One year ago TODAY...I smoked my last Cigarette.

[BiggJawn]

Been a year. I don't miss 'em. I can climb 4 stories in the parking gagrage w/o needing help to walk the rest of the way (just kidding) I can smell pig shit at 7 miles, and the ADM "corn burner" at 12, and I REALLY don't NEED any "weekend pills" :evilgrin:

[molly]

1. Congratulations!

:party: :toast:

[Racenut20]

2. Great job

[Bronco69]

3. Congrats!

:-)

[Lefta Dissenter]

4. Way to GOooooo!

[gottaB]

5. hallelujah

it's been about 584 hours for me, and still it hurts, but yesterday I rediscovered a tastebud and the smell of daffodils

:toast:

[Qanisqineq]

6. Wow! What's your secret?

I am trying... down to one or two a day.

[BiggJawn]

16. Zyban and mental imagery.

I visualize those fucking ReTHUGlican lawmakers having to go begging for funds to take away our Rights with because they aren't getting as much Cigarette Tax money as they used to....

Pow'ful Stuff!

I used the Zyban for 2 weeks before quitting and stayed on it for another 3 months afterwards.

[dontomas]

23. Best way...

Find some friends who want to quit smoking and create a pack. The catch is you each have to put in money.

Two friends of mine and I entered into that pack. We each put $200.00 in at the offset. If you smoke...you lose your money. You can't influence the other members to smoke or you lose your money.

We've been going since Jan 01,2003. And on New Year's Eve, we extended the bet to $300.00

[SheilaT]

7. Good for you!

I can assure you that the people around you no longer smell you at 40 yards, either.

One thing most smokers simply don't understand is to what extent they reek of cigarette smoke. So do all their clothes, their houses, their cars.

When my oldest was in first grade I volunteered on a regular basis in his classroom and discovered I could tell which kids had a smoking parent. It was quite weird being close to a six year old and he'd smell like a 45-year old heavy smoker.

[madrchsod]

8. thumbs up!!!

there`s nothing like the smell of a corn processing plant in the morning, is there! pig shit -enough said.

[LynneSin]

9. WOOHOO!!!!

[indigo32]

10. Way to go!

:thumbsup:

[blondeatlast]

11. Standing up and cheering!

It took lung cancer to get my mom and dad to quit in their 70's. It was the hardest thing they ever did.

My mom says she never knew there was so much to smell!

Good job--you have every reason to be proud; so hard to quit.

[arwalden]

12. Well Done, My Friend!!!!!!! Outstanding!!! Congratulations!

You'll find that it gets easier and easier. Even though there will still be times when some mood or event triggers the thought about how "nice" it would be to have a cigarette... it's easy to move on and NOT act on the urge.

I'll soon be celebrating the first anniversary of my first anniversary as well. Breathing has improved. Coughing has ended. Viagra no longer needed. I can do basic lawn chores without needing a break every 15 minutes.

ALSO...

Between the two of us, we were spending about $90 a week on cigarettes! Our two-year savings is over $9000.

NINE THOUSAND DOLLARS!!!!! (but that's with 2 people quitting... your savings may vary depending on your state of residence, how much you smoked, and how many people in your family have quit.) :-)

-- Allen

[bif]

13. Most excellent! Smoking is bogue.

n/t

[prolesunited]

14. Congratulations!

:toast:

So, does that mean you're ready for "Bike the Drive" in May?

[BiggJawn]

15. Haven't decided yet.

Been running arrands on my Huffy and getting parts together for some upgrades to the rest of the fleet (new pedals, different gearing, etc)

I think I'm "ready", it's only what, 35 miles?
Some of the gear changes I'm making is a half-step-plus-granny on one bike and and half-step on the other. (screw that wide-spaced "Alpine" crap!) You oughta see my lighting system, too. Looks like a freakin' locomotive comin' at you, and like I have the afterburner lit going away!

I'd better decide quick, though, the ride's coming up in what, about 8 weeks?

[prolesunited]

19. Here's the link

It's May 30. They have 15- and 30-mile options. Here's the link:
http://www.bikethedrive.org/

Ready? I'm sure you can to the miles and except for one small incline, the route is flat. It's not a race, just a fun ride. The cost is $35 and includes a T-shirt.

I've done Chicago Bicycle Federation events before and they are very well coordinated and there's a festival in Grant Park afterward. Let me know what you decide.

BTW, don't forget the Chicago Bike Show at the end of the month.
http://www.chicagobikeshow.com/index.html

[Skittles]

17. I quit smoking 10/25/01

alas, I saw absolutely no improvement in my ability to smell things and my physical health actually deteriorated (I had always exercised but when I quit for a long time I couldn't make it through a workout without hacking). At least I saw the tangible benefit in my pocketbook.

[BiggJawn]

20. Still coughing up the Tar?

It was almost mid-June before I stopped with the grey-green oysters. I guit, almost immediately caught a cold, started coughing up crap and lost my voice for over 3 weeks. Right before a trade show. Ever try to talk to vendors and Scmooze with no voice?

But now that's done with.

[Skittles]

25. no the coughing has stopped

but ironically I still felt much better when I was smoking.

[BurtWorm]

18. I quit a month ago and the return of my olfactory sense is the biggest +

so far. And the savings. And I was able to run half a block to catch a bus and caught my breath by the end of the next block. But my favorite benefit is the improvement in my sense of smell. Usually.

[Southpaw Bookworm]

21. Nothing but applause from me. . .

I'm watching my grandmother die slowly after 50+ years of chain smoking. :cry:

All the best to you.

[underpants]

22. Congrats

:thumbsup:

[Mrs. Venation]

24. Good For You!

You have already reversed a lot of the lung damage caused by tobacco smoke. You smell better, too! When I smoked I didn't realize how malodorous I was. Now, after 15 years smoke-free, I can smell a smoker from a block away.

Here's a big attaboy to you. :yourock: