Featured Stories

Quit Smoking Testimonial

Diane Evans is the grand prize winner for the 2008 Quit Smoking Challenge and the prize presentation took place on March 6th 2009, in St.Catharines.

Left to right: Chris Arnott, Motoring to Wellness coordinator,
Tom Laing former local committee chair, St.Catharines,
Diane Evans, winner of the grand prize and
Jason Copeland, new chair local committee St.Catharines

"I have been a smoker for about 20 years. I've tried to quit once before, about 17 years ago, but that quit attempt lasted only for about 6 months. Over the years I had often thought about quitting, but the time just wasn't right for me.

I was laid off in January 2008 from the truck plant, in Oshawa. When I was called back as summer help, I was stationed next to someone who had quit smoking. He had a very positive influence on me. I started looking at my own pattern of smoking, and tried breaking little habits, starting by cutting back. I was tired and found it stressful always rushing outside to smoke on my 10 minute breaks, so this really helped me reduce the amount I smoked.

In September, I noticed the Health and Wellness people at the plant taking registrations for the Quit Smoking Challenge. I knew I was going to be laid off at the end of the month, and so together with my husband, we signed up for the Motoring to Wellness Quit Smoking program. We decided to try the quit smoking medication called Champix. This, along with the pharmacist support, the quit smoking support package, and having the desire to quit, made this attempt a successful one. Our Quit date was Oct. 12, 2008, and we've been smoke-free since.

Dealing with the cravings was more difficult initially, but in time they were easier to overcome. I found using positive self-talk to be very helpful. I got through each craving, by telling myself that it will pass in a few minutes. Drink water and do a lot of deep breathing, it really works! My husband Shawn dealt with his cravings by eating caramels for the first little while.

I've noticed a lot of changes since I've quit smoking. I have more money, I'm not coughing all of the time, I can breathe better and food tastes better. I was really concerned about the weight gain - I've never had a weight problem, but I also didn't want to start having a problem now. To deal with this, Shawn and I planned ahead and agreed to being more active each day. I've started jogging, and my husband works out more. We found that physical activity and quitting smoking go hand in hand. We're just more health conscious all around. It's great that my 2 sons, who we jokingly called the 'smoke-police' don't have to disapprove of our smoking. It's just not really accepted anymore.

Our quitting smoking has had a positive impact on a number of people close to us. My brother-in-law has quit smoking. Even my husband's 75yr old aunt has quit smoking. She feels much better, has more energy and an easier time breathing.

If you are still a smoker, the most important or helpful thing is to want to quit. You may wish you could quit smoking, but think or feel that you can't. But you really can - just don't give up. You really can become a non-smoker!"

Quit Smoking Testimonial
By Tymara Brannagan

The decision to quit smoking was a personal one for me. After smoking a pack a day for 33 years (I’m 47) I had reached a point where I hated my cigarettes as much as I loved them. I grew tired and disgusted with the addiction of it. I had never attempted to quit before this attempt and the program General Motors offered appealed to me.

Dan Garneau, a member of the Windsor Transmission Motoring to Wellness Committee, presents
the $1,000 Canadian Tire Gift Certificate Grand Prize to Tymara Brannagan and Debra Doman.

I wrote down 10 reasons to quit smoking and I looked at this list often. I’m 5 months smoke free but I couldn’t have done this alone. The support of my partner exceeded my expectations. She’s the main reason I remain smoke free. The program General Motors offered had NRT (nicotine replacement therapy) and a pharmacist-counsellor – at no cost to me. I also phoned a government help-line for people in the process of quitting smoking. I was able to utilize every resource available to me.

There were physical changes that happened within hours of my last cigarette. There are psychological changes that happen to this day. If I had one piece of advice to give people interested in quitting smoking it would be to seek out “former smokers” who were successful and listen to what they suggest. Take advantage of every non-smoking aide that is available. Good Luck.

Tymara Brannagan