Wednesday, August 11, 2010

SOME PHYSICAL PREPARATION

With fitQuit we don't quit smoking as much as we put the best conditions in place to let nicotine to 'quit' us. Nicotine is a poison, a toxin and de-tox will take about seven to ten days.

In the weeks leading up to quitting I found it helpful to take a daily walk of about three miles (5 kilometers) or an hour duration. Walking after work and before dinner let me ease into the actual quitting process by having an exercise component already in place. Basic walking during the de-tox phase helps to expel toxins more quickly. Walking before a meal suppresses the appetite

The fitQuit process relies on water to flush out the toxins. Increased demand for water from your internal organs can often result in dehydrating other parts of your system. This often results in headaches for some folks. Keep a supply of water on hand and check with your doctor to see if asprin or some other analgesic is right for you.

I'll mention again that overly-salted foods and snacks, while they have no relationship to the craving itself, might be associated with some old habits. Switch tastes. Fresh fruit and veggies helped me break my old routines. Food that I found bland and tasteless became more interesting in a couple of days when my taste and sense of smell began to return. Switch beverages, add or subtract sugar or whiteners to avoid habit triggers.

If you drink alcohol routinely, layoff it during the de-tox process or switch tastes as with other beverages. Alcohol is a solvent and personal resolve has been known to weaken in its presence. Avoid this temptation. 

It's easy to sabotage the program by spending time in places where there are smokers. I know. I did it but got back on the program easily after a week revisiting my addiction.

Think about your schedule when you plan to start and avoid smoke filled rooms and smokers for a week to ten days while you're working the program.

De-tox your clothing. Run your laundry through the wash a couple of times then sanitize your washer by running hot water through it or using "AFRESH' or a similar product. Send your suits or skirts to the cleaners. 

De-tox your environment. While you're still a smoker banish yourself to the great outdoors and call in the carpet and drapery cleaners. Consider having your walls and cupboards washed. It's a small expense when placed against the money you'll be saving.

De-tox your car or have it detailed by specialists. It will no longer be your mobile 'smoke pit'. 

These projects will help eliminate any unintentional distractions when you decide to go ahead with the program.