Smoking Cessation

Bob Rector

For the first half of his life, Bob was living an unhealthy lifestyle.  Although never overweight, he smoked a pack and a half of cigarettes a day, ate mainly meat and potatoes, and rarely visited a doctor.   Then one day, while enjoying a cigarette, he caught his son watching him smoke.  It struck him that he was providing his son with a poor example.  So, with the help of his wife, his new family doctor, and friends, he quit smoking and embarked on a new healthier lifestyle.

After Bob quit smoking he took up running which eventually led to doing marathons.  Initially, the greatest challenge for Bob was being able to stay focused.  According to Bob, “I had friends that I looked up to because of their healthy lifestyle so that helped, as well as I used running to get that ‘cleansed’ feeling to replace any nicotine fix I may have wanted.” 

Since Bob’s health overhaul, he now goes to the doctor every six months for a physical, runs at least 5 days a week with a 10 mile trail run on the weekends, eats more fruits, vegetables, and lean meats, and drinks more water.  At age 61, Bob has been doing this routine for 20 years now.     

Bob’s top three tips:

1. In order to kick the habit, find a healthier alternative to replace cravings, such as running.
2. Learn to develop a healthy mind.  By altering your approach and mindset, you will make the transition into the new, healthier you much easier.
3. Walk the walk and talk the talk.  Instead of just talking about what you’re going to do, just do it! 

Paula J. Bourbonnais

In 1995, Paula lost a very dear friend to a sudden heart attack – her friend was only 42 years old.  This was Paula’s wake-up call.  At the time, she herself was overweight; she smoked, drank, and participated in other unhealthy habits.  After losing her best friend, Paula recognized she needed to start making some changes.

First, she joined a fitness center which has since become the Hockessin Athletic Club.  However, when embarking on her exercise program, Paula developed some chest pain.  In the midst of the medical testing for her chest pain, Paula made a pact with herself that she would never smoke another cigarette.  After smoking for 20 years, Paula simply quit.   

Unfortunately, after quitting smoking, Paula put on 25-30 pounds.  To combat the weight gain, Paula began working out earnestly.  Currently Paula is about 20 pounds lighter and plans to lose another 10-15 pounds.  She has recently taken up dancing, and has also acquired a new boyfriend. 

Paula’s tips for success:

1. Take baby steps – these issues didn’t occur overnight and they aren’t going to be cured overnight either.
2. Make it a lifestyle change and not a quick fix.
3. Little adjustments in your diet can go a long way.   

Bob Glaser

According to his wife, Sandra, Bob Glaser is “80 years young”.  Bob will be 81 in October 2008, and his wife reports that he doesn’t look or feel his age.  Bob quit smoking 15 years ago after a severe bout of bronchitis that caused him excessive coughing and difficulty breathing. 
It was a combination of factors that helped Bob quit - group hypnosis, meditation, and willpower.  He remembers satisfying his cravings for a cigarette by snacking on licorice and peanuts.

Overall, Bob maintains a healthy lifestyle.  He keeps up to date with his multiple doctors’ appointments, moderates his alcohol intake, eats healthy and stays active.  On any given day, you can find him at the Newark Senior Center participating in aqua therapy, or out playing golf.
Bob is glad that he quit, and reveals that he feels better physically.  He also points out that he has much more money in his pocket.  Another bonus is the freedom he now feels, not being addicted to cigarettes. 

He does face some challenges – his wife continues to smoke, and he still occasionally gets the urge to smoke.  He reminds himself, however, just how much better he feels since quitting.

Bob’s top 3 tips for quitting smoking:

1. Keep busy and keep your mind active – read the newspaper, play Sudoku, read a  book, etc.. 
2. Use hobbies to deal with stress – Bob enjoys drawing.
3. Stay positive -    Life is short - enjoy it, all day, every day, with gratitude.

Mike Mulvena

Mike, age 55, smoked for 37 years - sometimes up to four packs a day.  Not once during those years did he consider quitting.  Finally, one day Mike woke up and decided he owed it to himself to at least give it a try.  At his doctor’s appointment, Mike discussed various cessation methods, e.g. nicotine gum, the patch, etc.  Instead, Mike decided to go cold turkey.  His quit date was April 15th, 2007. 

Sixteen months later Mike has not had a single cigarette.  Mike said, “My game plan was to take it one day at a time.  Just try to make it through the first day, if I succeeded, than try to make it through the second, etc.”  He was able to accomplish this method for 10 days.  At that point he realized that he really could do this.   

Since quitting, Mike has picked up power walking, doing roughly 2.6 miles every day.  He tries to push himself as much as he can and is now able to do the 2.6 miles under 34 minutes.     

When asked about what his greatest challenge was, Mike stated, “Getting through the weekends was the worst.”  In addition, on day 35 he thought he was going to give in and smoke again.  With perseverance, he made it through that day.     

Mike’s advice to others interested in quitting smoking:

1.  Have the guts to at least try it once.
2.  Do it in small steps – think one day at a time.
3. Just tell people, “Life is so much better without cigarettes.”

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