The Wahkiakum County Eagle - Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891

People who use the beginning of the year to consider lifestyle improvements may benefit from local support.

While county residents are not statistically different from state residents on many health measures, there is room for improvement according to a Washington Department of Health (DOH) survey for 2011. One in nine adults in the county has asthma, and one in 12 adults has had a heart attack, coronary heart disease, angina, or stroke. One out of seven adults reported they currently smoked cigarettes.

“Secondhand smoke, especially in cars, is a hazard for children in the county,” said Wahkiakum County Health and Human Services Prevention Specialist Linda Hartung.

While smoking is a tough addiction to overcome, taking the average person seven tries to reach a “smoke-free life,…there are people that quit on their first try,” Hartung said.

The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Washington Department of Health (DOH) and private nonprofit organizations like the American Lung Association, have materials on line that break down the process into understandable and achievable steps.

Hartung has free printed material available for those not comfortable with the internet. She favors Kicking It, a booklet produced by the California Department of Health Services, which explains the types of obstacles to success.

The booklet notes “most successful ex-smokers made three to four serious attempts to quit before learning to stay smoke-free for life.”

“Some people have shared with me that they felt worse when they first quit smoking. Each time people make a quit attempt, they learn what works for them and what doesn’t,” Hartung said.

The DOH website, http://www.quitline.com, has many helpful links.

The state also staffs a 1-800-QUIT-NOW line, which provides access to many different types of cessation information and services, including free support and advice from an experienced cessation counselor, a personalized quit plan and self-help materials, social support and coping strategies to help you deal with cravings, and the latest information about cessation medications. DOH statistics showed that 28 county residents called the quit line in 2010.

The DOH 2011 health profile found one quarter of adults in the county are obese, almost a fourth have high blood pressure and a third have high cholesterol, while one in 11 has diabetes. The study found over three fourths of adults do not eat enough fruits and vegetables, while two out of five adults do not get adequate physical activity.

When Weight Watchers left Cathlamet this fall, some members continued meeting to support each other. An average of four to six people (ranging in age from their 30’s through senior citizen) meet for about 45 minutes on Monday afternoons at 5:30 p.m. at St. James Episcopal Church to share knowledge and support, Gerry Brennan said.

“Weigh in is optional, we discuss healthy living, not just diet. Anyone can join in…no charge. Everyone is expected to participate, but no one is put on the spot,” Brennan said.

The CDC provides materials aimed at maintaining a healthy weight at http://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/losing--weight/getting--started.html.

People concerned about substance abuse can get help (or referrals) from Chemical Dependency Services at Wahkiakum Health and Human Services (360-795-8630) or through self-help groups like Alcoholics Anonymous or Celebrate Recovery, a Christian-based group that meets on Friday nights for dinner, worship and a meeting from six until nine p.m. at the Cathlamet Christian Fellowship on SR 4 on Puget Island. The AA meeting schedule is available at Wahkiakum Health and Human Services.

Al N., a local AA member said the local AA community is strong. He said, “I got sober in Cathlamet, but I had no intention of doing so.”

Some members have had problems with both alcohol and drugs, and are welcome at these open AA meetings, Al N. said.

Exercise is useful for stress relief, craving management, managing mood, as well as a part of a healthy lifestyle for weight management.

Mary Moonen offers free Zumba (a Latin-inspired dance fitness program) classes at John Thomas Middle School gym on Mondays and Wednesdays at 3:30 and on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 7 until 8 p.m. at the Julius Wendt Elementary School multipurpose room. At 3:30 on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, Moonen leads a toning class.

If your resolution has to do with de-cluttering your space, a “free” sign can make it disappear. The Adventist Community Service Clothing Bank at 3 Fern Hill Road accepts clothing on Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sargasso Sea Antiques Barn accepts items on consignment, phone Howard Brawn at 360-849-4900 for more information.