Quitting for good

Smoking is a habit that is obviously hard to quit, but giving it up for good will provide you with long-term health benefits.

According to the American Lung Association (ALA), smoking kills about 443,000 people a year, making it more lethal than AIDS, car accidents, homicides, suicides, drug overdoses and fires combined. Quitting smoking will significantly reduce your chance of developing lung cancer and will immediately improve your blood pressure and oxygen levels.

Though it will take dedication and planning, there are several ways you can kick the habit.

Many people use nicotine replacement therapy, such as a patch. You can also start reducing the amount you smoke each day or week until you finally no longer smoke at all. Some people find it much easier to quit "cold turkey," meaning they stop altogether. Hypnosis is a popular way to make your mind believe you no longer want cigarettes. Finally, if necessary, you can resort to prescription drugs to help your body deal with the change.

Stay strong and kick this harmful habit! Follow these steps and more as a part of The Fittest Loser Challenge sponsored by Assurance.

• Jill Micklow is the Wellness Consultant on the Employee Benefits team at Assurance, a proud sponsor of the Daily Herald Fittest Loser Challenge. She brings Assurance's passion for minimizing risk and maximizing health to clients nationwide, helping them identify specific health and wellness goals and tailoring programs that help them achieve success. Through education, motivation and engagement, Assurance clients and their employees see an improvement in overall health, morale and productivity thanks to Jill's efforts.