Krista Durand, Health Promotion Manager Esquimalt &  Dana Brothers, Addiction Educator, Force Health Protection

The 2010 March 1st I Quit Campaign kicked off on 20 January with a challenge to tobacco users who would like to stop using for at least the month of March.

It  provides incentives, social support and tools to assist CF Personnel to become tobacco free. Non users who want to support someone taking the challenge can also participate and be eligible to win one of the many prizes available.

This campaign is part of the Canadian Forces Health and Physical Fitness Strategy which states that the adoption and maintenance of a healthy lifestyle by CF personnel is a critical component to success in operations.

Being tobacco-free is a key component to good health and part of an addiction-free lifestyle.

PO2 Keith Myler is a shining example of how anyone can succeed in quitting smoking and enjoy the many benefits of this very important life decision.

After living as a smoker for 30 years, he participated in the Butt Out program and I Quit Campaign in 2009 and has successfully been tobacco-free for almost a year.

Quitting smoking has been a life changing event for Keith, who, at the time, was turning 46 and he has witnessed first-hand the immediate and longer term benefits after he quit.

Four days after taking the challenge, Keith attempted his physical fitness test and, to his surprise, he achieved an exempt status for two years.

This instant change in his breathing helped motivate him to soldier on through the roughest parts and, for the following three months, Keith continued to use nicotine patches to help with the cravings.

However, he says that his personal method of rewarding himself for not smoking was even more important in helping him to win the battle.

Keith immediately engaged in new activities that included second language training, kayaking, and a more active fitness routine.

He says that the one activity that has most helped in keeping him disinterested in cigarettes was ballroom dancing.

Keith and his wife Sandra started dance classes with a ballroom dance club and completed several levels of training.

Keith continued to challenge himself with several styles of dance and has now found his way onto a local Latin dance performance group.

He is so convinced of the benefits of dance for social, physical and mental fitness that he has taken steps with PSP to launch a base recreation dance sport club at CFB Esquimalt.

Keith will tell you that he replaced one bad habit with several new activities that are enriching his life and improving his health and well-being.

He also says that the support he received was very important.

He was greatly comforted by the patience and sincere understanding of addictions that he received from his family and from others who helped him (probably more than they realize), such as medical, dental and nutrition staff; some of Naden’s PSP staff; and the life guard who noticed one day that his nicotine patch was no longer on his arm.

Keith has absolutely no interest in smoking again and says to any smoker, young or older:

“Just simply try to stop and, most importantly, do something better for yourself.”

Thanks Keith, you are a great National Role Model!

As published in Safety Digest, Edition 1/2010.

For more information on the March 1st, I Quit Campaign or to register please see: http://hr.ottawa-hull.mil.ca/health-sante/iquit-jarrete/default-eng.asp or contact Health Promotion at 4150/4995/4160.