After not having it for several years, Sandy and I went and got our rec center passes today. For $100 for both of us, we have access to all the equipment and walking track in the AC. We walked for 30 minutes and picked up our passes on the way out (they had used our old pictures) and they gave Sandy my sister’s picture.

I made an appointment to get my eyes checked, my eyes are actually getting better but the problem with that is my prescription is changing and it’s hard to keep up with. So now I’m wearing my contacts but I can see the monitor screens without having reading glasses on which makes it impossible to just wear glasses and give my eyes a break from contacts because then I have to wear my glasses and readers and while I can make it work, it’s no fun wearing two pairs of glasses. I need to take some pictures and measurements so I can covey what it’s like at work for me.

So I’m not sure how long it’s been but it’s been a long minute. I really believe that you have to pay the dental pain no matter what. I mean if you go like you’re supposed to, no big deal, cleanings are standard and not ‘deep’ and it’s relatively painless. You don’t go for years, it’s not simple and the pain is excruciating. Oh well the right side is deep cleaned and the left is scheduled along with some cavity fills for next Tuesday. So my goal of hitting the big five oh with everything fixed and tightened up is going well. #FitAt50

So Chantix has a list of side effects a mile long and comes with some serious warnings, and for good reason. I found myself obsessing about things that bothered me to the point where I would wake up and couldn’t get back to sleep because of mean thoughts running through my head. Not disturbing or anything, just focusing on things that make you mad. It caused some serious sleep issues, falling asleep in the day, not sleeping at night. I of course stopped the medication after about three weeks after check with my doctor. To those that follow me in taking it, I would recommend trying to get off of it after two weeks, the first week you’re smoking as it builds up in your system, the second week it’s fighting the urges for you, week three if you absolutely need it but I found it plays so much with your head you really don’t have time to think about smoking. You should be close to back to normal in about 3 days with the drug completely out of your system in 6.

Extremely excited/grateful/happy to be a non smoker!!! I was on a walk this evening and my breathing was better, there wasn’t the burning pain that I’ve had before in the muscles. I’ll need to talk to the doc as I’m still on the high blood pressure meds but I’ve been monitoring my BP closely and my diastolic is averaging under 70 so I’m hopeful I’ll be able to knock that one out. Eating better will be my next step, here’s to better health and a longer life!

Sandy turns 49 today, she’s in Mexico so I guess I’m not celebrating it with her.

I’m now 27 hours tobacco free!!! And I’ve actually figured out how to use the vaporizer I bought 2 years ago with Austin at the CBD store in CO. I’ve still got the blueberry ‘juice’ from two years ago too, which really has me wondering if CBD oil has an expiration date… Oh well, it’s helping with the need to inhale something and it contains no nicotine with the added benefit that it doesn’t stink the place up so I can do it inside. Although that kind of defeats the purpose of that mental ‘break’ that smoking seemed to fill. In any case I’m still thrilled at the prospect of being an ex-smoker and am keeping that positive attitude going, once again not doing something could be the best thing I’ve done in awhile.

So it’s today, about 7 and a half hours ago I became a non-smoker. I’ve been awake about an hour and used the CBD vape to handle the habit of going to the garage first thing in the morning. Still a bit of desire but this whole quitting thing is about mindset. I’m not giving up something I enjoyed, I’m giving myself freedom, I’m giving myself health, and most important, I’m giving myself time and with Gods grace I won’t die a miserable death in a hospital bed gasping for breath with a tube down my throat.

I’ve been smoking longer than I care to remember and it’s time to quit. I’ve got a script for Chantix and should be starting today or tomorrow. To this end I’m introducing a new blog category simply titled Health. The first post will be about quitting smoking and then getting into shape. Here’s to a long tobacco free life!!!