Project Description
Marie, NS, Canada
Length of Smoking: 40 yrs.
Amount Smoked: 20 cigs
Quit Day: On the arrival day before coming
“I don’t have wheezing; I don’t have shortness of breath. I just can’t believe it. I know I don’t have COPD now. I don’t get out of breath, there’s no problem with physical activity. I’ve been doing yoga, fitness classes, going for walks. I feel really proud and good about myself now. I’m glad I won’t have to be embarrassed and ashamed anymore.”
Improvements with: Breathing/Lung Issues, COPD, Grief, Heart Healing, Quit Smoking, Unhealthy Lifestyle Habits.
| Before | After |
|---|---|
| I tired to quit smoking many times over the years. I have been smoking for about 40 years. I smoked about a pack a day. I tried to quit many times over, and was recently diagnosed with COPD, for which I was given an inhaler. I was coughing violently, I couldn’t laugh, I couldn’t walk, go up/down the stairs, and I was afraid that I was going to die. | Being at Fresh Start for less then a week in, I could breathe better, do things again, and I wasn’t coughing anymore, it was absolutely amazing. |
| I craved cigarettes. I wanted one so bad. I was so disappointed in myself, as I had no willpower to stop, so I would give in. | As soon as I left (for Fresh Start) I decided not to bring any cigarettes with me, that was the start. I craved a lot, but I had my mind made up, and I had to get healthy. I was given supplements that took away my cravings. What helped the most was the steams. I could breathe in and out, and I could finally feel that I was breathing again. The steam made me feel that I was cleaning my body, it made me feel hopeful. |
| I was ashamed of myself (for smoking), I was embarrassed. It affected my self-esteem. I asked myself… “Why can’t I control this? Why can’t I quit? Why was I doing this?” I isolated myself because of it (also because of the grief for my son). I didn’t want anyone to see me coughing. Isolating made me smoke even more. I used to hide it (I never smoked when I went anywhere). I would smoke when I was home. Every time I tried (to quit), I thought what am I going to do with myself? It was my activity, my companion, my friend, so I didn’t know if I would be even able to quit. | I feel proud of myself for doing it. I feel it deep in my heart that I will never smoke again. I don’t ever want to be that unhealthy again. I feel really proud and good about myself now. I’m glad I won’t have to be embarrassed and ashamed anymore. |
| I have not been able to be active for some years, and have let myself go. | I was always an active person. I can be active again. I don’t get out of breath, there’s no problem with physical activity. I’ve been doing yoga, fitness classes, going for walks. |
| I couldn’t take deep breaths. I was wheezing. It was terrible. I couldn’t sign. I couldn’t play with my grandchildren. I would loose my breath, I would start coughing and my grandchildren would look at me. | I can keep a tune again. I can sing again. I can breathe again. I feel wonderful, it’s just amazing (the difference). I haven’t coughed hardly at all since I stopped smoking. I coughed maybe the first 2-3 days, and haven’t coughed since. Every now and then I would get a tickle, have a little cough. Bringing out the old staff that I need to get rid of. But now it’s useful cough, because you know you’re getting rid of the bad mucus that the smoking caused. Now it’s not a constant cough, it’s not a chronic cough, it doesn’t happen all the time. I rarely cough at all, and it’s good when I cough now because I feel I’m clearing my lungs. |
| I was at Fresh Start 5 years ago, and I quit smoking for about 8 months. Unfortunately, my son passed away and I started smoking again, and continued to smoke after that. My smoking got worst, and I smoked more and more. My biggest challenge was grief. It was very painful. I have been loathing in my self pity. I have been smoking, drinking wine at night, crying, thinking about painful memories. I had that baggage. | I found the therapists here have been wonderful, I have been able to talk to them about it. Particularly yoga and meditation have been helpful for me. The meditation in particular has helped me to breath and keep myself present (so that I am not always thinking about the painful memories of the past). I used the meditation methods and breathing, to bring myself back to present, and painful memories go away. That’s been really helpful to bring me back positive attitude. |
| I signed up for 2 weeks. I wanted to stay the full 3 weeks, but financially it was so expensive for me. | I wasn’t here more than a week and I realized this was the most important investment I will ever make for my health. I knew there were a lot of issues I had to deal with. I wanted to make sure that I was able to complete this program and especially feel deep in my heart that I will never smoke again. Being here the full 3 weeks was important to me. I don’t regret it one little bit. It was an investment, and you can’t make a better investment than in your health. |
| To quit smoking, I’ve read books, had acupuncture, I’ve used Nicorette gums, I’ve used the patches, the laser therapy, hypnotherapy. I’ve done everything that there is to try and quit smoking. It works for short time. But it doesn’t teach you how to live as a non-smoker. I considered myself an addict. | I’ve learned here how to live as a non-smoker, and how to take care of myself. It doesn’t compare to doing it on your own. You need that support. |
Experience Highlights:
- Steam baths
- Yoga/Meditation/Fitness Classes
- Wonderful individual attention
- Reasons for my experience were recognized
- Nutrition and food was wonderful
- Healthy Habits Classes
- The Staff and Therapists are so professional and so experienced
The information above is based on the following resources:
- Unedited Video Testimonial Materials
- Before and After Self-Assessment
- Program Participation and Progress Sheet
- Emotional Wellness Test
Disclaimer: Results of participants differ and the Fresh Start cannot guarantee that you will experience your improvements in the same way as in this testimonial. The Fresh Start is not an allopathic medical facility and does not claim to either diagnose or treat any disease. The Fresh Start does not guarantee a recovery from any specific disease or a health symptom.
