Muscatine

Congratulations. You have decided to quit smoking tomorrow. Cold turkey? Statistics say that within five years you will take up smoking something like 87% of the time. You have made the big decision so you have a lot of the battle won believe it or not. Not success or failure depends on how you choose to quit. Each method has its own success of failure rate. It's been a few years since I had all these facts drummed into my head.
The easiest way to quit is just like you started. One cigarette at a time! Let your body gradually get use to things. It got use to smoking one at a time and now you want to quit all at once? Your body will revolt. You have set up your whole lifestyle around your smoking. Where you go to eat, where your ash tray sits, sex patterns. Heck it even ruled how and when I went fishing! The only time you get a bite is when your busy doing something else so light one up, and I'll be darned if just then you get a bite!
I wrote a book on how I quit smoking and have sold hundreds of them. But to my smoking neighbors I'll tell because I care about you. I was allergic to the patch, couldn't chew the gum. Tried hypnosis, and that nasty drop of whatever on my toung, had an appointment for acupuncture. Didn't go because I figured out how to quit. It was the easiest thing to do. Took a little prep work. But in the years that have followed I have cheeted just a few times. I smoked one the day I saw two people get murdered. I smoked another when I had to go and give a deposition against the murder. I didn't smoke one the day I testified! But that's great. Because I watched my Dad quit smoking cold turkey and he told me years later that there wasen't a day go by that he did'nt crave a cigarette. (That statement probebly added 10 years of smoking on me) Now on avery rere occasion for a fleeting moment I'll want a cigaredtte. But just as fast as that flashes into my head it's gone. I had quit smoking many times before. Maybe success of a day or months but always came back. Not any more because of the way I quit. When you smoke It's not just your mouth that is involved in ''smoking''. Your brain is lighting up on nicotine. Your smelling a familiar smell so that is comforting. Your hands are busy. You sit in a familiar chair. All of these things need to be unlearned. Continued.

A few tips


For all the intense efforts to reduce smoking in America over the past two decades, the progress has not been stellar. Today one in four men and one in five women still smoke.

For those who never smoked, this is a befuddling fact. Don't smokers understand that cigarettes are the number one killer in America, that they dramatically increase risk for heart disease, stroke, cancer, high blood pressure, and almost every other health concern, small or large? How could any habit be worth this?

Truth is, most smokers do understand. They also understand the huge financial toll of smoking, with a pack of 20 cigarettes costing $7 in some areas (imagine: $2,500 spent a year on cigarettes by pack-a-day smokers -- often people of only modest resources).

Then why do millions still smoke? In good part, because the nicotine in cigarettes is highly addictive. In good part, because smoking provides psychological comfort to some people. Perhaps most of all, because quitting is so hard.

Researchers and businesses have responded strongly to the last point. Never have there been so many tools, systems, and programs available for quitting smoking. And with every month that passes, there is more research showing the benefits of quitting, and the drawbacks of not quitting.

So if you smoke, consider again whether it is time, finally, to quit. If yes, you'll need to think through the best approach, perhaps working with your doctor or an expert. But the following 25 tips will help you succeed.

http://www.rd.com/healthy-living/health/25-ways-to-stop-smoking-cigarettes/article.html

Peace

joey3's big day part 2

Start your morning with pen in hand write down WHEN you smoke WHY you smoke(what triggered the desire. Did your partner light one up? Cup of coffee. After meals) Find out over the next full 2 weeks what your triggers to smoke are. Starting the car. Someone just talking about not smoking could be one. Right down yours. And what TIME you smoke. First cigarette of the morning, last one at night Keep track of it you will begin to SEE a pattern and it could be different than what you think it is now. This list will help you see patterns, know triggers and help you decide what cigarettes are just casual cigarettes.( Well I''m not really doing anything so light one up type cigarette).
Next, list all the reasons you WANT to quit. Make that list big. And think about the things that will be even small bonuses. Like using less febreeze or picking to eat in a restaurant in Illinois. Tasting again. Smelling good again. Now list all the reasons you don't want to quit! Recognise them because its those little buggers that can defeat you. Afraid of failure is one. Probably a big one. But that's OK to fail and I'll tell you how to get back on track if you do! You see right in the middle of trying to quit I had a tragic death in my family. And It fell on my shoulders to tell a precious girl about death. You bet I smoked! A lot, over the next couple of weeks. But get done what it is that you have to do and smoke what you think you need to smoke. But there will come a time that you can take a moment for yourself and read those lists I just had you make. (Post to me if the going gets tough and you need someone who cares. I'll be there for you like I've been for dozens before).
Last list you have to do Make a list of those people who have died or have an illness like emphysema that you know. Wrap that list around your pack of cigarettes. Enjoy your last day of being ruled by cigarettes because tomorrow you rule! Before you go to bed pick one cigarette you will never smoke again! Just one. Your only going to fight one cigarette at a time. The one I chose was the one I smoked talking to my mother in law on the phone. Will that one was really many. As soon as I answered the phone and realised it was her I started smoking. Chain smoking on whatever tirade she was on now. They when I hung up I'd smoke a couple more then I'd chain smoke even more when I'd discuses it with her son. Eliminate it. I called her up and politely told her that I would never talk to her on the phone again. If she called I would hand the phone to one of the kids or her son. If she called when know one else was around the I was just in the process of leaving. If I wasnt really I was now. I was going for a walk NOW. Ya know what she never called again for years. I quit smoking 6 maybe 8 cigarettes. What a success!!!. Now every 3 to 5 days pick another to do battle with. When you conker that one pick another! The more you succeed the better at it you will get. And even the ones that you thought would be tough won't be ne'er as tough as you expected because success builds success. If your having trouble get out your lists of who died. And why you want to quit. I had been smoking 3 packs a day for the last 10 years of 30+ years of smoking and I did it! I hadn't even realised that I had quit! One of my kids commented on it. The one that I thought was going to kill me to quit I never even chose to quit it> I just got on with life.. I never gained weight. I can sleep on my back again. I don't snore so loud that it wakes me up! My car doesn't stink. My hair doesnt stink my closet doesnt stink. Look at how much money I'm not spending on cigarettes!!! Post to me and I'll help you with little tricks along your path to true freedom. You can do it! it a lot easier that you think. Good luck!

Thankyou...

Wow, there are alot of things that i never even considered going into this non smoking lifestyle. I have considered why I smoke. Boredom, habit, stress reliver, etc. and the more I think about myself without a cigarette the more I want one. Why, because I need it as a crutch? I am that weak that Ill let a little white cancer stick rule my life? I have already trained myself to go outside, I dont smoke in my home or that of others, I choose non smoking at restaurants, and will go for hours without a smoke until i realize its been hrs and then I do it. I must retrain my entire self. I think of all the reasons to quit, good valid reasons then the devil on my shoulder urges me that my reasons are moot if I get hit by a bus tomorrow. LOL..I am going to tackle this one hour at a time until it is gone from my life for good..I know that I will be cranky, and people won't like to be around me, but eventually I will win. thank you to EVERYONE who is sharing their stories. It helps to know others have beat this even if there was a few bumps in the road. Thankyou...