The quitnet.com Tip of the Day:
What Are You Afraid Of?
What are your fears about quitting smoking? Put them down on paper and take a look at them. Maybe you didn’t even know that these fears were lingering in your mind, keeping you from trying to quit. Are you afraid you’ll lose certain friends, or lose an image you think smoking gives you? Be honest with yourself and you may find you’re better able to think about seriously trying to quit.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Monday, June 29, 2009
Quitnet.com Tip of the Day
The quitnet.com Tip of the Day:
Consider How Smoking Molds Your Life
Spend some time considering, and even writing down, how smoking affects you. Have you noticed signs of being addicted to nicotine, such as having really strong cravings in the morning, or having to leave for a smoke during a movie? What habits have you built around smoking? Do you always smoke after meals? Do you smoke as a way to deal with feelings/stress? As you become more aware of the role smoking plays in your life, you'll discover ways to change.
Consider How Smoking Molds Your Life
Spend some time considering, and even writing down, how smoking affects you. Have you noticed signs of being addicted to nicotine, such as having really strong cravings in the morning, or having to leave for a smoke during a movie? What habits have you built around smoking? Do you always smoke after meals? Do you smoke as a way to deal with feelings/stress? As you become more aware of the role smoking plays in your life, you'll discover ways to change.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Quitnet.com Tip of the Day
The quitnet.com Tip of the Day:
Keep Lots of Healthy Food On Hand
In preparation for quitting, get in the habit of keeping your kitchen well-stocked with fruits and vegetables. You'll then have something to reach for when you get a craving. Cut your favorite veggies into sticks and put them in baggies. Eat baby carrots. Keep a bowl of grapes in the fridge, washed and ready to eat. Put apples in the living room. When you read or watch TV, you'll have an apple to reach for in place of a cigarette. By the way, if you're angry, apples and other crispy foods have a loud, satisfying crunch.
Keep Lots of Healthy Food On Hand
In preparation for quitting, get in the habit of keeping your kitchen well-stocked with fruits and vegetables. You'll then have something to reach for when you get a craving. Cut your favorite veggies into sticks and put them in baggies. Eat baby carrots. Keep a bowl of grapes in the fridge, washed and ready to eat. Put apples in the living room. When you read or watch TV, you'll have an apple to reach for in place of a cigarette. By the way, if you're angry, apples and other crispy foods have a loud, satisfying crunch.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Quitnet.com Tip of the Day
The quitnet.com Tip of the Day:
What Small Changes in Lifestyle Can You Make Now?
Be realistic when preparing to quit. When thinking of things to replace smoking with, choose activities that you like to do and that will work for you. Don't plan to jog two miles a day if walking around the block is difficult for you, for example. Pick a quit-day when you can focus mostly on quitting and not on any work that needs to get done, or on visiting relatives, etc. Think about changes that you can start making now to make quitting easier-like taking a walk after lunch. Small, but realistic, changes will make all the difference when you quit.
What Small Changes in Lifestyle Can You Make Now?
Be realistic when preparing to quit. When thinking of things to replace smoking with, choose activities that you like to do and that will work for you. Don't plan to jog two miles a day if walking around the block is difficult for you, for example. Pick a quit-day when you can focus mostly on quitting and not on any work that needs to get done, or on visiting relatives, etc. Think about changes that you can start making now to make quitting easier-like taking a walk after lunch. Small, but realistic, changes will make all the difference when you quit.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Quitnet.com Tip of the Day
The quitnet.com Tip of the Day:
Effects on other people
As an ex-smoker, you may find it motivating to consider the effect of your smoking on other people. Knowing that secondhand smoke is harmful, even potentially fatal, to those around you might make you think twice about the effects of your smoking. Even your pets, you may realize, are adversely affected by secondhand smoke.
Effects on other people
As an ex-smoker, you may find it motivating to consider the effect of your smoking on other people. Knowing that secondhand smoke is harmful, even potentially fatal, to those around you might make you think twice about the effects of your smoking. Even your pets, you may realize, are adversely affected by secondhand smoke.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Quitnet.com Tip of the Day
The quitnet.com Tip of the Day:
Question Your Motives For Smoking
An ex-smoker suggests one way to help you think about quitting. Write out the answers to these questions: What has smoking done for me? What has smoking done to me? Am I able to enjoy all the activities I did when I wasn’t smoking? What makes me want to quit? We also recommend you use our own diagnostic 'Why Do I Smoke?' tool. It'll not only give you a little insight, but make some suggestions for treatment, as well.
