So... I Quit Smoking.

I wanted to stop for a long time now. My smoking got more and more. Finally after an entire pack on Sunday I decided this is it!
I have smoked since I was 15. I quit once when I was 27 then my Grandpa passed and I was just so upset I bought a pack... It was all down hill from there.
I was only at a few a day and never smoked at work. Then it was 3 on my 25 min car ride to and from work. Then ok all the kids are in school I will sit out and enjoy a few while I am alone. Never smoked at night really once I was home I was home, that turned into OK Louise time for a walk smoke two at night. I quickly escalated to almost a pack a day.
Here in Mass a pack of cigs are $8 at the least. So I was spending at the least $50 a week. At $3,69 a gallon that would fill my tank! I was wasting gas money! My weekly food bill is $50 I was wasting real Oreos for store brand! I was wasting $2,400 a year! I could have my new van paid off 3 years sooner! That is crazy!
So come Monday morning I decided I am not stopping to buy them. Tuesday I had to drive by "my gas station" and see Bill wave at me. My lungs could taste the flavor the feeling everything, I broke down and cried.
It has been almost a week and I am starting to feel better. I just wanted to share with you because well I think I needed to do that today as I am feeling a whole lot better but still need a little push so I am writing about it.
So here is what I learned.


In 20 minutes, your blood pressure and pulse rate decrease, and the body temperature of your hands and feet increase.

Carbon monoxide in cigarette smoke reduces the blood’s ability to carry oxygen. At 8 hours, the carbon monoxide level in your blood decreases to normal. With the decrease in carbon monoxide, your blood oxygen level increases to normal.

At 24 hours, your risk of having a heart attack decreases.

At 48 hours, nerve endings start to regrow and the ability to smell and taste is enhanced.

Between 2 weeks and 3 months, your circulation improves, walking becomes easier and you don’t cough or wheeze as often. Phlegm production decreases. Within several months, you have significant improvement in lung function.

In 1 to 9 months, coughs, sinus congestion, fatigue and shortness of breath decrease as you continue to see significant improvement in lung function. Cilia, tiny hair-like structures that move mucus out of the lungs, regain normal function.

In 1 year, risk of coronary heart disease and heart attack is reduced to half that of a smoker.
Between 5 and 15 years after quitting, your risk of having a stroke returns to that of a non-smoker.

In 10 years, your risk of lung cancer drops. Additionally, your risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, kidney and pancreas decrease. Even after a decade of not smoking however, your risk of lung cancer remains higher than in people who have never smoked. Your risk of ulcer also decreases.

In 15 years, your risk of coronary heart disease and heart attack in similar to that of people who have never smoked. The risk of death returns to nearly the level of a non-smoker.

I found all this information on different medical websites. This is amazing stuff! If you need any help to quit smoking I am here :) Although I might need a little help too! Have an awesome weekend!

OH AND PLEASE DO NOT WORRY! I will not become one of "those" people who are a anti smoking freak! I know how it feels :)

Much Thoughts For All Denise <3