But one of the most powerful techniques is already in your possession, whether you know it or not! This technique is one that you already use every single day of your life. You use it when you’re sick, when you’re feeling great, and when you’re working through challenges. It can make all the difference between success and failure, no matter what you’re doing at the time.

What is this technique? Self-talk.

Don’t dismiss it – when you really think about it, self-talk is truly powerful.

Have you ever accidentally talked yourself into being sick? Perhaps you woke up with a slight headache, then spent the morning telling everyone that you didn’t feel good and by the end of the day you were not only suffering from a much worse headache but also body aches and other symptoms? On the other hand, perhaps you can remember experiences where you talked yourself into being well too.

Using self-talk to help yourself through the stages of quitting smoking is not only simple, it works! Your thoughts have immense power to shape your perception of everything that happens to you.

What do you think would happen if you quit smoking and then complained mentally about it the whole time? “This sucks. I want to smoke, but I can’t. It’s not fair that other people can smoke but I can’t. I’m so sick of these cravings already, how am I going to make it through a few more weeks like this? I can’t do this. Maybe I should wait until I’m less stressed…” On and on it goes – and before you know it, you’ve talked yourself into smoking again!

On the other hand, you can use this same type of self-talk to HELP yourself through your quit.

Here’s how to do it:

When you wake up on your first day as a non-smoker, you’re likely to experience some feelings of anxiety. You might have thoughts like, “Oh, that’s right, I’ve quit smoking. Man, I really want to smoke. Maybe I should quit tomorrow instead…” As soon as you become aware that you are thinking thoughts like this, immediately turn it around. Say with confidence, “Today is going to be a GREAT day! I have officially quit smoking and I feel better already. (take a deep breath) It’s so good to be able to breathe again, and it’s going to get even better as I go along!”

Throughout the day, periodically say things like this to yourself: “I’m doing really GOOD at this! Not smoking is actually easier than I thought it was going to be. I’ve had a few cravings, but nothing that I can’t handle. I can handle anything if I really set my mind to it. I’m so proud of myself.”

When you do experience cravings, simply talk yourself through them. “Okay, I’m having a craving. It’s just a feeling and it will pass. Having a craving doesn’t mean I have to do anything about it. If I just ignore it, it will go away on its own. I’m okay. This is manageable, I can handle it.”

These are just examples of some positive self-talk that you can use, but feel free to improvise. You could also be a little more aggressive, like this: “I refuse to give in to your call, nicotine! You will not beat me. I’m stronger than you are, and I’m proving it every time I refuse to smoke.”

The important thing is to avoid using negative self-talk because it will simply push you back toward the desire to smoke again. If you catch yourself thinking or speaking negatively, turn it right around and affirm how great you feel, how strong you are, and so on. In no time at all, you’ll really start to believe it.

As the old saying goes, “You are what you think.”

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1. Tips for Quitting Smoking

When you quit smoking you will experience physiological and psychological nicotine withdrawal symptoms. Many people use food to battle those symptoms but that is not the answer.

Why you gain weight when quitting smoking

Nicotine speeds up your metabolism and when you quit smoking and take that nicotine out of your system, you tend to gain weight because your metabolism is no longer artificially boosted. Even if you don’t over eat once you quit smoking, you can still gain weight.

Another reason people gain weight is the obvious reason – they fill the time and energy they used to spend smoking with eating. In order to avoid this, you can do two things: One, start an exercise regimen, and two, eat healthier foods during snacks and meals.

How to quit smoking and not gain weight

Here are some simple lifestyle changes for how to stop smoking and not gain weight.

Exercise

Exercise not only helps with controlling your weight but it also gives you something to do and gets your mind off of cigarettes and food. Exercise also helps with reducing stress, improves your mood, gives you confidence and, obviously, enhances your physical and mental condition – just think you don’t have to huff and puff while climbing the stairs! Once you start you may be surprised at your poor physical condition. This should add to your motivation.

Change your diet

Changing your diet can also help. Drink as much water as you can handle. Avoid all fast-food restaurants and sugar-filled foods. Start adding more fruits and vegetables to your diet. Try bringing dried fruits and nuts to work and have them for a snack instead of what’s available in the vending machines.