Question Your Motives For Smoking
An ex-smoker suggests one way to help you think about quitting. Write out the answers to these questions: What has smoking done for me? What has smoking done to me? Am I able to enjoy all the activities I did when I wasn’t smoking? What makes me want to quit? We also recommend you use our own diagnostic 'Why Do I Smoke?' tool. It'll not only give you a little insight, but make some suggestions for treatment, as well.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Quitnet.com Tip of the Day
The quitnet.com Tip of the Day:
Find New Ways to Deal With Stress
Many people become used to smoking as a way of dealing with strong feelings and stress. It’s possible to find other ways to handle anger, frustration, sadness, and joy, however. In the days before your quit-date, notice why you smoke, and what feelings you’re having at the time you light up. It's wise to write theses things down. It won't take you long to identify certain patterns in your daily smoking routines. Much of this patterning will be directly tied to mental/emotional stressors. You have a choice about how you cope with your feelings -- smoking a cigarette is a choice you can turn down. Think of other ways to handle feelings. You can walk, talk (on the phone or in person), exercise, sleep, pray, meditate, write in a journal, do a hobby, go to the movies, or any one of hundreds of other possibilities. Try to choose one of these instead of smoking; watch how quickly your focus turns away from your strong emotion and how quickly that feeling can disappear.
Find New Ways to Deal With Stress
Many people become used to smoking as a way of dealing with strong feelings and stress. It’s possible to find other ways to handle anger, frustration, sadness, and joy, however. In the days before your quit-date, notice why you smoke, and what feelings you’re having at the time you light up. It's wise to write theses things down. It won't take you long to identify certain patterns in your daily smoking routines. Much of this patterning will be directly tied to mental/emotional stressors. You have a choice about how you cope with your feelings -- smoking a cigarette is a choice you can turn down. Think of other ways to handle feelings. You can walk, talk (on the phone or in person), exercise, sleep, pray, meditate, write in a journal, do a hobby, go to the movies, or any one of hundreds of other possibilities. Try to choose one of these instead of smoking; watch how quickly your focus turns away from your strong emotion and how quickly that feeling can disappear.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Quitnet.com Tip of the Day
The quitnet.com Tip of the Day:
When Do You Smoke?
Some people find it helpful to keep track of how many cigarettes they smoke each day, and when they smoke them. Try this for a few days: each time you’re about to smoke, take 10 seconds to write down what time it is and why you are smoking (for example: 9:00 am, smoked 1 cigarette with coffee). You might already know that you always smoke after eating, for example, but may not realize that you always have a cigarette as soon as you step out of the house or leave work. Noticing patterns can help you decide how to change these patterns, and how to come up with things to do instead of smoking at these particular times.
When Do You Smoke?
Some people find it helpful to keep track of how many cigarettes they smoke each day, and when they smoke them. Try this for a few days: each time you’re about to smoke, take 10 seconds to write down what time it is and why you are smoking (for example: 9:00 am, smoked 1 cigarette with coffee). You might already know that you always smoke after eating, for example, but may not realize that you always have a cigarette as soon as you step out of the house or leave work. Noticing patterns can help you decide how to change these patterns, and how to come up with things to do instead of smoking at these particular times.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Quitnet.com Tip of the Day
This is the quitnet.com Tip of the Day:
Is Your Doctor 'Up To Snuff'?
Over the years a variety of devices and remedies for quitting smoking have been developed. Believe it or not, doctors and other health-care providers are not always knowledgeable about current quit-smoking methods; most medical schools only briefly touch on smoking cessation, if at all. We quitters often have to educate our own healthcare providers (though that's changing rapidly)! If you have any questions about which quit-smoking technique or product is best for you, ask your doctor or pharmacist, but don’t be afraid to question their level of quit-smoking awareness. You deserve the best medical help you can receive during your quitting experience.
Is Your Doctor 'Up To Snuff'?
Over the years a variety of devices and remedies for quitting smoking have been developed. Believe it or not, doctors and other health-care providers are not always knowledgeable about current quit-smoking methods; most medical schools only briefly touch on smoking cessation, if at all. We quitters often have to educate our own healthcare providers (though that's changing rapidly)! If you have any questions about which quit-smoking technique or product is best for you, ask your doctor or pharmacist, but don’t be afraid to question their level of quit-smoking awareness. You deserve the best medical help you can receive during your quitting experience.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Quitnet.com Tip of the Day
Here is the quitnet.com Tip of the Day:
Hang Out With Non-Smoking People
If you want some motivation to quit smoking, start spending time with non-smoking people. Notice how their hands are free to do what they want to do. Notice that they don’t smell like smoke, and that they are generally more active than smokers. Ask your non-smoking friends and colleagues how they deal with stress, boredom, or joy, and ask if you can call on them during your early recovery. They might have some useful ideas for you when finally quit smoking yourself.
