Two years ago a book changed my life

I was a 10 cigarette-a-day smoker for about 15 years.

Like most smokers I thought it helped me deal with stress, helped me focus, made me look and feel Rock n' Roll*. Like most smokers I had multiple failed attempts at quitting.

Today marks 2 years since I had a cigarette. I can honestly say it was easy.

I had a recommendation from a friend who'd read the Allen Carr Easyway to stop smoking. I was skeptical, but it had worked for him so I gave it a try. The book tells you not to stop smoking before you read it, it actively encourages you to smoke throughout reading it. I thought it was totally bonkers.

I've never read a 'self-help' book before. I'm too pig-headed and stubborn to think something like that would be able to help me. It did. I'm a total convert.

When I said I was quitting (again!) my wife was expecting the mood swings and temper tantrums that came with previous failed attempts. There weren't any. I finished the book, I told her I'd stopped smoking. That was it.

Two years later, many, many 'trigger' situations - nights out, stag dos, weddings, stress full life events, births, deaths.... nothing made me even consider having a cigarette.

Two years later I'm happier, healthier, less stressed, more productive and still don't have any cravings.

Everyone knows the health benefits of stopping smoking, but all smokers will tell you that the cravings are horrendous when you stop. Nicotine is one of the most addictive substances on earth. When you stop smoking there is a physiological craving which you cannot ignore (unexpectedly my legs were itching to the point of being unbearable), but when you dissociate the physical and the psychological it becomes much easier.

I don't have the strongest will power known to man, in-fact quite the opposite, but the book made this easy for me.

I'm not saying this book will work for everyone, but if you want to stop smoking then give it a try. It's ￡6.50 and could change your life for the better. You've got nothing to lose.

I'd love to hear of any others who've used this book / the physical class to stop smoking, and to share their experiences good or bad.

Oh and please share any other self-help books you've read that have changed your life for the better. I'm all ears.

Here's to happiness and health.

Rich

*I can confirm smoking a cigarette at 06:30 on the way to Raynes Park train station every day did not make me look, feel, or smell Rock n' Roll.