March 18, 2001
Hello all,
We have had three of our nine Breathe Free programs. Our numbers have dwindled from four to two, but those two say that they find the meetings very helpful. One of the "essential strategies" stressed in the program is exercise and I am afraid that scared one attendee away. Giving up caffiene and giving up alcohol are the two other "essential strategies". The program says that statistically those who follow these essential strategies will be more likely to succeed in remaining free of cigarettes. However, I can't help but wonder, do you think the ability to start an exercise program, abstain from alchohol, and give up caffeine is an aid in stopping smoking? Or, is it an indication of a person with Herculean willpower and/or Divine intervention who is therefore more likely to succeed?
So far the biggest benefit I have gotten from the program is due to the emphasis on exercise. Since I have been telling everyone else to get out and be active I figured I had better be practicing what I am preaching. So, I have been spending a lot of time out at Shelby Farms, the park near our apartment. This morning I went birding (my old ornithology professor would be so proud) I saw several new species including a meadowlark, a fox sparrow, and a yellow rumped warbler.
Nola has been keeping very busy. Her grades are due this week and she has been in charge of refreshments for the Breathe Free meetings. Since fruit juice is to be used in place of alcohol there is a pamphlet we handed out with "mocktail" recipes. Nola will be making a different non-alchoholic drink each night and some of them are really very good.
Well, I should get back to work. After walking around the park today I practiced my Bass picking for a while. I still have several power point presentations to finish up. After that I need to learn all about glucose metabolism, lipid metabolism, and brush up on the citric acid cycle. I also have to prepare to interview with a doctor at St. Jude for a summer research position. I don't think I will have a chance to be bored over Spring Break even though I'm not going anywhere until this weekend when we are going back east to Chattanooga.
Have a great week,
Brenton Reading
