Optimal Nutrition
Since a big part of quitting smoking is about establishing a new healthier lifestyle to replace your smoking habit, it makes sense to start with the very core of your health - nutrition. Prior to your quit date, decide that you are going to invest in the healthiest foods you can possibly afford. In our resources and links page we have links to nutrional guidelines and healthy eating websites. In general though stick to lean meats, lots of fruits and vegetables and plenty of water. Some people may become constipated during withdrawel process. So be preemptive and include lots of high fiber foods in your diet. Apples are great for regularity.
Exercise from Day One
Beginning an exercise routine right from your first day of quitting can be extremely helpful and motivating. You don't have to run down to your local gym and start pumping iron (though if it helps all the power to you). Something as simple as a brisk 30 minute walk can be enough, especially if you were sedentary and a heavy smoker prior to quitting. Not only will this speed your process of recovery but it will really help with your motivation to stay smoke free. Each day that passes your exercise will seem easier and easier, giving you a tremendous psychological reinforcement that you are truly recovering from the disease that is smoking.
Replacement Activities
You must find replacement activities for your cigarettes. Smoking a pack a day, you spend a great deal of time occupied with smoking. Take it away and you are left with somewhat of a void in your life and this sense of emptiness could lead you back to smoking. Especially during the first days after quitting you need to fill your day with a schedule of activities to keep both your body and your mind active and in a sense distracted. Take up a new hobby, go visit places where smoking is not allowed (just about everywhere nowadays), find things to do with your hands, graze on healthy snacks or suck on mints, clean around your house, take up that project you've been putting off. It is all too easy to get bogged down in a negative mind set while quitting and feel like you've lost something forever. Stave off this mindset by keeping busy and filling your life with new and exciting activities.
Be kind to yourself
Despite the need to keep active and distracted, you should also allow yourself time to relax. Nicotine is a stimulant and when you take that away you may feel tired and depressed. While it is good to fight this off most of the time, you are not a machine and everybody needs to just give in to the tiredness once and awhile. If you are feeling fatigued then by all means allow yourself a nap every now and again.