People

20 August

It's still going great! I have been really really good and haven't had one, can't say that it has been easy there are still days when I think, "Yeah I would really like to light up a cigarette" especially after having a meal, but I think it's all down to my previous habit of lighting one up after.

My family are still smoking I have decided to try another tactic I am not going to nag them I am going to start coughing every time they light up and open every window in the house, I am sure they will get the hint eventually, failing that will get a water pistol!

So watch out!

20 July

I'm still going strong haven't had a fag for 4 1/2 weeks but for some unknown reason the last few days have been a bit of a struggle.

Have really fancied one on a couple of occasions, but have resisted - would pat myself on the back if I could - there has been no particular reason, nor have I been out with someone who smokes.

It's just been a passing fancy, but have done what my smoking cessation counsellor, Mary, has suggested and that's take a deep breath and count to 10.

In my case I have counted to 20 just to make sure, and then read what horrible things are in a cigarette.

Would you believe that some of the gunk that's in them is embalming fluid, Jeyes fluid, road tar, insecticide, vinegar, citric acid, carbon monoxide - there is only a minute amount of nicotine used - in total there's nearly 4,000 chemicals in one cigarette!

It's a wonder that I am still alive!

Anyway, I am still determined to be a non-smoker, but I am not going to nag my friends and family about giving up. I think that it is up to them to want to do it, but with a little persuasion from me of course!

16 July 2007

It's my fourth week and can't believe how quick the time have gone.

I am feeling a lot fitter (can run up the stairs without gasping for breath) and also I've not got that nasty smokers cough in the morning, which was horrible - yuck.

I've still got a long way to go and won't consider myself a non-smoker until I've got to the end of my treatment, but then I am going to celebrate and splash out on new clothes with all the money I have saved.

All I've got to do now is get my partner and my son to stop smoking, which I am working on, but I know that nagging won't do it, so will keep you posted if I succeed.

08 July 2007

It's now the third week of not smoking - I can honestly say that I don't want one and I haven't had any bad cravings.

Quite a few people have mentioned that I am not stressed out over it, which is great. I think they were all afraid I would bite their heads off (as if I would!!!)

The only downside is when I have to go and visit residents. In the areas I work a lot of them smoke and I come out of their houses smelling like an ashtray - yuck!

Now I know what non-smokers in the past must have gone through when I had had a fag near them.

I must say that taking Champix is this best thing I ever did, I had a few side effects like feeling sick for a few days, but that soon passed.

Any of you smokers out there who want to pack it in then get down to your doctors and ask for this wonderful new drug.

29 June 2007

Well it's my second week of not smoking and so far so good.

The real test was on Monday night when I went out with a mate for a beer and meal, did fantastic, she smoked like a chimney and I didn't even have a craving for one.

Felt really smug - the only downside was my clothes smelt disgusting at the end of the night.

The next test was going to a friend's house for a coffee and sticky bun. Again passed with flying colours, in fact my friend didn't smoke as much as she usually does because she felt "guilty" about smoking in front of me.

It's still early days but I am determined never to be a smoker again, plus up to now I have saved over £140 since quitting.

Watch this space and keep listening to BBC Radio Leicester 104.9FM to get the latest on Sue's quest to quit!