5 Ways to Quit Smoking Cold Turkey
Quitting smoking can be one of the best ways to insure good health.
1. Help Through Smokenders
Most people who think they are ready to quit smoking wrestle with two questions: should I gradually cut down on how much I smoke or should I quit cold turkey? Depending on the urgency, cutting down may be the best approach for you. It offers some benefits to quitting smoking, while allowing you to slowly learn new habits. Smokenders is a professionally run program designed to help you stop smoking by tapering off instead of quitting all at once. It requires no prescription drugs, chewing gum, patches or other forms of replacement therapy. Instead, Smokenders is designed to help you deal with the psychological aspects of smoking--considered by many to be more difficult to deal with than the physical withdrawals. But, for the majority of people wishing to quit smoking, it’s better to make a sudden change in your lifestyle to eliminate tobacco from your life. If your doctor has told you that you need to quit smoking now, tapering off may not be an option.
2. How Exercise Can Help You to Quit Smoking
If you’re not currently exercising, start. Studies have shown that people who engage in a comprehensive exercise program fair better than smokers who don’t. Exercise will build your confidence, help you to feel better about the steps you’re taking to improve your health and help you to learn how to breathe properly.
3. Cigarette Substitutes
Try to stay away from alcohol, sugar and caffeine during the first one to two weeks after you quit smoking. Not only do they stimulate your metabolism, there is often a psychological attachment to certain foods you enjoyed while you smoked. You need to begin establishing new relationships with diet and exercise. If you find that you miss the “feel” of your cigarettes, consider one of the many oral substitutes on the market. E-Z Quit’s Artificial Cigarettes, Hotlix cinnamon toothpicks and JuJu Stx are all great oral substitutes.
4. Smoking After Meals
One of the most difficult times for people who quit smoking is the first five minutes after a meal. If you experience craving for a cigarette after eating, try leaving the table and go for a stroll outside. A cup of mint tea or peppermint candy will also take the place of a cigarette.
5. Drink Plenty of Water
The daily recommendation for drinking water is eight glasses of water a day. If you’re quitting smoking, be sure to drink at least this much water. It will help to flush the nicotine and other toxins out of your body.
Member Comments
by manda_l_z on November 22, 2008 at 5:08 PM
I think that it's hard for me in the morning after I have my cup of coffee. Instead of having coffee, I'll have tea instead that way it'll calm me. Then instead of going outside, ill stay inside & clean. I'm going to make a new plan for everyday to keep myself preoccupied and my mind off of having a cigg. All of the advise that I just read will give me more support to quit
by BradSTL on November 27, 2008 at 11:42 PM
I wiish you well. As I type this, I am smoking what I hope is my last cigarette.
by Littlethings on October 13, 2009 at 11:08 AM
What kind of tea are you drinking? Because a cup of hot tea usually contains 2x as much caffeine as a cup of coffee, not trying to be snooty, just trying to pass along some info.... =)
I am quitting cold turkey - but gradually. I was origianlly going to use the gum, but then I decided I didn't want to add another thing I'd have to quit. I got on the "quit train" yesterday (along with my husband). I cut down from 40+ cigarettes a day, down to just 10 yesterday. I am pleased with how the first day went and I am hoping today goes better. =) I must say - I haven't slept as good as I slept last night - in YEARS!! Great sleep!! But the coughing up of unpleasant things has begun .... ick.
I hope you are doing well in your journey!! Feel free to message me anytime to chat!! =)
by deonnafajardo4 on April 6, 2009 at 8:47 AM
I hope to accomplish this, but first i want to lose some weight and so i am just going to cut down for now, then see where it takes me.......
by ChrissyFleming on May 28, 2009 at 3:03 PM
Take the DARE TO QUIT SMOKING and get help and support along the way.
by rinnymcphee on June 2, 2009 at 2:09 AM
I quit cold turkey one month ago and I've not looked back. I wasn't too heavy a smoker, around 10 each day, but I too missed smoking after meals and with coffee. It's just about being strong and wanting to quit. Think of the people who would suffer should you get ill. I found that motivation enough. I'm not so selfish as to put my greed for cigarettes before my loved ones.
