Day 61

[beth84]

Today, at work, and the sun is shining.  Oh well, another day, another Army dollar, it pays the bills. 

I've had a very upsetting morning with one of my young soldier's.  He is being put out of the army for failure to pass the physical fitness test, he has failed it at least 8 times in the past 12 months.  He's a young man, and used to be a student of my husband's.  He allowed himself to gain A LOT of weight, he is trying to lose it, but also is now not passing the weight standards of the Army for his height and age.  We're not talking a mere 20 Ibs, we are talking a lot of weight.  To add insult to injury, he failed yet another PT test yesterday.  This morning, I had to counsel him on his health and fitness issues.  I no longer than stepped away, had to go to my van and get something and I looked over and saw him smoking with his buddies.  I had no idea he even smoked!!!  I was p.....d, to say the least.  Shame on me, but I walked over to him, took the cigarrette out of his hand, smashed it on the ground, took his pack of cigarrettes and broke them and then proceeded to rip into him like his mama.  Now mind you, my husband and I have treated him like a son since he was 14 years old, he comes from the city and WE have practically raised him, he is like our son!!!

Once I calmed down, I took him back into my office and discussed the manner in a calmer form and proceeded to tell him of my 26 years of smoking and still don't know without a doubt if I am out of the woods.  Basically, at this point, no damage is showing, but I don't know what happens 10 years from now. 

Just wanted to share my day!!! BTW, he stated that he will quit today, we shall see.  I think he's more scarred of my husband finding out.  Nothing we can really do to stop him.  I told him he can fool everyone around him, but he is only fooling him self with lies that cigarrettes bring about, I know, I've used them all.

Blessings,

Beth

[maggie_8-1-2010]

COngrats on your progress Beth! You are doing great! Be sure to protect it tho!

[zinamarie]

Being overweight, I know that is hard.  Have you ever heard of a book called Sugar Blues?  It talks about the addiction to sugar, that a lot of us have, that is just as, if not more controlling then something like cigarettes.  Sugar is in everything, flour, cooking oil, marjarine, processed foods...it's getting better.  For me, being raised on a meat and 'fried potatoes & onions' diet, has been really hard to combat.  I commend you for your patience and understanding with this boy.  As far as the smoking goes, I'm trying to come up with the money to get some business cards that just say becomeanex.org, and hand them out to smokers.  It's non-judgmental.  And no one can remember the names and spelling of a site when just mentioning it.  Hang in there.  Protect Your Quit.

[beth84]

Hi Zina,

It is tough to work with kids from the streets, this is why my  husband and I have practically raised him ourselves.  He got out on his own and because he's never had money before, he has been eating uncontrollably.  He was an incredible athlete until a few years ago.  He also has other issues caused from his environment in the city.  Typical hard headedness and testosterone.  I totally understand the Sugar Blues.  I was recently diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and gluten allergy I was never aware of.  I've had stomach issues my whole life but in those days you didn't go to the doctor for a belly ache or other minor symptoms.  I am now on the celiac diet myself, (my daughter has celiac disease)  thought it came from my husband's side because he has a nephew with it, as well and my husband has other food allergies.  However, found out it was me, all three of my children are allergic to gluten, but only one has celiac.  I only got diagnosed after weeks of various tests, some not so comfortable...to find out that what was probably exacerbating the so called Fibro diagnosis was wheat/gluten.  We eat gluten free at home, but I was eating gluten products outside of normal meal times.  I guess my body just had enough.  Funny as it sounds, I threw the army in a tail spin with this one because I have been in for so many years, they cannot just medically discharge me because they cannot prove I had it when I was younger. LOL  I hope you continue to do well, I'm praying for you with both the sugar and smoking.  Both are tough ones, but you can do it.  I feel a lot better than I did when I started this whole thing.  I like your idea of the business cards, hope you don't mind, I think I might consider the same, this way I don't have to go into so much when someone asks me how I quit.

Blessings,

Beth

[beth84]

Hi Zina,

It is tough to work with kids from the streets, this is why my  husband and I have practically raised him ourselves.  He got out on his own and because he's never had money before, he has been eating uncontrollably.  He was an incredible athlete until a few years ago.  He also has other issues caused from his environment in the city.  Typical hard headedness and testosterone.  I totally understand the Sugar Blues.  I was recently diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and gluten allergy I was never aware of.  I've had stomach issues my whole life but in those days you didn't go to the doctor for a belly ache or other minor symptoms.  I am now on the celiac diet myself, (my daughter has celiac disease)  thought it came from my husband's side because he has a nephew with it, as well and my husband has other food allergies.  However, found out it was me, all three of my children are allergic to gluten, but only one has celiac.  I only got diagnosed after weeks of various tests, some not so comfortable...to find out that what was probably exacerbating the so called Fibro diagnosis was wheat/gluten.  We eat gluten free at home, but I was eating gluten products outside of normal meal times.  I guess my body just had enough.  Funny as it sounds, I threw the army in a tail spin with this one because I have been in for so many years, they cannot just medically discharge me because they cannot prove I had it when I was younger. LOL  I hope you continue to do well, I'm praying for you with both the sugar and smoking.  Both are tough ones, but you can do it.  I feel a lot better than I did when I started this whole thing.  I like your idea of the business cards, hope you don't mind, I think I might consider the same, this way I don't have to go into so much when someone asks me how I quit.

Blessings,

Beth

[mikecity]

Congratulations on 61 days !!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Keep with it !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Ex_Nancy]

Interesting observation from your clinical and LOVING point of view ,and our society's new acceptance of tons of garbage in our food supply....my hubby and I eat some of it, but more often than not, we eat REAL food....it actually costs more too...CONGRATS on 61 DAYS BETH !!!