In Honor of my Birthday Month I Chose to Treat Myself to Quitting!

Well hello, there March! Feeling more like the middle of December but whatever! It's my birthday month people! Who is celebrating with me?

Here are some of the celebs we share our special month with!

Justin Bieber, Bryce Dallas Howard, Jessica Biel, Catherine O'Hara, Eva Mendes, Shaquille O'Neal, Bryan Cranston, James Van Der Beek, Oscar Isaac, Olivia Wilde, Terrance Howard, Aaron Eckhart, William H. Macy, Ansel Elgort, Eva Longoria, Lauren Graham, John Boyega, Lily Collins, Bruce Willis, Holly Hunter, Scott Eastwood, Reese Witherspoon, Keri Russell, Jessica Chastain, Elton John, Keira Knightly, Mariah Carey, Lady Gaga, Ed Skrein, Celine Dion, Ewan McGregor

I actually have never seen a list that I know every one of them! Yeah, March babies!

So for this year, I decided on starting off the month by quitting cigarettes! I know a very disgusting and horrible habit that I have had for quite some time. I have worked on quitting a few times before but this time is different.

1) I want to have a baby

2) I want to have a long life and healthy lungs

3) I don't want to rely on cigarettes to calm me down or be the driving force to get me through anything!

I considered Nicorette or weaning myself off of them but my seven-day plan quickly faded away and I was left with only a few days to make a decision. Go into March already smoke-free or begin the process on March 1st.

Cold Turkey for me. I look at it like this. It's not heroin or alcohol. I am not going to die if I cut it off. Am I a bit uncomfortable? Yes. I caught myself 1,073 times over the first few days trying to take a "smoke break" and was shocked at the number of times I had to fight the urge. I have a subtle feeling of unease that is finally starting to go away but here are some of the coolest things I have noticed.

My breathing is so much better. I have never felt like cigs made it worse but I can for sure tell the difference. My energy level has increased but there is a bit of a constant distraction that I am dealing with. Oh you cigs, grrr.

Scientifically here is what actually happens to your body in the first three days of no cigs.

• After 20 minutes, your pulse and blood pressure start to drop back to normal. And your hands and feet warm up to their usual temperature.
• Halfway through your first day, your carbon monoxide level is back to normal. And your heart will thank you. Now it doesn’t have to pump so hard to try to get enough oxygen to your body.
• If you smoke a pack a day, you’re twice as likely to have a heart attack as a nonsmoker. But go one full day without a cigarette, and you’ve lowered your chances. That’s huge.
• With 2 days down, treat yourself to something tasty. By this point, your senses of taste and smell get sharper as your nerve endings start to heal.

  Your body’s also busy with a lot of cleanups. Your lungs kick out mucus and other gunk left from cigarettes. And you don’t have any more nicotine in your body.

• By the end of day 3, you breathe easier and have more energy. Your lungs start to recover and will keep getting better.

2 Weeks - 3 Months

During this time, you make huge strides. You can do more because your lungs are stronger and clearer, and your blood flow has improved. You can exercise without getting as winded. And your risk of a heart attack goes down even more.

You’ve also made it through the hardest part of withdrawal. (woohoo) but you still have to fight the good fight!

If you are wanting a little support, find me @sarahjthedj on (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat)

Just figured I would share that people DO actually quit things without spending a ton of money or needing more than a good kick in the butt!