I have been lurking around this board since Aug. I just found this thread so I figured I would post my stats.

I have been smoke free for 6 years this past November. I had been a 2 pack a day smoker for 18 years.

I made a promise to the DW that I would quit when she got pregnant. Well I did it.

I used the patch to help with quiting. I think it helped alot. My habit was very severe and I just could never go cold turkey. It took 6 weeks using the patch.

After quitting I gained 50 pounds. I have now lost almost 45 of those pounds using atkins. So the weight loss is the second major change for me.

If I ever think about smoking again, all I have to do is think back to the past. When I had a flu, chest totally congested and a cigarette in the hand. I thought how stupid I was and wished I could quit. Well I have quit. So can you.

Jim "Hoish" Hirsch