Read How Nine Stars Gave Up Smoking ~

http://www.everydayhealth.com/stop-smoking-pictures/9-celebrities-that-successfully-quit-smoking.aspx

Why Haven't I Gained A Pound??

Mouse Study Reveals How Smoking Helps Keep People Thin
By Amanda Gardner, HealthDay News

The notion that smoking somehow helps keep smokers thin has gotten new support from a study in mice — and the finding might one day be parlayed into new drugs to control weight gain.
It's always a leap to extrapolate from animal experiments, one expert said, but this new research does open up interesting possibilities.

"Humans have basically the receptors as mice," noted Ursula Winzer-Serhan, an associate professor of neuroscience and experimental therapeutics at the Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine in Bryan. "There is good evidence that what happens in mice also happens in humans."

Winzer-Serhan was not involved with the study, which appears in the June 10 issue of Science.
"We have to be very cautious," added study author Yann Mineur, but the basic biology, "as far as we can tell, is fairly similar to what's happening in humans."

It's well known that people who smoke tend to be skinnier, even if their lives tend to be shorter than those of nonsmokers.

"All animal studies show that nicotine reduces body weight by reducing food intake and increasing energy expenditure," said Winzer-Serhan. "That is one of the few facts in science there is not a lot of controversy about."

But the new study goes deeper than that. Mineur, an associate research scientist in psychiatry at Yale School of Medicine, stumbled upon the compound used in the study, cytisine, while looking into possible drugs for depression.

The smoking-cessation drug Chantix (varenicline) is a derivative of cytisine.

In experiments with mice, cytisine prevented weight gain by activating the same set of neurons in the hypothalamus as nicotine does. This neurological pathway is also involved in appetite and metabolism, the researchers said.

However, even though the idea of targeting nicotine receptors to control weight has been around a long time, the problem is that nicotine receptors are located all over the body, explained William Tank, chair of pharmacology and physiology at the University of Rochester Medical Center.

That means that any drug developed to control weight via nicotinic receptors would have to be very targeted, otherwise it could have effects on other parts of the body, including memory, blood pressure and heart beat, explained Winzer-Serhan.

Cytisine, which Mineur says is already used in some Eastern European countries as a smoking-cessation aid, is fairly selective, targeting receptors in the peripheral nervous system.
In the meantime, the current findings should not be used to encourage smoking as a weight-loss tool, given the habit's deadly effects.

Certain nicotine-based, smoking-cessation techniques, such as patches, could potentially limit weight gain, Mineur says, but smoking is not the way to go.

Mineur also pointed out that there are many other factors associated with post-smoking weight gain, such as munching on candy because you miss the cigarette.

"The idea of there being a therapeutic use of nicotine agonists is...a great idea," said Tank. "[But] this is a very complicated set of physiologies and nicotine is an extraordinarily complicated drug."

100 Weeks Ago Today!

That's Right ... One Hundred consecutive weeks with out a cigarette! That's 700 Days to you and me!

Do you know what you were doing July 5th, 2009?
I know what I was doing ... Suffering!!

It's hard to believe now that I was so heavily addicted to Cigarettes for so long. I'm at the point now where I can hardly stand the smell of tobacco smoke, especially in people's clothes.

I am now just four weeks away from my Two Year Mark! It was just two short years ago four weeks seemed like an eternity. Today it just seems like any other four weeks without a cigarette.

If you're still new to the "Quit Smoking Club" keep up the struggle -- it really does get easier. I'm living proof!

Cheers. FJW

How Do I Know I'm Really Addicted to Nicotine?

You may think you smoke just because you want to, but telltale signs of nicotine addiction include the time of day you start lighting up and what you will do in order to have a cigarette. Get the lowdown on nicotine addiction, and find out how to quit for good.

By Beth W. Orenstein

If you smoke cigarettes, it’s likely you are addicted to nicotine. Statistics show that three out of four people who start smoking are still smoking 40 years later. They simply can’t quit smoking, because nicotine, a drug found naturally in tobacco, is addictive. The Surgeon General has concluded that nicotine addiction has similar pharmacologic and behavioral characteristics to cocaine and heroin addictions.

A pack-a-day smoker smokes a cigarette about every hour or so, says Erik Augustson, PhD, MPH, a behavioral scientist in the Tobacco Control Research Branch of the National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, Md. If you were to stop or even cut back, you would start to go into nicotine withdrawal — and that’s what drives smokers to smoke their next cigarette.

