SoWell on Sowal

[Gypsea]

On ivillage they have a new weight lose challenge called Do It For Good. It looks like a good program and a good way to start the new year.

 

[ShallowsNole]

Quit Smoking Tip Sheet

1. Quit cold turkey. In the long run it?s the easiest and most effective technique of smoking cessation.
2. Do not carry cigarettes.
3. Quit smoking one day at a time. Do not concern yourself with next year, next month, next week or even tomorrow. Concentrate on not smoking from the time you wake up until you go to sleep.
4. Work on developing the attitude that you are doing yourself a favor by not smoking. Do not dwell on the idea that you are depriving yourself of a cigarette. You are ridding yourself of full-fledged smoking because you care enough about yourself to want to.
5. Be proud that you are not smoking.
6. Be aware that many routine situations will trigger the urge for a cigarette. Situations which will trigger a response include: drinking coffee, alcohol, sitting in a bar, social events with smoking friends, card games, the end of meals. Try to maintain your normal routine while quitting. If any event seems too tough, leave it and go back to it later. Do not feel you must give up any activity forever. Everything you did as a smoker, you will learn to do at least as well, and maybe better, as an ex-smoker.
7. Make a list of all the reasons you want to quit smoking. Keep this list with you, preferably where you used to carry your cigarettes. When you find yourself reaching for a cigarette, take out your list and read it.
8. Drink plenty of fruit juice the first three days. It will help flush nicotine out of your system.
9. To help avoid weight gain, eat vegetables and fruit instead of candies and pastries. Celery and carrots can be used safely as short-term substitutes for cigarettes.
10. If you are concerned about weight gain, do some moderate form of regular exercise. If you have not been exercising regularly, consult your physician for a practical exercise program which is safe for you.
11. If you encounter a crisis, (e.g. a flat tire, flood, blizzard, family illness) while quitting, remember, smoking is no solution. Smoking will just complicate the original situation while creating another crisis, a relapse into the nicotine addiction.
12. Consider yourself a ?smoke-a-holic.? One puff and you can become hooked again. No matter how long you have been off, don't think you can safely take a puff!
13. Don't debate with yourself how much you want a cigarette. Ask yourself how do you feel about going back to your old level of consumption. Smoking is an all or nothing proposition.
14. Save the money you usually spend on cigarettes and buy yourself something you really want after a week or a month. Save for a year and you can treat yourself to a vacation.
15. Practice deep breathing exercises when you have a craving.
16. Go places where you normally can't smoke, such as movies, libraries and no smoking sections of restaurants.
17. Tell people around you that you have quit smoking.
18. Remember that there are only two good reasons to take a puff once you quit. You decide you want to go back to your old level of consumption until smoking cripples and then kills you, or, you decide you really enjoy withdrawal and you want to make it last forever. As long as neither of these options appeal to you - NEVER TAKE ANOTHER PUFF

Found this on-line and I am printing it and hanging it everywhere!

​

What an awesome preparation tool. I personally proved #11, #12 and #13 three times before I finally put them down. Even so, I don't dare think "Oh, I'll just have a puff for old times' sake" because I can't have just one. After I quit choking, I'd reach for another one.

But I whole-heartedly recommend Wellbutrin/Zyban and either patches or gum, and maybe something to hold as a crutch. Cold turkey worked when I was in the hospital and when I was pregnant (that is, until I thought "I'll have just one!") There is no sense being uncomfortable when you don't have to be.

 

[Beach Crazy]

But I whole-heartedly recommend Wellbutrin/Zyban and either patches or gum, and maybe something to hold as a crutch. Cold turkey worked when I was in the hospital and when I was pregnant (that is, until I thought "I'll have just one!") There is no sense being uncomfortable when you don't have to be. [/quote]


Yes, both for sure....

 

[Ocean Lover]

I am joining and going to my first Weight Watchers meeting on Monday morning. I've counted points before and lost a few pounds but never joined and attended meetings. I'm looking forward to it and I think I'm finally ready. Since Fall I've probably gained 10 pounds and I was already 10 pounds more than I wanted to be so now I need to lose about 20. We'll see what the official word is Monday. Is anyone else going to use Weight Watchers?

