At first this was such a struggle that blogging my "progress" just seemed useless and embarrassing. I had a few slip-ups and started to feel like a cheater. Every now and then I'd grab a few drags from a friends cigarette while at the bar. I didn't even want it and I was upset that I did. The only benefit from that were chills all over my body. A temporary good feeling. But the taste and smell wasn't worth it, not even one bit. Vaping is SO much better.
I have also cut down on the frequency of vaping. I have started experiencing with different flavors of e-liquids, though. Right now I'm vaping "FrOOt StRiPeS" from a store in Riesterstown MD called VapeXcape, with a few drops of my V2 Menthol. I am in love with the combination.
Here are some things that I like about not smoking cigarettes:
- The savings! - Even though I am using an alternative, it is much cheaper than buying a pack of cigarettes every other day for almost $7 a pack (okay, not always - I liked to use coupons) I have spent roughly about $60 every 2 months - and that's only because I am experiencing with new flavors and bought an extra battery. If I were smoking regular camel menthol silver, I'd be spending around $100/month. I won't need to restock anything until another few months also, because I stocked up during the V2 cigs Independence Day sale.
- I don't smell like smoke! - I used to not even notice the stench that cigarettes left behind. But now, I can't stand it! So many people that I know still smoke. Friends and family. The smell is awful and the smoke itself is uncomfortable. I feel bad for all the non-smokers I used to smoke around.
- My hands don't stink. - This is something I hated and noticed when I was a smoker. I found myself constantly trying to wash the smell off of my hands. It was gross. I don't have that problem anymore.
- I don't have to stop at the store all. the. damn. time. - One of the reasons I bought a fuel efficient vehicle is so that I didn't have to stop at the gas station every other day. To have to go there just to buy a pack of cigarettes was annoying. I don't miss it at all.
- My chest doesn't hurt. - What makes a hangover worse? Painful lungs. When I drink I tend to smoke A LOT. The next morning was ALWAYS hell for me, even if I didn't drink a lot, I would still smoke a lot.
- My workouts last longer and I'm not winded as easily. - Self explanatory.
- FOOD TASTES GOOD - Holy crap. New found love for cheese, and chocolate. But not all chocolate. If something is too sweet, it's almost painful. I wasn't used to that kind of strength of flavor before. Perhaps that is a good thing. I haven't had much of a weight change so far. I actually weigh less today. 130 lbs. (and I fluctuate between 130-137)
- Vaping is fun. - The experimenting with flavors. Not having to go outside all the time for a smoke (although I don't indoors in public places - I go outside for that, even at bars. I feel like is draws too much attention and confuses people, plus is looks a little trashy IMO). It's calming/relaxing; much like a cigarette used to be for me. I plan on working my way down to zero nicotine. This is the better alternative to smoking cigarettes and I'm okay with that.
- I'm not a burden to others. - No one has to wait for me to smoke my cigarette. More specifically, my Fiance. He doesn't smoke and doesn't allow cigarettes in his car (i wouldn't smoke in mine either if he was in it), rightfully so. So that meant that after a long car ride, I'd have to smoke a cigarette before going into a store or whatever it was that we might be doing. Or I'd have to pause a movie or hold off on cleaning up after diner so that I could have myself a smoke break outside. I don't have to do that anymore; and no one has to wait for me.
- I'm saving time. - Not only was I knocking years off of my life. I was taking 5 minutes here, and there, and here, and there to have a cigarette break. That's 10 cigarettes a day. 50 minutes a day. That's about 304 hours a year. That's 12 DAYS of my life I'd waste every year, all while killing myself. Ridiculous! Wasting my time, as well as other peoples' time. I have wasted 156 days in the last 13 years - Smoking. No more!
