30 May Living a Healthier Lifestyle by Putting Out the Cigaretttes

So, you have decided to live a healthier lifestyle, have you?  Even if you are exercising on a regular basis and making better food choices, if you smoke, there is still a lot you need to do to improve your level of health.  The reality is that smoking can take years off of your life, even if you are working out on a regular basis and eating a balanced diet.  The good news is that you can regain your health fairly quickly if you stop smoking today.  Consider these facts:

· 20 minutes after you quit smoking, your blood pressure and heart rate drops.
· 12 hours after you quit smoking, the amount of carbon monoxide in your blood drops to normal levels.
· 2 weeks to 3 months after you quit smoking, your lung function increases and your blood circulation improves.
· 1 to 9 months after you quit smoking, the cilia in your lungs regain their normal function and your lungs are better able to handle mucus. The amount of coughing and shortness of breath you experience improves and your risk of infection decreases.
· 1 year after you quit smoking, your risk of suffering from coronary heart disease is cut in half when compared to smokers.
· 5 to 15 years after you quit smoking, your risk of stroke is reduced to the same level as someone who doesn’t smoke.
· 10 years after you quit smoking, your risk of lung cancer, mouth cancer, throat cancer, esophagus cancer, bladder cancer, cervical cancer and pancreas cancer increases.
· 15 years after you quit smoking, your risk of developing coronary heart disease is the same as a nonsmoker

If you are having a difficult time kicking the habit, you will be happy to know that there are a lot of self-help options available.  From gum to patches, from pills to hypnosis, there are a number of different methods for you to explore.  And, by putting the cigarettes out for good, you will make your workout routine even more effective.