Quit Smoking Store

Frank Andrews asked:


Is it more of a physical thing that is the hindrance whenever you are overcome by the desire to go back to or continue with smoking, or is it more of a psychological thing that is the hindrance?

It is believed that smoking stimulates the flow of “feel good” chemicals in the brain including endorphins. Tobacco has nicotine and it is believed to be addicting. This is commonly understood by many. Nothing new!

So we all probably understand that there is a physical component to hinder a person from quitting; more for some than for others. However, is it really “THE” reason that people can’t seem to quit smoking?

Whenever I share my thoughts about people who are falling short of the mark, I always include with it; “There is no condemnation here”. Condemnation is not what it is about. At the same time, it is also true, that we must get real and be honest because this is no game. With regard to quitting smoking; yes, there is a physical component but it is important to acknowledge that people quit smoking all the time anyway.

Overcoming the physical component is not rocket science, in my opinion. There are many aids and medical assistance available to help with that. Getting cleaned out may not be easy for some, but so many people have done it, so it can be done. Also, one of the characteristics of someone who has successfully quit smoking is that they are willing to experience the discomfort of withdrawal in anticipation of the reward. It is a delaying of satisfaction instead of getting instant gratification (a level of maturity) in anticipation of the reward of satisfaction later on (I hope I didn’t loose you here because I know that some people may be feeling a little offended right now).

Stay with me here! I am interested in helping people in a bigger way than just providing information about how to stop smoking by controlling the smoking behavior itself. This is why my writings will not appeal to everyone; and that’s OK. Not everyone is going to be ready for what I have to say; and that is OK. You are where you are and I encourage you to find what suits you based on where you are at. There are many resources and I encourage you to take a look at them and find something that will help you right where you are today.

What I am primarily all about is Personal Development. I am aware of developmental issues that make it very hard for many people to quit smoking. I teach things regarding personal development that are not well understood; even by most experts. There are some people who are ready to take it to the next level and my writings are geared for them. My writings deal with issues at the “cause” level. If this is not you, then don’t feel bad. It’s OK. Personal development is a process and it can’t be forced. But I know there are people who are looking for something more. If that is you; then please stay with me.

In all of my writings you will hear me teach about these developmental issues. As I said, it is not for everyone but if you are ready to take it to the next level of understanding, then it is for you. For a person to quit smoking, quitting would be like discontinuing a part of yourself. This is because smoking is so much a part of who a person is. Consider this…. Many people who have struggled to stop smoking eventually did. Why after so many years of struggling where they suddenly able to just stop smoking?

This is one indication of what I was saying. Is “THE” hindrance that makes quitting seem so impossible, really the physical aspect. Possibly for some who have so much nicotine in there system that the withdrawal process scares them. But personally, I believe that for the far majority of people, the physical aspect is not the real hindrance that makes quitting seem impossible. I think that many people do believe it is when it isn’t because of their current understanding. What they truly believe is going to be real to them. Now then; if there is something else that is the real hindrance that makes quitting seem impossible, how will they every discover it if they believe it is the physical that is the real hindrance?

My main purpose with this article, is to get you to consider the possibility that there may be something more to quitting smoking than the physical aspect. Are you open to consider the possibility that smoking may be a part of who you are and therefore there just may be developmental issues to consider?

almynur. asked:


Hello, my dad is trying (and determined) to quit smoking. Some choices that he is willing to take is Nicoteen Gum, Nicoteen Patch, Chantix, or Cold turkey (when you quit smoking without any help). Please pick the option and list positives and negatives about it.
Oh yeah, and just to let you know, my dad only smokes about 1-2 cigarrettes a day. So he’s not a “heavy” smoker. He’s just still addicted to it.

Chris Helwig asked:


How to help a friend quit smoking

 Smoking is the number one preventable cause of death in the U.S.  Smoking causes lung cancer, heart attacks, emphysema, and stroke.  People who smoke have much  shorter life expectancies than people who don’t.

 How do you help a friend or family member quit smoking?  It isn’t easy.  Smoking is a difficult habit to break.  Smoking is an addiction with physiological and psychological components.

 Nevertheless, there are things you can do to help someone quit smoking.  In my talk I will explain how to present a smoker with information on the health consequences of smoking, how to develop a Quit Smoking Plan, and how to persuade a smoker to follow such a plan.

