QUITTING FOR THE NEW YEAR

Another year down, another year to make those resolutions. Here's hoping you can stick to your guns and just say NO. Just remember that if at first you don't succeed, don't quit quitting. We all have hiccups every once in a while, so just keep at it.

Even lengthening the time between cigarettes is a big success.

They say it takes about 21 days for a new activity to become a habit, and 6 months for it to become part of your personality. So prepare yourself for the first three weeks. You know its going to be tough prepare yourself for it. The reward is well worth it.

TOP 10 TIPS FOR KEEP A RESOLUTION

BE REALISTIC

Cut down on the amount you smoke if you know you cant quit straight away. Rather than saying no cigarettes, limit yourself to a certain amount a day, and from there quit. If you know you can't make it, do not set yourself up for failure.

PLAN AHEAD

If quitting for the New Year clean out all the cigarettes and ashtrays etc the day before, don't leave it to late. Air out your home, give it the sense of being fresh. If you rather cut down slowely, make a schedule for how many cigarettes you will cut down on as the week go by, and stick to it!

Quitting now will add more years to your life. Dont want the extra years, well im sure dying a cancer death is something you do not want either.

OUTLINE YOUR PLAN

What are you going to do when you need that smoke? Wright down what you will do when those cravings hit, and do them when you have to. Dont make excuses for not knowing what to do because your cravings were so strong.

Make a "pro" and "con" list

Wright down the reasons for why you want to quit. Put down the reasons for and against. Then next time that craving hits, and you can't take it any more read that list and remind yourself why you are doing it.

TALK ABOUT IT

Tell everyone that matters you are quitting. Any support from family and friends is a big help. If you know someone who has quit you will be able to discuss things you are going through. Who knows you might even find someone who wants to QUIT with you.

REWARD YOURSELF

Constantly reward youself. Take the money you have saved from not smoking and buy something for yourself. Do this for the first three months, really it helps. Only spend what you would of normally spent on cigarettes. You'll be amazed at how much stuff you will be buying, and finally you always have change. Don't reward yourself with a cigarette.

Track your progress

Note how much you are quitting by. Take note of all the baby steps, because they all add to the bigger picture. By tracking your progress you can also notice how just by doing a little is a lot.

Don't beat yourself up

If you slip up, don't fall back onto old habits. You have to keep on going. Seriously if you did find yourself having one, just keep on at it. If you fall back on old ways you will seriously be dissapointed. Read your list. Keep reminding yourself why you are doing this.

Stick to it

Remember get through those first three weeks then you stand a really good chance of quitting for life, and thats good life. Whatever you do stick with it, go out of your way to stick with it.

keep yourself busy

Keeping yourself busy is very important, dont sit all day thinking about your quitting. Keep yourself busy. Even go to the cinema, or other places where smoking is not allowed (Avoid pubs).

On the other hand sleep more. You know you like to have a cigarette before going to bed, so go to bed an hour earlier and get up later. Again remember that you only have to do this until you have broken the habit, its not for life.

SOME FACTS ABOUT RESOLUTIONS

63% of people say they are keeping their resolutions after two months

67% of people make three or more resolutions

Top four resolutions:

Increase exercise
Be more conscientious about work or school
Develop better eating habits
Stop smoking, drinking, or using drugs (including caffeine)
People make more resolutions to start a new habit than to break an old one

GOINGCOLDTURKEY

NICOTINE