Smoking and how to kick the habit with diagram, powerwalk the urge

Smoking and kicking the habit, tips on how to stay positive and deal with the challenges you face can be very useful to you at the onset.

The initial decision to give up smoking needs to be thought about constantly and for a long period of time before attempting to rid yourself of cigarettes, in my experience. Others may have had success by making the decision one day and not turning back, in my experience however which I would like to share with you it took me a year before I gave up.

I decided on my last birthday in March 2010 that I would give up smoking, this was due to the way I was feeling, totally exhausted, washed out and generally unwell.

I could see no alternative but to give up as I regulary took excercise, ate well and was overall happy with my life and I could only put my feelings down to the fact that I smoked.

For one whole year I continually continued to smoke, I told my friends and my family that I was going to give up on my next birthday in 2011, not one of them, only my husband new that I meant it.

Every time I lit up a cigarette and inhaled during that year I was slowly starting to dislike the cigarette, I was not enjoying smoking anymore but I knew that I had to continue for the whole year to give myself a chance.

I would appreciate comments from others who have given up and whether they found that preparing themselves for the day or just giving up was the approach they took.

The day before my birthday which happened to be an important one, my family let me know that we were having a party the next day to celebrate.

Without letting them see my feelings I was distraught inside, I had made my mind up that I would be stopping smoking and I could see my plan crumbling before I even got to the start!

As my family were not aware of how serious this had become to me I did not mention my dilemma but discussed it with my husband who new full well that I meant business and was going to continue with my plan and the decision that I had made.

I went to the party, my party, I had mixed feelings and had decided that if I wanted a cigarette I would have one as I could see no alternative to not upsetting my family by being a kill joy and being upset at the prospect of not having a cigarette.

As it turned out I did not want a cigarette and I believe that this was because I had set my date and my brain and my thoughts were telling me that I had given up.

My plan was to use what ever method I could to stop me from smoking. This included patches, pretend cigarettes as I call them, food, excercise and discussing my goal with everyone who would listen.

It has been eight months since I picked up and smoked a cigarette. Do I miss it? I think I do, but for some reason I will not have one. Do I feel better? Well, yes I suppose I do, I look better that's for sure! I have gained a good stone and going from a size 10 to a size 12 is no laughing matter, and if anything the one issue that I need to overcome.

I think that when you set yourself a personal goal to give up smoking and tell yourself how sick it will make you if you pick a cigarette up and smoke it that is enough to help you face the challenges on a daily basis.

I would love to hear how others who have given up smoking deal with the challenge on a daily basis.

Take each day as it comes is my top tip and face the challenge head on and remind yourself of the reason you gave up in the first place!

Christmas and New Year have now gone and my challenge continues!

The main issue that I face now with this challenge is the weight that I gained over the christmas and new year period, the dilemma of how to rid myself of the excess that I gained over the christmas period and staying positive about giving up smoking is the biggest challenge so far.

You see, when you stop smoking your metabolism changes, even though you feel that you are continuing doing things at the same pace as when you did smoke my experience is that it's not the case, you actually slow down.

You eat that little bit more and with your metabolism slower you gain weight.

I have no answer for this problem, myself i feel that I cannot do any more exercise, its exhausting.

I am going to try desperately not to put another biscuit into my mouth and hopefully the outcome will be the same, no more filthy cigarettes and I may lose a few pounds.

As for my overall health, well fatigued through exercise but glowing through the fresh air that I am getting power walking, and no smoke in my face!

If any one has any suggestions or advice that I can add to my hub I would really appreciate your comments.