week 3

That's right, it's been three weeks since I quit smoking. I've had a smoke here and there, but not many. I still want one, but I don't WANT one. I finally feel like I've kicked the habit.

It's crazy how much better I feel. I can breath better. I'm not as out of breath all the time. I think I'm even sleeping better. When you smoke, you know it's bad for you. If you don't, you're an idiot. You know what it's doing to your body. But the honest truth is, you don't care. Smoking is like any other drug.

So why keep smoking? What do we get out of it? Must be a reason we spend all that money and do so much damage to out bodies. Yep. There is. Nicotine does the following:

• Decreases the appetite (for this reason, the fear of weight gain affects some people's willingness to stop smoking).
• Boosts mood and may even relieve minor depression. Many people will feel a sense of well-being. (This is one reason I have had such a hard time quitting over the years and probably one of the reasons I've been successful time around. I finally have a handle on the depression)
• Raises the blood level of blood sugar (glucose) and increases insulin production.
• Increases bowel activity, saliva, and phlegm.
• Increases heart rate by around 10 to 20 beats per minute.
• Increases blood pressure by 5 to 10 mmHg (because it tightens the blood vessels).
• May cause sweating, nausea, and diarrhea.
• Stimulates memory and alertness. People who use tobacco often depend on it to help them accomplish certain tasks and perform well.
• I must say, I never experienced the above mentioned bowel issues when I attempted to quit previously. This time though. Ya, um. Why exactly does nicotine cause that issue? 

And what happens when we up and quit?

• An intense craving for nicotine (No shit?)
• Anxiety, tension, restlessness, frustration, or impatience
• Difficulty concentrating
• Drowsiness or trouble sleeping, as well as bad dreams and nightmares
• Headaches
• Increased appetite and weight gain(pfff, like anyone would notice. Keep smoking, the cancer will take of those extra pounds)
• Irritability or depression (personally it does both to me)
• Tingling in the hands and feet
• Sweating
• Intestinal disorders (cramps, nausea)<--------THEY AINT KIDDIN WITH THIS ONE!
• Cold symptoms as the lungs begin to clear (sore throats, coughing, and other signs of colds and respiratory problem)This one is NASTY.  

 20 minutes after your very last cigarette your body will begin to return to normal. Both your blood pressure and your pulse rate will have stabilised at a more natural level. As your circulation improves, the temperature in your hands and feet increases to a normal level as the arteries recover. I can personally attest to the accuracy of this statement.

I guess I just got the point where I couldn't think of and valid reasons to keep smoking but a ton of reasons to quit. And every day I make it without one, the better I feel. So every day I make it, I feel better about my decision to stop.