Quitting smoking

We talked about smoking.  We talked about quitting.  Let's talk about quitting smoking.

The number one item is a reason.  This is non negotiable.  There are some rough times ahead and the childish "because" is not going to cut it.  You are going to have periods of time where setting fire to the end of a smoke is going to be the only reason to exist.  You will be willing to journey great distances and spend whatever money is necessary just to have a smoke.

Smoking is so sub-conscience that you engage without any thought at all.  When it becomes a conscience act it becomes all consuming.

You must have a reason that will not become insignficant in times of trial.  And believe me the times will come.

A heart attack, a stroke, a parent dying, wheezing at night baby on the way.  A real reason.....that you will believe in.

Next comes preparation.  You must pick a quit date.  At first I thought this to be silly but I have come around.  The act of quitting is a tough mental battle and a concrete start date is something you can point to a calander and grasp.
Also a quit date will be when the preparations end and the battle begins.

You will need to have things like hard candy, popcorn, gum, and toothpicks around when your quit date arrives.  I would recommend a trip to the library and a hobby store.  I bought myself a kite.  It is not an activity I normally engage in and it gave me many hours of activity in the first week.  Make sure you have the food you need so that a trip to the store will not be in your future.

Re-invent yourself.  Most smokers, if not all, have a smoke first thing in the morning.  In the time before the quit date keep putting off that morning smoke latter and latter in the morning. 

Now start power walking first thing in the morning.  Walking needs to become your new morning ritual.  It is healthy and you don't smoke while power walking.

Avoid smoking triggers.  Some people just have to have a smoke with that morning cup of coffee.  Drink something else for a couple of weeks.  Some people just have to have a smoke with that beer.  Avoid drinking for a couple of weeks.  This is two examples of smoking triggers there are many others.  In my personal life I had a morning ritual of making coffee and taking the dog outside to get the paper.  I altered that.  The dog has finally accepted the new routine.  Be ready to either avoid these things or be prepared to realize what is happening and catch yourself.

Lastly, give yourself as much time as you can.  Make your start date a Friday that you have off and take the next week (or two) off.  Put as much time between your start date and the next time you resume your routine life as you can possibly can.