Quit Smoking Plan – Ways to Make it Through Week 1
So what exactly is the best quit smoking method? There’s so much “advice” out there, you may be a bit overwhelmed as to where to turn! Today we’re going to give you 6 critical tips to stay on track during your first week of quitting smoking. The first week is expected to be the hardest right? Well… Then I’m assuming you can use some help! Here’s some great ways to help you make it through week #1 – often referred to as “Hell Week” by smokers!
1. Get support! You already know all the health hazards of smoking, now you want to and need to learn how to stop! Have a group of friends or family members on hand who are willing to offer their support. Just make sure they are willing to offer that support even during odd hours, as during your first week, you never know when you’re going to need it.
2. Have your refrigerator stocked full of healthy foods. You’re going to get the “munchies” and the best way to avoid gaining weight when quitting smoking is to keep the junk food out of the house. This does not mean you have to eat cardboard… There are plenty of tasty, yet healthy snacks that will satisfy you. (Personally, I love cherries, strawberries with a little low fat whipped cream, and apples with peanut butter – make a list of your favorites and have them on hand)
3. Have a hobby or activity lines up for when the cravings hit. This is the perfect time to start a new fitness routine! A friend of mine recently quit smoking, and we helped him setup a plan to kill the cravings. Whenever he felt like he was going to give in, he would drop to the ground and do pushups… He started out only able to do 3 (And they weren’t even full pushups). By his second week he was able to hammer out over 50 strict pushups and was already seeing a difference in his health and physique! See? the best quit smoking techniques are those that have dual purposes.
The pushups worked for him as they helped release tension in his body, refocused his mind to beat previous goals, and when he was done, he would take a warm shower. By this time, the craving had passed and he was happy he resisted.
4. Have bottle of water available at all times. Keep hydrated as not only will it help curb the munchies a bit, but water helps flush your body of all the toxins locked up inside you from cigarettes…
5. Do deep breathing exercises when needed. These release tension and stress, and calm the nerves. The calmer you are, the less intense the cravings will be.
