I was a smoker for 18 years, and cigarettes had become a part of my daily routine. During this time, I had gone through phases of smoking more or less, but I had never truly been able to quit. Being a mom, I realised I don't want my 2 boys to copy my bad habit of smoking as they get bigger. "If not now, then when?". I knew that if I wanted to quit, I would have to do something different.
Quitting smoking can be a difficult process. There are many different methods people can use to quit and it is important to find the one that works best for you.
Here are the 3 clear methods that worked for me:
The reducing method is where you slowly reduce the number of cigarettes you smoke per day. This worked a little better, but my cravings remained. This allows for a slower transition which may be easier for some people to manage.
Educate myself, so I decided to try something else and read a book about quitting smoking that gave me some helpful tips. It suggested using nicotine lozenges and inhalers, which helps the cravings a bit but nothing seemed to completely work for me, however, when you are committed to finally quitting, you should try different options that will work best for you.
Hypnosis. This was the gamechanger for me, there is a misconception that hypnotism will make a person unconscious, but honestly, I’ve experienced it first-hand and found it otherwise. Hypnosis is just merely reprogramming how your mind thinks and works by targeting the physiological triggers and getting people to imagine the many unpleasant outcomes associated with smoking.
When I quit my last cigarette, I knew I'd experience withdrawal symptoms. That's when I decided to find an outlet that would help divert these symptoms. So I started cycling, something that I had always wanted to do. And it worked! The more I cycled, the more my urge to smoke decreased and I started enjoying it. Soon enough, cycling had replaced smoking in my life and it became a huge part of my daily routine.
The more I cycled, the more passionate I became about the sport. Eventually, I decided to take things up a notch and participate in duathlon races that I successfully finishes with good times as well as the Spinneys 92 cycling race, a popular 95 km cycling event in Dubai. Taking part in these events was an incredible experience - not only did it help me stay away from cigarettes, but it also gave me a sense of accomplishment that was unparalleled.
Through this journey, I have learned many things - most importantly, life is better without cigarettes. Nowadays, cycling has become my go-to activity whenever I feel stressed or overwhelmed, and it helps me stay away from cigarettes.
It has been a half year since I quit smoking, but the journey has been worth every second. Don't let a stick of cigarette control you anymore - if not now, then when?
Quitting smoking is indeed a challenging journey, but stories like yours are truly inspiring. Finding a healthier outlet, like cycling, can make all the difference. For anyone looking to quit smoking, exploring alternative methods and hobbies is crucial. I recommend trying C2 hookah as a potential aid during the transition phase. It’s wonderful to see how cycling not only helped you overcome cravings but also led you to achieve incredible milestones. Your journey is a testament to the benefits of a smoke-free life!