 I realize that by talking about the health affects of smoking I run the risk of depressing the whole audience.   I promise to move quickly to the more practical question of how to quit.

 The health consequences of smoking are well documented.  Two places to find such information are the Mayo Clinic website and the American Lung Association website.

 Smoking is responsible for nearly one in five deaths in the United States. Almost half a million people die every year from the consequences of smoking.

On average, smokers die 13 to 14 years sooner than nonsmokers do.

Lung cancer is the No.1 cause of cancer death in the United States.

Almost 90,000 Americans die each year of coronary heart disease caused by smoking.  Smokers have triple the risk of coronary heart disease that nonsmokers have.

Smoking raises your blood pressure, cholesterol level and your risk of blood clots. A smoker is two to six times more likely to have a heart attack, and the more you smoke, the higher your risk.

Depending on how well you know a smoker, you could simply mention these websites or print out and discuss the information with the smoker.

 

 After reviewing the health affects of smoking, the next step in quitting smoking is the Quit Smoking Plan.

 A quit smoking plan is a detailed list of steps that someone should take to quit smoking.  It is usually not realistic for someone to just wake up one day and quit smoking.  A certain amount of planning and preparation is needed.

A quit smoking plan should mention some of the health and other reasons that provide the motivation for a smoker to quit. 

A quit smoking plan should set a quit date, which is a date sometime in the near future, when the smoker will plan to stop smoking.  This gives a smoker time to prepare to kick the habit.

The bulk of the quit smoking plan contains a series of actions the smoker needs to take to get ready to quit.  Such actions include joining a local smoking cessation class, identifying a group of people who can provide support when the smoker quits, and reviewing the quit smoking literature available on the ALA website.  This website contains a detailed seven module program called Freedom from Smoking which describes how to quit smoking.

A smoker can also join a gym or get a treadmill, because exercise is helpful for someone giving up smoking.  In addition, smokers can consult a doctor or pharmacist about nicotine patches and gum and become familiar with smokeless cigarettes as an alternative to smoking.  

Other possibilities include starting deep breathing yoga exercises, using relaxation CDs, or squeezing a physical therapy ball to relieve tension.  A quit smoking plan needs to be tailored a bit for each individual.

 A Quit Smoking Plan is fairly easy to prepare.  The hard part is getting a smoker to follow the plan.

 There is no guaranteed way to get a smoker to follow a quit smoking plan.  However there are some things you can try.

 To get the smoker’s attention you might try sending the smoker some of the anti smoking merchandise available for sale on the ALA web site.  There you can order T shirts and other items with slogans urging people not to smoke.

 You may be able to convince the smoker to prepare a quit smoking plan.  If not, you can prepare one yourself and give it to the smoker.  You can also talk about the plan with the smoker and explain the importance of each step of the plan.

 Repetition is a useful tool of persuasion, so remind the smoker as often as possible of the quit smoking day and the need to prepare for it. 

 Explain to the smoker that the withdrawal symptoms are worst in the first 7 to 10 days after quitting.  This may enable the smoker to get through the first few days.

 Spending some money on the effort may also help.  For example, if the smoker cannot afford a quit smoking class or an exercise program, you could pay for it yourself.  This will show that you take the issue seriously, and they should too.

 Preaching  to or nagging the smoker not to smoke is probably not that helpful.  Part of what you do will depend on the smoker’s attitude.  The smoker may have no interest in quitting and rebuff your efforts entirely.  Or, he or she might have some interest in giving up smoking, but may be unwilling to follow every step of the quit smoking plan.  In some cases a smoker might need just a little nudge to quit smoking.

 Another possibility is that after the quit smoking date the smoker succeeds in cutting down on smoking but does not quit entirely.  In this case you need to praise the smoker’s effort to quit but also remind the smoker that it is necessary to quit completely.  Review the reasons to quit with the smoker – often health benefits alone are not enough to persuade a smoker to quit.  Also review the parts of the quit smoking plan that were not followed and try to get the smoker to follow those parts of the plan as well.

 You are doing a friend a big favor by trying to help him or her quit smoking.

 To be successful, you need the right tools.  Consult relevant websites for information on the health affects of smoking.  Prepare a detailed quit smoking plan.  Convince the smoker to follow the plan.

 46 million Americans who once smoked have successfully quit.  It isn’t easy, but the health benefits are considerable. 