Hang Out With Non-Smoking People
If you want some motivation to quit smoking, start spending time with non-smoking people. Notice how their hands are free to do what they want to do. Notice that they don’t smell like smoke, and that they are generally more active than smokers. Ask your non-smoking friends and colleagues how they deal with stress, boredom, or joy, and ask if you can call on them during your early recovery. They might have some useful ideas for you when finally quit smoking yourself.
New Incentive to Quit Smoking
For those of you that have been following my blog, you know that the main reason that I am quitting smoking is because my wife and I are expecting a baby in September. Since my father is the reason I started smoking in the first place, I did not want to make the same mistake. I do not want my son to know me as a smoker or to pick up this nasty habit from me. I also want to be there for my kids and family for as long as I can. I want to watch my kids grow up, go to college, get married, and start families of their own.
I now have a new incentive to quit smoking. I got a phone call yesterday morning informing me that my father has passed away. It was not an unexpected phone call. In fact, I was quite relieved that he is finally at peace. He had a stroke back in March and his health quickly deteriorated from that point. When they found that he had a stroke, they also found that his kidneys were failing, his liver was failing, and his lungs were not good. I went to the hospital to see him and knew when I left that it would probably be the last time I would see him alive. And it was. He was only 67 years old.
There are a few things that he said when I saw him in the hospital that I will never forget. He told me that he was scared of dying. Even though the stroke caused significant damage to his memory and he was doped up on medication, he knew his days were numbered. I could almost see regret in his face. I think when you are at the point in your life, when you are looking death in the face, it really makes you stop and think about your life. What regrets do you have? Would you change anything? Would you do something different?
Something else that he told me was that I needed to quit smoking. That kind of took me by surprise. He knew that I had been smoking for the past 20 years, and he is just now getting on my case? I believe that he knew that being a heavy smoker and a heavy drinker for a good chunk of his life had finally taken its toll on his body.
After seeing my father laying in the hospital, knowing that he was going to die, I knew that I did not want to end up like that. Yes, it is true that we cannot control everything that happens to our health as we get older. But there are things we can do to attempt to live longer and healthier lives. And not smoking is one of those things.
It seems almost ironic to me. The man who got me smoking in the first place is the same man that will get me to quit smoking. Thanks dad. I love you.
I now have a new incentive to quit smoking. I got a phone call yesterday morning informing me that my father has passed away. It was not an unexpected phone call. In fact, I was quite relieved that he is finally at peace. He had a stroke back in March and his health quickly deteriorated from that point. When they found that he had a stroke, they also found that his kidneys were failing, his liver was failing, and his lungs were not good. I went to the hospital to see him and knew when I left that it would probably be the last time I would see him alive. And it was. He was only 67 years old.
There are a few things that he said when I saw him in the hospital that I will never forget. He told me that he was scared of dying. Even though the stroke caused significant damage to his memory and he was doped up on medication, he knew his days were numbered. I could almost see regret in his face. I think when you are at the point in your life, when you are looking death in the face, it really makes you stop and think about your life. What regrets do you have? Would you change anything? Would you do something different?
Something else that he told me was that I needed to quit smoking. That kind of took me by surprise. He knew that I had been smoking for the past 20 years, and he is just now getting on my case? I believe that he knew that being a heavy smoker and a heavy drinker for a good chunk of his life had finally taken its toll on his body.
After seeing my father laying in the hospital, knowing that he was going to die, I knew that I did not want to end up like that. Yes, it is true that we cannot control everything that happens to our health as we get older. But there are things we can do to attempt to live longer and healthier lives. And not smoking is one of those things.
It seems almost ironic to me. The man who got me smoking in the first place is the same man that will get me to quit smoking. Thanks dad. I love you.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Quitnet.com Tip of the Day
Now that I have reached the 2 week mark until my quit date, quitnet.com has started sending me tips of the day. Here is today's tip...
Drink Lots of Water
Drinking lots of water is probably the single most effective way to cleanse the body of nicotine, thereby decreasing the duration and severity of withdrawal symptoms. As you prepare to quit smoking, refill all your ice-cube trays, so that when you quit you’ll have plenty of ice for cold water. You can also make juice pops, using ice-cube trays or paper cups with popsicle sticks inserted. Fill with your favorite juice, freeze, and enjoy whenever you’re having a nicotine craving (studies indicate that drinking cold water can actually remove an urge to smoke!).
