Quit Smoking Blog - How To Quit Smoking?

How Can I make Quitting Easier?

2008-08-28T08:24:00.000-07:00

You may find it hard to stop smoking but the government is doing everything in their power to help you cut down. With all these new laws about not smoking in restaurants and at your place of employment, places to smoke are becoming scarce. But ultimately it is up to you to quit. Nicotine is very addicting and it is said to be harder to quit than cocaine. But it can be done; the main tool you need here is the will to quit. If you are saying that you want to quit just for the sake of saying it, you will never do it. But the old saying goes, where there is a will there is a way.

First, you want to set a goal for yourself. There are a lot of people who say I want to quit smoking by June 1st. Do you know what happens when June 1st comes around and you have not quit? You will end up smoking more because you are now discouraged. Take it one day at a time, give yourself a month and everyday, take one less cigarette out of the box and throw it away, it will be one less that you smoke that day.

Then you want to figure out what times of the day you smoke and why. For example, if you write down at 10:30 I have a cigarette and it is when I go outside with my coworkers. Now, you have a starting point to change that. Most people who go outside at smoke breaks do it to socialize. Even though it is a great time to get out of the office for 15 minutes, try staying at your desk and work. By cutting out or changing up your routine, you will start to see your craving for a smoke decrease.

Many people, who attempt to quit, are not successful. This is because they do not take the right steps in order to change. Another prime example is, people say they smoke when they drink coffee. Switch from coffee to tea, not only is tea better for you but it will also relax you where you don't have the anxiety to smoke. If you need a little extra help, it is ok. There are many things that you can do. One great way to make quitting easier is to quit with a friend, almost the buddy system.

The support there would be tremendous and it would help both of you out so much. Support from friends and family is key, ask those who smoke, not to smoke around you. If you don't see someone else do it you will be less likely to go out and smoke yourself. Attend cessation programs, check with your local library or adult center. Hospitals offer programs that you can sign up for. It is ok to use Nicorette gum or the patch. The main objective here is to quit once and for all.

Why Should I Quit Smoking?

2008-03-19T07:38:00.000-07:00

There should only be one reason why you should want to quit smoking and that is your health. No other reason should be as important. Smoking is a horrible habit and yet it is not that easy to quit. They say that smoking is harder to quit then cocaine; nicotine is so addictive that some people may never be able to quit. Reasons for quitting may vary and you should make a list of the pros of smoking and the cons and see which one out weighs the other. The goal of the list is to show you that there are more cons than pros.

Smoking as you may know is the leading cause of diseases such as cancer and emphysema. Smoking is also related to other symptoms such as stress. Many people claim they reason they smoke is due to stress. Smoking no matter what great a shape you are in will hurt you in the long run. You will no longer have the stamina you once had. Even during the simplest activity you will become winded. You will be more prone to have bronchitis and others around you may end up with bronchitis because of the second hand smoke.

That leads us to our next point as to why you should quit smoking. Not only are you hurting yourself but you are also hurting other people around you. Studies have shown that people who have never smoked came down with lung cancer. Most people who smoke most often drink coffee. These two in combination with each other can cause some damage. There are some people who smoke only when they drink coffee, so they tend to drink coffee more as a way to explain why they smoke so much.

Other people like the idea of smoking with a group of people at work. Usually when people go outside to smoke they get together and socialize. You will hear a lot of people say I am a social smoker. Social smoker or someone who smokes all the time makes no difference. Once you get started it may be hard to stop. You want to quit for all the right reasons.

Why would you want to have yellow teeth or yellow skin? Smoking is actually known to cause anxiety. Breathing problems can occur as well. Plus think out how much money you will save by saving on smoking. Health wise, it is very important to quit while you can. There are so many techniques and methods that you can choose from. Unless you have the desire to quit smoking very badly, it is not recommended that you quit cold turkey.

Talk to your doctor about quitting smoking and see if there are any ideas that he can offer you. You don't have to quit smoking overnight and you should not expect to but over time you will see great changes in your health, everyday that you stop smoking.

