Well I made it - 1 yr. ago yesterday I smoked my last cigarette and decided it was gonna be for good. I am more than proud of myself for kicking the habit which I never dreamed I would be able to.

And with the good comes some bad - I have put back on my 48lbs that I had lost - really I was already on my way to putting it back on but quitting smoking definately didn't help.

The battle is not over - with having nearly 100lbs to lose - and the depression and upset from my weight there is temptation quite often lately to light up again but I won't give in.

I will overcome this battle of my weight - I know I can do it - I just have to believe I can do now!!!!

Anyways - I'm proud of myself - 1 foot in front of the other - one bad habit at a time!!!!!!!

I quit back in 1997...so I know how hard it is.

Congratulations!! My daughter quit in April when she found out she was pregnant--she has people asking if she is going to start again after she has the baby....she's like how dumb would that be. She's trying to get her boyfriend to quit, but he's not interested.

I know, for me, looking back on having been able to give something up for 16 months was the kick start to asking myself - hey, what ELSE can I do... can I lose this weight? That was nine months and ninety-five pounds ago.

You just keep on reminding yourself of how far you've COME - and the distance of where you want to go will get smaller and smaller and smaller Those things you never dreamed you could do? You ARE doing them!!

Good luck!

CONGRATULATIONS! I have been free for 10 years last August after being a slave for almost 25 years! If you can quit that nasty habit you can do anything!

Congrats to you too HEATHER! and HAT-CHICK! and JULES DD!

Congratulations! An excellent start to a healthier life!!!!

FOR YOU for quitting smoking !!! I agree with EZ: if you can quit smoking, which is very difficult; then you can get your weight under control as well. It just takes time, that's all.

Dh and I quit about five years ago; the smartest thing we ever did. I had quit and gained weight before; so this time, I was determined not to. I started eating healthier at the same time! As time went by, the cravings stopped; and now I am finding that I have also lost the craving for some junk foods as well.

Congrats, if you can do it for 1 year, you can do it for life!

Wow! Congrats!

Did u just decide? Any pointers?? I just smoked my last one about an hour ago, and I am trying to NOT buy another pack! After 3 days I get a craving, thats where I have issues...

That Is Awesome!!!! Congratulations!

Hey Thanks everyone for all the positive thoughts...I really appreciate it. As we know - it's a life changing thing so it's learning to live without it and not fall back on it when we know it's not going to make things better.

Jamie -
Yes I did just decide - I was flat out sick of it. Sick of wasting my money, my time especially standing outside in the winter, the smell, damage to my health, the thought of not living a long life with my husband. After several failed attempts - cold turkey, gradually, the patch...I finally went to my doctor and spoke with her about it.

My biggest problem was the depression and crying from the thought of not being able to smoke. My mom said it best "your saying goodbye to a good friend". When I'd try to quit I wasn't snappy- I'd simply cry! My Dr. put me on Zyban(anti-depressant similar to wellbutrin) and I can't remember how long I was suppose to take it but I only took it for 5wks because it worked great up until the 5th week when I started to feel like it was doing the opposite - making me emotional. The only side effect within the 5wks was 2nights of insomnia. I only quit taking it because I knew 150% that I was ready to go my own otherwise I would've stayed on and learned to deal with the emotional aspect until I was ready.

Tips -
#1. stick with it. The first 3 days are the hardest for SURE and for me the 3rd day was the worst.
#2. not even one puff - in prior attempts I thought I could be a casual smoker when I drank...doesn't work that way. If you wanna quit you shouldn't even do it casually.
#3. write about/talk about it - either get yourself a journal to write about how you have been feeling, etc. and if you have someone you share your thoughts with - be open with them so that they can be there to encourage you and help you get through the rough times - because you will have them!!
#4. If you slip up don't beat yourself up - get rid of it/them and start again.
#5. exercise and drink lots of water - if your an emotional smoker this will especially help you relieve that.

There is no better time than the present!

I wish you the best of luck and know that you can do this - JUST BELIEVE IN YOURSELF!!!!!!!

Congrats! You should be very proud of yourself... you have added many healthy years to your life.

Great Job!!! It is very difficult to quit smoking...I have been smoke free for 16 mos! As you said one addiction at a time. keep up the great work!!!