Deeeep...Breathhhh.

It has been two weeks since I've quit smoking. I am both shocked and proud that I've done it.

I wanted to share some of my symptoms from not smoking. They're not all good but I can't honestly say that any of them are awful.

• I have a pink tongue again (those of you who smoke will know precisely what I mean.)
• I have a new found interest in brushing my teeth.
• I have a new found interest in Listerine mouth antiseptic.
• I have a new found interest in teeth whitening products.
• When I take a deep breath, I can actually FEEL the air expanding my lungs - it is a bit painful but in a very good way: like a rusty engine that gets an oil change...it feels so good!
• My skin and hair have a healthy glow - not a smoky, filmy sheen.
• I can actually laugh without coughing!
• I don't have to sit on the porch in the rain...unless I absolutely want to get wet!
• I can walk to the fourth floor of my building at work and not wheeze or pant. Although it's still not "easy" it's much easier than while I was smoking.
• I don't wake myself up from coughing.
• My fingers aren't yellow-tinged.
• Et cetera, et cetera...

I'm happy. It still doesn't seem "normal" to me. That is one hurdle I'm going to have to overcome. I am anxious for the day when I don't THINK about cigarettes anymore. Although the challenges are becoming fewer and fewer, the urges remain. Well, that's partially untrue: I don't necessarily feel the URGE to smoke but, when I'm bored, I still want a cigarette. It is an URGE but definitely not a TEMPTATION. If I were going to sneak a smoke, I would definitely have the opportunity: I have friends at work who smoke (my assistant smokes), I have family members that smoke, I could always buy cigarettes again - I just don't WANT to smoke. That's the biggest difference.

I tell myself, "Self, this is the longest you've gone in nearly 15 years without smoking a cigarette. If you fall back on your promise to yourself, even once, you'll have to start at the very beginning." Well, I don't want to start at the very beginning - the very beginning SUCKED. I like that it's been two whole weeks without even so much as a PUFF! (By the way, Jamie is also smoke-free for two weeks! I am extremely proud of him! He's quit cold-turkey...without Chantix. His accomplishment is probably even bigger than mine. But I figure quitting is quitting regardless whether a cessation program is used or not.)

OK. I tend to ramble when I don't have a cigarette in my hand. I just wanted to gloat for a few minutes, that's all.