When you make the decision to quit smoking, you'll have to make many changes in your life.
Being highly addictive, smoking is very hard to stop.
You'll undergo many physiological changes, and exercise can be one way to guarantee success.
When you quit smoking, you'll need to work out a new schedule and routine to replace those many moments when you used to light up.
Working out at a gym, if you haven't been doing it already, will add a new element to your day and help you forget about your old best friend for a while.
Changing your Routine with Exercise If a gym membership isn't practical for you, you can find other ways to get a good workout to boost your quit smoking effort.
Get up a few minutes earlier and take a short walk in the morning to get your heart pumping and replace those early-morning old nicotine wake-up sticks.
Making a run or job a regular part of your day will get you out into nature where fresh air is abundant.
It's a wonderful way to start your new non-smoking lifestyle.
Getting exercise as part of your quit smoking effort doesn't mean you have to get an extreme workout.
What's important is being active, improving your health, and changing your routine.
Simple exercise at home will do if you don't have time or money for something more formal.
Getting started isn't difficult.
Sticking to a new exercise program is.
But if you're serious about quitting smoking, you need to make some major changes.
Incorporating regular exercise into your day is a perfect, and healthier, substitute.
Many people start off big.
You're going to quit smoking.
You feel good about it, and you know you can do it.
You buy gym clothes, workout tights, running shoes, and that first day at the gym is almost a celebration.
Then you quit smoking, and things get bumpy.
The gym and all the clothes you bought just don't seem as attractive.
Your schedule is demanding.
Before you know it, you skip the gym.
Next thing, you're not even doing pushups in the bedroom.
And then it happens.
You pick up that cigarette.
In order to avoid the pitfalls of exercise burn-out and putting your quit smoking plan in jeopardy, you should try to exercise early in the day.
Many people choose evening to do their exercises, and if evenings fit your lifestyle, that's all right.
But for most of us, the evening hours are the time we come to a grinding halt.
After a busy workday, chauffeuring the kids, and meeting our adult responsibilities, exercise is the last thing we want to do.
If you're trying to quit smoking, though, you have to have the discipline to reduce all temptations.
The better you feel, the fewer cravings you'll have and the better able you'll be to avoid the temptations.
Getting your exercise in before you go to work or during lunch will give you a much better chance of sticking to your plan and really changing your life.
So, if you can, plan exercise early and stick to it, no matter what.
Other Important Changes to Quit Smoking Smokers have special weaknesses - any kind of stimulant like caffeine, boredom, loneliness, and stress are all triggers for those who are trying to quit smoking.
Here are some suggestions for ways to cope with those times: 1.
Avoid coffee and caffeinated sodas.
Drinking water instead.
It's better for your health, and it won't make you crave cigarettes.
Look for sodas without caffeine.
And avoid chocolate until you're beyond those first hard days and weeks.
2.
Don't have unplanned time to fill.
Staying active is the best way to keep thoughts of smoking out of your mind.
Even at home, try to find something to do to keep you busy until that craving fades.
Play some music and dance.
Rearrange your furniture or move pictures around to give your room a new look and feel.
Without a doubt, get rid of everything in your house that reminds you of smoking - all the ashtrays, matches, old cigarette lighters are taboo! Clean your oven.
Do anything that's productive and active.
You'll feel better about yourself when you get through the temptation AND have something to show for it! 3.
Schedule your day to include fun.
Quitting smoking may be the hardest thing you ever try to do.
Reward your successes with fun activities.
You don't have to spend a lot of money, but you do need to enjoy the process as much as possible.
Go to a movie.
Go window-shopping.
Visit some tourist sights in your area.
Go to an art show or museum.
Keep yourself interested in life while you are saving yours! 4.
Include people in your quit smoking effort.
Don't get lonely.
Your family and friends will most likely be delighted about your decision, and they'll want to support you.
Take some time to rebuild old relationships.
Ask a friend out to lunch or dinner.
Take the kids for a special outing.
Go on a date with your significant other.
You can go places now you could never go when you were smoking! 5.
Avoid stress at all costs.
Know what gets you angry, upset, or nervous.
If you can't completely avoid those situations, make a plan for how to deal with them without smoking.
Learn some deep-breathing exercises.
Start meditating.
Exercise regularly.
Find ways to reduce tension and stress, and you'll be a successful non-smoker before you know it.
Incorporating a regular exercise plan into your life is one way to quit smoking and get back that healthy glow you used to have.
Exercise alone probably isn't a cure-all, but it's a critical part of any quit smoking effort.