Quitting Smoking
Use these tips to help you kick the habit

1.) cut down by psyching yourself out. Every time you have a cigarette think a negative thought about it and say it out load to a friend or yourself.

"Smoking is making me sick"
"Smoking is hurting my throat"
"This cigarette is giving me a headache"
"If I don't quit, my children may smoke"
"Smoking is giving me wrinkles"
"Smoking is draining my energy"
"I can't stand the smell of cigarette smoke"
"My clients can smell this on me"
"Smoking is making my nails and teeth yellow"
"I'm going to look 70 when I'm 50"
"Smoking is making me short of breath"
"I hate standing out in the rain"


There's a strong difference between knowing that cigarette smoke is causing you harm and feeling the harm it is causing. Often those who have been smoking for many years become accustom to the immediate harmful affects. By saying these things out load and to yourself you will begin to believe it and therefore feel it, #1 because it's true and #2 because you hear yourself saying it during every cigarette.

Once you begin to feel the affects you will want to smoke less. You'll find yourself cutting down to 1/2 the amount you were smoking before then down to 3 or 4 cigarettes a day. After your body adapts to receiving less and less nicotine it will be physically easier to quit. Cut down as much as you can and continue smoking the lowest amount possible for at least 3 months to ensure your body has fully adapted.

Now comes the time to quit. It's easier to do it with a friend or a group of people for extra support but be aware that if you're friend gives up you have to be strong. Make up your mind in the beginning that you are doing this for yourself and that you are going to go through with it. Since you've cut down so much before trying to quit you won't have as many urges, you'll feel less stressed and less physical pain from it and you've already cut down the habit of it as well. This doesn't mean it will be easy but it does ensure it will be easier than previous times. Now it's just a matter of day by day.

If you have a slip you should tell yourself how disappointed you are in yourself then forget about and try to stay on track.

Quitting is never easy so be prepared to have a hard time. It's okay to feel angry and stressed...you will get over it and you will beat smoking if you put your mind to it.