How I Did It!

I recently quit smoking after 15 years (+ or -) and a few people, mostly friends, have been asking me how I did it. Well since you asked, ...kinda, allow me to explain my never fails, foolproof, quit smoking program and hopefully it'll help you to over come you're habit as well. (note: I know it will work as long as you do it.)

I use to HATE seeing this!

My steps to success:

• Want to quit.

Ok. That's it. Now go forth and do great things.

Just like this guy...

Just kidding. That is the backbone though. The want to quit is what gives one the ability and resolve to actually quit. And I mean quit for good. I use to say, "Quitting is easy. Any smoker can quit. It's that whole no smoking thing that gets you." Seriously, I know that sounds ridiculous but I use to quit like 10 times a day but at the end of the day I'd still be looking for a lighter.

Like freaking Sherlock Holmes and what not.

For me the first thing that really hit me that I NEED to quit was the birth of my fourth child. I remember thinking, "WOW, number four! I should really quit smoking." aaaand with that revelation I felt horrible for not having this much of a WANT to quit with the first three. (I'm a terrible father.) Whatever it is that you hold to the highest level of importance in your life I guarantee smoking makes it harder in one way or another. 

The second thing was my health. Ah yes. The very popular "I want to quit for my health" reason... that never works on it's own. If it did then those Truth campaigns would have actually made a difference. I'm sure "Big Tobacco" saw a drop in their profit margins but thanks to the Obama administration which helped them pick up the slack with an increase in the cost of tobacco products. I digress; health! I started to notice that my health was absolutely horrific. I was about as healthy as a 50-year-old man and one of the things that my wife and I really loved about starting our family at a young age was that we felt we would be around for everything. Really able to take it all in and experience the lives of our children but... mid 20's in reality but 50ish on paper IS 50ish in reality. Buuutttt...

Speaking of cost; that was a biggie too. Reason three: Towards the end I was at, oh, about 3 - 4 packs a week on average it was costing me around $20 (+) a week. When I finally said, "NO MORE!" that extra $80 (+) a month was/is amazing. Especially with a GROWING family. (like freakin' miracle grow!!) 

this isn't my family by the way. (a little privacy people. PLEASE!!)

The health thing brings me to the final reason. Once I started really looking into improving my health one of the first things that really cough my attention was an interview with some doctor explaining that your brain can't really distinguish the difference between nicotine, alcohol, refined sugars, crack, meth and heroin. That's right, HEROIN. Your brain chemicals respond the same to nicotine as heroin!! (i.e. addiction) This really upset me. The idea that I'm as addicted to something as a crackhead doesn't sit well with me. Something had to change!

looks like a meth recipe to me...

Once I came to that final turning point I was reminded of the first reason. My Kids. I didn't want my decision to pick up a bad habit to be the reason my kids do the same. I know I watched my parents smoke my entire childhood and I never really saw smoking as a big deal. At least when I started smoke that is. I don't blame my parents or anything. Believe me, if they had known they would have beat me within an inch. Once I realized what a big deal it really was it was way too late. The inability to control one's self is one of the most depressing and debilitating feelings there is. Granted, I never really engaged in "hard drugs" (because I was smarter than that?) but your brain can't tell the difference. Perspective. Once I was able to navigate this storm of emotion and information overload, I put a plan into action and I haven't looked back. 

suck it addiction!!