Wow, excellent thread for re-affirmation! Thanks, Stickin!
I was FINALLY persuaded to quit by pretty superficial things, actually. The ridiculous price & the toll it was taking on my looks. That's right, not my lungs or heart, my looks. I was still deep enough in denial that I refused to consider what I was doing to my health!
I stay quit by being grateful every single morning that, even though it wasn't my motivation, I quit in time to make a difference to the rest of my life. I also stay quit by always looking at not smoking as a positive thing, a gift I gave myself & the people who love me. I never see it as being deprived or giving something up. NEVER. I also don't take my quit for granted, and try to always stay on guard for junkie thoughts or triggers. It's work, staying quit, but I'm happy to be doing it rather than wishing I could, or worse, wishing I had before it was too late. Of course, all of you help me so much, too. You help me to stay positive & happy about quitting, give me things to think about & watch out for & of course I get what I want by helping others get what they want!
I am 100% sure that I will never smoke again, ever. I am a non-smoker, so why would I?
The positives are innumerable. I like myself way better, I feel that so many more things are possible now. The positive attitude has spilled over into other parts of my life & I'm a happier person overall. Better sleep, more energy, smell WAY better. I'm freakin' gorgeous (as we all know!), my kids are not only proud of me but no longer EMBRRASSED. Now if I embarrass them, it's on purpose, not because I smell or because I have to sneak off & smoke somewhere no matter what we're doing! I could go on for days, really. There is jsut no downside to this!
[B]My Milage:[/B]
[B]My Quit Date: [/B]5/13/2007
[B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 96
[B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 1,920
[B]Amount Saved:[/B] $1,056.00
[B]Life Gained:[/B]
[B]Days:[/B] 9 [B]Hrs:[/B] 16 [B]Mins:[/B] 12 [B]Seconds:[/B] 53