How to Quit Smoking WITHOUT Gaining Weight- and maybe lose some weight

Have you let your fear of weight-gain keep you from quitting smoking? It's time to take action! Follow these easy steps to take the path towards freedom from cigarettes.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Walking shoes
• OPTIONAL-- nicotine gum, or nicotine patches
• Optional, and AS PER DR. RECOMMENDATION ONLY: Chantix

1. 
    
   Smoking simply isn't worth the harm

   After getting clearance from your doctor, set aside a time in the morning and night to walk for 10 to 20 minutes. Divide the number of cigarettes you currently smoke into half- this is what you will now smoke for the next few days. Put this amount into a plastic bag, and do the same with the remaining cigarettes, marking each day on the bag.

2. 
    
   Breaking the habit will add years to your life!

   Now you will go on at least 2 walks a day, while having your cigarette. Keep decreasing the amount you smoke until you have 3 cigarettes left per day in your bag. The timeline will vary for each person, but if you use the short walks to "burn off" the anxiety you feel, then you will find yourself craving cigarettes less and less. Allow yourself NO EXCEPTIONS to this rule, and keep decreasing the number of cigarettes you smoke. Once you've decreased the number of cigarettes to one or two, you will be walking without smoking for at least one of your walks. Keep this up, and soon you will be walking rather than smoking.

3. 
    
   The lurking cigarette demon can be anywhere!

   Once your daily allocation of cigarettes has dwindled to none, DON'T panic! You have replaced smoking with a much healthier habit: walking!!! Start with your AM walk, and then after each meal, or anytime that your smoked, go for a walk. Walk any time that you feel a craving for a smoke, and picture your lungs and body clearing out and detoxifying. Focus on how much better you'll feel without that monkey on your back, plus all the money that you are going to save from not smoking anymore!!! In fact, take all the money you would've spent on cigarettes and save it for your new healthier habits (new walking shoes, a camera, knitting needles & yarn, books, etc.) or donate it to a cause that you believe in.

4. 
    
   Knitting can occupy your hands and improve your mood

   Keep walking to deal with any anxiety you feel, and try deep-breathing exercises or meditation too. Another well-proven method for quitting smoking is knitting or crocheting. So is gardening. These activities keep your hands and mind busy, allowing you to form new healthier habits and focus on more positive things.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't be discouraged, it can take many, many times of attempting to quit smoking before it finally "sticks".
• Exercise is a natural mood-booster that can work with the first session (anti-depressant medication can take up to 2 months to improve a person's mood.
• Exercise also has been proven to improve mood by a greater amount the more a person practices it.
• Be sure to eat healthfully to aid your body in detoxification of the nicotine- drink plenty of water, eat lots of fruits and vegetables, take a multivitamin and eat whole grains and non-processed foods.
• Find something to replace your "bad" habit with something good- walking, writing in a journal, chewing gum, knitting, meditation, photography, listening to music- anything to occupy your hands and mind.
• Some doctors can prescribe anti-depressants if the problem worsens.
• Be patient with your body and be grateful for the options you have in life!
• If you feel depression that doesn't improve in a couple of weeks, definitely seek a doctor's advice.

[Oktobers]

on 12/28/2008 You nailed both of my New Years resolutions!

[sneedc]

on 12/21/2008 Smoking is vile. I will share this info with my smoking friends. THANK YOU.

[waiting4rain]

on 12/1/2008 Good advice. When I quit I took up bike riding and my dad said it was the deep breathing that made the difference.

[jdosjs]

on 10/30/2008 I agree- 5 *'s on this article---very good ideas and great tips. Just a warning for people quitting smoking and using a prescription to help: research the drug you've been given, because one of the Rx's for quitting smoking has been linked to suicidal behavior. You're much better off following the advice from this article and doing it naturally !!

[iamageniuster]

on 10/24/2008 Very interesting stuff here. 5 stars!