I’m not one to make New Year’s resolutions, Mostly because they’ll be shattered by January 1. For me, it’s a set up for failure. I do like the new tradition of choosing a word that will guide your intentions for the year.
One friend has Leap as her word to encourage her to do things out of her comfort zone. I’ve also seen people go with Joy, or with something as simple and powerful as Do. I kind of love that one. 
Whatever you do, make it a point to take care of yourself this year, whether that’s getting a monthly massage, taking time each day for a long walk, or finally quitting smoking.
Cigarettes have taken a lot from my extended family. My grandfather, both grandmothers, and my dear mother-in-law all had their lives made shorter and most painful because of smoking. My dad had to have part of a lung removed due to cancer, and he never smoked ever. He got cancer simply from being around smokers decades before.
I’ve worked with CVS and MinuteClinic for a few years now, so I was happy to work with them on this sponsored post to bring you helpful info you can use to make your life and health better. Any opinions are my own, and I’m not even trying to give medical advice. That’s your health care professional’s job. You should talk to them.
We now go to MinuteClinic for flu shots, sick days, camp physicals, and any time we can’t get into our regular doctor. MinuteClinic does more than see you when you’re sick. Now they offer wellness services like a smoking cessation program, medically supervised weight loss using the DASH Diet, and even beauty issues like a consultation for eyelash growth.
I’d have to wait six months to get into my dermatologist, but I can see my MinuteClinic health professional within minutes to talk about Latisse to encourage lash growth.
Most importantly though, it the program for smoking cessation. With the right tools and support you can be one of the growing group of ex-smokers. Their program has a charge for initial consultation and subsequent follow-up visits that cost a lot less than what you are paying for cigarettes right now.
If you have insurance, call them and see if it’s covered for you. Many insurance companies do.
However you choose to start the new year, take time to health yourself. Make 2015 the best year ever for your family and for yourself.
Thank you for this post, Anne. I loved it. My family has also been bombarded with cancer and I hate it. Spreading awareness about risk factors and taking better care of ourselves is important. We both know you don’t have to be a smoker to get lung cancer. Scary and sad. My condolences for your tragic losses.
Thanks, Cathy. A positive side to our family’s smoking legacy is that my parents, my siblings and my kids have always been smoke free.