Tips to Quit Smoking

2008-01-15T07:46:00.000-08:00

Not everyone can choose to quit smoking all on their own. There are many people who need help in quitting. Others just don't know where to start. Here are some tips to help you quit.

Tip # 1: Don't quit cold turkey. While there are many people who can do this, there are also many that cannot. Try tapering off slowly. Pretty soon, you will down to maybe a quarter of a pack a day and then you will down to nothing.

Tip # 2: Try using aides to help you quit. Try Nicorette Gum or the Patch. There is nothing wrong in getting a little extra help while trying to quit. It should not matter if you needed help or quit on your own. As long as you quit.

Tip # 3: Find some support: Support can come in many different ways. You can ask a group of friends to help you. If you have friends that smoke, tell them you are quitting and then ask them not to smoke around you. There are also professional groups that you can join to help you stop smoking and talk to others who are going through the same thing.

Tip # 4: Change your habits. For example, if you usually smoke at breakfast while drinking coffee. Cut out coffee, if you normally eat in the kitchen, try eating in the living room watching TV. The TV will act as a distraction from the need to smoke. A lot of people out there smoke because they are bored.

Tip # 5: Try to get more sleep. Quitting smoking usually takes a toll on your body because the body is lacking something it is used to getting on a daily basis. By getting a lot of rest will reenergize you. Every day you will get stronger and stronger. Get the rest while you can

Tip # 6: Drink Plenty of Water. Sounds strange for quitting smoking, it sounds more like a weight loss tool. But water actually washes away the nicotine toxins in your body and it will curtail the need to smoke. Water can help with the withdrawal symptoms that you may be experiencing.

Tip # 7: If you tend to smoke more when you are stressed out, instead of reaching for a cigarette, you can reach for a cup of hot tea and lemon. Tea is very soothing and it is a great stress reliever. Stay away from coffee when it comes to stress because most people will admit that with them, smoking and drinking go hand in hand.

Tip # 8: Take it one day at a time. Don't ever make an exact date to quit. By saying that I will have stopped smoking in three weeks, it will make you smoke more when you have not realized your goal. Just take it day by day. You will reach your goal. By putting more pressure on yourself, you will not do as well.

Why is it so hard?

2007-09-28T14:22:00.000-07:00

If you can understand why it is hard for people to stop smoking it may be easier to actually quit. Many people believe they do not have the will power to stop but chances are that is really not the problem. For one Nicotine in the cigarette is a drug that is found naturally in tobacco. It is a very addictive drug and it has been said that it is as addictive as either cocaine or heroine and just as hard to quit.

When you decide to quit, you will experience Nicotine withdrawals, these symptoms mirror people who go into detox to quit cocaine. You will feel dizzy which only lasts 1 to2 days in the beginning, depression, feelings or frustration or even anger. One common withdrawal symptom is irritability, you may have trouble sleeping or trouble falling asleep, and you may experience trouble concentrating, restlessness, headache, tiredness or increased appetite which is the kicker. When a smoker quits smoking, because they feel so horrible from not smoking they just want to feel better so they start smoking again.

They continue to smoke until they feel like their old self again. That is why6cold turkey sometimes is not a good idea because it is a shock to the body and you feel horrible and some people feel it is not worth feeling lousy just to stop smoking.

There are many reasons to quit; one great reason is for your health and for the health of others. It is estimated that people who smoke will die from smoking related illness. Smoking cause's lung cancer but it can cause lung cancer in people who do not smoke; second hand smoke is just as bad as smoking. Smoking also increases lung problems such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis; non smokers can experience these ailments as well.

For women there are additional health risks especially for women who smoke and take birth control pills, it can cause strokes in women who do both. Low birth weight babies are also good possibilities if you smoke or are around smoke while pregnant. Miscarriages are also a possibility. Is it worth risking the life of your unborn baby just to have a drag of a cigarette?

