Are You Ready to Quit Smoking?

You know you want to Quit, but you think it’s too hard! It is hard, but you can do this. It’s not too hard for you!.

Set a date to quit. First, set a quit date on your calendar. Then create your action plan. Next, decide what methods you feel will work for you, look at them, talk to other quitters about their methods,?before your quit date.

Talk to almost-quitters. People who have given up for one day, two weeks or a year, and how they slipped back. Talk to quitters who quit and stayed quit. Their stories are sure to give you encouragement.

You don't have to go it alone. Stop Smoking Groups are a great way to take the first step towards giving up. You'll get support, advice and you might even make some new friends!

Enlist the support of a coach. A friend who has quit any addiction knows what you are going through. Ask for advice!

Change your routine. Stop going to the store where you bought cigarettes. It's probably a good idea to avoid clubs or other smoking haunts for a while, also. Try doing something totally different.

Start drinking lots of water, at meals and in between.

The Night before your quit day: Get rid of all your smoking gear. Throw out all your ashtrays, lighters, half-finished packs, everything smoking related!

Take some time to consider your thoughts and your hands. What will you do with your hands? Puzzles, a nice pen, a ball, a straw or toothpick to chew on,?Get a stress ball, a token or coin to play with in your fingers.

Examine triggers - Everyone has their reasons for smoking. Recognize your triggers and take steps to manage them. Look at the times and places you smoke, and work out a plan for handling each situation.

Did you smoke? ? When you wake up, After a meal, With friends or family, Talking on the telephone, When you have a drink, Reading the newspaper, When you're feeling tense or stressed, At social events, parties or at the club, Watching TV ?

Do something new: Why not learn some new tricks, jokes, computer games. Go for a quick walk, entertain your kids or friends.

Write down all the reasons you want to quit. Tell yourself “I can do this”! Awake, on your quit day, a non-smoker. This is your first day as a former smoker.

Tips for the “Quit Day”

Drink lots of Water. Try to drink six to eight glasses of water a day, or more if you can. The more water you drink, the faster you’ll flush toxins out of your body. Treat yourself like royalty! This is really important. Set aside the money you’ll save not smoking to buy something really meaningful. It can be big or small – give yourself a reward, a treat.

1 day at a time! Every day without cigarettes is good for you, your heart, your health, your family and friends. But, if you do lapse, learn from the experience. You didn't fail, you just need more time to be successful!

Keep going in the right direction. Do some great things for yourself, like:

Have your clothes dry cleaned, Get your teeth cleaned, Do some spring cleaning, Have the car cleaned, Take up walking with friends, or alone.

Drink sparkling water with a splash of your favorite juice (orange or lemon or ginger) added, flat water, or flavored herbal tea instead of coffee in the mornings. Brush your teeth after each meal. You’ll enjoy the fresh new mouth.

Weight gain - The idea of gaining weight is of major concern to many who give up smoking. Studies show that 80% of smokers will gain weight once they quit smoking, but the long-term weight gain will average only 6-8 lbs for each smoker who quits.

This is weight gain made without any special attempts at dieting or exercise and it presents a minor health risk when compared to the risk of continued smoking. And Of course you’ll notice improved lung function, and other health benefits by giving up smoking are likely to make exercise both easier and more enjoyable.

The Benefits of quitting - Your eyes will be brighter, clearer. Your skin will be glowing.

You’ll awake with more energy, breathing easier, and coughing less in the mornings. You’ll enjoy the taste of food more. Your hair and clothes will smell nicer, and before you know it, your health will improve.

I quit smoking in the summer of 2002, after having smoked for a very long time. It was not a cake walk, but I did it. I think anyone who makes the commitment to quit, can do it. Changing ones habits is just a matter of making the commitment and sticking to it. The commitment is a promise to myself. I always keep the promise I make to myself.

I used a stop smoking aid which helped tremendously, I also did lots of writing essays “Why I want to quit smoking”, and then read them all over and over, and told others why I quit. At that point there is no turning back.

After I quit, while still working at the Health Clinic?I was asked to coach clients of the clinic to also quit. 100% of this multi-cultural, multi-generational population all were successful in stopping smoking.??

We sat together, told the stories and supported each other and brain-stormed our way to success. You can do anything you decide to do.

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