The Road to a Smoke Free Life

What is the best way to quit smoking? Oh, if we could answer that, we'd all be home free. The fact is, different methods work for different people. There is really no way of knowing until you get there.

I quit smoking 14 times. Or rather, I stopped smoking 13 times, and quit once. I started when I was 16 and stopped (finally) at 34. 18 years of ups and downs, starts and stops. If you've been there, you know.

I'm certain there are different kinds of nicotine addicts. I have friends who say, "You know, I think I'll quit smoking tomorrow." That night, they flush what remains of their last pack. The next couple of days they are a little on edge. And that's it. I dislike those people immensely.

That's not me. I'm the other kind of addict. No matter what I did - the patch, anti-depressants for quitting smoking, nicotine gum, cold turkey - the results were always the same:

The first three days of my quit were always tough, but I was so excited that I'd make it through. Over the next couple of weeks my determination would hold strong, although I'd have severe withdrawal (if using the patch, when not wearing it I'd get patch-withdrawal and end up weepy and sad), bouts of depression, and general grouchiness. If I made it through that, I'd start to feel more confident although still experiencing highs and lows.

And then that day would come. After two weeks, or two months, or four months. That day. I'd say to myself, "Hey, I've done so well, I think I have this thing licked.". Yeah, good for me. I'd then take a break from congratulating myself and the thought would come. THE thought. "I'm doing so great. I could just have one, as a treat. That would be it, just one. Then I'll be right back on track.".

At first I'd dismiss the thought. But it comes back, again and again. And inevitably, I'd give in. Either by stopping at a gas station, buying a pack and a lighter, smoking one, then throwing the rest of the pack and the lighter away. (I once did this, daily, for weeks.) Or, the dreaded night out with friends who smoke. "Hey, let me bum one. Just one, then don't let me have another." On my next drink, those same two sentences would come out of my mouth again. And that was it - I'd be done. Another failed attempt.

There are those of us who are unable to have "just one".
Now, don't get the wrong idea. I never quit without planning. I did all of those things you read about. I picked my quit date, sometimes as much as 2 months ahead of time. I set up my support system - friends, family, online support groups. I picked my quit-assistants: the patch, pills, carrot sticks, lollipops, etc... I planned everything. Every single one of those 13 attempts.
So, what was different on attempt 14? Well, diets don't work. And neither does quitting smoking. Why? Because it isn't a habit that you can just stop. People say, "You should quit smoking, it's a disgusting habit." Nope, its an addiction. It's just not that easy.

If you want to lose weight and get in shape, a diet will not work. It's a temporary solution that doesn't address the root of the problem. To succeed, you have to change your life.
The same goes for stopping smoking. You smoke because you are pre-disposed to having an addiction. You're probably a regular drinker too. That's not to say you are an alcoholic, but the two go hand in hand. I certainly drank more than my fair share. To stop smoking, you have to seriously overhaul your life - and get yourself a healthy addiction replacement.

My final quit: I used the patch for 1 month just to ease the initial withdrawal. I quit drinking. I avoided coworkers who smoked - completely. I never set foot in a bar. When I walked past someone smoking I'd breath out through my nose repeatedly to avoid smelling it. I pretended smoking and cigarettes didn't exist. And finally, and most importantly, I started running.

At first, it was a nice walk with some jogging tossed in here and there. I could not keep it up for long. I'd run for 1 minute, then walk for 5. Gradually, I worked my way up: run 2 minutes, walk 4; run 3 minutes, walk 3; and so on. I set a schedule and a plan, and I stuck to it. Not only did this ease my withdrawal symptoms, it became my "me time". Peace, quiet, outside. And I was getting better. I could run longer and stronger, breath so much better, and the first time I ran a mile without stopping, I was hooked. After a couple of months, I knew that if I turned back now, I'd have to give up running. And there was no way I was going to give up something that felt so good, for something that felt so bad.

It has been two years. I've run 5Ks, 10Ks, and plan on finishing a marathon this year.
I'm not saying you have to start running, but find what makes you feel good. Work out, do something physical that once you're into it, you don't want to quit. Make sure it is something you love; that if you started smoking again, you'd lose. Change your life.

My best running days happen when I just don't feel like getting out there. I go anyway and my mind keeps saying, "I just can't do this today. It just isn't possible. My legs are achy, I'm tired. I just can't." And then, I do it anyway. There is no better feeling than that.

Brought to you by Laura Danielle, http://www.youtimeonline.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Laura_Danielle