John L., a successful entrepreneur, quit smoking after twenty plus years as a smoker.

He grew up in the house with a heavy smoker and started smoking himself in his late teens. After his first child was born the doctor kept after him to at least reduce his smoking for her sake. He chose to move from cigarettes to a pipe and later gave that up as he became interested in long distance running. His father had died at age 60 because of Chronic Pulmonary Lung Disease. John took his father’s death seriously. He was able to kick his smoking habit by his fortieth birthday. He celebrated turning 50 by competing in a major marathon.

While his father had had a miserable last ten years of life, John is enjoying a productive midlife with many new interests. John’s children grew up in a house that was smoke-free for most of their lives and as young adults choose not to smoke.

Even though it was discovered several years ago that John has type II diabetes he is managing that extremely well and his most recent blood work indicates that his sugar is being controlled at a level typical of someone without diabetes. If he had not quit smoking as a diabetic he would be at increased risk for serious complications and possible early death. Because of his stopping smoking and his development of excellent eating, exercise and stress management strategies, his future looks very bright.