For Stacie Porter, being a ?quitter? really means being a ?winner?, no doubt about it.? After years of smoking and multiple attempts at quitting, she finally kicked the habit for good.
For many smokers, quitting is one of the hardest things they have ever tried to do in their life.? But for those that quit, it was by far the best decision they ever made.? For Stacie, her decision to finally quit came out of the encouragement of one very special little person in her life- her daughter.? Stacie remembers losing her own Mom to lung cancer and did not want the same thing to happen to her daughter.? She knew her little girl needed her and needed her healthy for a very long time.? Eventually the pleas and unfounded wisdom of this 8 year old was enough for Stacie to say ?ok, I will do it?.
Try, Try, and Try again
Like millions of other smokers, Stacie had made several attempts to quit smoking, but according to her, these attempts were half-hearted and uncommitted.? She had tried everything from cutting back, the prescription medication Chantix and even e-cigarettes, but without accountability or support, it was a losing battle.? Something was missing.? Something was keeping her from quitting, but she just wasn?t sure what it was.? Eventually, she always went back to smoking and this was easier since she was married to a smoker.
Support: The missing link
Once Stacie made up her mind to quit smoking for good, she found out about a Smoking Cessation program at work.? This program not only offered free medication, 6 weeks of free classes and support but also Wellness Points. This may be just the answer she needed.? She signed up and the rest is history?well, almost.
For Stacie, the easiest part of the program was going to class. She loved learning all the great tricks and techniques that help to ward off cravings.? She was taught to change her thought process and learned how to cope with some of the side effects from the medication.? The hardest part was thinking that she could never, ever smoke again.? Eventually she made peace with herself and realized that she never, ever wanted to smoke again.
The missing piece of the puzzle for Stacie was the support she received from her group.? She used to think that quitting smoking was a private matter, but eventually realized that sharing her struggle with others and allowing others to support her was the best thing!? She also found strength in accountability.? She knew that if she smoked, she not only let herself down, but she let the others in her group down too.? After about 6 weeks of class and smoke-free living, she felt confident to be on her own.? She left armed with a hot line number and a long list of phone numbers and email address of the new friends she had made along the way. Stacie continues to avoid triggers (just to be on the safe side) such as smoky places and people that smoke. ?She still has a few friends and family members who smoke, but she insists they do not smoke in or near her house.? They all must smoke outside.
Sweet Rewards
Well, Stacie knows how to do it right.? One of the many rewards she now has from being a ?quitter? is a new car!? With all the money she saved not buying cigarettes and a strong desire to NOT get into a smelly car, she bought a new one.? In addition to this, she enjoys being able to taste and smell and most of all, BREATHE!? But, can you guess which smell she now hates? You guessed it, cigarettes!
One Good Habit Deserves Another
It seems as though quitting smoking did more for Stacie than just improve her health and life expectancy.? It has given her confidence she never knew she had and has propelled her into incorporating more healthy habits into her life and setting goals for herself she never imaged.? She now enjoys eating healthy foods and exercising.? She has even enrolled in college and plans to pursue her degree!
Her Advice to Smokers
Make the decision to quit, but seek out support.? For her, the winning combination was medication, education and SUPPORT.? She swears had she sought out support sooner, she would have been able to quit years ago.? But, she is now a former smoker and has made herself and her daughter, very, very proud.
We are all very proud of you too Stacie!!
Do you have an inspirational story about reaching a health or wellness goal? If you are interested in sharing your story on the GuideWell blog, please reach out to Victoria at Victoria [dot] Edwards [at] GuideWell [dot] com.
Marie Norton, M.A. is the Clinical Health Writer for GuideWell and has over 20 years of experience working in Exercise Science and Health Education.Source: http://blog.guidewell.com/stacies-story-the-key-to-quitting-smoking-successfully/
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