12 Tips to Quit Smoking Cigarettes! (& Maybe Not Gain Weight)
- Former Bad Girl
- Jul 13, 2018
- 3 min read
12 months ago today I made a bet with my former boss. He would quit drinking and I quit smoking. One year later and one of us won. Me.
I AM ONE YEAR CIGARETTE FREE BITCHES!
I used to smoke a-pack-a-day, if not more. I would have 3 (sometimes 4) cigarettes on my 25 minute drive to work. I was the last person anyone expected to quit smoking, especially cold turkey. But I did and here are my tips:
12 TIPS TO QUIT SMOKING CIGARETTES
1. Use Nicorette, or a nicotine replacement, for the first THREE (3) days ONLY. It is so possible to get addicted to nicotine replacements, especially since there's still nicotine in them!
2. Switch to a sugar-free gum after the third day of your nicotine replacement. This helps you rid the nicotine habit itself. It will be hard, you will be irritable. But it is temporary.
3. Notice when you're craving and what you're doing. Find ways to combat your cravings by doing this. Once you recognize triggers you can adapt to them and soon prevent them. Which brings me to number 4.
4. When driving, or craving, use a pen and hold it as you would a cigarette. Take a few "puffs" if need be. A lot of the time the habit of the physical motion of smoking is what you're really craving. Taking puffs even tricks your brain too.
5. You never get rid of an addiction, only replace it. Start thinking of what you're going to replace smoking with. For a while, I replaced smoking with gum. Then online shopping. I do not recommend the latter.
6. Reward yourself for hitting milestones. Your first week clean, first time you're truly angry and don't cave in, first month, etc. Little rewards helped me keep going.
7. Download an app to help you quit! I used the Smoke Free app. I loved it because not only did it show in real time how long I was cigarette free, but it also showed me my health stats and how my body was recovering AND how much money I've saved. ($2,551.55 to date.)
8. Make a bet with someone! I hate losing and I love bragging rights, therefore betting my former boss was a piece of cake. I did it to prove a point alone. He actually never even quit drinking, so I could have given up on the bet but chose not to just because I like to brag.
9. Buy something expensive as a "Pre-Money I Saved Gift." I bought myself my camera that I use to film YouTube videos. I actually started my channel to help me quit smoking cigarettes, it worked.
10. Pay attention to your physical activity and eating habits. This is motivating and distracting which helps keep your mind off cravings, but also helps make sure you won't gain weight. When you quit smoking, your tastebuds change and everything tastes good. Be careful with this.
11. Breathing exercises. Inhale for a count of four, hold for two, exhale for a count of four. Sometimes I try adding a few seconds each cycle. It helps!
12. Pick up a hand-held hobby! Cross-stitch, knit, fidget spinners, Tech Decks, anything. If it's hand-held and portable it'll keep you distracted when you're craving.
BONUS TIP: Get your friends and family in on your journey. Have them help hold you accountable.
I hope these tips help you! Good luck on your quitting journey!!
Keep me updated on Instagram/Twitter I'm always around to help!