I come on from time to time, but I rarely ever post anything, since I always seem to get caught up in reading all of the wonderful stories on this site. Its wonderful to see so many people determined to make a difference in their lives and in the lives of others.
I've reached the 300 day plateau and I am absolutely psyched about it. Since then I have helped two of my friends quit smoking, and I am working on a third. One of those friends is pushing 200 days here real soon!
If I have any tips for folks out there, I would heavily stress that you need to lay the rewards on nice and thick. In fact, I would get something that provides you with on-going reminders that you were able to get this for yourself because you chose to be a non-smoker. Make a deal with yourself that you will sell it if you slip up. I bought a new Maxum 1800SR3 and the deal is that if I ever, at any time, start smoking again the boat will go up for sale. Needless to say, the boat is providing endless hours of smoke-free enjoyment.
Take up a new hobby. This was very important for me in my quit. I had played with guitars a number of years ago and I took it back up after I quit smoking and now its definetly a big part of my life. Find something you used to do that made you happy and commit to doing it again.
Make use of your renewed physical endurance. This is one I recently started up. I picked up a wakeboard and a kneeboard and commited myself to learning how to use them correctly. Its been a huge challenge and I still havent gotten up on the wakeboard! This is something you dont have to wait to do though. Take some walks, go jogging, take your dog on a nice long power walk at the park or if you dont have a dog... reward yourself with one and walk him/her at the park! LOL! :)
So, 65 days to go until I hit the full one year mark. I'll start dreaming up my reward for that milestone now. :)
-Bill
[B]My Milage:[/B]
[B]My Quit Date: [/B] 7/10/2005
[B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 300
[B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 8,412
[B]Amount Saved:[/B] $1800
[B]Life Gained:[/B]
[B]Days:[/B] 31 [B]Hrs:[/B] 22 [B]Mins:[/B] 21 [B]Seconds:[/B] 55