I’m officially a Natural Born Quitter -
Hmmm Leonard Cohen comes to mind “Everybody knows….” Shit I must be careful. That just cost me £100 in a bad bet! 
Oops somewhat sidetracked. I just noticed the date and suddenly realised that I missed the anniversary of me quitting smoking. After smoking up to 25/30 per day to 0 (zero). August 15, 2005 was the last drag of a cigarette I ever had. For the huge part it was really simple and I feel it certainly was the best decision I have ever made. I must admit there have been some bad days especially being out in IRQ with the stresses, concerns, fears and mostly boredom but I managed to stay focused on my goal and stay away from the nicotine monster.
One thing I did promise myself was that I wasn’t going to become the “pain-in-the-ass-ex-smoker” that I had learned to hate and preach to everyone on why they should quit and how bad it is and how expensive etc etc. Those people just made me smoke more almost to spite them. And I would light up in front of them as if I was protesting or making a stand for what I believed in. I have tried so hard to not be that reason. If people ask for advice I am open to talking about it and how I managed it but that’s as far as it goes. I only mean to be supportive and I hope people realise that. I knew when I wanted to quit and others need to know the same. There’s no point in quitting for someone else because that way it is too easy to go back. You have to do it for yourself and for all the right reasons. That way you won’t be bothered being in a bar and around people that smoke.
I am not going try and say that I did it without assistance and just stopped cold turkey, “look how good I am”. In previous attempts I tried Nicorette gum – DISGUSTING. I found I was smoking to kill the taste of the gum. I tried patches – left sore rashes on my arm as my skin didn’t agree with them so I took them off early and jumped right back into my pack of Marlboro. I tried the “will power” way – I have no will power.
And enter from backstage on cue, Alan Carr – The Easy Way. This seriously, without a doubt was the easiest way for me to quit smoking. When I was finished reading (and you must finish it no matter how boring you find it) I loooked back and had a mini revelation and thought to myself, “why the hell did I start?” I now swear by it! He makes sense and best of all he starts the book by telling you NOT TO QUIT! I saw things in a new light. And most of all I felt so good for it. The first week was incredible, the second week was even better. Check it out – at £6.74 from Amazon (the cost of a pack of smoke and a pint) how could you go wrong? But that is just my opinion. See everyone else’s opinion in the 5 out of 5 score on the amazon reviews.
If you choose to stop/quit/give up - Good Luck! Enjoy! Look forward to your anniversary too!
