Amanda's story: times have changed
Amanda's story
(Amanda Cooper, 52*)
I have a favourite memory. My husband and I were at a fancy social event with dinner and dancing. We'd had a great evening, and as we were leaving, we had to walk through a group of smokers. I can clearly see myself walking out that door, my husband behind me, us holding hands. I looked at him after we'd walked through and said, "Isn't it nice we don't have to do that anymore?”
Control is the word for this addiction. It's in you. When I used to smoke, if I was at a dinner party, I couldn't just enjoy myself. I'd have to leave to administer to the need. In my career I've worked in senior management positions at a number of big corporations. One time, I was with my international VP, who had flown in for a meeting. I was determined I was going to open this new business line, and he was determined I wasn't. We were in the boardroom hashing it out. At one point I said to him, "OK, hold those next two thoughts. I have to go for a cigarette."
I started smoking in 1979 at one of my first jobs. All of the women there smoked -- right in the office! I first tried to quit in 1996, using the patch. It worked for six months, but then my husband's father died. It was a really hard time for us, so, of course, I went back to smoking.
Two years later, I read the short version of Allen Carr's Easy Way to Stop Smoking (Deadwood, 1985, 2004), a self-help classic. I did try to quit again, but it didn't last. I was astounded by how hard it was. I couldn't believe there was this thing in my life I couldn't control.
In 2000, when I was 44, I read a longer version of Carr's book, and it had a huge impact on me. I also started using nicotine gum. And I was determined. I finally made it. I've been enjoying the freedom ever since.
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Page 1 of 3
(Amanda Cooper, 52*)
I have a favourite memory. My husband and I were at a fancy social event with dinner and dancing. We'd had a great evening, and as we were leaving, we had to walk through a group of smokers. I can clearly see myself walking out that door, my husband behind me, us holding hands. I looked at him after we'd walked through and said, "Isn't it nice we don't have to do that anymore?”
Control is the word for this addiction. It's in you. When I used to smoke, if I was at a dinner party, I couldn't just enjoy myself. I'd have to leave to administer to the need. In my career I've worked in senior management positions at a number of big corporations. One time, I was with my international VP, who had flown in for a meeting. I was determined I was going to open this new business line, and he was determined I wasn't. We were in the boardroom hashing it out. At one point I said to him, "OK, hold those next two thoughts. I have to go for a cigarette."
I started smoking in 1979 at one of my first jobs. All of the women there smoked -- right in the office! I first tried to quit in 1996, using the patch. It worked for six months, but then my husband's father died. It was a really hard time for us, so, of course, I went back to smoking.
Two years later, I read the short version of Allen Carr's Easy Way to Stop Smoking (Deadwood, 1985, 2004), a self-help classic. I did try to quit again, but it didn't last. I was astounded by how hard it was. I couldn't believe there was this thing in my life I couldn't control.
In 2000, when I was 44, I read a longer version of Carr's book, and it had a huge impact on me. I also started using nicotine gum. And I was determined. I finally made it. I've been enjoying the freedom ever since.
Click to continue...
Page 1 of 3
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