Tomorrow is my 'no smoking' 8th anniversary date. I had started smoking when I was 17, and smoked steadily til I was 39, trying occassionally to quit, even once for six months. I last time I quit was on Jan 7/01 using the patch. The first three weeks were pretty rocky for me, and twice I actually cheated by stealing a drag off someone's cigarette. But after those few weeks, I have to say things greatly improved and 8 years later, I'm still a success story.

I know I haven't been on this thread at all, but I just wanted to pop in and say, If i can do it, anyone can! Someone likened weight loss to quitting smoking and I agree. The first time I tried to quit I didn't succeed, but I tried again and again--sorta like my weight loss efforts! Don't give up quitting!

That's about all the advice I can give--get your mind in the right place, and really really want to quit and you will succeed. Think of your health, your family's health. Think how much money you'll save. Think of the freedom you'll have from those little sticks. Good luck fighting the nicotine demon!

oh wow... 8 years.... congratulations! Hope you'll be able to transform the learnings there to this new weight loss journey! If you could do that, you can do this!!!

Congratulations Jody! That is a huge milestone.

I smoked for a very short time between 2001-2003. No idea why I started. I quit one day because the ashes bugged me.

Started just as stupidly as it ended...

Lisa

Congrats!!!! 8 years is AMAZING!

Congratulations! That is really wonderful!

I hope that someday I'll be able to follow in your footsteps and announce my 8-year anniversary as a non-smoker!

Wow - 8 years! Congratulations!!! It's great to have the "monkey" off your back isn't it?

8 years is a wonderful accomplishment! Congratulations!

yes! I'm hoping to take away something from the whole quitting smoking and make it work in other aspects of my life. and you're right, I *can* do the weight loss thing, I just need to wrap my mind around it and do it!


AT least you stopped while you were ahead though! that was wise!


Thanks kisal! I know you can do it! you've got a few months under your belt now, so hang in there , and thanks for saying that.. it makes me feel pretty good! don't think I've ever had someone emulet me before.. (if I have the right word there)

Thanks everyone for the kudos. when I do think about it, it does feels pretty darn good to have that monkey off my back.
For those of you still trying to quit--try try again.