|
You CAN Kick the Habit!
Hey Jake-
Here’s a good question for ya! I’ve been smoking for close to 7 years now. I want to quit because we just had a kid. Got any advice?
Terri L.
Burlington, NC
Hey Terri L., Congrats on
your kid! You definitely do want to stop smoking with a little one
around. Smoke is hard on their little lungs. Plus, you want be in good
health so you can play with your kid for years to come!
Now, here are some scary statistics. Scientists have calculated that each cigarette cuts on average 11 minutes off your life. A pack cost 3 hours and 40 minutes. A carton costs one and a half days. And here’s the biggie - smokers are likely to die 6 and a half years earlier than non-smokers. Think about how many grandkid’s birthday parties you’ll miss, and Christmases. Life is too valuable to throw any of it away like that. So we’ve come up with some ideas that will help you quit smoking.
1. Set a date for quitting. Write it down on your calendar so you won’t forget.
2. Get a friend to join you. The buddy system really works when you’re trying to kick the habit.
3. Tell your friends and family you’re quitting.
4. Get rid of all the cigarettes and ashtrays in your home and car.
5. Notice when and why you smoke. Try and figure out what you do while smoking and why.
6. Change your smoking routines. Keep your cigarettes in a different place. Don’t do anything else while you smoke.
7. When you want a cigarette, wait a few minutes. Do something else like go for a walk, chew some sugarless gum, or drink a glass of water.
8. Eat regular meals. Feeling hungry is sometimes mistaken for the desire to smoke.
9. Avoid temptation. Stay away from people and places where you are tempted to smoke.
10. A Start a money jar with the money you save not buying cigarettes - how does $700 dollars sound?!
A lot of people worry about gaining weight if they quit smoking. True, some people do put on some pounds, but but you don’t have to. There are some things you can do. Reach for raw carrots or celery. They don’t have many calories and they’re good for you. Like i mentioned earlier, go for a walk, play with the kids, or call a friend. do anything to et your mind off of smoking.
There are also some great resources out there that are completely free. You can go to www.smokefree.gov for help. There’s also the American Heart Association’s website www.americanheart.org. The American Cancer Society has great tips at cancer.org. There’s also the American Lung Association at lungusa.org and the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention at cdc.gov/tobacco.
Just remember, YOU CAN DO IT! I know you can.
Jake
If you've got a health or fitness question for me, fire away!
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
|
