I'm going to smoke, and I'd like to see some answers upon my return!

[Punkymom]

Every year I celebrate (in my head) my yearly "smoke free" anniversary! I quit cold turkey July 3, 2008. It took me from February or March of that year to get the gumption to do it. Here's my advice: write down ALL of the benefits of quitting. Read them every day. Set a date (looks like you already have). Change up your routine; drive a different way to work, sit in a different chair, go out the back door instead of the front, etc. Try to avoid places where you usually smoke. This is easier if you don't smoke indoors. The hardest for me was after meals. I didn't know what to do with myself because I was so used to going outside after eating and smoking. I did EVERYTHING I could think of! Puzzles, watch tv, color, sew, bake, blah, blah, blah. For me the first 2 weeks were the hardest. Getting through the really BAD cravings SUCKS! I've been 100% smoke free for 4.5 years now. I even survived living with a friend of mine for the summer with smokers IN THE HOUSE and I STILL didn't smoke one! I don't tell you this to brag because believe me I was tempted. I tell you to encourage you to make that list, memorize it, and stick to your guns about why you're quitting! I liked smoking, too. That was my number 1 reason for NOT quitting. But I realized that if I wanted to better my health, smell better, and save money that I needed to DO something! You can do this! Finally, I leave you with my favorite quote of all time:

"Excuses are for losers, winners find a way."