There is no better teacher than the voice of experience, and when it comes to quitting tobacco, members of the About.com Smoking Cessation forum have valuable insights to share. An important resource for the new quitter, their stories are full of practical tips about what works when we quit smoking and the benefits we might expect to enjoy.
The personal quit stories I've selected to share here focus on the first six months of smoking cessation. While the journey to quit smoking is a personal one, many of us face similar challenges early on. Learning how others have managed sets us up to overcome the issues we might encounter successfully.
Settle in and do some reading -- these real life success stories are sure to inspire, and if you're still smoking, motivate you to embark on your own journey to freedom from nicotine addiction.
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Minimize Holiday Weight Gain
Most people will gain a small amount of weight when they quit smoking. Due to temporary changes in metabolism, we can expect an upward shift on the scale of 5 to 10 pounds. Within a few months, quit-related weight will come back off again as long as eating habits haven't changed. For most of us though, using food as a replacement for smoking is tempting, and something we must to learn to manage as we move through smoking cessation.
The holidays present a special challenge, with all of the rich treats that go along with the season. If your quit program is new, take some time to set your priorities clearly in your mind before getting swept up in holiday celebrations that could put you at risk.
Don't Try to Lose Weight, But Don't Gain Either
Think maintenance as you go through the holidays, and use the 80/20 rule. If 80 percent of the meals and snacks you eat on a given day are healthy and in the right portions, you can allow yourself a few treats with the other 20 percent without throwing your diet out of whack.
The following articles from About.com Guides will help you come up with a plan of action to help you avoid gaining weight as you enjoy the holiday season.
Safeguard your quit program by thinking ahead. Remember, the key here is to manage your holidays smoke-free. Have a plan in place ahead of time and you'll be able to enjoy yourself and stay on track
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Take The Quit Smoking Monday Pledge
Healthy Monday encourages us to think of every Monday as a day that we can begin work anew on goals that we have for ourselves. If you're still smoking, put your cigarettes down and get started on your quit program today.
We all have the ability to quit smoking successfully, and we all deserve a life that is free of addiction. Honor your life by choosing Monday as the day to start and reinforce your quit program.
You can quit smoking ... and we're here to help you, one simple Monday at a time.
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Surviving the Holiday Blues Smoke Free
If you get the holiday blues, you're not alone. Many of us experience unhappy emotions and associations this time of year, and those feelings may in turn trigger the urge to smoke.
While this may not be your favorite time of year, learning how to survive the holidays with your quit program intact will reward you a sense of strength, accomplishment and control over the challenges that life can sometimes place in our path.
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Tobacco-specific N-nitrosamines (TSNAs) are known to be some of the most potent carcinogens present in smokeless tobacco, snuff and tobacco smoke.
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