POWAY, Calif. – For nearly a year, Bob Williams, A/C and heating specialist at Poway RERS Shop 207, has lived his life cigarette free. After nearly 40 years of smoking, Williams decided to become healthy and kick the habit.
“I was motivated by three things really,” Williams noted. “The money and of course the future health benefits.”
“But my biggest motivator definitely had to be the moment when I dropped my granddaughter off at school,” Williams recalled. “I walked inside to give her a hug and her sweater smelled like stale cigarette smoke.”
It was at that exact moment that Williams knew he needed to make a change in his life. He began the journey to change not just for himself, but for his family as well. Later on when Williams went into work, he handed his pack of cigarettes and lighter over to a fellow team member. Since then he hasn’t looked back. Williams quit smoking cold turkey, a method that is typically difficult for most to do.
Maintaining Momentum
“It hasn’t been as hard as I thought it would be,” Williams explained. The thought of living a healthy life, he says is what pushed him each and every day to continue living his new and improved lifestyle, cigarette free.
Not only did Williams receive health benefits, but not smoking proved to have some financial benefits as well. Through reimbursement programs and by not spending money on cigarettes, Williams says he saves around $225 a month.
“My advice to those looking to quit would be to do whatever it is you need to do to quit whether it’s with a doctor or with a program,” Williams advises.
In addition to offering gym reimbursement plans, U-Haul will reimburse out-of-pocket expenses for team members who participate in a legitimate smoking or tobacco cessation program, because being a healthier you is a priority here at U-Haul.
We want to know what you are doing to Become a Healthier U? Let us know in the comment section below.