FitSugar

Today Is the Great American Smoke Out

FitSugar — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 02:30:00 -0800

Today is The Great American Smokeout, sponsored by the American Cancer Society (ACS). So if you are looking to quit smoking, today is the day!

There are amazing health benefits to giving up the smokes. Here are highlights of the health improvement from the first 365 days of being smoke free.

20 minutes after quitting: Your heart rate and blood pressure drops.
12 hours after quitting: The carbon monoxide level in your blood drops to normal.
2 weeks to 3 months after quitting: Your circulation improves and your lung function increases.
1 to 9 months after quitting: Coughing and shortness of breath decrease; cilia (tiny hair-like structures that move mucus out of the lungs) regain normal function in the lungs, increasing the ability to handle mucus, clean the lungs, and reduce the risk of infection.
1 year after quitting: The excess risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a smoker's.

The ACS knows that quitting is difficult and they have created some great widgets for your computer desk top to help. You can also find helpful resources at the Smokeout website.

If you need even more motivation to quit check out these reasons to quit smoking and here are some tips to help you quit.

Source

Quitting Smoking? Give It a Shot

FitSugar — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 07:30:00 -0800

Being that the Great American Smokeout is this week, I thought I'd share this exciting news for anyone looking to quit.

A new anti-smoking shot that robs smokers of the nicotine buzz from cigarettes may someday offer a new and effective way to quit (though the shot is still in the testing phase). The vaccine works by keeping nicotine from reaching the brain, taking a lot of the fun out of smoking and hopefully making it easier to give up.

This is exciting because it gives anyone who has not been able to quit using other popular methods available now another option to try. Unfortunately it's not available yet so if you're looking to quit smoking today then you're going to have to go about it another way. Here are some tips to help!

Source

THE GREAT AMERICAN SMOKEOUT

FitSugar — Thu, 16 Nov 2006 09:00:00 -0800

TODAY is the GREAT AMERICAN SMOKEOUT sponsored by the American Cancer Society. So if you are trying to quit smoking - today is the day. If you know someone who is trying to quit, you can be supportive and send them the link.

Looking for a little motivation in kicking your habit? Here are a few health reasons:

You will significantly lower your chances of developing lung cancer (the number 1 cancer killer of both men and women), heart disease, stroke and other forms of cancer.
Your lungs will regain normal function - which reduces the risk of infection and makes breathing easier. And you know that Fit is way into breathing.
Your circulation will improve - which means you heal from injuries more quickly and this is great for every single inch of your body.

Looking for more reasons? Think of all the money you will save and your clothes won't smell like smoke. Smoking makes your breath stinky, makes your skin wrinkle more, and yellows your teeth (see above).

Let us know if you're trying - we're here to support you and so is the American Cancer Society's Quitline (1-800-ACS-2345). And, of course, GOOD LUCK!!!

Healthy Dose Link Time

FitSugar — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 12:00:00 -0800

Swing your weights around and have fun with kettle bells - Fit Bottomed Girls
How chocolate croissant eating pastry chefs stay thin - Vitamin G
Calf stretches for stiletto wearing ladies - Fresh Fitness Tips
Quit cigarettes now! Today is the Great American Smokeout - Daily Spark
Avoid turkey induced coma with these three tips - That's Fit
Is there a connection between your weight and your paycheck? - Elastic Waist
Tone your belly without crunches; this is a must-do video - ExerciseTV

Source

Smoking - tips on how to quit

admin — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 18:50:18 -0700

Illustrations

Quitting smoking

Smoking hazards

HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M

Alternative Names

Cigarettes - tips on how to quit; Smoking cessation

Information

Below are some tips to help you quit smoking. First and foremost, set a quit date and quit COMPLETELY on that day. To prepare for that day:

Identify the times you are most likely to smoke. For example, do you tend to smoke when feeling stressed? When you are out at night with friends? While you are drinking coffee or alcohol? When you are bored? While you are driving?
Keep a diary to help you determine such risky times. Record each time you have a cigarette, including time of day and what you are doing.
Make a plan about what you will do instead of smoking at those times when you are most likely to smoke. For example, drink tea instead of coffee -- tea may not trigger the desire for a cigarette. Or, take a walk when feeling stressed. Remove ashtrays and cigarettes from the car. Place pretzels or hard candies there instead. Pretend-smoke with a straw.
Let all of your friends, family, and co-workers know of your plan to stop smoking and your quit date. Just being aware that they know can be a helpful reminder and motivator.
Before your quit date, start reducing your cigarette use, including decreasing the number and strength of the cigarettes. However, DON'T do this simply to make your diary "look good!" Get rid of all of your cigarettes just before the quit date and clean out anything that smells like smoke, such as clothes and furniture.

Other tips to help you quit smoking and stick to it:

Enroll in a smoking cessation program (hospitals, health departments, community centers, and work sites often offer programs).
Ask your health care provider for advice, including whether prescription medications (such as bupropion -- Zyban or Wellbutrin, or varenicline -- Chantix) are safe and appropriate for you.
Find out about nicotine patches, gum, and sprays.
Try hypnosis -- it works for some people.
Avoid smoke-filled settings and situations in which you are more likely to smoke.
Exercise to relieve urges to smoke.

The American Cancer Society is an excellent resource for smokers who are trying to quit, and the Great American Smokeout can help some smokers kick the habit.

Above all, don't get discouraged if you aren't able to quit smoking the first time. Nicotine addiction is a hard habit to break. Try something different next time.

Quit Tip: Pick a Day to Quit Smoking

FitSugar — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 09:30:00 -0800

One thing I can wholeheartedly recommend to improve your health is quitting smoking. It decreases your chance of getting and dying from cancer, heart disease, and stroke. I am not saying you should quit today cold turkey, but if you did I would be so glad. What I am saying is that you should pick a date to quit and begin publicly counting down until that day arrives.

The American Cancer Society wants to help you count down to your momentous quit day, and they have even designed a couple little desktop helpers. One is a countdown calendar to help you rev up to quit day. Just pick a date, any date, but make sure it is within the next 30 days - you can’t put it off forever. The clock lives on your computer desktop and counts down the days until your chosen day to go smoke free.

Their other helpful widget is the Craving Stopper, a little distracting memory game that lasts about two minutes, the amount of time it take for a craving to subside. Just preoccupy yourself with the game and let the need for a smoke subside naturally. Unfortunately, these widgets only work with Windows OS. Sorry Mac folks.

Hey. I have a great idea . . . make this Thursday, November 15, your quit date, since it is the Great American Smokeout!

Stressed out? DON'T SMOKE

FitSugar — Wed, 15 Nov 2006 19:10:45 -0800

If the first thing you reach for when you're stressed is a cigarette, I am here to say don't smoke. Now if you smoke but have been toying with the idea of quitting, first I'll say "HOORAY!!!" Then I'll say "Don't wait." Now is the time to plan your "quit day." Why not make it tomorrow since November 16th is The Great American Smokeout sponsored by they American Cancer Society?

They have a kick ass web site full of tips for quitting and amazing resources, like the Quitline - a hot line for telephone support through the stressful times. The number is 1-800-ACS-2345.

So hopefully knowing that folks from California to the New York islands are trying to kick the habit too, will give you some moral support. It is easier to know that you are not alone.