Today starts 100 days since I have smoked a cigarette.

Frankly, I am amazed that I have reached this point. I had expected a hard fight and relapse from stressful situations.

Except in the beginning where I would equate certain activities with smoking, it hasn’t been that hard on me physically. It was mostly mental in the beginning.

I did find the nicotine gum helped more than I expected. Much better than patches. In fact, I’m getting to the point that as soon as I start chewing a piece of the gum, I’m soon ready to get rid of it. I guess it’s the physical act of chewing that had some part in this.

I am using this picture as my holiday picture on my social media accounts. I’ve had several people tell me I am looking healthier now since I’ve quit. I don’t know how much of that is from quitting. I have been keeping very active with my workouts and that has to have an impact as well. Maybe others can see things about you better than you can see them yourself.

I have to give much credit to God. The desire to finally quit started working on me the more I attended church. I was starting to get self conscience about smelling like a walking ashtray around people in church and I didn’t like the thought that I was projecting that image. That was the spark that got lit inside me. Then when you purchase a pack and see the price and realize how much money you were spending on the habit. It adds up.

I’ve gone from at least $14 a day on packs of cigarettes to $8 every other day with the box of gum. Now, getting ready to stop the gum… I am figuring I will not be shelling out $300 to $400 per month for a very bad habit.

Here is the best advice I can give anyone who cares about someone who smokes and wants them to quit. Stop beating them over the head and acting better than them. You’re only making them feel resentment and wanting to keep going in spite of you. If you don’t want them smoking around you, that’s fine and they should respect that but come to them about it from a position of caring and try to understand why they are smoking. They will most likely, be receptive to hearing what you say and actually be honest that they wish they could quit. Then be that friend that helps them. But it has to be on their terms to be effective.

I may purchase one more box of gum. Keep that around as an emergency kit but I’m probably stopping the gum daily here soon.