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Run a marathon!

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  1. scabral88
    scabral88 avatar
    2 posts
    Registered:
    16 Dec 2023
    02 Mar
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    My name is Stephen and I quit smoking 485 days ago. I smoked for over 20 years and never really thought I'd ever quit until one of my close friends had told me that she did. She was on the patch and 5 days smoke free.  That same night after work I went to Shopper Drug Mart and picked up a 7 day Step 1 box.  If you try the patch the best advice I have is to put it on after you have your last cigarette before you go to bed. I put it on in the morning when I woke up and it was a challenge fighting my morning habit until the patch kicked in.  I went through all 3 steps but didn't wear any  of them for the full length of time as suggested in the instructions. I celebrated big events like Jack & Jill's, a wedding in Mexico, my birthday, Christmas, New Years, and 2 cruises all smoke free. By the end of the second cruise I knew I didn't  need the help of the patch anymore, it had served its purpose and I was grateful for that. 

    Anyways, fast forward 5 months, I was at a bar with my partner when I said I wanted to sign up for a marathon, and right there at the table I did just that. I had 6 months to train to go from an 8km runner to a 42.2km marathon runner and I probably wouldn't be able to do it if I went back to smoking. 

    I'm on my way to a year and a half smoke free, I completed my marathon 5 months ago, I'm active  muscle training and running 7 days a week, I practice hot yoga once a week, and I'm in the best shape I've ever been in my life.

    This is my true story on how I went from a pack a day smoker to nonsmoker in a day. It completely changed my life. If I can do it anyone can. I promise, it's a lot easier then you think! 

    it may not mean a full marathon for everyone, it might be a 5, 10k, 21.1k run. Make it your own, honor your  body.
    Last modified on 02 Mar 2024 23:04 by scabral88
  2. karen, quit coach
    karen, quit coach avatar
    59 posts
    Registered:
    09 Nov 2022
    06 Mar in reply to scabral88
    Link to this post
    Hi Stephen,

    Thank you for sharing your story with us and congratulations on nearing your 1-1/2-year milestone of being smoke free! What an amazing accomplishment! 

    You found a quit aid that worked well for you and stayed committed on your journey setting healthy goals for yourself. Look at you now! The smoke free lifestyle certainly suits you! Thank you for posting and for being such an inspiration to others. 

    Warm regards,
    Karen, Quit Coach
2 posts, 0 answered