by thelongmile on June 2, 2009 at 3:16 AM
I think for me it's harder after meals and when I'm not doing anything. Say if I come home from work, and I'm sat around waiting to go out, I'll smoke, or in the day after I've just eaten, I'll smoke. Whereas if I'm in work, and don't get a chance to eat lunch, I don't miss the cigarettes
by thelongmile on June 2, 2009 at 3:16 AM
I think for me it's harder after meals and when I'm not doing anything. Say if I come home from work, and I'm sat around waiting to go out, I'll smoke, or in the day after I've just eaten, I'll smoke. Whereas if I'm in work, and don't get a chance to eat lunch, I don't miss the cigarettes
by thelongmile on June 2, 2009 at 3:16 AM
I think for me it's harder after meals and when I'm not doing anything. Say if I come home from work, and I'm sat around waiting to go out, I'll smoke, or in the day after I've just eaten, I'll smoke. Whereas if I'm in work, and don't get a chance to eat lunch, I don't miss the cigarettes
by thelongmile on June 2, 2009 at 3:16 AM
I think for me it's harder after meals and when I'm not doing anything. Say if I come home from work, and I'm sat around waiting to go out, I'll smoke, or in the day after I've just eaten, I'll smoke. Whereas if I'm in work, and don't get a chance to eat lunch, I don't miss the cigarettes
by thelongmile on June 2, 2009 at 3:16 AM
I think for me it's harder after meals and when I'm not doing anything. Say if I come home from work, and I'm sat around waiting to go out, I'll smoke, or in the day after I've just eaten, I'll smoke. Whereas if I'm in work, and don't get a chance to eat lunch, I don't miss the cigarettes
by thelongmile on June 2, 2009 at 3:16 AM
I think for me it's harder after meals and when I'm not doing anything. Say if I come home from work, and I'm sat around waiting to go out, I'll smoke, or in the day after I've just eaten, I'll smoke. Whereas if I'm in work, and don't get a chance to eat lunch, I don't miss the cigarettes
by thelongmile on June 2, 2009 at 3:16 AM
I think for me it's harder after meals and when I'm not doing anything. Say if I come home from work, and I'm sat around waiting to go out, I'll smoke, or in the day after I've just eaten, I'll smoke. Whereas if I'm in work, and don't get a chance to eat lunch, I don't miss the cigarettes
by thelongmile on June 2, 2009 at 3:16 AM
I think for me it's harder after meals and when I'm not doing anything. Say if I come home from work, and I'm sat around waiting to go out, I'll smoke, or in the day after I've just eaten, I'll smoke. Whereas if I'm in work, and don't get a chance to eat lunch, I don't miss the cigarettes
by thelongmile on June 2, 2009 at 3:16 AM
I think for me it's harder after meals and when I'm not doing anything. Say if I come home from work, and I'm sat around waiting to go out, I'll smoke, or in the day after I've just eaten, I'll smoke. Whereas if I'm in work, and don't get a chance to eat lunch, I don't miss the cigarettes
by Jillianfae on June 2, 2009 at 8:41 AM
Where is the 6th way?
by chanofla on June 2, 2009 at 10:03 AM
I quit cold turkey about 3 weeks ago and feel so much better in all aspects. It is true that exercising more helps. I feel better that I am doing something healthy for myself and it is a confidence booster. I keep the control by just not buying a pack of cigarettes. If I don't have them, I can't smoke them.
by marcia_ferrara on June 2, 2009 at 1:00 PM
I quit smoking successfully by the use of Channix medication. My doctor prescribed it. The kit is for a full month and you smoke for the first week or so, then effortlessly, you forget to think about cigarettes. Anyway to quit smoking is a gift to your body. I wish I had done it much sooner. This medication was a miracle for my on-going jonesie habit.
by VoluptuousCeleste on June 2, 2009 at 1:28 PM
I quit smoking cold turkey myself on My birthday February 25th, initially with the intent of joining a gym but the gym I had in mind didn't open. I guess I just became disgusted with it. I wouldn't even put myself around smokers, but later when I started smelling it, it kind of grossed me out. I just kept reminding myself how horrible I felt smoking and that I need my lungs to clear up so I could exercise and lose weight. I did start snacking and gained about 15 lbs though I admit.
by RikkiB on June 2, 2009 at 1:52 PM
I quit cold turkey last year... and promptly put on 50lbs... I had a very close friend get very injured right before the Holidays, and after 6 weeks die. During this very stressful time, I started back up... This time I have a plan. I have my quit date, and I have almost lost most of the weight I put on... and found this website. I am hoping that this time when I quit, I won't put on all the weight, and not allow the stress to make me start again, and use some of the ideas that I have found here for controlling both issues. I am looking into the e-cigarettes to help me transition and deal with the withdrawals and oral fixations.
by adrizen on June 9, 2009 at 4:41 AM
These suggestions do not help me.
by rbell88899 on July 9, 2009 at 7:42 AM
I quit smoking cold turkey on june 22 2009, It wasnt as bad as I thought it would be I must have been ready to quit. I even had cigs in the house on my first day and didnt touch them. I think the worst is behind me I take one dat at a time and one craving at a time and they are getting less intense everytime. I think for me the worst is over I dont ever want to smoke cigarettes again. Good luck to anyone who chooses to quit smoking just take one day at a time.
by Kallie1 on September 16, 2009 at 1:03 PM
They DONT MAKE JUJUSTIX ANYMORE