Tiffany Minichino is the Community Outreach and Education worker at Women’s Health & Counseling Center (WHCC). For more information call 908-526-2335 X132.

TOPICS

Smoking

Pay It Forward: A new kind of resolution

for your 2008 health goals

Appeared Sunday, January 6, 2008

Every twelve months, that same day rolls around…New Year’s eve.  And as we stand there, drinks lifted high counting backward from 10, we proudly announce our plans for a resolution to any and every available ear. 

Maybe we’ll lose weight, eat healthier meals, get ourselves to a gym, stop smoking, spend more time with our families or take the steps towards that promotion at work.  Whatever the case, most of us make these personal resolutions, but how many of us find that we haven’t stuck to it or maybe even don’t remember what last year’s resolution was when another New Year’s Eve rolls around? 

Many of us never follow through with those character improvements we tend to make for ourselves each year, leaving us with feelings of frustration and failure. 

However, I’d like to suggest something different –a mix of that healthier you with a little twist – and this is something that might work. So next year, when 2009 is about to begin, you might find yourself saying, “Wow, I followed through with my New Year’s resolution and did so successfully.”  

Now, this movie is “old” – about 8 years passed now.  But if you’ve ever seen Pay It Forward (based on a book of the same name) the idea is simple.  A person does one good thing for another.  The receiver cannot re-pay this person.  Instead, they are encouraged to pay it forward and do one good thing for someone else.  And so on, and so forth. 

So, last weekend I was surfing through the channels and I paused when I saw that movie on.  I watched casually for a few minutes, and then it hit me.  This will be my New Year’s resolution for 2008.  Enough with the empty promises to myself; this is something I can actually do!  And you know what?  You can, too.

Now, let us not forfeit those healthy ideals altogether.  Making a resolution geared towards self-improvement is certainly a significant ambition.  So, how about this? If you’re looking for a healthier you, see below for some tips on how to incorporate the “pay it forward” technique into an improved health routine.

• When you go for a walk or join a gym, bring a friend along – it’s a great way to help another feel good and you’ll get that quality time in that you’ve been missing, too!

• If you’re out with friends and in a rush, consider suggesting a stop at the nearest Subway instead of other typical fast food locations – you will have helped yourself and a friend to save on calories and fat – and you’ll feel great with yourself and the company you’re with afterwards. 

• Need a push to join that weight loss program you’ve been eyeing?  It’s the start of a new year and most places run discounted rates.  Grab a friend, lose those pounds and be proud.  You’ll have helped yourself and motivated a friend along the way!

Now, I know what you’re thinking.  What about those people that break the chain?  Some people will, but others will still reach out and touch more people than you can probably imagine. 

There are many ways to affect a person – a hug, a smile, a simple way to motivate a friend, or a quick hello to that person walking towards you down the street.  When they smile back, just ask them to pay it forward.  And when all of those little things add up come the end of the year, you’ll have a healthier you inside and out…and you might just be pleasantly surprised at the results!

Go Smoke Free

Appeared Sunday, November 11, 2007

How old were you when you tried a cigarette for the first time?  Were you at the schoolyard, at a friend’s house, or in your own home? 

Even though my parents may be reading, I’ll take the risk and spill the beans.  I was twelve years-old when I “took a drag” off of someone else’s cigarette.  Thankfully, the attempt repulsed me and I never included smoking into my daily routine. 

However, there are many Americans who have a different story.  Maybe it was the first time that turned them on, maybe the second or third, but whatever the case over 45.8 million Americans are tobacco smokers today.

Cigarette smoking is responsible for approximately 90 percent of all lung cancer deaths in the United States each year. And while the percentage of smokers is greater among males than females, this is still the most preventable cause of death overall. 

Often, you may hear people say they “want to quit, but they don’t have the time” or “they’ve tried to quit, but they just can’t”.  

And then we’ve all heard this before:  If you quit smoking, you will gain weight.  And like we now hear all too often, other side effects may include mild headaches, restlessness, mild anxiety or depression. 

Put aside all that nay-saying in November, National Lung Cancer Awareness Month, and join the Great American Smokeout instead. 

Each year since 1977, the Great American Smokeout is held on the third Thursday of November.  This year, current smokers will be challenged to kick their habit on Nov. 15. 

Mark Twain once said, “Quitting smoking is easy.  I’ve done it a thousand times.”  So, maybe you need some tips to make this time the last time.  And even if it is your thousandth attempt like fellow Mr. Twain, it may be worth the try, right? 

But first, here are some quick facts on smoking and women:

·        Current female smokers aged 35 or older are 12 times more likely than nonsmoking females to die prematurely from lung cancer

·        Annually, cigarette smoking kills an estimated 178,408 women in the United States

·        Prevalence of current smoking in 2005 among adult female populations was highest among non-Hispanic whites

Now, some tips to help you put that pack down:

·        Ask for help.  Quitting isn’t easy.  Enlist the support of your family, friends, and co-workers.  Having someone to simply just talk with can make a world of difference

·        Choose the time that is right for you.  Don’t try to quit during an especially stressful time or around special holidays

·        Exercise daily – this can help reduce the stress of quitting.  Start small and go for a walk each evening.  Exercise is a great way to boost spirits and keep trim too.

Of course, there are many tips out there for those that want to quit.  Listed above are just a few to help along the way. 

Smoking cessation has greatly increased throughout the past couple of decades and continues to increase today.  Let us strengthen this trend and alter our routines, starting with just one day.  On November 15^th, forget the in-crowd and join the out-crowd…the Great American Smokeout. 

Visit http://www.cancer.org/ for more information on the Great American Smokeout and other helpful tips to quit. 

Information and statistics found within this article were adapted from the American Lung Association Trends in Tobacco Use, June 2007 and the American Lung Association website, www.lungusa.org.