If you do quit, the first 20 minutes you heart rate will drop and your blood pressure will drop as well, 12 hours after quitting the carbon monoxide level drops back to normal in your blood and 2 to 3 months after you quit, blood circulation increases as does your lung function, is it worth it now?

Tips to Stop Smoking

2007-08-24T07:45:00.000-07:00

If you are considering quitting then here are some tips to help you. The first tip is Tell Others your Plan to Quit. Quitting may be easier to stay focused when you tell people you are quitting. Plus they will offer their support which you may need in the first day or so. If you hate people who constantly ask how you are doing, when you tell people you are quitting ask them not to ask, rather tell them how they can help.

Next, remove the Cigarettes and Other tobacco from Your Home, Car and Work. You know the old expression out of sight, out of mind. Clean these areas that smells like smoke, use deodorizers and air fresheners to get rid of the smell, if you can't smell it you will not want to smoke it. Then make a list of why you want to quit. If you have superficial reasons for quitting then you won't last. Make sure your reasons are valid so you will stick to it.

You are not the first person to quit and you won't be the last. So keep that in mind if other people with less resolve than you can stop then so can you. If you are pregnant then it is the perfect time to quit, you don't want to risk the health of the baby by smoking. Smoking while pregnant causes low birth weight and sometimes miscarriages.

Distract your self from smoking, take up a hobby where you can keep your hands busy, like gardening or needlepoint. Idle hands tend to make a smoker want to smoke. Don't think you can do it all; expect to relapse because if you expect it then chances are you might not because you think you will. Become more physically active, start exercising or take walks, keep your mind on something else.

Nicotine is a powerful addiction and every hour that do without a cigarette brings you one step closer to beating the nicotine. Keep a journal as to how you feel day to day, it will be like a therapy, it will help you. Count the days that you have stopped smoking you will find great encouragement from this. Try chewing gum or lollypops in order to satisfy the oral fixation of having a cigarette in your mouth. Before you know it you will have stopped smoking and you will feel great.

Quit Smoking Advice

2007-07-11T14:03:00.000-07:00

If you have finally picked a good time to stop smoking there are good times and bad times to do so. If you are under type of stress then it is not the best time to quit. People who smoke tend to smoke more when they are under pressure from work or a family crisis. Stress and smoking go hand in hand and when you decide to stop smoking while there is work stress or home stress, you may end up smoking more than you did before.

Chose the method of smoking wisely. If you decide to go cold turkey you may find it difficult, so don’t quit all at once, try to wean your way off, if you smoke 12 cigarettes a day then next day smoke one less, each day smoke one less and before you know it you will have stopped smoking. When you just stop, some people gain weight so by cutting down by one a day you won’t feel the need to over eat because you are still smoking just not as often.

If you decide to get the patch, consult your doctor before undertaking, the patch or the gum or any stop smoking pills. There is nicotine in these patches and pills and they may not be for you. Always consult your doctor before doing anything radical like quit smoking, just get a clean bill of health before you start with patches and pills.

Another great way to stop smoking and it does not require pill, patches or even cold turkey, it is Hypnosis. Find a licensed Hypnotherapist and find out what exactly is entailed with Hypnosis in order to stop smoking. It is a proven method and people liked it because they did not even realize that they had stopped smoking. But only use a licensed Hypnotherapist, you can find them in your Yellow Pages.

Others have tried many, many ways and they have not all worked. You must have the will not to want to smoke, if deep down you don’t want to stop then chances are any method you try won’t work and you may end up smoking more. So unless you are 100 percent committed to quitting don’t attempt it because it won’t work. Until you can wake up in the morning and say this is the day, you just aren’t ready.

Don’t let anyone badger you, you quit when you are ready.

Non-Smoking Gisele Puts On 15 Pounds

2007-04-25T12:52:00.000-07:00

Gisele Bundchen has put on 15 lbs since giving up smoking. The Brazilian supermodel says she is enjoying food so much more since kicking her habit.

She revealed: "When you stop smoking you gain weight because food tastes better than when it tasted like an ashtray."

