Inescapable Truth #10 “The Healthy Paradox”

The Healthy Paradox

Okay…

In the interest of “fair disclosure” I’m going to let you in on a little secret, and your not going to like it very much.

In fact… your going to be downright angry. I can’t say as I blame you.

Once you quit smoking, it’s reasonable to expect that you’re going to be a much healthier person. Right? I mean, that is what you’ve been spoon-fed by all those well meaning Doctors and loved ones who have been badgering you to quit, right?

“Just think about how much healthier you’re going to be!” – They always say this with a big smile.

Well… here’s the truth.

Bullshit.

It’s all complete Bullshit.

You’re not going to be healthier at first.

In fact… your going to be pretty screwed up for a while.

I thought that when I quit smoking I’d be healthier too. Less colds and flu’s and being sick. I thought that quitting smoking was taking huge steps to make me healthier over all. And “over all” it certainly is. But the truth is that for the first few months after you quit smoking, your body is going to try exact revenge on you for having the audacity to deprive it of the nicotine drug that it’s come to love an depend on.

The first few months after I quit (and this is true of the many, many, many ex-smokers I know), I caught every single cold and flu bug that went around (something I never did when I was smoking). I started having nagging little health problem after nagging little health problem. Everything went wrong. Even my tonsils went bad and had to be taken out. My digestion got horrible. Everything I ate or drank gave me heartburn for a while. My blood pressure actually went HIGHER after I quit.

I’m guessing it’s all psychological, and your body is rebelling against the detoxification. I think it sort of holds your overall health as hostage for a few months. I think your psyche figures that if it makes you sick enough, or uncomfortable enough, then you’ll use all that for an excuse and just go back to when you were healthier and happier, when you SMOKED.

Whatever it was, I and everyone I know suffered terribly health-wise the few months after we quit. Our bodies were truly out to get us.

The good news is that you get past this. After a hard few months of really poor health, if you stick with it and don’t give in, you’ll gradually start getting better. And overall you finally WILL be healthier. I promise. Your digestion will level out, and your blood pressure will recede. All the naggy little health problems that plagued you in an effort to force you to abandon your quest to be smoke free will subside.

That’s when your body will truly begin to heal.

See the next post.