One of the most common excuses smokers use to avoid quitting is the fear of gaining weight.  This is a valid fear, because it does seem like many people who quit smoking put on a few pounds (and some put on a lot more than a few!).  Why is that?  And does it have to happen to everyone who quits smoking?

First, understand that nicotine is a stimulant, and as such it does increase your metabolism a wee bit.  Naturally, when you quit smoking and no longer ingest nicotine on a regular basis, your metabolism will slow down slightly.  However, when I say “slightly,” I really mean SLIGHTLY.  Not enough to make you balloon up to the size of a blimp.

Even better, the effect is temporary and there are simple steps you can take to help keep your weight in balance.

- Drink plenty of water.

Smokers are often dehydrated as it is, which makes your body hold tighter to the water it does have.  One good way to get your body to release excess water is to drink plenty of water!  As contradictory as it may sound, your body will easily let go of retained water when you keep yourself well-hydrated.  The general recommendation is 64 ounces per day, and more if you are overweight already.

- Clean up your diet.

The temptation to snack on sweet and salty foods when you quit smoking may be strong, but try to avoid doing so.  Instead lean more toward plenty of fruit and vegetables, lean protein and healthy fats.  Instead of chips, try snacking on small amounts of nuts and seeds (because they are so packed with protein and fat, you don’t need more than an ounce or two at a time – way less than the entire bag of chips you would have gobbled).  Rather than candy, try some fresh or dried fruit.  Also avoid caffeine, alcohol and sugary soda pops. Read the rest of this entry

Would you rather be an ex-smoker that craves cigarettes – or a non-smoker who never gives them a thought?

We think we know the answer – but read on to find out why ‘10 Steps to Become a Non-Smoker’ will enable you to stop smoking for good, and never crave another cigarette.

Most smokers have experienced it more than once. Several weeks down the road to quitting for good, then…

One slip and all that effort wasted

All those good intentions made; cravings resisted; plans laid and for what?

A few weeks off the cigarettes.

And every time, it seems like it’s OK to do it. But why?

Because addiction is very clever, that’s why, and it works at an unconscious level.

So however strong your conviction is to start with, addiction waits until you are at a ‘low’ point, and then strikes.

And suddenly you find yourself making up the most incredibly creative reasons for why it’s OK to have ‘just that one’.

So how can you stay stopped?

There is a profound difference between a smoker that has stopped smoking and a non-smoker. The smoker courageously resists having a cigarette, while the non-smoker couldn’t think of anything worse than smoking.

You’ve probably heard those people who quit smoking 10 years ago and still say “Every time I have a beer I still want a cigarette” – if you are trying to stop smoking that is a terrifying thing to hear!

But it simply means is that they only quit smoking at a conscious level – that is they decided to stop, and stopped. Unconsciously, smoking is still an attractive prospect for them.

If you’re going to quit smoking, do the job right

There are a million and one ways to stop smoking… from nicotene patches and chewing gum to tablets, lozenges, inhalers and Zyban the stop smoking drug. In addition, there are plenty of people out there willing to tell you how to stop smoking – quit tips are everywhere.

But they all miss one vital component – the unconscious mind.

If you are going to make the effort to free yourself from the terrible effects of smoking, why not do it right? Use a proper smoking cessation program that will leave you free of the desire to smoke.

Take the 10 Steps to Become a Non-Smoker

‘10 steps to become a non-smoker’ addresses every single psychological trick that smoking addiction plays on you and frees you from its grip.

The 10 hypnosis sessions will gently move your mind from its current addicted state to complete freedom from cigarettes.

No longer will you be controlled by the need to smoke. No more planning your day so you can smoke, no more running outside at work or at parties, no more worrying whether you have enough cigarettes left.

You will be a real non-smoker afterwards – someone who can’t imagine why they ever smoked.

Don’t stop smoking until you’re ready

The wonderful thing about 10 Steps to Become a Non-Smoker is that you can continue to smoke while you do the program. You only quit when you reach the stage where you don’t want to smoke any more. Read the rest of this entry

The desire to quit smoking is probably more prevalent these days, as the whole world is becoming more knowledgeable about the potential perils of this unhealthy habit. However, the quit smoking process can be so taxing and difficult that it takes its toll on even the most determined of individuals. Certain persons tend to relapse after just a few tries, while other people don’t even have the heart to try at all.

