My name is Sophie and I’ve been a smoker for the last seven years.
Will you take the challenge too?
This year, I decided to take part in Stoptober, the 28-day stop smoking challenge from Public Health England, in a bid to quit smoking for good. I’ll be recording my journey through a series of video diaries exclusively for Female First.
To kick-start my journey, I met with an advisor from my local stop smoking service. She listened to my story, gave me tailored advice about how to quit smoking as well as lots of encouragement. I came away feeling much more confident that I could do it.
The stop smoking service adviser, Louise, suggested I write down my reasons for quitting to begin with. These act as a reminder for when the cravings strike and have helped deter me from reaching for the cigs several times already. We also talked in detail about my motivations for quitting - I’ve had a cough for about three years now, and I’m fed up of it! So this is very much about getting myself back to the best health possible and rid of the cough for good. Louise also explained the damage smoking has on your skin - causing the collagen to deteriorate leading to premature wrinkles. That’s really not something I want to have in later life (or earlier life) – so is extra motivation to keep me on track.
Initially, I’m missing the routine of smoking; the ritual of going outside to have a breather and a cigarette. However, but I’ve just bought myself an e-cigarette so I can still carry on with some part of my routine, which I’m really excited to start using. Watch this space to see how I get on with it.
It’s not easy so far but I’m feeling determined. According to my Stoptober app if I make it to 28 days smokefree, I’m five times more likely to stay quit for good. I’m on day five at the moment, so wish me luck!
Sophie is encouraging thousands of smokers to top smoking this Stoptober. It’s never too late to start your quitting journey. Search ‘Stoptober’ for all the support you need to quit: www.nhs.uk/oneyou/stoptober
Tagged in Smokers