It was recently claimed the beauty was pregnant with American footballer Tom Brady's baby after she was seen with what appeared to be a baby bump. While her family were quick to deny the claims, Gisele - who previously dated actor Leonardo DiCaprio - has made no secret of her desire to have children soon.

She revealed: "Everybody is different, but for me, having a family will be my greatest achievement."

When you have a family that you can raise the way your parents raised you then I think you have succeeded. I have that dream.

"I don't know when it's going to happen. Everything in life has to be planned. I'm very old-fashioned. I believe in being married and going to your husband and saying, 'Let's have a kid'."

Here's some tips on quitting smoking

2007-03-31T19:59:00.000-07:00

How to dampen that urge

There are seven major coping skills to help you fight the urge to smoke. These tips are designed for you, the new nonsmoker, to help you nurture the nonsmoking habit.

1. Think about why you quit - Go back to your list of reasons for quitting. Look at this list several times a day - especially when you're hit with an urge to smoke. The best reasons you could have for quitting are very personally yours, and these are also your best reasons for staying a nonsmoker.
2. Know when you're rationalizing - It's easy to rationalize yourself back into smoking (see "Common Rationalizations"). Don't talk yourself into smoking again. A new nonsmoker in a tense situation may think, "I'll just have one cigarette to calm myself down." If thoughts like this pop into your head, stop and think again! You know better ways to relax - nonsmokers' ways, such as taking a walk or doing breathing exercises.
Concern about gaining weight may also lead to rationalizations. Learn to counter thoughts such as "I'd rather be thin, even if it means smoking." Remember that a slight weight gain is not likely to endanger your health as much as smoking would (cigarette smokers have about a 70-percent higher rate of premature death than nonsmokers). And review the list of healthy, low-calorie snacks that you used when quitting.
3. Anticipate triggers and prepare to avoid them - By now you know which situations, people, and feelings are likely to tempt you to smoke. Be prepared to meet these triggers head on and counteract them. Keep using the skills that helped you cope in cutting down and quitting:
.Keep your hands busy - doodle, knit, type a letter. .Avoid people who smoke; spend more time with nonsmoking friends.
.Find activities that make smoking difficult (gardening, washing the car, taking a shower). Exercise to help knock out that urge; it will help you to feel and look good as well.
.Put something other than a cigarette in your mouth. Chew sugarless gum or nibble on a carrot or celery stick.
.Avoid places where smoking is permitted. Sit in the nonsmoking section in restaurants, trains, and planes.
.Reduce your consumption of alcohol, which often stimulates the desire to smoke. Try to have no more than one or two drinks at a party. Better yet, have a glass of juice, soda, or mineral water with a celery stick to nibble on.
4. Reward yourself for not smoking - Congratulations are in order each time you get through the day without smoking. After a week, give yourself a pat on the back and a reward of some kind. Buy a new record or treat yourself to a movie or concert. No matter how you do it, make sure you reward yourself in some way. It helps to remind yourself that what you're doing is important.
5. Use positive thoughts - If self-defeating thoughts start to creep in, remind yourself again that you're a nonsmoker, that you don't want to smoke, and that you have good reasons for it. Putting yourself down and trying to hold out through willpower alone are not effective coping techniques. Mobilize the power of positive thinking!
6. Use relaxation techniques - Breathing exercises help to reduce tension. Instead of having a cigarette, take a long deep breath, count to 10, and release it. Repeat this five times. See how much more relaxed you feel?
7. Get social support - The commitment to remain a nonsmoker can be made easier by talking about it with friends and relatives. They can congratulate you as you check off another day, week, and month as a nonsmoker. Tell the people close to you that you might be tense for a while, so they know what to expect. They'll be sympathetic when you have an urge to smoke and can be counted on to help you resist it. Remember to call on your friends when you're lonely or you feel an urge to smoke. A buddy system is a great technique.

Not smoking is habit-forming

Good for you! You've made a commitment not to smoke, and by using this booklet, you know what to do if you're tempted to forget that commitment. It's difficult to stay a nonsmoker once you've had a cigarette, so do everything possible to avoid it.