There currently exist various products available that can help you stop smoking, but some don’t work whereas others have a long list of potential side effects. In light of this, the majority of individuals don’t find appropriate help and sooner or later give up any efforts to kick the habit.

The ideal answer is the Quit Smoking Today program, a system created by Rob Mellor, a Neuro-Linguistic-Programming specialist, which is a specific psychotherapy discipline that studies nicotine addiction. In the paragraphs that follow, we will present some vital details about the  Quit Smoking Today approach for you to make an informed decision in terms of your fight to quit smoking.

This Quit Smoking Today method comes in the form of an mp3 audio file (length is approximately 38 minutes and 13 seconds). This program promises to enable you to discontinue smoking without going through any nicotine withdrawal symptoms. The author further claims that more than 90% of 5,000 test subjects totally quit smoking after using the Quit Smoking Today method. Additionally, he attests that the vast majority of of these test subjects were able to give up smoking within only 1 month after listening to his audio book only once, and the majority did not relapse after more than six months. Read the rest of this entry

There’s no doubt that quitting smoking can be one of the most daunting challenges you’ll ever face, but you may be surprised to know that it doesn’t exactly have to be torturous, either.  There are plenty of aids that can help you quit smoking with less discomfort, like nicotine replacement products, hypnosis and more.

But one of the most powerful techniques is already in your possession, whether you know it or not!  This technique is one that you already use every single day of your life.  You use it when you’re sick, when you’re feeling great, and when you’re working through challenges.  It can make all the difference between success and failure, no matter what you’re doing at the time.

What is this technique?  Self-talk.

Don’t dismiss it – when you really think about it, self-talk is truly powerful.

Have you ever accidentally talked yourself into being sick?  Perhaps you woke up with a slight headache, then spent the morning telling everyone that you didn’t feel good and by the end of the day you were not only suffering from a much worse headache but also body aches and other symptoms?  On the other hand, perhaps you can remember experiences where you talked yourself into being well too.

Using self-talk to help yourself through the stages of quitting smoking is not only simple, it works!  Your thoughts have immense power to shape your perception of everything that happens to you.

What do you think would happen if you quit smoking and then complained mentally about it the whole time?  “This sucks.  I want to smoke, but I can’t.  It’s not fair that other people can smoke but I can’t.  I’m so sick of these cravings already, how am I going to make it through a few more weeks like this?  I can’t do this.  Maybe I should wait until I’m less stressed…”  On and on it goes – and before you know it, you’ve talked yourself into smoking again!

On the other hand, you can use this same type of self-talk to HELP yourself through your quit. Read the rest of this entry

If you’ve ever wondered whether hypnosis to quit smoking actually works, the answer is yes.  And no.  Actually, it works for some people, and is completely ineffective for others.  Why is that?  How does hypnosis really work anyway, and how does it impact a habit like smoking?

Hypnosis works by implanting strong suggestions into the subconscious mind of a person who is in a very relaxed, open state.  Contrary to popular belief, you are not “unconscious” while being hypnotized.  In fact, most people feel that they are simply relaxed and calm – yet fully aware of everything that is happening around them.

During the session, the hypnotherapist will verbally implant strong suggestions in the subconscious mind of the patient that reinforce their desire to be a non-smoker.  These may be statements that support the person’s desire to breathe freely, respect their body, be free from addictions, and so on.

When It Doesn’t Work

So how come it doesn’t work all of the time?  Why do some people just keep on smoking after being hypnotized to stop?

Most often, it’s because they are making a conscious decision to override the new suggestions implanted in their minds during hypnosis.  When it comes right down to it smoking is a conscious decision, even if the desire to smoke may be triggered subconsciously.

Remember too, that there are many different reasons why people smoke.  Physical addiction, emotional pacifier, ingrained habit and more – a person might decide to keep smoking because they don’t know what else to do with their hands.  They may decide to keep smoking because others around them are smoking, or any other number of reasons.  But at the core of every failed attempt to quit smoking is the smoker’s conscious decision to return to smoking. Read the rest of this entry

There are many ways to quit smoking and they all vary in effectiveness from person to person.  Some people prefer to cut down gradually before quitting completely, while others insist that “cold turkey” is the only way to go.  Still others feel the need to take nicotine replacement products like gum, lozenges, and inhalers; and some prefer prescription medication to minimize withdrawal symptoms.

