›› Stop Smoking Programs
There are many stop
smoking programs, but for millions of smokers, for reasons that they
find mysterious, none of these work. But I'm going to tell you that
none of this is really a mystery. Smoking cessation programs aren't the
answer. I know as a former smoker who has not had a cigarette in at
least three years. I tried a slew of stop smoking programs, as well as
nicotine gum, cigarette rationing, and switching to lighter and lighter
smokes, but nothing worked for me. The reason was that stop smoking
programs aren't really the answer.
No, I'm not going to pitch some new product, or revolutionary new
program to stop smoking. Come on, keep reading – I don't have
anything to sell you. The simple truth is the only way to stop smoking
is to just stop. That's it. No stop smoking programs, no incentive
systems, no rules about only smoking with friends, or only smoking one
day a week, or only smoking on days you sleep in or are hung over. None
of this works. Whatever stop smoking programs tell you, the thing that
is hard about not smoking is the re-arranging of your social routine,
not the actual nicotine cravings. It is nice to be able to grab a smoke
with friends, nice to be able to take a moment to step outside and
enjoy a tasty cancer stick. So, you have to be completely firm with
yourself and not give an inch. The only successful stop smoking program
is to tell yourself that, from now on, I will not smoke.
Don't be too ambitious all at once. Many people suddenly get an impulse
to change every aspect of their life at once, enrolling in stop smoking
programs in the same week that they start exercise programs and new
diet plans. This is a bad idea, and will not help you quit smoking. The
best way to well and truly stop smoking is to let yourself go a little
in other ways. Its okay to put on a few pounds, its okay to have some
junk food, or let your exercise routine go. If you have too many rules
for yourself at once, you will lose all of them. And yes, for some
people, stop smoking programs can work because they provide a support
group. But remember, the only real crucial stop smoking program is your
resolution to, once and for all, stop smoking.
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A Healthy Dose of Good Advice