How soon you reach for a cigarette in the morning, after not smoking for the time you were sleeping, is a good indication of the severity of your nicotine addiction. “If you have your first cigarette of the day within five minutes of waking, your addiction is pretty strong. If it’s within 30 minutes, it’s moderate and, if it’s within 60 minutes or later, it’s somewhat lower,” says Cheryl Yates, a master certified tobacco treatment specialist at The Tobacco-Free Wellness Center at The Reading Hospital and Medical Center in Pennsylvania.

Other signs that you have a nicotine addiction include:
· You smoke more than seven cigarettes a day.
· You smoke even when you’re sick.
· You go outside to smoke even if it’s freezing or raining.

You have to consider not only how many cigarettes you smoke, but also how heavily you inhale, Yates points out. “You can extract the same amount of nicotine from 10 cigarettes as you do from 20 if you smoke heavily rather than lightly,” she says.

Another way to know you’re addicted to cigarettes is if you try to stop and you experience withdrawal symptoms. The most common nicotine withdrawal symptoms are:
· Irritability and anger
· Restlessness
· Depression
· Physical sensations, like you have a mild case of the flu
· Inability to sleep uninterrupted
· Cravings for cigarettes
· Weight gain, though typically less than 10 pounds

Some people who have quit smoking complain of dizziness, headaches, and having more dreams during withdrawal. According to research, most smokers experience at least four of these nicotine withdrawal symptoms when they try to quit smoking.

“Nicotine withdrawal is unpleasant for the vast majority of smokers,” Augustson says, “but it’s not as bad as we see with other drug addictions. It’s not physically dangerous and, while it’s unpleasant, most smokers try to manage it.”

The unpleasant side effects of nicotine withdrawal are the most intense when you first quit. They begin to subside somewhat after a week and even more after a month. Withdrawal symptoms can linger, but it does get easier. Eventually, the time between cravings will grow longer and longer, and eventually stop — typically after about six months.

The cravings themselves are like waves, Augustson explains. “Cravings can be very intense, but they will crest and fade even if you don’t have a cigarette. They will go away naturally on their own. Cravings won’t last more than 10 to 15 minutes for most smokers. Finding a way to get through that 10- to 15-minute period is a very effective strategy for quitting.”

Augustson suggests saying to yourself: “I know it’s unpleasant now, but if I wait 15 to 20 minutes, I can wait it out and I can be very proud of myself because I did.”
Other strategies for quitting include:

· Find a distraction. Go for a walk, wash the dishes, or play a game with your kids. “Find something that will distract you enough to get through those cravings,” says Augustson.
· Remind yourself why you should quit. Write a list of the top five reasons why you should stop smoking — such as you don’t want to get lung cancer like Dad and die at an early age, or you can save $75 a week not buying cigarettes. Keep the list with you and review it when you feel the urge to smoke.
· Avoid situations where you are likely tempted to smoke. Common triggers include feeling stressed, being bored, or drinking alcohol. Know what situations cause you the most stress and try to come up with coping techniques, such as deep breathing or practicing yoga. Plan activities so that you’re not bored. Stay away from bars and other places where you often drink — especially when you’re first starting in your efforts to quit. If you must have something, switch to non-alcoholic beverages.
· Seek support. Let friends and family members know of your intention to quit. Also, find a support group. You can find support online or in person with groups that meet locally.

Because nicotine is addictive, quitting is never easy. But with the right help and the right attitude, you can overcome your addiction.

The Outlaw Cigar Company ~

Question:

Last night I was cruising across the state line and saw this really cool looking place called
The Outlaw Cigar Company.

It looks like a fun place to try. To meet up with some of my buds, sit and enjoy some fine US made Bourbon, relax in soft chairs or out on the patio ... And puff on a smooth, fine cigar ...

Keep this in mind before I get to my question:
I've been totally smoke free for 99 weeks as of today ~ YES, you read that correctly ... Ninety-Nine Weeks ... That's 693 days my friends. One week from the big 700!!

Here's the big Q??:

Will I be considered a cheater if I try out The Outlaw Cigar Company?

Follow ups:
* Would this be like an alcoholic tempting fate at a wine tasting?
* Is any tobacco product out of the question?
* If, like Bill Clinton, I do not inhale .. is it really smoking?

I'd really like some feed back on this one.
Good Luck and Good Health;
FJW

Exercise Away the Urge to Smoke

If you want to stop smoking, you have to get past the cravings and overcome the psychological hooks. Find out how exercise can help you get through it.

