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Preparation: Get Prepared Before You Quit Smoking

by Sue Hayden

Elgin, South Carolina
United States

I had been thinking about quitting smoking for a couple of years. I've been smoking for 25 years. I never did because I have always had trouble with my weight and I finally got down to where I wanted to be. I made up my mind, finally, in August, 2000. I did some research on different quitting techniques, I prayed that if it was meant to happen this time I would succeed,I talked to my husband and son and explained to them that things would get a little tough around the house for a while and will need their support. I took the whole month of September to prepare myself, mentally, physically, spritually and sat the date October 1. I haven't smoked since. My son is 14 year old son that I wanted to see graduate college, get married and see my grandbabies. I also wanted to live my full life with my husband. We have so many plans to do things together after our son moves out. I bought the patches, even though I smoked less than 10 cigarettes a day, I still started with Step 1. Then, I went on to Step 2 for the four weeks, then I got on Step 3, but, only for 2 weeks. I didn't have any 'problems' until I came off the patches. My attitude needed adjusting slightly, but, lucky for me I had the best support anybody could have, a strong husband and son that knew when I was craving, they would support me, even if it meant to leave me alone. They also wanted me to succeed in quitting. They knew if they didn't support me, Iwould probably have started back. I also did alot of praying for strength not to fall off the wagon. I was determined not to start back or gain alot of weight, therefore, I spent a least one hour everyday at the gym working out--this also helped me to reduce the stress and tension. There's a back road that we travel on and sometimes if I feel the stress/tension building up, I'd drive on that road and scream at the top of my lungs a couple of times and that really helped me. I haven't gained alot of weight,(8 lbs) but, I'm still working out at the gym to lose it. I've noticed that I can breath better and can actually go longer since I quit. I won't lie, there's still times I wish I had a cigarette, then I think I've gone too far now to go back. I kid with my husband about starting back and he tells me no way, we're not going thru that again. The main thing that really helped me and still helps me to get thru tough times is prayer. Knowing that He was there with me helping and guiding me the whole way, I knew I could do it.