Recently, I got sick. That's a big deal because I rarely do. I had to call in for a couple of days to get better. I couldn't remember the last time I've had to call in sick, that's how long it's been.

I recovered after those couple of days but I developed some severe chest congestion. It was hard to breathe and I was constantly coughing. I went to the doctor just to make sure it wasn't anything worse. It wasn't, thank goodness, and I got some medicine to help clear the congestion.

As I look at it now, almost a week later, it was a blessing in disguise. With that congestion, I couldn't smoke. It hurt to inhale the smoke and just made me cough. I put them down.

I've tried several times to smoke as I've gotten better but they have tasted awful and it just brought the cough back.

So, I have decided, the time has come to put down the Marlboro Special Blend Lights and work to live a smoke free life.

I had already begun the process, however. I joined Planet Fitness in Tyler in October and every day after work, I have gone and worked out. The whole replace-a-bad-habit-with-a-good-one philosophy. And it was working. I had already cut my smoking by almost half.

It's not something that will be easy, I know that. I'm craving a smoke writing this. And I will probably stumble a couple times over the next month or so. But from what I've read, that should expected.

I posted this proclamation to my friends on Facebook and have received some great support and encouragement from them. A couple have gone through the quitting process themselves.

One suggested I should start vaping. If I'm gonna smoke, I'm gonna smoke, not some flavored water with nicotine. So yeah, that's out.

I've made this proclamation to you because I want the same thing from you, our great listeners, that I asked from my friends, just send me some good vibes that I can continue this process. The time has come and I've never looked more forward to quitting something.

P.S. - This is a photo of me smoking my final cigarette.

Jason Eisenberg / Townsquare Media
Jason Eisenberg / Townsquare Media
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