How to Quit Smoking the Way I Did It

Quitting smoking is not easy but it does get easier. Here are a few tricks that helped me quit smoking. Nothing miraculous, just stuff that helped me get through the first few weeks.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Supportive Friends and Family.

1. Week One:
   Try to cut down the amount you are smoking. Don't smoke in the following places:
   
   The Car
   The House
   On The Phone
   While Drinking
   
   Keeping lollipops on hand may be very helpful as these were the hardest times for me not to smoke.
2. During the first week of cutting back, save all of your cigarettes in a baggy or sealed jar.
3. Keep yourself busy doing healthy things. The more you go to the gym, bike, run etc., the healthier you feel. Its very hard to smoke while doing these things and you will keep your mind off of it.
4. After the first week of cutting back smoking, stop entirely. Go cold turkey. Keep your jar of butts close by for moments when you feel like smoking. When you really have the urge to light-up, take a whiff. Mmmm...nothing smells as yummy as an ashtray.
5. Write positive notes on your mirrors with lipstick like, "You can do it" and "don't you smell pretty today". Don't worry it comes off with vinegar and water.
   
   Post little notes on your phone, dashboard and other likely smoking places as well.
6. Keep cough drops on hand. That's right, when your body is getting healthy and repairing itself, you will be coughing up a storm...or should I say, "hacking up a lung". It will feel awful, but then, within days, you'll feel like a million bucks.
7. Avoid going to the bar for a while or at least until you know you are strong enough to handle it. This isn't too much of a problem in New York and California anymore since you can't smoke there.
8. Give yourself a manicure, this works for men too. Grooming can really keep your hands busy while one the phone or reading a magazine. It takes a few weeks for you to figure out what to do with your hands.
9. Keep your hands in your pockets! If you just don't know what to do with your hands while out, keep your hands in your pockets.
10. Keep a rubber band around your hand. When you really want the urge to leave you, just snap it. That OUCH will change your thoughts for a few moments, and maybe just long enough for you to get it out of your head completely.

Tips & Warnings

• Join a support group on line or otherwise of people trying to quit. They may have some great tips for getting through the day with out lighting up.
• If you fall off the wagon, just pick yourself up and keep going. There's no reason to beat yourself up about it. Don't let the guilt get you back into a nasty stinky habit.
• Living with a smoker will make this very difficult. Ask them to smoke outside only if they wont quit with you.
• Nicotine Gum is addictive and dangerous if overused. Be careful if you decide to use this option.