Quit Smoking
With Smoke Away
Sponsor
View Shopping Cart
Checkout Now
Quit Smoking With the
E-Z Quit Artificial Cigarette
Proudly Serving The
Internet Since
June, 1997
Link Partners:
How to Quit Smoking
As Seen On TV Products
Perfume
Stop Smoking
Teeth And Gums
Sanibel Island
Submit URL
Smoke Away
Quit Method:
Exercise
by Tom Donoghue
My method development began in May of 2001. I had passed out on a business trip, and was highly encouraged to visit a doctor immediately.
I started walking to lose weight, and lower my cholesterol. As a 36 year old male, I had been smoking for 21 years! My doctor said that if my 239 cholesterol didn't kill me, the smokes would. I scoffed, and promised I'd exercise. I weighed 206 at the time.
I walked and walked. It became religious. My weight started to literally fall off. One night, I read that running from telephone pole to telephone pole was a great way to alleviate the walking tedium. I did one mile. Next night, two miles. I was hooked, but still smoking. I'd finish a run, sit on my deck, and have a few smokes. Insanity.
In late August of 2001, after about one month of solid running, I entered a 10K run in my town. It was a challenge and a goal. I did it, finishing in 69 minutes! Slow, but I did it. I celebrated with a few smokes.
In late September, I came to the conclusion that smoking and running were a heart attack combination waiting to happen. I also realized that I'd become a fairly well conditioned early stage athlete, something I hadn't considered myself to be since Little League! I decided right then that either running or smoking would have to go. I decided that I had defined myself as a smoker long enough. In the second half of my life, I wanted to be an athlete. I quit on the spot.
Now, it may seem like I quit cold turkey, but in reality it took months. I had unconsciously substituted sports for smoking every day for months, so much so that at the end, each smoke was a huge question mark for my psyche. Did I need this, why do I bother running so hard if this is what I do one hour after I'm done? In hindsight, it was a great, easy way to quit. Slowly, with behavioral modifications that caused smoking guilt.
Anyway, I've completed two triathlons since September 2001, and I have my third in three weeks. I started swimming as a challenge to get my lungs back. And I've helped a good friend quit through my method as well. I weigh 172 pounds now.
It works, and it works without the suddenness of cold turkey, or the crutchy psychology of patches or gum. Give it a try. Even if you keep smoking, you'll at least neutralize many of the damaging effects of a smoking habit. Let me know via email if I can help. Good luck!
Tom Donoghue
IL, USA
tdonoghue@attbi.com