annie42

Hi Rey, If you really want to quit smoking, you can. I smoked for almost five decades and managed to quit on my third try. The first time I quit, I did it because my friends wanted me to. I quit for one month. The second time I quit I did so for my late husband. This lasted for six month then I lit up again. Then, fourteen years ago, I decided to quit for myself. I picked up some nicotine chewing gum and when I wanted a cigarette, I chewed a nicotine gum. It tasted just awful, BUT, it eased the urge to smoke. I was able to gradually cut the little square piece of gum into half/quarter and so on until weaned off and didn't have the physical addiction. To this day I keep a piece of sugarless gum in my mouth, a small piece, just big enough to have something in my mouth.

The desire to light up lasted about three years, not constantly but every once in a while, I'd think about it. That passed. I never think about it anymore.

I was dx'd with hypertension and slightly elevated cholesterol just before I quit smoking. Doctor put me on Lisinopril and Lovastatin. I've been on it ever since and have good bp readings.

I eat healthy, no red meat and take supplements. I eat mostly plant based food - veggies, fruit, beans, whole wheat, brown rice, etc. I am very careful of carbohydrates. I try and stay completely away from anything white, ie, sugar, white bread, pasta, etc. I do enjoy whole wheat pasta now and then.

You can quit smoking if you really want to. I know people who would 'like' to quit but there is a difference in 'liking' and wanting. Think about your health, how much better it would be if you were to quit.

I wish you the very best. Annie