I was all over this site for a while, but once I got my vaping figured out I disappeared for a while. Now that I've revisited the site, I wanted to post my success story.
So as the topic suggests, I've smoked for well on 20 years. Marlboro Red and Lights for the most part. A few years ago I suddenly realized I had gained 40 pounds and got winded climbing steps. I also was getting bronchitis every winter like clockwork. I had a nagging cough, and whenever I got a cold, it was followed by 2 months of phlegm in my lungs.
I decided to go to the gym and quit smoking. Well I did manage to do half of it. I lost 40lbs doing an hour of elliptical every day, but I just couldn't stop smoking. I'd quick for a week or a month but eventually break down and light up again. I'd lie to my wife about it and we'd have massive fights.
I tried Zyban (sp) and Chantix but failed. Zyban helped, but my willpower isn't that great. Chantix made me break out in hives! Gum was a failure too.
I started running hoping that might inspire me to quit. The idea was that I was always aware of how smoking was holding me back by my lack of breath. Well I ran, a lot, but I still smoked, and coughed.
So a year ago I saw one of those Smoke Everywhere booths at the mall and dropped $100 on an e-cig. It was super crappy, but I committed myself and did it for a week. After that I started smoking again. Still wanting to quit, I hit the Internet a month later and found the forum. That lead me to pickup a 510 kit. Now once I had the 510, things changed. I didn't quit smoking, but I got down to about 5 a day. A month later I got an eGo and I knew I was done with smoking. I kept a pack of cigs in my desk at work as a security blanket. A pack that I ended up giving away about 3 months later to a seriously jonesing smoker. At one point I found myself craving cigs, and had one. It was truly disgusting. I'd gotten used to enjoying the flavor of my juice, and not tolerating the bad taste of cigs.
So back to the running, I felt great! I was suddenly running faster and farther than ever. Over the next 6 months I ran a 10k, a 15k, a couple half marathons, then finally in November I ran the NYC Marathon. I finished in 3:55. Not bad for a 20 year smoker? And FYI, my doctor was stunned!
I am now in the best shape of my life. I still vape... a lot. I would like to walk away from vaping at some point, but for the moment I am just happy in my success. Two of my friends have since moved to vaping, noting my success as their inspiration, something that makes me very proud. Smoking wasn't just a crutch for me, it was like a chain holding me back from the person I wanted to be. I am so much happier now knowing I will never smoke another cigarette. I'm already signed up for the 2011 marathon. Hope to see you there.
So as the topic suggests, I've smoked for well on 20 years. Marlboro Red and Lights for the most part. A few years ago I suddenly realized I had gained 40 pounds and got winded climbing steps. I also was getting bronchitis every winter like clockwork. I had a nagging cough, and whenever I got a cold, it was followed by 2 months of phlegm in my lungs.
I decided to go to the gym and quit smoking. Well I did manage to do half of it. I lost 40lbs doing an hour of elliptical every day, but I just couldn't stop smoking. I'd quick for a week or a month but eventually break down and light up again. I'd lie to my wife about it and we'd have massive fights.
I tried Zyban (sp) and Chantix but failed. Zyban helped, but my willpower isn't that great. Chantix made me break out in hives! Gum was a failure too.
I started running hoping that might inspire me to quit. The idea was that I was always aware of how smoking was holding me back by my lack of breath. Well I ran, a lot, but I still smoked, and coughed.
So a year ago I saw one of those Smoke Everywhere booths at the mall and dropped $100 on an e-cig. It was super crappy, but I committed myself and did it for a week. After that I started smoking again. Still wanting to quit, I hit the Internet a month later and found the forum. That lead me to pickup a 510 kit. Now once I had the 510, things changed. I didn't quit smoking, but I got down to about 5 a day. A month later I got an eGo and I knew I was done with smoking. I kept a pack of cigs in my desk at work as a security blanket. A pack that I ended up giving away about 3 months later to a seriously jonesing smoker. At one point I found myself craving cigs, and had one. It was truly disgusting. I'd gotten used to enjoying the flavor of my juice, and not tolerating the bad taste of cigs.
So back to the running, I felt great! I was suddenly running faster and farther than ever. Over the next 6 months I ran a 10k, a 15k, a couple half marathons, then finally in November I ran the NYC Marathon. I finished in 3:55. Not bad for a 20 year smoker? And FYI, my doctor was stunned!
I am now in the best shape of my life. I still vape... a lot. I would like to walk away from vaping at some point, but for the moment I am just happy in my success. Two of my friends have since moved to vaping, noting my success as their inspiration, something that makes me very proud. Smoking wasn't just a crutch for me, it was like a chain holding me back from the person I wanted to be. I am so much happier now knowing I will never smoke another cigarette. I'm already signed up for the 2011 marathon. Hope to see you there.