If you follow the advice in this booklet and use at least one coping skill whenever you have an urge to smoke, you will have quit for keeps!

Relapse: If you do smoke again
If you do smoke again - and many successful ex-smokers relapse at least once before they quit for good - here's what to do:

.Recognize that you've had a slip. A slip means you've had a SMALL setback and smoked a cigarette or two. But your first cigarette or two didn't make you a smoker to start with, and a small setback doesn't make you a smoker again.
.Don't be too hard on yourself. One slip doesn't mean you're a failure or that you can't be a nonsmoker, but it's important to get yourself back on the nonsmoking track IMMEDIATELY.
.Identify the trigger: Exactly what was it that prompted you to smoke? Be aware of the trigger and decide NOW about how you'll cope with it when it comes up again.
.Know and use the coping skills described above. People who know at least one coping skill are more likely to remain nonsmokers than those who don't know any.
.Sign a contract with yourself to remain a nonsmoker.
.If you think you need professional help, see your doctor. He or she can provide extra motivation for you to stop smoking. Your doctor also may prescribe nicotine gum as an alternative source of nicotine while you break the habit of smoking.

Helping A Smoker Quit: Do's and Don'ts

2007-02-23T08:59:00.000-08:00

General Hints for Friends and Family

Do respect that the quitter is in charge. This is their lifestyle change and their challenge, not yours.
Do ask the person whether he or she wants you to call or visit regularly to see how he or she is doing. Let the person know that it's okay to call you whenever he or she needs to hear encouraging words.
Do help the quitter get what she or he needs, such as hard candy to suck on, straws to chew on, fresh veggies cut up and kept cold in the refrigerator, etc.
Do spend time doing things with the quitter to keep his or her mind off smoking – go to the movies or take a walk to get past a craving (what many call a "nicotine fit").
Do help the quitter with a few chores, some child care, cooking – whatever will help lighten the stress of quitting.
Do celebrate along the way. Quitting smoking is a BIG DEAL!
Don't take the quitter's grumpiness personally during his or her nicotine withdrawal. The symptoms will pass in about two weeks.
Don't offer advice. Just ask how you can help with the plan or program they are using.

How will my health improve by becoming a non-smoker?

2007-02-13T12:31:00.000-08:00

Quitting smoking helps your circulation, your stamina, your skin, and your general health.

Your risk for coronary heart disease, the most common cause of death in the U.S., is cut in half after only a year without smoking. Quitting smoking also reduces the likelihood of having breathing problems and lung and other cancers. Studies have shown that smoking affects others as well as yourself.

Children of parents who smoke around the house are more likely to get respiratory infections than children from nonsmoking homes. Smoking is an addictive habit. Quitting smoking isn't easy but it can be done. Most former smokers make several attempts to quit before they are finally successful.

So, never say, "I can't." Just keep trying!

I'm back to smoking regularly

2006-04-05T08:18:00.000-07:00

The stress of my life lately has pushed me back on the smokes. I'm ashamed, yet I can't stop. I need to reduce the stress so I can finally get back off the smokes. I realize that is an excuse, sure.

Quitting smoking may be the hardest thing I ever do.

Final smoking day is two weeks away

2006-02-26T20:59:00.000-08:00

I have set a date in two weeks to by my final smoking date. I think I'm ready. I have a big party that night, and that will be my final "last day". Or at least that is the promise I'm making myself about quitting.

That's It, I think I'm Done Smoking

2006-02-21T19:48:00.000-08:00

I just got over the flu, and when you're sick you don't want to smoke. What I'm scare of is when I'm back to normal and I feel that "urge" again to go out and smoke. Why is it so alluring? Why does it keep calling me?

I swear, quitting smoking is the hardest thing ever.

Smoking with Strep Throat

2006-01-23T19:56:00.000-08:00

You know it's bad when you just got over having Strep throat and you still want to go and smoke. I always tried to quit seriously after an illness because you didn't feel like smoking. But... what happens is the day you finally feel back to normal it kicks in and you're outside smoking again.

