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Changing Seasons

Dr_Hurt
Mayo Clinic
0 0 23

Fall is upon us with winter right around the corner.  Keep your commitment to practicing healthy behaviors.  The single most important thing you can do for your health is to remain smoke-free (if you have already made the commitment to stop smoking) or to become smoke-free if you haven’t yet set your quit date. 

Perhaps it’s also time to shake up your exercise routine.  If you found the summer too hot to get out there and exercise, the coolness of autumn might be your ticket!  If, on the other hand, the colder weather makes it more difficult for you to get outside and move, it might be a good time to look into a gym membership.

In addition to paying attention to physical activity, think of the fall as a good time to monitor and change your eating as well.  Snack on a crisp apple when you have an urge to smoke.  Stock your pantry with fall vegetables to make new soups, and look for some other low-fat recipes utilizing seasonal goodies such as pumpkin. 

Looking for ways to maintain your good health will also keep you on track to remaining smoke-free.

And if you haven’t yet made the commitment to stop smoking, think again.  By the time January 1st rolls around, you’ll be a “seasoned” nonsmoker, and will be able to share your coping skills and support with someone who’s making a new year’s resolution.

About the Author
Retired in 2014. Dr. Richard D. Hurt is an internationally recognized expert on tobacco dependence. A native of Murray, Kentucky, he joined Mayo Clinic in 1976 and is now a Professor of Medicine at its College of Medicine. In 1988, he founded the Mayo Clinic Nicotine Dependence Center and since then its staff has treated more than 50,000 patients for tobacco dependence.