My One Year Anniversary!!

[Sylvia_Deitz]

I'm one day early, but thought I'd get this up while I have time. Well, people, it's been one heck of a year for me! I've managed to get through one whole year of not even one puff. It's a real milestone for me! From the time I first put up my quit meter, this was the day I was dreaming of! Now I'm aiming for 2 years. The first few months were pretty darn difficult, but I just took it one day at a time and sure didn't want to have to start all over, so I kept chugging along overcoming each crave and I made an hour turn into a year. I'm living proof that it can be done! I did it cold turkey. Although I gained 10 pounds, I managed to lose most of it. I knew I had to quit because after 50 years of smoking, I got the news that I had emphysema. I had set a quit date, but someone said, "why not now?" and I thought about it and said, "why not? The sooner you quit, the sooner you'll be free." Believe me, it's the most wonderful feeling to not be chained to cigarettes, lighters and ashtrays! It was such a feeling of freedom when I could sit in an airport recently and not be dying for a smoke…wondering if I had time to go out and smoke before time to board. I didn't even have the slightest urge. My greatest wish is that you all will experience the freedom that I've come to know!