Why You Shouldn't Quit Smoking Right Now

You know how you were going to quit smoking come January 1? Well, don't worry if that hasn't happened yet, because the most effective way to quit smoking is to do it 30 days from now. Really.

You need to set your quit date for a month from now, and then get out there and start walking 30 minutes a day, every day (you knew we weren't going to let you do nothing for 30 days, right?). It's not just a nice thing to do. It's the key to your success. To stop smoking, you need to establish another behavior in its place. After a month of walking, you'll have two of the things you need to stick with your quitting plan: More physical stamina and greater mental discipline.

Also in those first 30 days, write down the three biggest reasons you're quitting and look at them several times a day. And find a quitting buddy -- someone you'll talk with every day. Call him or her to say you did that day's walking and to share other successes and concerns. And make an appointment with your doctor to ask about the prescription drugs bupropion (Zyban or Wellbutrin, anticraving drugs) and nicotine patches. These are important tools in helping you transition from smoker to quitter, so get the prescriptions now: You should start taking bupropion 2 days before your quit date.

If there's a change that will improve your health dramatically and make you live younger, this is the one. Today, start walking your way to kicking butts.