To ME!!!!! Today is my one year anniversary of having quit smoking and this post is really just my way of patting myself on the back and hopefully encouraging some of you in the process..... Here's my story:

I started smoking when I was 12 when this girl named Tara offered me my first cigarette... I was a bit of a rebel back then and so I took it and I smoked it.... Within a year's time I had gone from smoking the occasional cigarette here and there to smoking a pack a day... Over the next 17 years I worked my way up to as many as 3 packs a day, but for the last 5 years of my habit- I'd say I averaged about 2 1/2..... Smoking had literally integrated itself into every facet of my life from the time I woke up to before and after every meal to one just before I went to bed and a whole bunch inbetween.....

The last time I tried to quit was approximately 2 1/2 years ago and it lasted for about 4 months... I gained almost 75 pounds and decided I'd rather be a smoker than be fat so I started back up again... As soon as I started I was thinking about quitting again... I had realized how badly it smelled and horrible it made me feel and how awkward it was to be around non-smokers... I decided to drop the weight I had gained and then some before I would attempt to quit again....

I had gotten myself pretty darn skinny before this last quit and then I decided it was time to give it another try... I quit using the patch and for the first time I actually saw it through to completion.....

Over the last year I put on about 45 pounds, but my metabolism has finally leveled back off and I've already lost 10 of the pounds that I gained... The truth is I was much more aware of my eating habits this time around but I allowed myself to do whatever it took to remain a non-smoker... I feel confident that I'll be back to my slim and trim self by spring and I'm looking forward to it.....

I rarely write these long-winded posts, but I just wanted you all to know that it is possible to quit and that it does get better with time and that even though the process can drive you absolutely mad at times it's worth it... I feel better... My skin looks better.... I'm saving a wad of cash..... And despite my weight gain, I feel much healthier....

Here are some things that have helped me make it this far:

ORIGAMI- I learned origami as a kid. I hadn't really folded much since I was a teenager, but it's now become a favorite past time these days as it gives my hands something to do and it allows me to be creative on a regular basis....

EXERCISE- Takes off the edge and helps take off the pounds! It also makes you breathe more and helps strengthen and clear out your lungs!

APPLES and APPLE JUICE- I know it sounds far-fetched, but there's something in apples that physiologically reduces your nicotine cravings... In those first few months when I would really crave a cigarette, I'd go for the apples and it worked every time!

WATER- Try replacing your addiction to nicotine with an addiction to water! It's MUCH MUCH MUCH better for you!

CONVINCE YOURSELF THAT YOU'RE A NON-SMOKER- This may sound a little odd, but you really just need to get in the habit of telling yourself "NO"...... Slowly train yourself to be repulsed by the thought of smoking.... Continually re-visit the reasons you want to quit! NEVER BELIEVE THAT YOU CAN GET AWAY WITH SMOKING JUST ONE CIGARETTE... When you decide to quit, quit for good!!!!! And remember to tell yourself that the only thing you're "losing" is a bad monkey on yer back that'll eventually kill you if you let it......

OK- I'm done preaching! I hope this was helpful to some of you... I'm happy and proud to have made it this far!!!!!!