You MUST Eliminate Smoking for True Optimal Health

Obvious, right? But easier said than done. For those of you who smoke (I used to smoke for a long time too!), know that no matter how naturally you are eating, and how much you are exercising, if you still smoke, you are killing yourself. There is not a single conceivable reason in the world to remain a slave to the nicotine sticks, except sheer stupidity. If you really want to quit, you can. Read that sentence again (and again) until you truly believe it.

The same goes for excessive drinking of alcohol; if you do it, you know who you are. And you know it’s time to cut back or quit entirely.

Big tobacco makes a lot of money with a product that kills people and brings no real value to society. It’s time to stop supporting them; stop buying (and using) tobacco!

How did I quit? I don't support nicotine gum, and I don't support nicotine patches (because they are prescription drugs). So, how did I quit? Cold Turkey.

I can hear the clamoring of objections, so let's just slow down and contemplate this thoroughly, now. I myself smoked for 7 years, quit for 2 years, smoked for 1 year, quit for 1 year, smoked for 5 years, then quit again (this time for good :-). Each time I quit, I quit Cold Turkey. The first time was absolutely the hardest because I didn't know what to expect and the cravings came on so strong sometimes. The second time was easier, the third the easiest.

Some of you have been smoking 35 years or more. You know deep down that you should have quit a long time ago. Never mind that, it is too late for that kind of thinking. Your problem is you're letting that stop you from quitting NOW. The patch is available to you, and the gum is available to you, but the problem is that people use these drugs (yes, drugs) hoping it will make quitting EASY. That kind of thinking is their problem. I will be honest with you, and will tell you clearly:

QUITTING SMOKING, NO MATTER HOW YOU CHOOSE TO DO IT, IS NEVER GOING TO BE EASY. The only difference in methods of quitting is that Cold Turkey is the FASTEST way to quit. If you decide to quit Cold Turkey, you can literally be a Nonsmoker RIGHT NOW!

And that is the key. Don't say to yourself and others "I am a smoker but I am trying to quit." That kind of talk leaves room for errors, letting you slip up after two days of no tobacco and destroying your progress. Instead, you must say "I am now a nonsmoker." That kind of thinking is the RIGHT way to think, and leaves NO room for slipups, because Nonsmokers don't smoke!

I hear the clamoring starting up again. Hold on, now. Some people say it is better to cut back gradually then quit. Oh, really? I know a guy who smoked a pack of full flavor smokes a day. He decided to "cut back" by smoking lights. Now he smokes two packs a day. And he inhales deeper than he did before, causing damage to even MORE of his lungs.

Hardships build Character. Have you heard that before? Quitting smoking is going to be one of the toughest hardships you have ever faced, I acknowledge that, and you must too. But you know what?

You brought it on yourself.

I am NOT condemning you. Just acknowledge the truth, that you chose to smoke all of these years, and with each cigarette you sucked back, it made you more addicted and now that it's time to quit, it's HARD.

YES, ITS HARD. That's the truth.

BUT YOU CAN DO IT.

Here is my recommendation: Find a substitute. That is really the best and only recommendation I can make. And I do NOT mean nicotine gum or patches. I mean something natural. It must be the same substitute each time, so that your mind eventually associates those nicotine cravings with that substitute.

The first time I quit, my substitute was brushing my teeth. Every time I got a mild craving, I ignored it. It would go away, then come back full force at a most inopportune time. Then I would brush my teeth. This works for two reasons. One, I like having a clean taste in my mouth. It is better than the yucky smokers taste. This is an important psychological aid. Two, if, after I brushed my teeth, I caved in to the craving and lit up, the cigarette tasted like crap because cigarette smoke does not taste good after you brush your teeth. Eventually, I wouldn't cave anymore because smoking after brushing wasn't pleasurable.

The second time I quit my substitute was sunflower seeds. Boy, I ate so many seeds, the inside of my mouth wrinkled up like a prune from all of that salt (not kidding). But it worked.

You can also exercise. Every time you get a craving that you can't just ignore, drop and do pushups or squats or ab crunches to fatigue. Do it every time you get a craving. Not only does it help you fight the craving, it makes you stronger too! Nice bonus!

But find a substitute you must. You Must. I'll say it again, you MUST. Pick what your substitute is going to be BEFORE you quit Cold Turkey. Every craving that you beat, and every day that you live smoke-free, give yourself heaps of sincere praise. Really, you deserve it.

Need more ideas for substitutes? Just pick what you already like to do. Chewing gum works. A lot of people eat when they quit. I mean, boy, do they eat. They successfully quit smoking but they gain 50 lbs or more in the process. This is not an acceptable alternative. If you find yourself eating more, continue to eat naturally, and reach for protein. Do NOT reach for sugary or starchy snacks.

One more word about substitutes. You must find something that helps you FIGHT OFF the craving. You might love knitting, but if you are craving like crazy while knitting, that doesn't help. It's got to be something that produces a change in your physical as well as mental state.

You can do it. You CAN do it. You must believe this.

One more thing. If you DO slip up and light up a cigarette after not smoking for a day or a week or whatever, DON'T feel like a failure for very long! Allowing yourself to feel like a failure is what will make you give up and return to the nasty habit. You must not give up. Instead of giving up, accept that you slipped up, and go right back to being a nonsmoker. Let that slipup be like a *slap* in your face of pride and self-esteem, and say to yourself, "I will NOT let nicotine beat me! I am a NONSMOKER!" You must not dwell on your failure. Please, get right back up, dust your pants off, and keep fighting the fight. You deserve it. You have seen many people try to quit, and fail. Now you know why. Don't be one of those who slips on a mud puddle and stays there. Get right back up, admit you slipped up, and check it off as a learning experience.

YOU, TOO CAN BE A NON-SMOKER!

If you can stay the course, quitting cold turkey will be a very refreshing and transforming experience (not to mention building a good bit of willpower). However, not everyone is going to be able to do that. If you need a little extra boost without resorting to gums and patches, I recommend trying the FreshStart program. No, I have never used it myself, but I know the value of a good support system, and for a lot of people this might be it. Click Here to obtain the FreshStart program! I have spent time looking over the information on this site, and they only advocate the natural means of hypnotherapy and deep breathing, plus they seem to have a high success rate. Give it a shot, it might be just what you need to break those smoking chains!

Here is another resource I like, for those who might need some help and/or information to quit smoking. The Quit Smoking Right Now Program! I am impressed by this program's bluntness and honesty. They reveal information such as why you must first make up your mind to quit, and what is the real chemical (its patented) that you are addicted to (hint: its not nicotine! its a secret ingredient!). A great program to check out and be informed by.

Is chewing tobacco your thing? You've got to check out the quit chewing tobacco ebook. Warning: The picture on this site is of a former "baccy" chewer and is recommended for mature audiences.

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