28 days challenge – kevin’s story

20 Jan 28 days challenge – kevin’s story

I first started smoking around 25 years ago at the tender age of 24.  I started smoking out of pure boredom whilst serving in Northern Ireland.  Initially I smoked around 10 a day, but this eventually grew to a solid 20 a day.  Over the years I’ve seen the price of cigarettes increase beyond belief, but I knew that once I started paying more than £10 a day I would quite pretty soon thereafter.  

There were a number of motivators for me to stop smoking.  Firstly I could feel my health deteriorating and I developed asthma.  This was quite a shock and worried me in all fairness.  However another motivator was the new lady in my life.  She had never smoked and I was very conscious of smoking around her.  The final straw that broke the camels back was a comment from her saying that I smelt awful having just had a cigarette and moved in for a cuddle.  This I found devastating as I just never realised that I smelt of smoke so badly.  It was then that I decided to stop smoking. 

The support from the guys was fantastic throughout my endeavour to stop smoking.  They were never judgemental and understood the challenges I faced during my journey.  They were always on time with the calls – More than I was….:-)

Since stopping smoking I feel physically fitter and healthier without a doubt.  My smokers cough has gone completely, and I can ever taste food better than ever before.  Best of all – I don’t smell of smoke anymore.  I really notice now when people come into the pub or get on a bus.

I had tried before and failed, but I realised that it wasn’t the right time and I did not have the right support in place.  This time round I did tick all of those boxes, but more importantly ‘I wanted it enough!!!!’