Ever get that feeling pare, na parang… stuck ka? Like you’re replaying the same old teleserye, same drama, different day? That was me, but instead of drama, it was Marlboro Reds and San Miguel Pale Pilsen. My own version of a “happy hour” that wasn’t so happy for my health or my wallet.
Let me tell you, quitting smoking and drinking – it was like trying to tell your Tita to stop being a chismosa. Impossible, right?
But then I realized something…
Life is like adobo. You need the right ingredients to make it delicious. And my friend, cigarettes and beer? Those were the soggy potatoes and burnt garlic ruining my adobo.
So how did I go from chain-smoking, beer-guzzling dude to… well, not exactly a saint, but definitely someone who can say no to a yosi after dinner?
Let me break it down, kapit-bisig style:
The “Before” Picture: My Love Affair with Yosi and Red Horse
My vices and I, we had history. A love story written in cigarette ash and beer foam.
- Stress Relief? Light up a yosi.
- Celebrating a win? Bottoms up!
- Hanging out with the tropa? Pass the beer and cigarettes!
It was practically part of my cultural DNA, woven into the fabric of my being. “Just one cigarette after dinner,” Lolo would say, “It’s good for digestion!” And who was I to argue with Lolo?
But deep down, I knew it was kalokohan. My body was basically a walking sari-sari store of toxins.
The Wake-up Call (and No, It Wasn’t Lola’s Arinola)
One word: Hininga. My breath could knock out a carabao at five paces. But it wasn’t just the dragon breath.
- I was winded climbing a flight of stairs. Felt like I just climbed Mt. Apo.
- My skin looked like a dried-up mango. Where’d my glow up go?
- And don’t even get me started on my wallet. All those nights out with the barkada were draining more than just my energy.
Then came the ultimate wake-up call – Lola got rushed to the hospital. High blood pressure, the doctor said, made worse by years of chicharon and, you guessed it, yosi.
Seeing her hooked up to all those machines, looking so fragile… it hit me harder than a Manny Pacquiao left hook. This was it. Time to change my life’s script.
Quitting Smoking: A Journey with More Ups and Downs than a Karaoke Session
Let’s get real, quitting smoking was harder than saying no to free sisig. There were cravings that felt like they could move mountains, withdrawal symptoms that made me want to crawl into a cave, and social situations that felt like a minefield of temptation.
But I had my Lola to think about, my health, and let’s be honest, my dating life. (Those smoky kisses weren’t doing me any favours!)
Here’s what helped me kick the habit:
- Found my “Why”: My Lola, my health, my future – these became my anting-anting, my shield against temptation.
- Took it one day at a time: Instead of focusing on “forever,” I focused on getting through the next hour, the next craving.
- Found my support system: Told my tropa, my family. Their support was like a warm bowl of sinigang on a rainy day.
- Got moving: Started jogging, even if it was just around the plaza. Exercise helped tame those cravings and gave me something else to focus on.
- Rewarded myself: Every milestone, big or small, deserved a celebration. And no, not with a yosi. Think new shoes, a weekend getaway, anything that kept me motivated.
Was it easy? Heck no. Was it worth it? More than words can say.
Drinking Less: From San Miguel Every Night to San Miguel Special Occasions
Now, let’s talk about my other great love – beer. It wasn’t about quitting completely, but about changing my relationship with it. From a nightly rendezvous to a special occasion date.
- Set limits: Started with weekends only, then gradually reduced the amount.
- Found alternatives: Switched to seltzer water with calamansi, iced tea, or even buko juice. Surprisingly refreshing!
- Changed my environment: Avoided places where I usually drank, at least for a while.
- Focused on other things: Picked up new hobbies, spent more time with family. Basically, anything but staring at a beer bottle.
It was a gradual process, like simmering adobo. Slow and steady, letting the flavours develop.
The “After” Picture: A New Me (with Better Skin and More Pera!)
Life after quitting smoking and cutting back on alcohol? Parang naka-level up ako sa isang RPG game.
- I could breathe again! Seriously, it felt like I had brand new lungs.
- My energy levels skyrocketed. I had the stamina I needed to tackle my day, from work to errands to even joining the barangay basketball league.
- My skin cleared up. No more looking like I just came out of a karaoke bar at 3 am.
- I had more money. All those pesos I used to spend on yosi and beer? Now I could actually afford to treat myself and save for the future.
But the best part? The sense of accomplishment, pare. I proved to myself that I had the discipline and the willpower to change. And that, my friend, is a powerful feeling.
So, You Wanna Quit Too? Here’s the Real Talk
Look, I’m not here to preach or judge. If you’re happy with your choices, then cheers to you!
But if you’re even just thinking about quitting, about wanting to be the best version of yourself, then know this:
- You are not alone. There are tons of resources out there, from support groups to apps to online communities.
- It’s not going to be easy. Expect challenges, setbacks, and moments where you just want to give up. But trust me, it’s worth it.
- Celebrate every victory. No matter how small, acknowledge your progress. You’re fighting a tough battle, so give yourself some credit.
Quitting smoking and cutting back on alcohol were the best decisions I ever made. It wasn’t just about my health, it was about taking control of my life, rewriting my story, and becoming the leading man in my own damn narrative.
So, what are you waiting for? Your own “after” picture is waiting!