 You may feel bad if your friend does not quit.  The best thing to do in that case is to say “good try.”  Quitting smoking often takes several attempts, and each attempt is a step forward.

 If you have a friend or family member who smokes, try helping them to quit.  Stick with it.  If you are not successful on the first attempt, remember the old adage, “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.”

 

Hey McCain… Pull My Finger!!! asked:


I thought I heard that somewhere… Well I just quit smoking about 3 weeks ago and have crazy sinus pressure and congestion and starting to cough up brownish phlem this morning… I live in South Florida so I usually only get sick when the weather changes and so far it’s still in the high 8os here,lol…. So could this cold be from quitting smoking you think?

Peter Howells asked:


One of the greatest concerns smokers cite about quitting is the fear of gaining weight. As such understanding how to quit smoking without weight gain is an important message to understand for any would be quitter. Luckily, there are several ways you improve your chances to quit smoking without weight gain.



Quit smoking without weight gain tip #1: Is it a craving?



Separate the feeling of hunger from a craving for a cigarette. The increased appetite associated with quitting smoking is often actually a craving for a cigarette. When you get a craving to eat, think very consciously about that feeling and make sure it is not the craving for a cigarette. You should have already come up with several strategies for dealing with cravings in order to get you through your quit attempt.



Quit smoking without weight gain tip #2: Stick to your normal meal routine



Quitting smoking can be a little hectic on the mind as your emotions are shredded with cravings and a desire to smoke. It’s as if the only thing you can think about is a cigarette. A common result of this is that smokers turn to food as both a comforter and as a substitute. The end result is that biscuits, chocolates and other sugary or salty or fatty snack foods fill your day. Be strong and keep to the 3 square meals with a small snack between each meal of a piece of fruit.



Quit smoking without weight gain tip #3: Keep busy



Keeping busy is an excellent way to help take your mind off quitting smoking. To keep your mouth busy, drink water frequently or chew gum (not nicotine replacement gum though!). Drinking water will mean you will need the bathroom more often but it will help ‘cleanse your system’.

You should also try to keep your hands occupied as not smoking, particularly at social occasions where you normally would, can be difficult. Keep a pen or pencil to hand, or have some ‘worry beads’ or a coin to thumb. Another alternative is a wrist expander or stress ball. When time permits, do crossword puzzles to keep you mind occupied with something other than smoking.



Quit smoking without weight gain tip #4: Confidence statements



The pressure of quitting smoking can be very difficult and this explains why so many fail to quit smoking so many times. A useful method for helping you with your quit and taking your mind of cigarettes and food is to write as many positive statements concerning why you want to quit smoking as you can. Keep your list with you at all times and keep copies where you will see them regularly like on the fridge or at your workplace. Examples of statements you could use include:

· I have stopped smoking for good, not started eating instead

· I quit smoking for all the right reasons and eating wasn’t one of them

· I promised myself I would never smoke again – I didn’t agree to eat instead

· I am not going to die young for cigarettes or get fat either

· I am in control of my cravings, not the other way round

· I swat cravings like I can swat flies and I only eat when I am hungry

· My life is too important to smoke or get fat

· I love myself too much to quit my quit

· Only losers quit and I’m no loser

· Quitting is for winners, smoking is for losers



Quit smoking without weight gain tip #5: Exercise



Finally, exercise is an obvious way to quit smoking without weight gain after you quit. It goes without saying that exercise is part of a healthy lifestyle so rather than taking the elevator, take the stairs. Do some gardening; take up swimming or jogging or the gym. Use the money you save from smoking to pay for your gym membership.

Exercising gives you the opportunity to take your mind off your cravings and from food. It rewards you with greater energy levels and better sleep. You will improve confidence and commitment by continuing to keep a plan going that includes quitting and exercise.

Another health benefit of more exercise is that it will also improve blood flow and help towards de-clogging arteries. Just remember to start off easy and then build up but always stay safe. If you have not exercised for a long time, it is advisable to seek advice from your doctor before starting on a program of exercise.

Pete Howells has written the EasyQuit System that will help any smoker quit tobacco. The EasyQuit System works by giving smokers the instructions they need to follow to achieve their ambition to quit rather than just telling them smoking is bad for them. Visit http://easyquitsystem.com/ to find out more about his incredible process for quitting smoking that boasts 96% customer satisfaction.