Stop smoking! New Year's resolution...the truth about a nasty little "habbit".

Simplefit™ Memphis Personal Trainers - New Years Resolutions - Stop
Smoking!

What’s on your New Years’ resolution list?

In writing this article it occurred to me that many folks may have a different understanding of what a New Years resolution is. So…let’s tie down a definition.

A Google query would define a New Years’ resolution as "a commitment that an individual makes to a project or a habit, often a lifestyle change that is generally interpreted as advantageous. The name comes from the fact that these commitments normally go into effect on New Year's Day and remain until the set goal has been achieved, although many resolutions go unachieved & are often broken fairly shortly after they are set".

Wow…so really New Years’ resolutions are commitments…well, broken commitments. OK, with the definition out of the way let’s explore what a New Years resolution can be.

Let’s look at a common New Years’ resolution Stop Smoking. Of course it’s cool to stop smoking these day’s – or was that sooo yesterday? [1]"In 2002 the average American smoker spent about $88.2 billion on tobacco products which translates into about 1,200 deaths today alone – or 440,000 tobacco-related deaths a year. Sadly, by the year 2020, tobacco is projected to kill about 10 million people a year worldwide".

Do you think the above mentioned statistics warrant a personal New Years resolution? Let’s say they do…How does one go about making this resolution stick? Perhaps gaining the clearest personal perspective of your behavior, beliefs, and consequences will make goal setting "real" for you. Let’s start with understanding the behavior of smoking.

• Why do you smoke cigarettes?
• What is the return on your investment of smoking cigarettes?
• How do your beliefs affect your behavior related to smoking cigarettes?
• Do you believe smoking cigarettes is harmful to your lifelong health?
• Do you deserve lifelong health?

The answers to the above questions may help you to gain a "true perspective" of your behavior as a result of your core belief system. Once you truly understand your core beliefs related to your lifelong health and wellness you may find managing behavior contraindicated to better health and wellness with greater success.

If you realize that you believe you are responsible for making decisions based on your core beliefs, and you believe you are entitled to live with lifelong health you may be ready to connect the consequences of smoking cigarettes to your core beliefs in living responsibly healthy. By connecting the very real consequences of cigarette smoking with your behavior of cigarette smoking you can now set goals based on your personal belief that smoking cigarettes is detrimental to your better judgment, wellness, and lifelong health. Furthermore, you may feel a greater sense of responsibility and resolve to take action and successfully manage personal behavior admittedly adverse to your core beliefs.

Empowered by your new perspective of cigarette smoking, contrary to your personal belief system and reinforced by real consequences admittedly unwanted in your life, you are now ready to form a "stop smoking" plan of action!

Step One:

Emboldened by your new goal to stop smoking cigarettes you are ready to write down a list of reasons for quitting smoking with the title, in bold, "I will quit smoking cigarettes because"…Be as specific as possible for example, "I will quit smoking because people often shy away from be because I smell intensely of cigarette smoke" or "I will quit smoking cigarettes because I wake my family in the morning coughing and I feel terrible about myself because I start my day with a cigarette" or even "John tells me doesn’t want to kiss me any more because the terrible smell of smoke is stronger than my toothpaste and mouthwash can cover or eliminate".

Step Two:

Start today! Remember, you’ve decided that smoking cigarettes is against your core beliefs because you believe the behavior of smoking cigarettes is contrary to your goals of living lifelong healthy. Do not hesitate, procrastinate, or allow yourself to set a "start date" other than today -- i.e., your birthday, New Years Day, your child’s Bar/Bat Mitzvah…remember that you are taking action…today!

Step Three:

Gather the troops! Collect and prepare your support group family, church members, and friends can be lifesavers, literally, in the battle to help you accomplish your goal of quitting smoking. Speak with your doctor about "stop smoking aids" many aids are used with great success.

Your support group needs to understand their personal roll clearly and must be willing to execute their part in your plan to stop smoking without hesitation. You will find comfort in your allies during times of stress. Let your supporting cast help you to identify the "triggers" or "activators" for smoking and work together to overcome them. You may rely on your friends or a loved one to step in and support your goal by reinforcing the specific reasons for you to stop smoking perhaps your husband or wife will be responsible for rewarding you for not smoking with a favor, dinner out, or a big hug daily! You might write a contract with your husband or wife clearly outlining your goals, efforts, and rewards.

Step Four:

If you fail…try, try, and try again! Failure is temporary diligent action is success. You will succeed.

So…you’re ready for more than a commitment…more than a broken commitment? New Years resolutions are a thing of the past. What’s IN? Making the most of your Life, Mind, Body, Health, and Spirit is IN. The next time you hear someone making a New Years’ resolution, ask them what they’re waiting for you’re not waiting…are you?

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Footnotes:

[1] The Truth Found: www.thetruth.com