My Hiatus is Over and I Have Quit!

Well, it has been a month since my last post, and now my hiatus is over. On September 3rd I smoked my last cigarette. The past 28 days have been quite challenging; more challenging than I expected. I suppose you have to be a smoker or an ex-smoker to truly appreciate the tentacles of nicotine addiction and the effect that the act of quitting really has.

I smoked since my sophomore year in high school. Over the years, almost everything I did became connected to smoking. When you quit smoking, not only do you experience withdrawal from nicotine, but you need to re-program your way of thinking when doing even the most daily chores. It goes beyond the biggies that everyone thinks of......the smoke after eating or the smoke with your daily coffee. Most smokers associate MANY activities with smoking. Smoking keeps us company while we work, talk on the phone, cook, clean, put on our makeup, drive to work, drive home from work. The list could go on and on.

Over the last month, there were many things I avoided, if I could, because the activity would trigger such a strong craving. Blogging was one. I ALWAYS smoked a few as I wrote. They kept me company when I would be doing my research for Sunday Morning News. I would fire a couple up as I checked my stats. I could go on and on with example, but I am sure you get my point.

I am early in "my quit," but I am making it. I have come to understand just how nicotine addiction works and why it is so hard to make a quit stick. Life is beginning to feel a bit more back to normal, and I have missed some feeling of normalcy. One of the supports I have used is a fabulous website called QuitNet. If you or someone you know is looking for support as they break their nicotine addiction, pay a visit to http://www.quitnet.com/ I am eternally grateful to my family and friends who have been supportive and understanding during this last month. So, this post represents another hurdle I have overcome as I make my way through my recovery. Another day down and another day following the mantra "NOPE".....not one puff ever!

A Friendly Approach to Quitting Smoking

I always like to bring you new topics and products that I think will enhance your life. Quitting smoking is something I have been wrestling with for years. I know it is something that I have to do for obvious reasons, but I have tried in the past and failed. I have set a quit date for myself of September 3rd....the date is rapidly approaching and I am nervous. In my research for tips and techniques I have found what I consider to be a friendly, practical approach by Dr. Sally Witt.

Dr. Sally, as she is know, is a Breakthrough Coach, and hypnotherapist who has a Ph.D. in Spiritual Counseling. Because the habit of smoking is not only a physical addiction, but a psychological one as well, Dr. Sally addresses the psychological area through a series of videos focusing on hypnosis, EFT (emotional freedom techniques) and NLP (neurolinguistic programming).

This is a new launch for her, so I have not received mine yet, but I am anxious and hopeful. I have spent hundreds of dollars in the past on patches and gum, so for me to invest $97 in my health seems like a great deal. And.....since I spend $6/day on cigarettes I figure I will recoup my money within 3 weeks.

If you are interested in reading more just click the link Stop Smoking With Dr Sally. There is a full explanation of the program. Here's to good health!!


Technorati Profile