If there is anyone who can tell you about how quitting smoking can be a struggle, that’s me. I can absolutely confirm that the smoking habit is the most difficult thing to stop - it can be worse than alcohol and drug addiction.

It took me almost 5 years - from the day I decided that I’ve had enough of this vice and declared to stop, to the very day I actually completely overcame the addiction. To say that it is a challenge, is an understatement!

But, the good news is - overcoming this smoking habit is definitely possible. I am living walking proof.

I used to finish at least 2 large packs of cigarettes every day, not a stick less. It could be more, especially when i’m out clubbing, but never less.

And how on earth did I manage to kick that for good?

First of all, let me share with you that I only realized this amazing discovery upon retrospect. Which means that I actually stumbled onto this method of healing unknowingly. I call this “Empowerment by Accident”!

When I first started eating raw foods, I was still struggling with the smoking addiction. Not as hard core as before, but definitely not completely free of it yet. However, there was a distinct reduction in cravings and urges to light up, especially after a meal. Because my cells were more properly nourished with live foods.

And as I replaced more cooked foods with live foods, my moods improved, Yoga practice deepened, fitness increased and slowly I started to find the smell of smoke unappealing.

Now, the smoking addiction, I discovered when I looked back to figure out how I overcame it, actually comprised of 3 compartments - 1) Psychological 2) Emotional and 3) Physiological

On the physiological dimension, it is obvious that tobacco and nicotine is addictive. These toxic substances are the easiest to get addicted to, and once addicted the individual craves for it constantly.

Emotionally, it provides support and solace, when everything else fails you. Whenever I was down, sad or depressed, cigarettes were the first avenue of comfort because they are always there for me. The familiar action of holding the stick with curling smoke from the fingers, became so associated with an anchor of comfort and grounding. And when you hang around with smoking company, its worse because everybody present reinforces this false emotional anchor of bonding and warmth through smoking. Why do I say its false? Because it is not sustainable, it is short-lived, and it is harmful to health.

Psychologically, it is the most subtle and toughest to overcome - because it is almost undetectable. How many times have you heard smokers swearing to get off it for good, but never seemed to be able to keep up after 3 days? How many times did you hear smokers complaining that they cannot work, perform, write, draw etc without smoking?

These are all psychological anchors craved inside their brains. They have been wired to think that smoking is necessary in order to do a certain task. Our brains are like computers, they never fail to follow the program configuration.

The 3-in-1 characteristic is also the reason why it is so difficult to break - because each compartment reinforces one another and makes the habit even more deeply ingrained into the individual.

The trick is to tackle these compartments in sections - which was what I’ve accidentally done when I transitioned into a new raw foods lifestyle.

When I changed my diet to predominantly live vegan foods, I started detoxifying my body. This took care of the physiological part. Then while live foods made me more in tuned with my own body, Yoga practice deepened and further reinforced the emotional stabilization. This meant that I looked more inwardly into myself for direction and assurance, instead of to friends, colleagues, loved ones, the news and media! Instead of drinking alcohol or oblige a friend who offers me a stick, just simply to “please” or “bond” with them, I can comfortably say “no” graciously.

And the most interesting part is this - live foods have the power rewire our brains!

When we increasingly replace cooked foods with high energy and nutrient dense live vegan foods, our whole being becomes a dynamic, highly vibrational and miraculous machine. Every cell in our body is remade - with the most superior of all materials. Every morsel of food which goes into our body is used to make up the body - we can’t run away from this fact.

Coupled with Yoga and appropriate exercise, everything in the body from head to toe is literally remade. The body kicks into detoxification and intense cleansing mode. As physical junk gets unlocked and thrown out of the body, emotional junk unloads too.

The result?

An entirely new body system brimming with light and energy, and an entirely new mind with new beliefs.

Beliefs which are aligned with that which matters most - in all essence of Life, whatever the individual’s purpose may be. The beliefs will be supportive to whatever the being’s meant to fulfill on Earth.

In short, when we support our body with the best materials for operating at its best, our brain reconfigures and the mind in turn supports us with the best beliefs for achieving our highest goals. Period.

Choose empowerment today - Life, Health and Youth is a Choice!

Cheers To Love and Laughter
(C) Copyright 2008 - 2010, Linda Loo

Tags: vegan weight loss, raw food diet, raw & living foods, raw food testimonials