How to Quit Smoking: 37 Days and Counting..

You are probably thinking one of two things right now:

a) Pretty Much?
b) 37 days isn't that long.

I have had 2 cigarettes since I quit. It happens. I'll touch more on this later. As for the 37 days thing goes, when's the last time you quit for 37 days. This plan is to help you get to one month and put you in a position for continued success.

Here are 5 things to help you kick the habit:

1. Buy nicotine gum, and buy a lot.

You need help. Quitting smoking entails breaking a nicotine addiction as well as the smoking habit. Nicotine gum helps out on both fronts. It takes care of your nicotine addiction by giving you some, and also allows you to be in control when you get the urge to smoke. Instead of smoking a cigarette, you use the gum.

This differs from the patch because you have no control over when you use your nicotine with the patch. If you get an urge while you have the patch one, what do you do? You can't do much. With the gum you get to choose when you use it, just as you would a cigarette.

I say buy a lot for a couple of reasons. One is the cost. I spent over $200 when I bought four big boxes of nicotine gum before my quit date. Spending 200 big ones on something makes you want to get your moneys worth. More importantly is having the constant supply, though. I'm 37 days in and I still have over a box left. That means I haven't had to go buy anymore. When you are going to buy nicotine gum, your brain naturally considers buying cigarettes instead. Eliminate that temptation by stocking up early.

2. Don't make quitting 'all or nothing'.

When I first tried to quit years ago, I took a more aggressive approach. No cigarettes allowed! Which actually makes a lot of sense for someone that is trying to quit smoking. However, when I slipped up about a week in, I decided that I had cheated and would have to start over. And since I would be starting over, I didn't see the harm in buying a pack of cigarettes between quitting attempts. You can see where this can go.

I have friends who used to smoke a cigarette with me every so often. However, if someone asked them if they were smokers, they would say no. So tell me, why should they be allowed to smoke one here or there and maintain a 'non-smoker' status while we are going nuts trying to quit and are expected to be perfect.

Quitting smoking is going to be one of the hardest things you have ever done in your life. Expecting perfection is ridiculous. If you slip up and bum one, give yourself a little slap on the wrist and stay the course. One mistake is no reason to give up on the big quit.

3. Set a quit date, and quit when you least want to.

Don't plan your quit date around your life. You know, one of those "Well I go on vacation then so maybe I will quit when I get home." Just set a date. It is actually better if the date is inconvenient for you. Because the fact of the matter is quitting is something you will be working at all day, every day, regardless of whether it is convenient for you. When you quit smoking even though it is bad timing, you are taking control of the situation. You are choosing to quit. It is important to know that.

4. Make the right amount of changes in your life.

The first thing I did when I quit smoking was decide that I was also going to quit drinking. Dumb idea. I like to drink. I like happy hour. I like having a tall cold one after I mow the lawn. I also decided to start eating only healthy foods, and to start working out regularly.

The idea was that since I was getting rid of one unhealthy habit, I might as well go all out and become a model of good health. However, making all of the changes at once proved to be overwhelming. I would miss a day or working out or make some unhealthy choices at happy hour, and would feel as though I was failing. Even though all of the other stuff had nothing to do with me quitting smoking, the fact that there was so much going on made me more aware that I was trying to quit.

I have found a happy medium now. Since I smoked more while at home, I made the majority of my changes there. I stopped drinking at home (I have green tea after I mow the lawn and like it) and I also cook a lot healthier while at home. The small change in the way I do things has helped a lot. While I'm out, I don't do anything differently except not smoke. I find that there is enough going on to keep my mind off of the fact I am not smoking.

Point is, some routines will need to be tweaked and some habits broken. But keep in mind that quitting smoking is enough of a change. You don't need to do everything else differently.

5. Never let your guard down.

I feel good about where I am right now. Not good enough, however, to leave the house without nicotine gum. And not good enough to call myself a 'non-smoker.' This is something I will be working at for a long time to come. And for the first time in my life I feel as though I'm ready.