Drink Lots of Water
Drinking lots of water is probably the single most effective way to cleanse the body of nicotine, thereby decreasing the duration and severity of withdrawal symptoms. As you prepare to quit smoking, refill all your ice-cube trays, so that when you quit you’ll have plenty of ice for cold water. You can also make juice pops, using ice-cube trays or paper cups with popsicle sticks inserted. Fill with your favorite juice, freeze, and enjoy whenever you’re having a nicotine craving (studies indicate that drinking cold water can actually remove an urge to smoke!).
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Quitnet.com Tip of the Week
Here is the Quitnet.com tip of the week...
Start Your Quit Cleanly
A day or so before your quit, do a few loads of laundry. Wash your clothes, jackets, bed linens and anything recently exposed to cigarette smoke. On your quit day, you'll have clean-smelling clothes to wear, and a clean, fresh bed to climb into.
Start Your Quit Cleanly
A day or so before your quit, do a few loads of laundry. Wash your clothes, jackets, bed linens and anything recently exposed to cigarette smoke. On your quit day, you'll have clean-smelling clothes to wear, and a clean, fresh bed to climb into.
Monday, June 8, 2009
The Real Countdown Begins!
For those of you who have been following my blog, you know that I have been working on quitting smoking for almost 2 months now. I devised a 2 phase quit smoking plan and have been following it. My quit date is set for July 4th...Independence Day! I now have less than 1 month until I walk away from the cancer sticks for good.
I will admit that there are some days that I have doubts that I can do it. But I think I have more days that I feel I can do it. I believe that my current level of addiction is very minimal. Right now my biggest struggle is with the habit. For example, we were putting together the baby's crib this weekend and I got a little frustrated toward the end. I wanted a cigarette. That is my usual response to frustration. But this time I did not go out for a puff. I took a couple of deep breaths and continued to work on the crib. During these last days and weeks before my quit day, I will be focusing on my triggers. I will need to come up with some alternatives to smoking when I have a trigger. If anyone has some good ideas, I would love to hear them.
I am currently smoking about 10 cigarettes a day. Although, technically I think I am smoking less than that. Yes, I light 10 cigarettes a day, but with SmokeSmart I feel like I am just sucking in air for the first half of the cigarette. So I feel that I am only smoking a half of a cigarette at a time and not a whole one. And there are times that I get about half way through a cigarette and I get a bad taste in my mouth. So I put it out.
Wish me luck during these next few weeks. I think I may need it.
I will admit that there are some days that I have doubts that I can do it. But I think I have more days that I feel I can do it. I believe that my current level of addiction is very minimal. Right now my biggest struggle is with the habit. For example, we were putting together the baby's crib this weekend and I got a little frustrated toward the end. I wanted a cigarette. That is my usual response to frustration. But this time I did not go out for a puff. I took a couple of deep breaths and continued to work on the crib. During these last days and weeks before my quit day, I will be focusing on my triggers. I will need to come up with some alternatives to smoking when I have a trigger. If anyone has some good ideas, I would love to hear them.
I am currently smoking about 10 cigarettes a day. Although, technically I think I am smoking less than that. Yes, I light 10 cigarettes a day, but with SmokeSmart I feel like I am just sucking in air for the first half of the cigarette. So I feel that I am only smoking a half of a cigarette at a time and not a whole one. And there are times that I get about half way through a cigarette and I get a bad taste in my mouth. So I put it out.
Wish me luck during these next few weeks. I think I may need it.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Quitnet.com Tip of the Week
Here is this week's quit smoking tip from quitnet.com:
Weight Gained or Lost
Don’t let your fear of gaining weight stop you from quitting smoking, or trick you into relapsing. You’d have to gain at least 75 pounds to cause as much danger to yourself as a one-pack-a-day habit does. You may temporarily eat more food while in nicotine withdrawal, but that issue can be dealt with at a later time. Many new non-smokers do not gain weight at all; some people actually become thinner.
Weight Gained or Lost
Don’t let your fear of gaining weight stop you from quitting smoking, or trick you into relapsing. You’d have to gain at least 75 pounds to cause as much danger to yourself as a one-pack-a-day habit does. You may temporarily eat more food while in nicotine withdrawal, but that issue can be dealt with at a later time. Many new non-smokers do not gain weight at all; some people actually become thinner.
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