I Think I Can, I Think I Can, I CAN!

How many times have you quit tobacco and then started again? Most people who have smoked or use tobacco can say they have quit more than once and many people will say three, or seven, or ten times or more. Don't be discouraged if you are in this group because quitting before will help you quit for good now!

The little story of the little train engine, that said "I think I can, I think I can, I think I can" as he had pulled the train all the way over the steep mountain is a great model for what I suggest. Believe in yourself, don't let past discouragements color your effort now because today is a new day, You Can Quit. I know that if you reflect on past times when you have quit and learn from those attempts, and if you really believe in yourself that you will be able to quit!

Let's start with reflecting back on when you quit before, what worked for you? Was it changing smoking rituals to new things to do during times when you usually smoke? Did you find ways to cope with cravings that worked. Sometimes we don't realize that we learned a lot about quitting and what worked for us and we just focus on guilt and feel discouraged that we started again. Don't waste your time with regrets because you did learn from what you have done before and now is the time to build on that effort.

You can learn from the occasion when you began to smoke again. Learn from the time when you smoked that first cigarette after you quit. Where were you? What were you doing? What can you learn by looking back? These are all questions to answer so that you can make plans to avoid the where, the what and the occasion where you relapsed. Sometimes you are unable to avoid these same events but you can plan what you will do when faced with a difficult time or place or event that you know will be difficult. It is helpful to have decided before you are faced with these times what your reaction will be, or how you can change your reactions to difficult situations. Many people find that when they go to a bar or are drinking alcohol that they relapsed. If this is a difficult time for you too it might make sense to not go to a bar until you feel confident that you will not slide into smoking again when you are there. There are no right answers for everyone but there is a right answer for you and if you go into situations with a plan you can be successful.

I have spoken about reflecting on past behaviors and how you can plan for new behaviors. Let's talk about some of the ways to do this. Many people write about past events and can learn from them by writing down what happened during past quitting times. Other people learn by talking things over with a good listener. This might be a family member or a friend, or even someone who is also wanting to quit. You can learn from each other and be a support for each other and that is a powerful help. Whatever way you do this it really will make those past quitting times a valuable tool that can teach you a lot about what it takes to be a quitter for good, so whether you write in a journal, speak to a friend or a counselor know that this effort will really help you.
I want you to know that you can quit and that each time you have quit in the past is learning event that has prepared you to make this the last time you need to quit. Believe in yourself!

Now is the time to Quit

I can't think of a better time to quit than summer. It is so easy to change routines and to take advantage of the fresh air. Let's think together on how to go about quitting now. I will be blogging on things to think about and do to get ready to quit and then to quit. Let's get together and look forward to a NO TOBACCO FUTURE!
When would be a good quitting date? That is the first thing to consider. Try to pick a day where you have fewer worries and responsibilities. That might be on your day off, or a coming week that has fewer stressers on the calendar. Pick a day, soon before you lose your resolve, where you can change up your routines without too many problems. Look forward to this as some ME TIME. This "ME" time might be the most important of your life. This "ME" time has the potential to save your life. Anything this important to your long term health and well being is important enough to plan for.
Do you have some places or activities that you have been wanting to do? Are there some things that you enjoy and that will take you away from your usual smoking places and times. Plan for a time that will refresh and renew you as you take on this difficult adventure. Approach this day, week, month with anticipation and excitement because it has the potential to change your life, to make it better.
Make plans to spend time with supportive family and friends who will understand grumpy and not as sharp as usual. Make plans to go to places like the museum or a movie that you have wanted to see and where you can't smoke. Make plans to give yourself time in a peaceful place that renews your spirit. Make plans to write about yourself, what you like about yourself and what your strengths are. Write or talk about what you want your future to look like tomorrow, next month, next week and in five years and what it is going to take to make that future possible. Remember to Dream Big because Big things are possible.
My dream for you is to be tobacco free. Plan for the day that you will quit.

Smokeless Summer Days

It is summer, and it is a perfect time to quit using tobacco. I don't know if your life is like mine but life is more flexible and hard things and difficulties can be overcome in the summer while life is harder during the winter. I have a sun filled ability to see the possibilities in the summer and so I believe that you can quit now that it is summer time.
The summer finds us outside and I find myself with lots of fun ways to spend my time. When we are outside and busy having fun we are able to ignore cravings because we are happily busy. Your first weeks of quitting can be filled with wonderful fun and maybe even peaceful times. Being with family, especially if they don't smoke, swimming, hiking, all are fun ways to spend the time of summer. Just taking the dog and children for a walk can be a fun way to enjoy smokeless fun.
We all know that being physically active is a good way to react to cravings and a good way to change our routines that include using tobacco. It is so easy to be outside and active in the summer which keeps our minds on activities other than smoking. What are your favorite things to do? Do you like to garden, take walks, or swim. Wisconsin is a wonderful place to bike. Maybe you enjoy running, especially now that your lungs are clearer. Enjoy the activity!
There are times of smoking that are harder than others to give up. After identifying these times you will be able to think of a summer activity to do during the usual time that you would be smoking. Take your morning cup of coffee on a walk around the block, or while driving to work take a new route and put the window down and take some deep breaths of summer. If that last cigarette of the day is a hard one to give up do some deep breaths before bed or take up star gazing but in another location than when you use to take that last smoke.
Enjoy your smokeless summer.