I really want to finally quit for good, but I'm back in the habit again, albiet one or two a day, but nevertheless, that's still smoking.

Qutting Smoking In Vegas, Yeah Right

2006-01-15T15:10:00.000-08:00

I just recently had a tip to Vegas and the first thing I did when I got there besides gamble? I smoked. I had to. It's Vegas baby. The lure was there. I was only going to be in town for a few days and figured it was ok.

That's a bad mental attitude I know, but it was good I tell you that. I did, however, notice how smoky overall Vegas is, and how annoying it must be for people who don't smoke at all.

Easy to quit smoking in the cold weather

2005-12-20T19:41:00.000-08:00

I mean, who wants to be outside when it's 5 degress? Let alone smoke when it's so cold. Your hands begin to freeze, and your whole body start to go numb. I guess you could smoke inside, but I threw that out as a major rule of quitting a long time ago. If I'm going to smoke, I have to do it outside, regardless of the conditions.

Qutting Smoking Two Steps Forward, One Step Back

2005-12-19T20:49:00.000-08:00

Failure, again. I did smoke some lately. However, and a big however, is that I did go to two different night club locations, had drinks, and did not smoke. I thought about it, sure, but I didn't smoke.

Quitting Drinking To Quit Smoking

2005-11-14T21:11:00.000-08:00

So I had a big class reunion this past weekend. At first it was no problem, then, by the time the shots started rolling around, we found ourselves at the bar smoking up a storm.

So, on top of my huge hangover all day Sunday, and today and probably the rest of the week, I feel horrible for smoking too. Alcohol is bad. I think I need to quit drinking to quit smoking.

I wanted to smoke yesterday

2005-11-04T08:38:00.000-08:00

But I didn't. Quitting smoking is the hardest thing I've ever tried to do. The cravings just keep popping up, even after long absences. Time to maybe consider hypnosis or something.

Complete breakdown

2005-10-25T20:16:00.000-07:00

I had a complete breakdown because I went out drinking with my friends and I smoked probably a good pack in about 10 hours. Now it's the next day and I'm sick about it, and I don't want one. What was I thinking?

The TRUE test of my being quit smoking is when I can go out into old social scenes and not HAVE to have a smoke. I hope that is soon.

Today was a bad quit smoking day

2005-10-18T20:22:00.000-07:00

I cheated 3 times. I feel horrible now.

Mondays Are The Worst Days To Quit Smoking

2005-10-16T21:01:00.000-07:00

Not sure I even need to explain do I? Long weekend, you just hate being at work, you are tired, the coffee is flowing, and bam, there you are outside smoking before you know it. Gum just doesn't work on Monday morning either. Blah, not looking forward to tomorrow.

I'm Going To Smoke Tomorrow, I Can Feel It

2005-10-13T21:12:00.000-07:00

Right now I want to smoke so bad. I can already feel myself going to the store and buying a pack tomorrow. Just one? Two? I can't quit completely. Sometimes I just need to have one smoke, you know?

Does it ever end? Will the craving always be there? Is it ok to have one once in a while, or is that just as bad as having a pack? Quitting smoking blues 101.

I Resisted Buying Smokes Today

2005-10-12T10:44:00.000-07:00

At the gas station. It's a perfect day for smoking. Cold and dry in the mid west. Today I thought to myself, it would be nice to smoke, but, I resisted and didn't buy any, and honestly I'm torn now. I want to smoke still, but I don't want to, you know?

This quitting smoking is probably the hardest thing I've ever done. Wish I never would have started, you know?

Chewing Gum Does Help You Quit Smoking

2005-10-11T11:40:00.000-07:00

I don't care what people say, but getting over the oral fixation is a huge piece of quitting smoking. I chew gum when I get cravings, and it does help. Not bubble gum either, but minty fresh gum, that tends to make my mouth taste clean and remind me that I don't want to have a nasty cig taste in there.

What kinds of gum do you prefer when trying to quit smoking?