Quit Smoking Without Gaining Weight

Once you get into a flow and get used to your new lifestyle you will feel healthier and better about yourself. Just think you can be smoke free and in top physical condition within a few months. Yes it is hard work but with dedication and determination you can change the way you look and feel.

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2. Top Five Tips to Quit Smoking

While there is no wonder cure to stop smoking cigarettes, here are the top five tips to quit smoking:

Prepare Yourself to Quit

Be sure that you make a stop smoking plan customized to your personal needs. If you usually smoke while sitting in front of the TV, for example, then plan other activities to occupy yourself when you would usually be watching TV. Set a date and tell your family and friends that you plan to quit. Understand the challenges that you will face on that date and beyond, get rid of all tobacco related items from you home, car, and work place prior to your quit date.

Research Methods for Quitting

Investigate methods such as nicotine replacement therapy (nicotine patches, lozenges, inhalers, nasal spray and gum) and non-nicotine medications that come in pill form to see which smoking cessation methods may be right for you. Look into alternate treatments for nicotine addiction such as natural treatments that utilize stop smoking herbs.

Learn to Manage your Cravings

Some methods to keep your mind off of cigarettes include getting active by exercising, distracting yourself with crossword puzzles or other things that make you focus on something else, chewing gum, nibbling on carrots, learning to relax find a calm space where your are comfortable, and avoiding situations that trigger the cigarette craving (such as a bar).

Get Support for Quitting Smoking

Find a local support group. You can find a Nicotine Anonymous group near you, call a telephone help line like 1-800-QUIT-NOW, take a smoke-free workshop or call the American Cancer Society near you for a list of resources.

Prepare to Relapse

If you do relapse, understand that it is normal in the process of trying to kick your nicotine addiction. You should examine what happened right before you started smoking again, identify the triggers or trouble spots that confronted you, and make a new stop-smoking plan that removes them.

These top five tips to quit smoking are not the only solutions. You may find other alternatives that will help you to stop smoking for good. Keep trying. Check out our Editor’s Choice stop smoking product.

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Here are some tips for quitting smoking:

Using the Patch, Gum or Nicotine Nasal Spray

Nicotine replacement treatments are one on of the most recognizable of the quit smoking programs. The treatments include: nicotine gum, the transdermal patch, nicotine nasal spray and an inhaler. While each has been shown to improve a smoker’s chance of quitting smoking, they have failed many smokers too.

To increase your chances of quitting with NRTs, wean yourself off of nicotine as much as you can on your own and then use the lowest dosage NRT possible. While using the NRT, replace your bad habits with good ones; you can take up walking in the evening and drinking herbal tea before bedtime. For help with this, come up with a plan (see below) so that you can combat the urge for nicotine when you’re finished with the NRTs.

Using Herbs to Quit Smoking

Herbal smoking cessation products offer an all natural alternative to the quit smoking programs. The herbs create a similar effect on the brain as nicotine but they are non-addictive and safe for your body. They also ease nicotine withdrawal symptoms from nicotine addiction.

Natural smoking cessation products use a variety of herbs to help combat your addiction to nicotine. Lobelia herb, also known as Indian tobacco, is one such herb. It produces effects similar to nicotine on the central nervous system and acts as an overall relaxant.

Begin an Exercise Regimen

As you withdraw from the nicotine exercise can help ease the tension you will begin to feel. Walking also sets free the “feel good” hormone, endorphins, which help capture that cigarette high that you experienced when smoking. Walking is of course the easiest way to start exercising. To move on from there, challenge yourself by joining a gym, taking up swimming, biking or yoga.

Believe it or not quitting smoking cigarettes is tiring business. You should plan to get more rest so you will have the strength to combat your addiction. You will recover your energy and start to feel much better in as little as a week’s time. Also, try drinking more water. Many people already carry a water bottle with them when they exercise or keep one nearby their desk at work. Do that and keep one in the car in case you begin to experience cravings.

Try these tips for quitting smoking and remember everyone is different. What worked for one person may not work for you, so keep trying. Check out our top recommended stop smoking product.

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