This past weekend I received my 2010 Womenthealth.gov calendar. It’s really packed with some great information…like this:

New information shows that smoking causes diseases in nearly every organ of the body.  Smoking is linked to diseases such as: leukemia, cataracts, pneumonia, and cancers of the cervix, lung, kidney, pancreas, and stomach. Lunch cancer alone claims the lives of more women than any other cancer.  You must stop smoking to lower your chances of getting these diseases.

Here is what happens in the 15 years health recovery cycle once you quit smoking:

20 Minutes after Quitting

Your heart rate drops

12 Hours after Quitting

The carbon monoxide (a gas that can be toxic) in your blood drops to normal

2 Weeks to 3 Months after Quitting

Your heart attack risk begins to drop

Your lungs are working better

1 to 9 Months after Quitting

Coughing, sinus congestion, fatigue, and shortness of breath decrease

Your lungs start to function better, lowering your risk of lung infections

1 Year after Quitting

Your risk of heart disease is half that of a smoker’s

5 Years after Quitting

Your risk of having a stroke is the same as someone who doesn’t smoke

10 Years after Quitting

Your risk of dying of lung cancer is half that of a smoker’s

Your risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, kidney and pancreas also decreases

15 Years after Quitting

Your risk of heart disease is now the same as someone who doesn’t smoke

Get your Free 2010 Calendar at Womenshealth.gov – This is more information on How to Quit Smoking

The Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco-Free Living is looking for supporters of smoke-free air to come out and be a part of its next statewide media campaign. Film crews will be on site in four cities across the state this week to film to conduct on-camera interviews with volunteers who want to speak up for smoke-free air in Louisiana. Some interviews may be used for the statewide television ad campaign, while others will be featured in a short documentary.

Film producers are looking for supporters of smoke-free environments, especially:

• Office workers
• Restaurant wait staff
• Casino dealers
• Bartenders
• Musicians
• Cocktail waitresses
• Citizens who support smoke-free bars and casinos

While walk-ins are welcome, we encourage those interested in participating in the shoot to RSVP by emailing kdabdoub@lphi.org. Since this film project is being conducted in multiple cities across the state, please specify the city you are in. (The New Orleans shoot is Friday)

Shoot schedule is as follows:

Wednesday, January 27
Randol’s
2320 Kaliste Saloom Rd
Lafayette, LA
12:30 – 3 p.m.

Thursday, January 28
Vincent’s City Club
7132 Florida Boulevard
Baton Rouge, LA
1 – 5:30 p.m.

Friday, January 29
The Republic
828 South Peters Street
New Orleans, LA
1-4:30pm

Telling people they need to quit smoking is pointless.  The questions is: Do you really want to quit smoking? If you can answer “yes” without hesitation, then congratulations – you’re already on your way to being a healthier, happier you with some extra money in your pocket!

I smoked for five years and was nearly at a pack a day. But believe it or not, for me, personally, cold turkey was the way to go. One day, I had my last cigarette and that was it. Not even a “puff.” I’m not going to sugar coat this; the first three weeks were pretty awful. I was very moody and short tempered. To make matters worse…I already deal with an anxiety disorder so when I just up and quit smoking; my panic attacks started happening every day for a couple of weeks. Note: someone without an anxiety disorder does not experience this volume of anxiety. However, I think that these side effects really worked to my advantage in the long run. Every time I’m in a bar and think it would be nice to have a cigarette, I think about how hard it was to quit and how I never ever want to go through that again.

The key to your journey to quit smoking is willpower.  Your willpower to resist and to say no is number one in overcoming a nicotine addiction. There are several different programs that can assist you in quitting, such as nicotine patches which allow you to gradually decrease your nicotine intake, nicotine gum that can help calm cravings or prescriptions such as Chantix. I think that no one road is right for everyone and it never hurts to consult a physician – especially if you’ve been smoking for over 10 years.

There’s even a website dedicated to helping you quit smoking

Here are some tips that worked for me:

Things that help with oral fixation/needing something to do with your hands:

* Chewing Gum
* Holding Chopsticks (sounds weird, but takes concentration and really works!)
* Chewing on/holding straws (if you’re in a bar) or pens (if you’re at work)

Find something productive/healthy to do with your former smoke breaks

* Call your parents or significant other and let them know you are thinking about them
* Find a quiet place to just stand and take a few deep breaths of CLEAN AIR!
* Have a healthy snack break:apples, nuts or loose granola

My advice to anyone who’s serious about quitting: BE STRONG – second to your willpower is your determination. How determine are you to kick this nasty habit and save your life??  Only you can decide to quit and actually go through with it.

Another important thing to know; one moment of weakness will lead to another – the only way to quit is to quit completely. This means no “occasional cigarette when I’m drinking,” no “I’ll only take a drag here and there.” You’re either a smoker or you’re not.

Need a cheerleader? Email me at mhargroder@gmail.com or message me on twitter @heyitsmegan