Ask Karen

Question:

Aren't cravings and habit the same thing?

* These coaches are former smokers who are suggesting several different quitting strategies that can be effective.

I learned they’re not the same. Cravings are actually your brain wanting nicotine, because smoking creates an addiction to nicotine. Habits are all the things you associate with smoking — being on the phone, taking a work break. But because your brain is used to getting nicotine in these situations, your habit can trigger a craving.

Ask Karen

Question:

How do I get past cravings?

* These coaches are former smokers who are suggesting several different quitting strategies that can be effective.

My doctor recommended one of those stop-smoking products — you know, the gum or the patch or the lozenges? You can get them at any drug store. She said they deliver a safe, low dose of nicotine to relieve the cravings caused by addiction, and that once you quit smoking, you gradually stop using the product. So I chose the one that seemed best for me, and it’s definitely helped.

Ask Karen

Question:

How do I overcome my habit?

* These coaches are former smokers who are suggesting several different quitting strategies that can be effective.

I’ve tried a lot of different things. I smoked at home in the evenings, so I planned to have my drapes and upholstery cleaned the day I quit, to remind me how nice things smell without stale smoke around. And my non-smoking friends have been great — I’ve been going out at night with them so I’m not just sitting there going crazy. I mean you have to be a little resourceful. You have to change the routine.

Ask Karen

Question:

What should I do before I quit?

* These coaches are former smokers who are suggesting several different quitting strategies that can be effective.

You have to set things up — you know, make a plan. I’m quitting with a friend, and we joined a quit-smoking group through our HMO, and they’ve helped a lot — they kind of had it all mapped out. First we set a quit date, then we told all our friends we were quitting, and how they could help. I’m doing more things with my non-smoking friends right now, but I told my smoking friends not to take it personally, and I still talk to them. And then I got rid of all my cigarettes — even the hidden ones. And I picked a stop-smoking product.

Ask Karen

Question:

Do I need a plan?

* These coaches are former smokers who are suggesting several different quitting strategies that can be effective.

I definitely think you need some kind of plan, because otherwise it’s just too easy to let your habits and cravings overpower you. Like I planned with my friends to go out in the evenings, when I used to smoke — I saw three movies that first week! I check in with my friend who’s quitting with me, and with a couple of other people in our group. I bought little celery sticks and carrot sticks to eat, and put some potpourri in my car’s ashtray, things like that.

Ask Karen

Question:

All I need is willpower, right?

* These coaches are former smokers who are suggesting several different quitting strategies that can be effective.

Well, you definitely need willpower not to smoke, at least that’s been the case for me. But when I talked to my doctor about quitting, she explained about nicotine addiction, and how those stop-smoking products help you deal with cravings that come from addiction, and sort of help your willpower. That made sense to me.

Ask Karen

Question:

What should I watch out for?

* These coaches are former smokers who are suggesting several different quitting strategies that can be effective.

Some things you know are going to be hard — like going out for a drink. I was avoiding that — I waited two and a half weeks after I quit, and then it wasn’t so bad. And stress — I got one of those bad-news calls, and while I was still on the phone I was thinking about cigarettes! The second I hung up I called my friend who’s quitting with me, and she talked me out of buying a pack.

Ask Karen

Question:

What should I do if I slip up?

* These coaches are former smokers who are suggesting several different quitting strategies that can be effective.

I actually did, at the end of the first week. I was cleaning out one of my kitchen drawers, the one with all junk, and I found a cigarette — it was almost like someone wanted me to smoke! It was like I couldn’t help myself. I put it in my mouth, and actually lit it. And part of me thought, oh this is nice, but the rest of me was really disappointed. And after a couple of puffs I felt really dizzy, and I thought, I can’t do this. So I flushed it down the toilet, and called a buddy from my group, and she calmed me down, and I just went back to quitting.

Ask Karen

Question:

How do I de-stress so I don't smoke again?

* These coaches are former smokers who are suggesting several different quitting strategies that can be effective.

You know exercise is supposed to be a good stress-reducer, and I’ve been trying to get more of it. I’m walking more, and I’m probably going to join a gym — I figure with the money I’m saving I can afford it. That’s one side of it. At home, at night, I’ve been taking baths before bed, and I have scented candles — which I can actually smell for a change!

Ask Karen

Question:

How do I avoid putting on weight?

* These coaches are former smokers who are suggesting several different quitting strategies that can be effective.

I was worried about weight — I’d heard almost everyone gains something. And I figured with no cigarettes to stick in my mouth I’d want to be eating. So before I quit I got carrots and celery sticks, and sugarless gum and mints, and even cinnamon sticks. And I tried to walk more, and get more exercise.