IF YOU QUIT SMOKING LAST WEEK..........

Quitting smoking has several phases, but none are more important or challengiing than the first few days.  Have you ever seen one of those signs on the highway as you drive home that says "If you lived here you'd be home already".  I remember seeing one of those signs every day as I traversed my 50 mile commute and  thinking, that makes a lot of sense.  Why do I put myself through this misery every day when I could be home in 15 minutes.

When you quit smoking, the first few days are the days you aren't really sure if you made the right decision, the devil voice in your head keeps telling you it wants a cigarette and at times it takes every ounce of strength you have to stay on course and remain quit.  But what if you quit last week?  You would already be done with the most challenging days and enjoying life as a non smoker.  Think about it next time you light up, what if you quit last week?

If you did quit last week, here is what you would be experiencing

• Less than one crave per day on average
• Your body would be nicotine free
• Carbon Monoxide levels in your blood stream would be back to normal
• Improved lung function
• Reduced blood pressure
• You would have an extra $40 - $50 or more  in your pocket
• Most importantly you will feel better about yourself and what you accomplished

Think about that each weekend as you prepare to quit.  If you had quit last weekend, you wouldn't be going through what you are going through now.  You wouldn't be counting your cigarettes to make sure you have enough to get through the night and morning.  You wouldn't be worried about that pain in your chest or throat, you wouldn't be living in a constant state of withdrawal.  And  you wouldn't be addicted to nicotine which is the whole reason you believe you need to smoke. 

Good luck on your journey!!!  And congratulations to those who have already decided to stop smoking.