Been a while - Just catching up...

[Kazza1]

Hello all from sizzling hot UK

I am so pleased to see so many familiar names on here and you are all keeping the quit.

It has been a while since I quit back on 31st December 2016 and wanted to say hello to all my old friends and to introduce myself to some new ones too.

 

I would be lying if I said that even after 1 1/2 years I don't ever think of smoking as I do.. to be honest more when I am having an alcoholic drink, so I cut back on that too!

However I have taken up playing tennis, and now play 3 or 4 times a week and I really could not even walk up the stairs let alone run around a court for a 6/8 hours a week!! So it really does make a difference to our lives..

The other benefits are not having to think about nipping our to smoke when you are in the middle of something and people looking at you with distaste if you are standing in a corner puffing.

I had the pleasure of going to Wimbledon this year and was able to sit in Centre Court to watch Serena Williams win her match without thinking about smoking at all..

My husband is still smoking but he is trying to cut down and is using an alternative to smoking when we are out and about as he too now is noticing the smells and inconvenience. Another positive.

 

I was talking to a friend this morning who is dealing with a daughter that is trying to deal with alcohol and substance abuse (doing well at the moment) and I said it was similar to how I feel about smoking - If I light up or take one puff I will be back on a pack a day NOPE!!

I know I am an addict and every time I feel like "oh just one puff while I have this drink - just one... just one...just one.... I pledge to myself NOPE" I would let myself down so much and although you can kid other people you can never kid yourself.

 

I really hope you are all doing well and coping with your challenges and enjoying life of a non smoker. It is a better life (although at times I question it!!)

 

Stay Strong.

 

Kazza

[jillar]

Hi kazza, good to hear from you What a great update too. I'm so glad you're quit has allowed you the stamina to play tennis. What a difference from a year and a half ago! I'm also glad your hubby is starting to see he benefits of quitting. Hopefully he'll quit soon.

I always have so much respect for those of you who can quit, and stay quit, with a smoker in the house. I'm pretty sure I would not have been able to. So I'm super proud and happy for you.

I wish good things for your friends daughter and hope she finds her way free from her demons. Thanks for checking in my friend. I hope we see you more often

[Doreensfree]

Hi kazza..

Thank you for the update...congrats on your fabulous quit.. 

We are all addicts...and take it day  by day...your doing great ..

Glad you got to see some tennis...

 

[Joe7]

Kazza,

 

It is so nice to hear from you again. Thanks for the great update.  

[Rozuki]

Hi Kazza! Glad to see you are still KTQ ! Wow, you just take up tennis and you are hanging at Wimbledon Center Court w Serena Williams!!! woo hoo!

[Giveintowin]

Hey Kazza. It’s great to see you are still quit. Congrats.

[brand.new.ela]

Thank you for sharing your inspiring story! You are doing amazing in your quit. Congratulations! 

[NOPEster]

You are awesome Kazza. Thanks for your honest post. I especially appreciated your admitting to still having a crave so late in the game. That’s the most important thing I’ve learned on this board - to be ever vigilant for the rest of my life. NOPE to yourself every day.