There are also plenty of alternative methods that can help in quitting smoking, like acupuncture (insertion of fine needles into pressure points on the body), aromatherapy to induce feelings of calmness and peace, 12-step programs like nicotine Anonymous (similar to the well-known Alcoholics Anonymous), and hypnotic suggestion to override the desire to smoke.

With so many choices, how do you know which method will work for you?  That depends on a few factors.  Consider first which aspect of quitting smoking is most difficult for you; the physical withdrawal symptoms, emotional dependence, or psychological habit.

- Physical withdrawal symptoms

If you have no trouble abstaining from the act of smoking but find yourself caving under the pressure of physical cravings for nicotine, you may be more successful with the use of nicotine replacement products.  nicotine gum, patches, lozenges and inhalers can be helpful in getting you through the first several weeks of cravings, and most of them offer a plan for gradually reducing your nicotine intake to minimize discomfort. Read the rest of this entry

You may have heard that smoking is one of the most difficult addictions to overcome, and the majority of people who have successfully done it would probably agree.  In fact, it has been said that quitting smoking is even more difficult than overcoming addictions to illegal drugs like heroin and cocaine.  Why is that?

One of the reasons may be that smoking is for the most part a socially acceptable habit (though this is acceptance level is declining steadily), but there are also other reasons why smoking is such a powerfully addictive habit.

1)  Physical addiction.

Nicotine is a powerful drug that acts directly upon receptors in your brain.  These receptors are stimulated by nicotine, resulting in several different physiological responses such as elevated heart rate, blood pressure and respiration, and increased mental alertness, among others.  The longer you ingest nicotine, the more of these receptors you develop.  Over time, these receptors become less sensitive to nicotine and begin to require increased doses to achieve the same level of stimulation.  When you try to stop smoking, feelings of intense discomfort (known as withdrawal) will occur.

People have described nicotine withdrawal symptoms as “demons” or “torture” because they are so strong.  Most people report feelings of intense restlessness, irritability, fatigue, dizziness, and even flu-like symptoms or chest pain.

Physical withdrawal symptoms can often be eased with the use of nicotine replacement products like gum, patches and lozenges, but many people feel that these products only delay the inevitable by keeping the ex-smoker hooked on nicotine.  Still other people claim that using nicotine replacement products helped them conquer one aspect of quitting at a time – for example, the psychological or emotional repercussions, before tackling the physical addiction.

2)  Emotional addiction.

The emotional connection to smoking can easily be as strong as physical dependence upon nicotine.  There are a variety of reasons why people smoke, but one of the most common reasons that develops over time is an emotional “crutch” or “cover”.

Many smokers report using smoking as a coping mechanism for feelings like anger, frustration, boredom, stress and sadness that they don’t know how to deal with otherwise.  Rather than processing their emotions, they reach for a cigarette (or cigar, pipe, etc.) and distract themselves from it. Read the rest of this entry

Have you been thinking about quitting smoking but are hesitant to ingest chemicals and nicotine from stop smoking aids?  Now more than ever there are plenty of natural methods to help you quit smoking – without harmful chemicals and the side effects that often come along with them.

Below you’ll find information on some of the most common natural methods to quit smoking:

- Herbal supplements

Unfortunately, there are no definitive studies that confirm the effectiveness of herbal supplements in reducing the effects of nicotine withdrawal.  Personal feedback also varies; some people say it helps, others say not.  But if you’re interested in exploring the possibilities, start with these herbs commonly used for smoking cessation:  St. John’s Wort, lobelia, ginseng, valerian, skullcap.

Some of these herbs are actually smoked in a pipe or hand-rolled cigarette, while others are taken orally as supplements.  Note also that herbal supplements can be dangerous for some individuals.  They are not regulated by like prescription drugs, so knowing the proper dosage and safe usage guidelines can often be hit and miss.  Another concern is that some herbal supplements can interfere with prescription medications or aggravate existing medical conditions.  If you are unsure whether herbal supplements are right for you, consult your healthcare practitioner.

