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Mary Ella’s Weekly Message

July 18, 2011

Sticking to Your Quit

Most parts of the U.S have had some sweltering temperatures over the last couple of weeks. Where I live on the East Coast, we’ve had some heat advisories telling folks to seek shelter some place with air conditioning and to drink lots of water and rest often in the shade if you must be outside. Hearing that led me to think about finding “shelter” when the going gets tough in your process of becoming smokefree. There are some good analogies in these tips for staying smokefree.

When it's hot outside, it’s important to rest. When becoming smokefree, it’s also important to rest. What are you doing to take breaks when the going gets tough? Are you taking a moment when you feel a craving to review your reasons for quitting? Are you walking away from a stressful situation to gather your wits and take a few deep breaths? Are you listening to the relaxation exercises? You can also allow yourself an extra 15 minutes to go to bed early.

On hot days, it’s important to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water. Drinking water is also important when becoming smokefree. It helps flush the nicotine out of your system and prevents fatigue caused by dehydration. Any kind of drink is better than nothing, but nothing hydrates you better than water. If water by itself isn’t appealing to you, add a few drops of fresh lemon or lime juice to a glass. It’s refreshing. Try your best to drink eight 8 oz. glasses of water every day. Water can also help to curb your appetite; drink a glass before every meal to help avoid weight gain.

Seeking shelter in the shade or air-conditioning on a hot day is important to ward off heat stroke. Here are some "shelters" to take advantage of:

• Reach out for help on the Message Boards when you need it
• Exercise indoors by walking in a mall rather than outside
• Take one of the FDA-approved medications to help with recovery symptoms, and be sure to take all medications as instructed
• Focus on the rewards of becoming smokefree

On a really hot day, taking a rest, drinking plenty of fluids and seeking shelter in a cool place can make the difference between health and heat exhaustion or even heat stroke. Talking with a buddy or venting on the Message Boards and using an FDA-approved medication correctly can also help with a difficult day. These tips can truly make the difference between staying smokefree, having a slip or worst of all, relapsing.

Summer temperatures can be rough but we know the season will only last so long and that things will cool down in the fall. The same is true about quitting smoking. There will probably be some rough spots along the way but keep going! Soon, you’ll begin your new smokefree life and just think how sweet that will be!

This week, pay attention to the three rules of the FFS Online program:

• Read all of the lessons in all of the Modules
• Do all of the recommended activities
• Give and receive support on the Message Boards

I’ll see you on the Message Boards!  :-)  Mary Ella

Don’t forget: If you're in the Premium program and want help fast on the Message Boards, put "HELP NOW" in the subject line of your post. If you're looking to offer help, watch for those, "HELP NOW" posts and alert your other FFS Online buddies to offer some assistance as well.