orthoclase

This Friday (05/20) I have an appointment with a hypnotherapist to assist me in quitting smoking. Yes, I know, I'm crazy to be a cyclist and also to be lighting up, but it's a habit I've had since I was 22 (I'm 47 now). I believe it's time to stop this idiocy and start enjoying life as a non-smoker. Fortunately, my resting HR is about 63-69, and my BP has always been around 110/68. Thus, I feel that I shouldn't tempt fate anymore. God's given me a good base upon which to build, and I don't want to regret it later. Plus, I'm riding in the MS 150 in June, and it seems a little hypocritical to be riding for a healthy cause when I'm willfully damaging my body.

My question is, has anyone had any direct experience with hypnotherapists, or know someone who has? Being a scientist (yes, yes, I'm "smart" but I smoke - go figure), I'm naturally skeptical, but I want to go with an open mind, which I believe will be the first positive step toward a successful treatment. Thanks in advance, and I will welcome any encouragement from the rest of you!

2manybikes

My wife and her sister went to a Hypnotist to stop smoking. It worked for both of them. One of them started years later.

EricT

I've heard good things about it. I quit smoking a few months ago, but without hypnotherapy. It's really not as hard as everyone makes it out to be. It is totally a psychological, not physical, challenge. All the publicity and people complaining about how hard it is really had me worried about it. But there's no trick to it, you just stop smoking, and then forget about it and move on with your life. Sounds simple, and it is, but most people make it so much more complicated than that, trying to cut back first, or chewing gum, etc, etc. The main thing is that the minute you stop, you are a non-smoker, and from that point on you stop obsessing about it and continue your life like nothing happened. And make up your mind that you will NEVER smoke again. Ever. One casual cigarrette at a party will get you started again (I know because it happened to me once before).

It was actually quite enjoyable to feel the changes in my body taking place in the week or two after I quit.

I read a book that really helped me by putting me in a good frame of mind and realizing that quitting is not so hard. It's called "The Easy Way to Stop Smoking", by ___ Carr (can't remember his first name). This guy smoked 3-5 packs a day for 30 years and then one day just completely stopped.

That being said, I've heard that hypnotherapy is a very effective method, so by all means give that a try. And good luck!