- Alternative treatments

Many people report success in quitting smoking with the use of alternative treatments like acupuncture, acupressure, hypnotherapy, EFT (emotional freedom techniques), meditation and visualization, massage and reiki.  Some of these treatments focus on clearing the thoughts and beliefs that lead you to be a smoker, while others claim to clear the human energy field (aura) and promote healing on an energetic level.

It’s interesting to note that these modalities are most often effective when people believe they will be.  If you are not open to these types of treatments, it’s doubtful that they would be effective in reducing your urge to smoke.  Of course, the same could be said for any type of treatment: if you believe it is helping, you will be successful in abstaining from smoking. Read the rest of this entry

There are endless good reasons to quit smoking, including reducing your risk of cancer, heart disease and early death.  Despite these well-known risk factors, however, many smokers find themselves needing a more personal reason to want to kick the habit; possibly because the threat of “maybe” contracting a deadly disease just doesn’t seem likely (the old, “it will never happen to me” syndrome).

This article is going to share some easy steps to help you come up with your own powerful, compelling reason(s) to quit smoking once and for all.

1)  First, take a few moments to jot down on a sheet of paper the negative aspects of how smoking makes you feel.  You can include actual physical problems like shortness of breath and fatigue; as well as feelings like embarrassment that your clothing and hair may stink; feeling like an outcast stepping outside to smoke while everyone else stays inside socializing and having a good time; or even your fears, like dying young and leaving your children before your time.

Write down as many reasons as you can, and try to make them reasons that really matter to YOU – not just what other people have said to you or you’ve heard others say before.

2)  When you’re done with your list, look it over carefully.  Read each item on the list, and really think about how it feels to experience that situation in your daily life.  Now choose the top three reasons that are most repulsive to you and circle them.

Take another sheet of paper and write a longer description of each of those three items.  For example, if one of your top reasons was “to not die young and abandon my children”, write a paragraph or two about why that is important to you.  How would it affect your children if you died before your time?  How will your smoking impact them, now and in the future?  Will your smoking addiction encourage them to smoke later in life?  Continue writing until you feel you have identified your core reason for wanting to quit smoking.  This may seem like a morbid exercise, but it can be incredibly powerful.  Being a smoker for a long time desensitizes you to the true long-term effects of smoking.  This exercise jars you out of the haze of denial. Read the rest of this entry

Nicotine withdrawal is one of the most difficult challenges smokers face when they quit.  Symptoms may include feelings of irritability, dizziness, mild chest pains, fatigue and difficulty concentrating; as well as nausea and abdominal upset, headaches, insomnia, anxiety, and more.

Some of these symptoms are due to the emotional and psychological separation from smoking, but more often than not the body’s dependence on nicotine sets the newly reformed smoker up for serious discomfort that can last for weeks.

The good news is that there are several ways to minimize withdrawal symptoms so they become more bearable.

This two-part article is going to share many helpful tips for making your quit easier.

- Deep breathing

Smokers tend to breathe very shallowly, so expanding your lungs each day can help you feel better and reduce stress and anxiety – not to mention the benefits of fully oxygenating your body.

How to do it: Whenever you feel a craving coming on (or you’re ready to scream because of the emotional tension), simply close your eyes for a few moments and begin inhaling slowly through your nose.  Allow your abdomen to expand first, then as your lungs fill, your chest will expand also.  When your lungs are full, pause for a second or two, then exhale slowly through your mouth.  Repeat a few times slowly so you don’t hyperventilate.

- Meditation

Meditation is most often considered to be a spiritual pursuit, but it has amazing benefits for anyone – especially people who are dealing with the stress of quitting smoking!

How to do it: Meditating can be as simple as closing your eyes and quieting your thoughts for a few minutes a day.  Sit or lie in a comfortable position, close your eyes, and consciously release all stressful thoughts from your mind.  Focus on the darkness behind your eyelids, or call up a mental scene of something calming, like the last time you were at the beach or a fun camping trip with your family.

Try to hold your attention steady for as long as possible.  When random thoughts try to intrude into your mind, gently push them aside and take control of your focus again.  Meditation does take practice to master, but you’ll probably find that the benefits far outweigh the effort you have to put into it. Read the rest of this entry