46 ~ Sundzy, April 26, 1992 — North Shore News Fear is a four-letter word A FEW weeks ago I mentioned that the mere thought of quitting smoking invoked panic in me (and whenever I fei: panicked I’d reach for a smoke). Without a doubt, fear was one of the major reasons why I put off quitting smoking for so long. To put it bluntly, I was a coward. It was easier to hide behind a blue haze of smoke and inflict a siow death on myself than it was to confront the horror of giving up cigarettes. But my day of discontinuance arrived and it was time to face my fears. What was it abcut quitting smoking that I was so afraid of? Lots of things. I was afraid of the agony of withdrawal. I was afraid of gain- ing weight. I was afraid of becom- * ing an emotional wreck. I was afcaid of losing something that was familiar to me. I was afraid of failure. But mostly, I was afraid of change. Since I had lived more of my life as a smoker than I had as a non-smoker, the habit was associuted with practically everything | did. Simple everyday actions always included a ciga- rette. - “Therefore, quitting smoking was not ‘just amatter of never smok- ing again — it meant a major * shift in my lifestyle. : _\ HE had to do things differently so ‘. L could avoid triggers that would " prompt me to reach for a ciga- - rette, I needed to shake up all my routines and transform them into new habits that didn’t include smoking. I didn’t want it to come as a total shock when my quit day ar- * fived, so I started making the : Film auction will be held "” From page 37 “‘Every day 300 kids get off the By Robyn Brown Contributing Writer changes last month while I was still cutting down. I started exer- cising more, getting proper rest and eating healthier foods. With the big changes already under way, I’ve only had to make little adjustments since quitting smoking. Little things, like taking time out to relax and drinking tea instead cf coffee. I’ve also started to spend more Make the craving Here are some tips on what cigarette: time in places that I used to avoid — public non-smoking places. Of ail the changes I’ve made, by far the hardest was giving up my daily ritual of having a cup of coffee and a cigarette while I read the morning newspaper. I couldn’t imagine any other way to start my day. However, now when I get up in the morning the first thing I do, depending on the weather, is put on a T-shirt, shorts and helmet and go out for a bicycle ride. Not only does this wake me up, but my heart and lungs get 2 good workout. After my ride, I go home and read the newspaper while I eat breakfast, a meal that I always to do when you crave a » EXERCISE decreases the nvraber ‘of urges you get, and increases your chances of success. Try walking, riding a bike, stretching, swimming or jumping rope. » KEEP BUSY to take your mind off smoking and keep your. hands occupied. Almost anything works. Doodle, work.on a hobby, take a shower, write a letter or do a crossword puzzle. ®» REWARD YOURSELF with a special treat — a good restaurant meal or an-evening out — paid for with the money you’ve saved by not smoking. » ACTER YOUR ROUTINES so that certain activities are no ionger associated with smoking. This can include mov- ing your television or reading your newspaper in a dif- _ferent place than usual. »PHONE YOUR FRIENDS when the urge to smoke gets strong. They can talk you through the craving and remind you how determined you were on quit-day. & WAIT OUT the craving for five or six minutes, and you'll feel the urge fade away. Concern yourself only with today. Tomorrow will take care of itself. & DON’T WORRY about later because it’s only the current craving you need to deal with. Take quitting one step at a time, and ycu will quit. ® REMEMBER WHY you're doing this. List your five — most important reasons for quitting, and review and up- date them when you have a craving. — Reprinted from the B.C. Lung Association’s ‘‘Tips to Help You Quit for Good.”’ used to skip when I was a smoker. Surprisingly, these lifestyle changes, which I so feared to make, have turned into a positive experience -~ though not easy, it’s been less difficult and more pleas- ant than IJ thought it would be. Franklin Roosevelt was right when he said: *‘The only thing to fear is fear itself."’ As long as I dwelled on my fears, I was always able to find an excuse not to quit smoking. P.S. To the person who sent me the note last Tuesday: I wish you Quit to Win April 10 to May 31 would identify yourself. Anyway, thanks for the words of en- - couragement — I really appreciate it. June 14, B.C. Place Look for details in the award- winning North Shore NOW section in Wednesday’s North: Shore News» bus looking for stardom. That’s why I resent the name — we'll never be Hollywood North, “No -one would ever equate New York as ‘Hollywood East,’ ’’ he says. ‘‘Vancouver should be | proud that it’s.:able to produce more films than anywhere eise in Canada. Let’s just be the Van- couver film industry.” -- A gala dinner kicks off the three-day exposition on Thursday. .°* Audiences (the dinner is open to _ the public). will get a sneak preview of Movie Magic and be ‘treated to the world premiere of The Making of K2, an adven- ture-documentary. that was shot at Mount Waddington, B.C., last summer. “*There will be search lights, red carpet, the press will be there. 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