Home > The Last Drag > Archives > 2009 > June > 05 > Entry
Day 34: Schwinn
Today I interviewed an ECU grad student who just returned from participating in Tour d’Afrique.
For four months, he was over in Africa with a group of about 45 people cycling through the continent. In the process everyone lost about 25 pounds and was accustomed to riding for 100 miles daily after a couple of weeks.
He really made me want to ride my Schwinn to my friend’s birthday barbecue tonight — if it wasn’t raining.
But he also made me think that I’ve been too easy on myself. I am not completely healed from the damaged I caused my body while I was smoking, but that’s no excuse to keep pushing my self further and further each day. Instead, I’ve found comfort in my regular running trails and stuck to them.
I think Day 34 is a good time to stop whining about how my old addiction has made things harder, and to start working harder toward being better than ever.
At least working toward something will make it easier to ignore cravings over the weekend.
Comments
By Mike
June 7, 2009 6:00 PM | Link to this
Hey Kristin. I quit 2 1/2 years ago after a 20 year, pack a day smoker. One thing that helped me the most was to also quit drinking alcohol. To drink alcohol means you need to have a smoke with it. So, for me to give up smoking I had to give up drinking. No big deal today. It was a life change at the beginning because my wife and I had alot of friends that drank with us at cookouts, on the town and so fourth. I really wanted to quit which meant I really needed to change my life style. No bars/clubs, no cookouts where everyone is drinking. My wife and I have a better relationship today because of my decision to quit. We became more active with our church and established relationships with other non-drinking couples with kids who were just like us. You can find us on Friday or Sat evenings cooking out with friends in our yard enjoying ice cold sweet tea watching our kids run and play knowing that I increased my chances of living longer to see them graduate, marry or maybe long enough to celebrate with my wife at our 50th ann. Who know’s. I know that I’m healthier today and I smell better.