It has been two years...two long years, but I did it. Today is my 2 year Smokefree Anniversary!

[Behind the Aegis]

138. Some advice:

First, this process is about YOU and no one else. It has to be on YOUR terms! At least in my opinion, it does. If you have identified the first hurdle, motivation, then start there. What would motivate you to quit? I am guessing since you asked for tips, the motivation is actually there, so it may be something else which is the actual hurdle to stop smoking. Do you think you can identify it? If it is not "motivation," what might be preventing you from starting the process of quitting?

Here's what I did:

I identified as many "triggers" as I could. Basically, why and when did I smoke. For me, a few were boredom, being upset/angry, sadness, after meals, driving (especially by myself), and when I was on the phone. These are all things which, of course, can not be avoided, they are parts of life. So I started with breaking habits of some of my easier triggers...boredom and sadness (which, now is the strongest trigger from some odd reason). Stopping smoking when I was bored cut into a huge swath of my smoking. In two weeks, I dropped from 2.5 packs, to 1.5 packs. Doesn't sound "great", but it really was. Then I started in on the harder ones, eventually ending with the hardest ones, driving and "breakfast" (which was three cigs and a Coke). I have a dry erase board by my desk and I kept track of the number of cigs so I could visually see the progress. When I slipped, I marked it down, but I didn't let it define what I was doing. It took me a month and a half!

So, I would suggest the following:

• What are your goals in quitting? Financial (cigs are expensive...add it up, it really is shocking!), health, or "it's just time!"
  
• Do you have people who will be supportive (you need to count on yourself too!!!!)?
  
• Investigate various methods of quitting. You can chose a certain route, or pick and chose; or create your own path!
  
• Know your triggers!
  
• Are you willing to accept you may slip and if you do, you will get right back up or will you punish yourself? (If you "punish" yourself, it will greatly increase the time needed (likely) to quit.)
  
• Come up with a plan.
  
• Prepare to encounter bad situations...you know they will happen. So, what will you do when you get mad instead of reaching for a cig? (If anger is a trigger.)
  
• Understand the process will have "side effects". You may get madder easier. You may gain weight (I didn't). You may get weepy, when you usually don't. There may be feelings of "loss of control." Also, for some, and it did with me, your coughing may get worse; it is your lungs trying to clear themselves out!
  
• Check out local/on-line support groups (if that helps; wasn't for me).
  
• Be willing to be PROUD of yourself for accomplishments and highlight those, not slips!!!!

The best thing, IMO, is finding people who will support you in a positive manner, not preach, and if you slip, won't judge. You have to be willing to treat yourself the same way!

It is YOUR process, YOU will know what YOU need to succeed!

YOU CAN DO IT!