Quit Blogs

What a great journey of the mind and getting to grips with the reality of drug addiction. Stopping nicotine was the easy part, controlling yourself is the true accomplishment. I feel great, I have whacked on a couple of extra kilos and the cycling lycra is a bit tighter, but hey a handlebar or 2 is easier to get rid of than lung cancer! I offer encouragement to all of you. I had been trying for 10 years and this time it has stuck. The thought of a cigarette now makes me feel ill. I have had horrific dreams where I am smoking but the shear relief when you wake up to find out it is only a dream is a profound experience. Now as a former ciggy smoker, I can honestly tell you that the physical and mental anguish is worth it, keep at it Kiwis, I applaud Quitline as it has helped immensley, all the smokers I come across who are trying to quit, I point them in your direction, watching their reaction or fear when I tell them it works is all the encouragement I need to keep helping them when they ask

90 days feels good. After 3 months I am now feeling the benefits, it is truly amazing. I did a fitness test at a velodrome( Bike track) yesterday on my new roadbike,(paying off with the proceeds from not smoking!!). What we do is warm up for 10-20 minutes then ride ride flat for 8 minutes followed by 10 minutes recovery followed again by another 8 minute flatout session. By doing this you find out the threshold/heartrate you can maintain for extended periods of vigorous effort by looking at the average beats per minute over the 2 intense sessions. More knowledgeable folks out there please correct me if this is the wrong explanation.
This session average as a non smoker was 168bpm, last session as a smoker was 178bpm, but that is not all folks, my coach/mentor/friend asked me to check if my heart rate monitor was faulty. Sorry to bore you all but this test proves that by smoking we are wearing our hearts out faster! Good enough reason to keep smokefree eh!. As we are all drug addicts it is tough and I still get the cravings, even had it today, but after 90 days I feel very strong and committed. Thanks Quitline this service is invaluable. Keep focused fellow Kiwis you can do it.

Well I am at the 40 day mark, incredible. I thought I could never kick the buggers after 3 decades,
I feel great.
If anyone is interested. I competed in a Mountain Bike race last Sunday and compared to last year I was 14 minutes faster over the same track and the same conditions . I wont lie, I have been doing a bit of training, but I believe 90% of the improvement was not sucking on the ciggy's.
Fellow Kiwis I am not being self righteous but I have come to the conclusion that it is time we all stop the fags. We owe it to the Kids, they copy us adults right!
Anyway enough of my ramblings, whatever stage you are at in giving up this drug, celebrate because you are trying, failure is a drag (pun intended)but I have been failing for 10 years, this time I woke up and said enuff!

I recommend the txt messaging, it works a treat.

Hi all, this is a great service for all of us quitting the demon weed. I have tried so many times to give up, this time with some help I will do it.
Today has been tough, I am not at work so not as busy as I would like, tomorrow depending on the weather I am hitting the local Mountain Bike trails for most of the day, eases the cravings, it also helps clear the lungs when you are climbing the hills and doubly reminds you why you should not smoke!
I am not using nicotine replacement yet, the withdrawls only last a couple of days, its more the pyschological dependence that has tripped me in the past combined with an alcohol beverage!. I have changed routines and altered lifestyle patterns. Preparation is the key!
Any other Road Cyclists or Mountainbikers out there who have quit or are about to quit the ciggies. It would be great to share stories
Cheers