How I quit smoking cigarettes – a list of the quit smoking aids that worked and didn’t work for me.
For many people who never smoked or were never hooked, the question “how to quit smoking cigarettes” was never a concern for them.
However, if you’re addicted to smoking, you know that quitting smoking is no easy task. This article highlights my smoking history and the quit smoking aids and methods I used – mentioning those that worked for me and which didn’t work for me.
My smoking history
I’ve been a fitness nut for much of my life; however, there was a period of time when I smoked cigarettes.
I distinctly remember when I started smoking … it was the occasional smoke with friends in college after dinner.
Within a few months after starting smoking occasionally I was a full time smoker (more than 10 cigarettes a day). At first I bummed a smoke from a friend. However, not liking to sponge off people, I started buying my own packs. I worked out daily in the gym, but didn’t think the occasional smoke would make much of a difference.
From occasional to full-time smoker
Trouble with smoking for me started when the frequency escalated to 10 cigarettes a day. Within a few months of having one smoke a day, I was pretty much a full blown smoker.
I continued working out and running. I justified smoking by working out. I figured I was healthy and as long as I ate well and worked out, smoking couldn’t be that bad.
After college I had a hard time figuring out how to quit smoking cigarettes
After the fun and games of college ended, I wanted to quit smoking cigarettes. Of course by then I was hooked. I tried quitting cold turkey dozens of times. Sometimes I made it a few weeks; however, each time I fell off the wagon and started smoking again.
Death and Taxes
Nothing is certain except death and taxes. This saying is amplified for smokers. During my stint as a smoker, the costs of cigarettes exploded from $2.50 to $4.50 per pack where I lived. In Canada it went from $5.00 to $10 per pack. Not only was I destroying my health, but I was killing my wallet.
Quit smoking aids and methods I tried
After about 20 laps on the cold turkey merry-go-round, I decided to try some quit smoking aids. The following are aids I tried to quit smoking cigarettes:
1. The patch
The patch worked for about 3 months. It delivers nicotine decently enough; however, it’s too passive for my liking. This is why I prefer the e-cigarette and nicotine gum over the patch.
2. Quit smoking prescription drugs
The prescription drugs didn’t work for me. Plus, the side effects weren’t pleasant.
3. Nicotine Gum
An oldie but a goodie. I had my best quitting smoking success with the gum. In fact, I chew it to this day on occasion (when the urge arises).
Healthy lifestyle
I like eating well. Our family is fairly health-minded in the food we eat. We’re also active. Smoking definitely inhibits this healthy lifestyle with my family.
Had a child
In 2011 my wife had a baby. I never expected that having a child would be a motivator to stay smoke-free, but it is. That said, I don’t recommend having a baby so you can quit smoking.
Can’t smoke in restaurants and bars
Where I live, smoking in restaurants AND bars is prohibited. I used to love sitting in coffee shops and bars smoking cigarettes. Now that I can’t smoke there, it’s one less smoking opportunity. In fact, now it’s a hassle to smoke. I have to go outside or in m car.
Smokers are pariahs
Once upon a time it seemed more people smoked who didn’t smoke. Now smokers receive dirty looks, especially when your smoke encroaches other people’s air-space. I wouldn’t quit for this reason alone, but the fact our society is largely anti-smoking, it adds an incentive.
Save money
Smoking costs thousands of dollars a year. It adds up. It’s an expensive habit. Yes, if smoking caused no health problems whatsoever, I’d still happily pay the price; however, the savings as a non-smoker is definitely nice.
Not only do cigarettes cost a lot of money, but they also make life insurance policies much more expensive.
Moreover, some employers are choosing not to employ smokers.
The costs of smoking are going up in more ways than simply the cost of buying them.
I managed to figure out how to quit smoking cigarettes
I’m delighted to say that I’ve been smoke-free for some time. I have more energy, am reversing the harm caused by smoking (at least I hope so), my workouts are MUCH better, I run longer and faster, I lift more, I’m more flexible … the list of benefits goes on and on.
Why was it hard for me to figure out how to quit smoking cigarettes
I’ve pondered this question for years. I’ve been smoke-free for some time, but smoking is a desire that will stick with me for the rest of my life. I’ve pinpointed 3 reasons I love smoking:
I was hooked on nicotine
This is by far the biggest reason smoking will always be an issue for me. The addiction is permanent. For now nicotine through gum will suffice.
I like the mini-breaks
Smoke breaks are the perfect break. After 1 to 2 hours of working (or milling about in parties) a smoke break is perfect.
I loved smoking
Yes, I loved smoking. I like the taste, the nicotine, the activity … everything about it. That’s why I was hooked. The secret to how to quit smoking cigarettes is …
The secret is you really have to want to quit smoking. If you don’t really want it, no quit smoking aid or method will work for you. I’ve times in my life where I half-heartedly wanted to quit smoking and didn’t. I discovered the secret to how to quit smoking cigarettes is really wanting it.
Quit smoking aids simply provide a boost and ease the pain. Quit smoking aids and methods are definitely worth using if they help ease the pain.
Keep in mind that most quit smoking aids work; they just may not all work for you. The key to quit smoking, in addition to really wanting it, is finding a quit smoking aid that works best for you. If you’re like me, you may have to try a few aids in order to unlock the the key to how to quit smoking cigarettes.
Next, discover smoking alternatives and how to buy an electronic cigarette here.
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