By Barbara Robb
Medically reviewed by Pat F. Bass III, MD, MPH

If quitting smoking isn’t the hardest thing you’ve ever tried to do, it surely ranks right up there. The nicotine in cigarettes is as addictive as it gets. Plus, throw in the psychological addiction — like lighting up when you’re nervous, having a drink with friends, or doing the Sunday crossword puzzle — and you’ve got one serious habit to break.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 70 percent of smokers really do want to quit. There's no question that quitting smoking is difficult — the American Lung Association reports that quitting smoking often requires multiple attempts, and that success often comes through combining counseling with smoking cessation medication.

But in addition to these efforts, there’s an often overlooked but very simple secret weapon that can help you to stop smoking: regular physical exercise.

The Benefits of Exercise When You're Quitting Smoking

The beauty of exercise is that it helps you deal with both the physical and psychological aspects of nicotine addiction:

· Exercise helps limit weight gain and it also helps in dealing with cravings for a cigarette, says Norman H. Edelman, MD, chief medical officer of the American Lung Association.
· Studies have shown that even moderate physical activity reduces the urge to smoke.
· Withdrawal symptoms and cravings for cigarettes decrease during exercise and for as long as 50 minutes afterwards.

Besides limiting weight gain, exercise:

· Decreases appetite
· Eases nicotine withdrawal symptoms when you first quit smoking
· Distracts you from thoughts of smoking
· Improves your mood
· Helps you cope with stress and feel more energetic

How to Get Started With Exercise
Follow these tips to stay motivated:

· It often helps to set aside a regular time for exercise — find a time that works well for you.
· Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity on most days of the week.
· Make exercise a priority, and put it on your schedule. If you can’t set aside the recommended 30 minutes, you can exercise in 10-minute sessions.
· Be sure to choose activities that you can confidently do. Start slowly, and build up to more frequent or more intense exercise.
· It may make it easier to stick to your plans if you sign up for a class or arrange to exercise with someone else.

Exercise Suggestions

You don’t have to challenge yourself with an activity like kickboxing your first time out. It’s okay to take small steps:
.
· Walking is one way of getting more physical activity. Take a walk at lunchtime or after dinner, perhaps finding a coworker, friend, or family member to join you. Be sure to choose companions who don't smoke! Gradually lengthen your walks and step up the pace.
· Think about other activities that you might enjoy, like biking, swimming, dancing, yoga — just about any sports activity will help.
· Housework and gardening provide exercise benefits, too. And there’s always that garage to clean out. Playing music you enjoy will help you step up the pace.
· Plan family activities or social gatherings that involve physical activity like hiking, a volleyball game, or a trip to the beach.

Exercising at Work When a Craving Strikes

You’re at work and the urge for a smoke is making you crazy. But what kind of exercise can you do in your work clothes? Plenty.

· Do some deep-knee bends.
· Go up and down a flight or two of stairs.
· Sit at your desk and alternate between relaxing and tensing your muscles.
· Shut your office door, or find a private spot, and do some push-ups. Try doing standing push-ups against a wall if you don’t want to get down on the floor.

Sticking With Your Exercise Program

Smokers often experience shortness of breath with physical activity. But after you've quit, you'll probably notice that it's becoming easier to exercise. That's because your lung function gets better when you're not smoking.

Some people find that they really enjoy exercise, but others find it difficult to stick to an exercise routine. Boredom often settles in after a while. But changing up your routine, or your form of exercise, can help. Try signing up for an exercise class or learning a new sport. Or set a goal, such as entering a race or participating in a tournament. The competitive challenge may be just what you need.

Heavy Smoking Tied to Advanced Kidney Cancer

SUNDAY, May 15 (HealthDay News) -- Smoking increases the risk of advanced kidney cancer, researchers report.

In a new study, a team from Duke University Medical Center reviewed the cases of 845 patients who had had surgery for kidney cancer -- or renal cell carcinoma -- between 2000 and 2009. They found that current and former smokers were 1.5 to 1.6 times more likely to have advanced cancer than nonsmokers.

Heavy smoking (smoking for a longer period of time and smoking more) was associated with advanced renal cell carcinoma. Kicking the habit reduced the risk of advanced disease by 9 percent for every 10 years that a former smoker was smoke-free, the investigators found.

The findings were slated for presentation Sunday at a special press conference at the American Urological Association's annual meeting, in Washington, D.C.

Another study scheduled for presentation at the same briefing found that rates of bladder cancer did not fall along with lower rates of smoking in the United States.


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The researchers examined a national database and found that lung cancer rates declined along with decreasing per capita consumption of cigarettes between 1973 and 2007, but the same type of consistent decline was not seen in bladder cancer rates.

