38 - Sunday, May 3, 1992 — North Shore News Burning calories, not cigarettes IT’S NOW been four weeks since I quit smoking, and while my craving for cigarettes has slowiy decreased, the same cannot be said about my craving for food. This comes as no surprise. | Cigarettes: were always a great appetite suppressant for me. Many ‘times when I used to light up, it wasn’t because I had the urge to smoke, but because | was hungry. However, I'm not the type of Quit te Win April 10 to May 31 woman who is preoccupied with being thin, or anything like that. My use of cigarettes as an appetite suppressant had less to do with weight control than it did with just plain laziness. it took much less time and energy to smoke a cigarette than it did to prepare and eat a meal. On - tep of that, I didn’t have dishes to wash when I was finished. So, ever since I quit smoking, I’ve turned to the only logical alternative to satisfy my hunger — eating! : It’s true what many ex-smokers say about food tasting better. My taste buds have been revived! Everything tastes incredibly ' delicious. Although I was somewhat con- cerned about gaining weight when HELP’S AT Hand, by North Shore Community Services (NSCS), .is a forum for discussing government policies and pro- “grams, benefits, consumer and legal rights, taxation and public services. Answers are intended only as a general guide and should not be applied to individual cases without further consultation. * Question: I am trying to obtain credit, but I already have substaa- tial debts. I probably won't quali- fy for a bank loan. Are there either places where I can get money on credit? I've seen adver- tisements by companies or people who say they will arrange a loan for me. Should I give them a try? Answer: You shouid regard with extreme caution claims made by companies or individuals who say that they can obtain a loan for you. We are told by Consumer and Corporate Affairs that many By Robyn Brown Contributing Writer I quit smoking, I've decided not to worry about it. If I should happen to pit on a few pounds, then I will deal with that later. Right now [ necd to concentrate on not smoking. But that’s not to say that f’m not taking any precautions. I do want to keep my weight gain to a minimum. Rather than worry about how much | eat, ! am concentrating more on what I eat. I’ve replaced chips and chocolate bars and other junk-food snacks with raw vegetables, fruit, sunflower seeds and bread sticks. When I find myself reaching for a snack, not because I’m hungry but because 1 want something in my mouth, then I chew on a piece of gum or a coffee stir stick. I also have a smokeless cigarette alternative called ‘‘Paipo,’’ which is a plastic stick filled with herb extracts. (Can be bought at Pharmasave in Edgemont Village.) Throughout the day, and before each meal, I drink a large glass of ice water. As soon as I finish eating a meal, I get up from the table and immediately go brush my teeth. Then f clean up my dishes. Apart from changing to a new healthy diet, I’ve also gotten into a regular fitness routine. I try to do at least two 45- minute workouts a week, using weights, a stationary bicycle and a rowing machine. Last week, 1 wrote about my morning bicycle rides. As well, f ride my bike at other times whenever possible — to run er- rands, to commute to work, etc. I figured that by getting lots of exercise { would burn more calo- ries, which would offset the in- Quitting and weight cain: _ Many smokers wosry about gaining weight when they stop smoking. Research shows that one-third of quitters gain weight, one- third actually lose weight, and one-third stay the same weight. Substituting food for cigarettes can cause the problem. In- stead of reaching for high-calorie, sugar-laden snacks, eat a piece of fruit, a high-fibre snack, or drink a glass of water. Remember, for each package of cigarettes smoked ‘daily, ‘there is as much wear and tear on your body as carrying 65 extra pounds. — Reprinted from the B.C. Lung Association's “7 Days to Freedom.”" to $400 to loan brokers, only to lose out on both the loan and the deposit. Remember that you should never have to pay a fee or make an advance deposit to anyone at- tempting to obtain a loan for you. When seeking credit it is impor- tant to shop around with reputa- ble companies and compare loan rates. If you are unsure about the reputation of a particular establishment, ask lots of ques- tions. If you're still unsure, con- tact the Better Business Bureau (682-2711) for a reference check. Before borrowing money always find out the. total cost, including any fees and interest. If you are refinancing, ensure that the total cost of the loan is cheaper than the costs of the current debt. You say that you already have substantial debts. Are you sure that obtaining further credit is the best idea? It can be very tempting especially in hard economic times, but maybe the added pressure of an increased debt isn’t what you need right now. Most financial advisors recom- mend that people have a savings reserve to last a couple of months in case of iMness or job loss, and although that is nearly impossible for most people, it is something to keep in mind. One option that you can con- sider is to make an appointment with a debt counsellor at the Deb- tor Assistance Branch by calling 660-3550. They will assist you in arranging a repayment plan and help you work out a_ personal budget. You will also find that many financial institutions can offer you advice or printed material on gen- eral money management. This column is prepared with financial assistance from the Notary Foundation. For more in- crease in the amount [’m eating. But there have been other benefits as well, Exercise takes my mind off smoking, it reduces stress and ten- sion, it keeps me from getting too restless, and it repairs some of the damage I’ve caused to my heart and lungs from my years of smok- ing. . Besides that, there is one more benefit from exercise: As long as I Stay active -—- cycling, working out, gic. — it keeps me away from the refrigerator door! Featuring: EDTA Chelation Therapy Find out about the non-surgical treatment for improving circulation and slowing the aging process WEST VANCOUVER SENIORS’ ACTIVITY CENTRE 695 21ST STREET, (CORNER OF MARINE DR.) WEST VANCOUVER, B.C. WEDNESDAY, MAY 6th, 1992 7:20 PM TO 9:30 PM COME EARLY, SEATING LIMITED Columbia . _ _ Speech & Language Services MAY “BETTER SPEECH AND HEARING MONTH” and as a public service we are offering Educational Workshops: Introduction to - Foreign Accent Reduction - May 6, 1992 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. - Speech Problems after Stroke - May 13, 1992 7:00 to 8:30 pm. - Speech Delays In Children - May 27, 1992 780 to 8:30 pm. Complimentary consultations: with a Certified Speech Language Pathologist people have paid deposits of $250 to live beyond our means, formation call NSCS at 985-7138. To register please call 875-9100 REGISTRATION IS LIMITED SO CALE SOONI!! TOTHE SALVATION ARMY ON MONDAY When our volunteer knocks at your door. Or mail donations to § the 1992 Red Shield Appeal. G1-198 West lastings Street. Vancouver, B.C. a God Knows You Can Make A Difference |