I just realized, it was 2 years ago today that I quit smoking.

After I quit I gained 30 pounds in about 4 months and while I allowed myself to wallow in food for a bit (after all, it started to taste so much better!), I still got quite depressed about it. Then one morning I had to run to catch my bus and realized I wasn’t all out of breath when I got on. A few weeks later I took up running.

I’ve since run a couple of 5k races and the 10 mile race I did last year. And while I’m slow I have never come in last. I also paid more attention to my diet and took up yoga and as I started dropping weight and continued my practice I gloried in my teacher calling me “graceful”. Something I’d never been called before. I lost 50 pounds over about 7 months and have kept that off (within a few pounds here and there) for 9 months.

I also managed to purchase my first home – something I never thought I’d be able to do without a partner. And I’m coming up on my one year anniversary of my closing date. I still smile every day when I get off the bus and look up at the gorgeous, historic building I live in.

Then in April of this year I met a really wonderful man. As most of you know, I had given up all hope of EVER finding a decent relationship. It was certainly something I wanted, but I really didn’t think it would happen. And here I am, happily in love. No idea where it's going yet, but it's good where it is for now.

When I first quit smoking and saw my success I had an overwhelming feeling that if I could do that I could do just about anything. I just realized I’ve forgotten that over the last few weeks and months and have started to fall back into old habits. Today is a good reminder.

Anyway – many of you have been around to offer kind words and support as I went through all of this. So I just wanted to say thanks.

X INFINITY

Yay for you! I totally look up to you in so many ways

Carrie, I hate to be a cheese, but this has really put a smile on my face!

I'm so proud of you and happy for you. You seem so healthy and content with your life right now, and that is beautiful. You deserve all the good things that you're experiencing, and I'm sure they will continue on for a long time

OMG,

this was so great to read!

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=393561765678&ref=mf

This is a very nice read

Quite motivating and full of positivity. I needed to read something like that tonight.

Cheers!

CONGRATS!!!

It's been about 4 months for Ron. He started out with Chantix (a few times) then just went cold turkey.

johnart said:

CONGRATS!!!

It's been about 4 months for Ron. He started out with Chantix (a few times) then just went cold turkey.

Oh and on all the other wonderful things you've accomplished as well, of course.

JerseyKRS said:

OMG,

this was so great to read!

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=393561765678&ref=mf

That is sooooooooooo awesome!!!

johnart said:

johnart said:

CONGRATS!!!

It's been about 4 months for Ron. He started out with Chantix (a few times) then just went cold turkey.

Oh and on all the other wonderful things you've accomplished as well, of course.

Thanks!

And yay for Ron!!! I wonder if he feels as great about it as I did. If he doesn't yet, I bet he will. It seriously motivated me to improve on SO much.

btw - I've been meaning to tell you - I use the bags you gave me as my lunch bags for work. They are soooooooooooooo cute and people are always checking them out when I'm walking back and forth from the fridge.

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

X INFINITY

Yay for you! I totally look up to you in so many ways

Big hugs, Richard.

thekidsgirl said:

Carrie, I hate to be a cheese, but this has really put a smile on my face!

I'm so proud of you and happy for you. You seem so healthy and content with your life right now, and that is beautiful. You deserve all the good things that you're experiencing, and I'm sure they will continue on for a long time

I'm really happy for me too.

As I said above, it was really good for me to take a few minutes today and realize where I am and where I've been. I've been feeling not so great about things and been in a bit of a slump and when I look at things objectively, there's just no good reason for that. Time to turn back around.

Efan said:

Congratulations on all of this, Carrie! That's all amazing and wonderful, and you really deserve it. I hope the good things keep coming to you.

Yay!! Thanks!!

Congrats!!

So in other words, quitting smoking will lead to not just becoming healthier, but buying your own home and finding a man. I wish all smokers could read this thread. CONGRATULATIONS, CARRIE!

Now the next question is when you and the bf decide to cohabitate, does he move into your house?

edit: Doesn't automatic spell check work on the org anymore?

[Edited 8/18/10 17:03pm]

Carrie, you really are an inspiration! I feel like if I could make positive changes as you have, then things might turn around for me too. I'm so glad you're in a happy place. You've worked so hard and deserve it.

thekidsgirl said:

Carrie, I hate to be a cheese, but this has really put a smile on my face!

I'm so proud of you and happy for you. You seem so healthy and content with your life right now, and that is beautiful. You deserve all the good things that you're experiencing, and I'm sure they will continue on for a long time

I agree...so many great things in your life.

I'm going to take up smoking just so I can QUIT and be like you!

Congratulations Carrie!

ZombieKitten said:

I'm going to take up smoking just so I can QUIT and be like you!

Then you'll find a NEW man!

sextonseven said:

ZombieKitten said:

I'm going to take up smoking just so I can QUIT and be like you!

Then you'll find a NEW man!

cool! but mostly I want to be good at running.

Yesterday afternoon I ran to school I was so late making a normally 20 minute round trip into an 11 minute one

ZombieKitten said:

I'm going to take up smoking just so I can QUIT and be like you!

thanks for sharing! I am happy for you and this serves as a reminder to me also, to be grateful for where I am because looking back is not always pretty.

congratulations!

i really appreciate you sharing that! im proud and inspired! ..not to run tho...

.....I would have a meal prepared in my honor every year to commemorate!

Such an inspiration

Congrats on all your hard work girl !

That is awesome!

ZombieKitten said:

I'm going to take up smoking just so I can QUIT and be like you!

You're silly, Charlotte.

CarrieMpls said:

ZombieKitten said:

I'm going to take up smoking just so I can QUIT and be like you!

You're silly, Charlotte.

and you're an inspiration

sextonseven said:

So in other words, quitting smoking will lead to not just becoming healthier, but buying your own home and finding a man. I wish all smokers could read this thread. CONGRATULATIONS, CARRIE!

Now the next question is when you and the bf decide to cohabitate, does he move into your house?

edit: Doesn't automatic spell check work on the org anymore?

[Edited 8/18/10 17:03pm]

oh goodness.

I said I don't know where it's all going yet. So I guess we'll have to see.

I do know I have to live in my place for 3 years to keep the first time home buyer's tax credit I got, so I'm here for at least another 2 years. If I want to live with someone before that time is up it's going to have to be here.

CarrieMpls said:

johnart said:

Oh and on all the other wonderful things you've accomplished as well, of course.

Thanks!

And yay for Ron!!! I wonder if he feels as great about it as I did. If he doesn't yet, I bet he will. It seriously motivated me to improve on SO much.

btw - I've been meaning to tell you - I use the bags you gave me as my lunch bags for work. They are soooooooooooooo cute and people are always checking them out when I'm walking back and forth from the fridge.

That's perfect.

He feels good about it. He still thinks about a cig daily, but feeling good. I'm trying to get us to work out some and get healthier. I'm still bad about portions.