There may have been a decrease in bladder cancer due to smoking, but that decrease may have been offset by other factors contributing to a rise in bladder cancer over the last few decades, the researchers at the State University of New York Upstate Medical University in Syracuse said in a news release from the American Urological Association.

"These two studies shed new insight into the role that smoking might have for two important urologic cancers," news conference moderator Dr. Toby Kohler said in the news release.

"For kidney cancer, it is true that kidney tumors are more often being detected these days when they are smaller. However, smoking seems to confer a much greater risk that the cancer may be more aggressive. Cessation of smoking seems to lower the risk," Kohler said.

"For bladder cancer on the other hand, the decrease in smoking rates has not impacted the incidence to the same degree that it has for lung cancer, suggesting that there may be other factors which are becoming more important for the development of the disease," he added.

Cigarettes not that hard to quit?

The top executive at Philip Morris tells shareholders that smokes aren't so addictive.

I've known only one person who easily gave up cigarettes. He threw his last pack away and simply stopped then and there. It truly was that simple. Of the other ex-smokers I know, quitting was a nightmare.

Perhaps it was this person that Philip Morris International's (PM) chief executive was thinking about recently when he said that it's "not that hard to quit" cigarettes. Louis Camilleri was asked about the issue at the company's annual shareholder meeting. A nurse said that one of her patients told her it was harder to quit cigarettes than crack, cocaine or methamphetamine.

Camilleri acknowledged that cigarettes are harmful and addictive. "Whilst it is addictive, it is not that hard to quit," he told the nurse. "There are more previous smokers in America today than current smokers."

There are flaws all over that logic. The fact that more people have quit does not mean it's easy to do so. Of the 19 million U.S. adults who tried to quit in 2005, only 4% to 7% were successful, one study showed. Huge industries have been built around the fact that people can't easily quit, offering nicotine gum, inhalers, lozenges, nasal sprays or patches for help.

Camilleri himself has only quit once, for three months when he had a cold, and is still a smoker today, the Associated Press reports.

Still, it's not that shocking that he would take this stance. The tobacco industry has fought hard against every health claim that could hurt sales. The industry hid the true dangers of smoking, and wouldn't admit for decades that cigarettes were addictive.

So of course executives would now say that cigarettes aren't hard to quit.

"It's in the interest of executives to give the impression that they don't want new smokers to take up smoking, that they believe that people who do, can quit, but the statistics tell another story," a Morningstar analyst told the Associated Press.

But Camilleri is partly right: There are more ex-smokers in this country than there are smokers. That has led Philip Morris to look overseas for new growth, focusing on emerging markets.

And that's turned out to be a smart move. Philip Morris' profit rose 14.5% last year as its net revenue, excluding excise taxes, rose 8.7%. The company's stock price has been on fire in the last year, going from $46 last May to $68.14 this afternoon.

By Kim Peterson on Wed, May 11, 2011 2:02 PM

Holy Smokes, Nearly a Month Since My Last Post!

I did not drop out of sight nor did I fall off my smoke free wagon ...

Today's 96 Smoke Free Weeks and nearly 675 smoke free days!

Maybe after nearly two years this shouldn't seem like that big of a deal but it is .... Remember I was drastically addicted to nicotine ... rarely did I even sleep clear through the night without getting up at some point to have a cigarette.

Over Easter weekend I traveled to New Orleans ... It rivals Las Vegas as the most smoker friendly city in America.

I love New Orleans ... and I have to admit, sometimes I really enjoy the faint smell of a cigarette; especially when it softly drifts past me in the mild spring time air.

I NEVER crave a cigarette anymore but that's not the same as sometimes, even if the moment is brief, to say I wouldn't mind having just one.

But as I've learned from the many times I'd given up smoking in the past ... for an addict like me there's no such thing as "Just One Cigarette"!

Happy April 15 ~

650 Smoke Free Days!

And in honor of TAX day ... Which I did pay my Fed/State/Loc Income Taxes, btw ....

But what I have not done the past 93 Weeks is pay a very large percent of the cost of a pack of cigarettes to the government!

The graphic attached is five years old and New Jersey specific but you'll get the point. If you're still smoking you're still getting screwed!

At an estimated six bucks a day I have figured I have now saved a minimum of $3900 by NOT smoking! (In my world that's a lot of lettuce!)

Don't worry about the the money the government has promised to 'THE' Children .... quit paying these taxes for YOUR children and all who love you.