 

[DD]

I am joining and going to my first Weight Watchers meeting on Monday morning. I've counted points before and lost a few pounds but never joined and attended meetings. I'm looking forward to it and I think I'm finally ready. Since Fall I've probably gained 10 pounds and I was already 10 pounds more than I wanted to be so now I need to lose about 20. We'll see what the official word is Monday. Is anyone else going to use Weight Watchers?

OL, I joined WW Online back in Aug/Sept, but heck, I never went on there! I keep getting emails from them to re-join for cheap, so I may do that. I find all sorts of excuses not to go to the meetings, and when I did go, it was in the evenings. I think if I went in the mornings, I would do better, but no time/meeting in the early morning. I'm a tellin' ya, my job keeps me from doing a lot of things---how's that for a good excuse?

 

[iwishiwasthere]

I am joining and going to my first Weight Watchers meeting on Monday morning. I've counted points before and lost a few pounds but never joined and attended meetings. I'm looking forward to it and I think I'm finally ready. Since Fall I've probably gained 10 pounds and I was already 10 pounds more than I wanted to be so now I need to lose about 20. We'll see what the official word is Monday. Is anyone else going to use Weight Watchers?

I tried it back in the fall, lost 8 pounds, but it has too many options for me. South Beach, healthy eating, is my best program. My daughter has done well on WW....it is a lifestyle for her. She did not have much to lose, but it allowed her the choices for her daily routine. You will do well with WW if you count carefully. It really made me pay atttention to portion size.

 

[Teresa]

Sounds like you're in the "I'm quitting smoking club", sometime this year to be the "I quit smoking" club... So, your name is on the "you'll get a present from Paula when you quit smoking list"...

PS: Tootsie -- I cry very easily, especially at sentimental, happy things. Even TV commercials and the kids like to watch me when something sentimental or sad is on TV to see if I'm crying! I was in Siesta Key with the family last weekend and I woke up early (as usual) and I went to the dock on the bay at sunrise and sat on a bench to read the paper. There were lots of little clouds in the sky tinted pink from the sunrise, a rainbow to my left, the sunrise to the right, a dolphin swimming by in front of me, and a huge bird flew down and sat not too far from me... I definitely soaked all that in (a bit teary-eyed) and, since it was Jan 1 and the dawn of the new year, I figured all that meant it was going to be a very good year! And since all the "signs" were peaceful signs, I think a very good year is going to mean getting my healthy-act together -- weight, exercise, meditation, mindfulness, yoga.

 

[Ocean Lover]

I tried it back in the fall, lost 8 pounds, but it has too many options for me. South Beach, healthy eating, is my best program. My daughter has done well on WW....it is a lifestyle for her. She did not have much to lose, but it allowed her the choices for her daily routine. You will do well with WW if you count carefully. It really made me pay atttention to portion size.

I hope so. I lost 8 lbs on South Beach over a year ago. My only complaint with SB is the lack of energy. Everyday about 4:00 I just wanted to take a nice long nap!!! ( and never could of course!)

 

[shakennotstirred]

I am joining and going to my first Weight Watchers meeting on Monday morning. I've counted points before and lost a few pounds but never joined and attended meetings. I'm looking forward to it and I think I'm finally ready. Since Fall I've probably gained 10 pounds and I was already 10 pounds more than I wanted to be so now I need to lose about 20. We'll see what the official word is Monday. Is anyone else going to use Weight Watchers?

OL - 2 friends of mine went on WW in the summer/fall & each has lost 20+ pounds. Both had tried counting points before without attending the meetings & both have said that they are making better progress with the meetings as they feel accountable to someone with the weigh-ins. Good luck!

 

[Ocean Lover]

My first WW meeting is in a little over 12 hours. I plan on going grocery shopping afterwards. I have warned my family that things are going to change! I have the book You! On a Diet and I've been reading it this weekend. I may not be very popular around here for a bit ( mainly with Dylan) but they will thank me later! I had to stop for milk tonight and Healthy Choice dinners were on sale. I bought some for those times when I need a meal quick.

DD, I was happy to find a morning meeting that worked out for me! :clap_1:

Shaken, I'm hoping I have at least half the success of your friends!