Quitting SMOKING

Let's see, I'm 47. I started smoking when I was 17, smoked up to two packs a day for the next ten years, then got viral pneumonia and landed in the hospital for a week. I'd always sworn if I could go a week without them I'd stay off them but when I was released from the hospital I was jones-ing for one baaaad ... I chewed Nicorette for nearly three months but sta off them.

Three years later I was going through major life stress and started smoking again, within a week I was back up to over a pack a day and smoked for about three years until I started getting pain in my chest when I laid down and realized I virtually couldn't breath when I laid on my right side. Decided to stop again, did it cold turkey this time. Planned it out, first cut back until I was under half a pack a day and then when I had three days off from work stopped completely, drank gallons of water, took tranquilizers, walked and lot and spent a lot of time in non smoking locations (like the library).

I've had at least three minor quits (picked them up for three or so months before quitting) since then and at least two other major quits (smoked for up to a year or more) since then. I'm a freaking expert and I totally applaud you. Even 5 minutes of cardio while you're smoking is a .

I will warn you, it's awfully easy to cut way back and keep yourself at a low number of cigarettes indefinitely. That 's dangerous because you can make all sorts of bargains with yourself. Pick a long weekend and take the full plunge, day one is the worst, then again around day 6 or so you'll get hit with this completely logical thought "Hey, I've gone about a week without smoking, I bet I could have just one". Yeah, that's a lie. So for one day this thought will be constantly in the back of your mind, but you get through it and when you wake up the next morning you'll be proud of yourself for not caving in. The next craving usually hits at about the three week mark and it will just come up out of the blue, that "I want a smoke" feeling and it will seem like the most logical thing on the planet, that you DESERVE one, in fact. Yeah, that's a lie.

I can't emphasize enough, keep up the good work and quit completely. Each time I've quit I've realized I didn't bounce back as quickly as the last time. I suspect I've done myself quite a bit of damage by going back to smoking over the years.

The problem is that cigarettes fill so many desires, they are a comfort, a reward, a hobby, appetite suppressants ... they affect our dopamine levels so nicotine withdrawal depression is very real, too, and if you get that depression the idea of having a cigarette can seem like the only way to ever cheer up again. I've heard the recidivism rate for tobacco is higher than heroine, I don't know about that but I do know that if you replace the tobacco with something you find rewarding -- exercise you enjoy is terrific because it can help boost your endorphin levels -- you have a much higher chance of success.

Besides, the ED things are just ridiculously expensive anymore. Add up what you're spending on them in a year and treat yourself to something really wonderful at the end of your first smoke free year.

Source: http://www.elitefitness.com/forum/womens-fitness-female-bodybuilding-training/quitting-smoking-1011203.html

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