One of my blog-related dreams has come true… I’ve been invited to be a quit-buddy! Yep – I’m about to have some company on this ride – just in time for rush hour.
Saturday, January 8th marks the start of the BC Lung Association’s Quit Now and Win contest, or at least the start of the four-week period during with contestants must remain tobacco-free in order to be eligible to win. (There’s still time to enter, the deadline is Friday.)
My good friend Dana (I’m not going to completely ‘out’ her just yet by giving her last name) called me this week to let me know that she’s signed up… and since I’ve got almost 8 weeks of tobacco-freedom under my belt, she’s asked me to be her quit buddy. I agreed, and a short time later I got my marching orders in an email from QuitNow and Win…
”Your support can make all the difference in helping your friend quit using tobacco. Here are some tips to help you support your buddy:
- Believe in the person’s ability to become an ex-tobacco user.
- Show your friend that you care. Ask how you can help and follow their advice.
- Express confidence in them and reward their efforts.
- Ask how it’s going and be a good listener.
- Help them keep busy and avoid the temptation to smoke.
- Be understanding, don’t nag, lecture or put down a smoker. Quitting isn’t easy.
- Do say: How’s your day going? Don’t say: Did you smoke today?”
I am so ready to be the best support buddy I can be. And she’s ready, too – nicotine replacement therapy products purchased, reading materials on quitting downloaded, and husband officially on notice.
Sure, there’s money on the line… but I can honestly say that I hope Dana wins. I’ve already received a couple of the ‘other’ grand prizes… Kudos from the kids, my lungs have thanked me, and indoor coffee breaks. The cash would just be icing on the cake!
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