2007, 09:00 AM

How's it going BigE? Congrats on quitting, that is great!

**marc873** · 03-01-2007, 09:22 AM

Yeah, so the wife and I once again talked quiting last night. Where is she now? On the way to the store to get some for after work tonight.

Plus the friend we are staying with this weekend, smokes, and we always party with her, so maybe next week!

But then again, as a smoker trying to quit, is it even possible not to smoke in Europe? Hope I'm not a bad influence on any one, but I know cafes, beers, and smokes, are a fucking great EU afternoon.

Oh good grief

**BigE** · 03-01-2007, 02:07 PM

I had the hardest time yesterday because I had a mid-term exam. Cigarettes always gave me that mental stimulation that I always needed. I am trying to read a book without smoking. When I was in college I was a philosophy major and cigarettes always gave me that edge that helped me get through Aristotle and Kant. Not a easy habit to give up. One day at a time.

**TheJake** · 03-01-2007, 02:35 PM

like i said before... I go through maybe a pack a month...probably more like a pack every other month. So I don't consider it a habit anymore than me drinking a beer which is rare as well. For me it's still just a nice thing to get some nicotine every now and then, whether it's through my pipe or a cig it's just a relaxation method. I kind of think it's a bummer that people do get addicted to it and have to stop altogether.