Thanks for all the kind words, everyone.

This is why the org is so awesome.

Who has the tissue?

I happy for you Carrie.

Congratulations!!!

Awwww! Congrats!

*Looking into the future.

I cant wait for future threads.

"2 years ago today we...."

I want to be able to make an awesome retrospective thread, but I need some amazing stuff to happen first!

CarrieMpls said:

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.

you GO girl!!!!! glad for you

A. Awesome! Congratulations on all your success!

B. See? EVERYONE should quit smoking! There's no telling how much better (and definitely LONGER) your life will be!

Truely amazing! Happy Anniversary!!

OMG!!!! I cannot beleive it has been 2 year since you quit already!!!!!!!!

Congrats!

Good for you!

Congrats!

You are an example of how you can truly turn your life around. You seem so happy.

Really inspiring, well done and congrats! I remember you always saying you didn't believe you would ever find anybody anytime soon.

Congrats!! on everything.....

Hmmm...I don't smoke....so I wonder what I gotta give up in order to get a house and a man???

SHOCKADELICA1 said:

Congrats!! on everything.....

Hmmm...I don't smoke....so I wonder what I gotta give up in order to get a house and a man???

The org?

CarrieMpls said:

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.

This is a very inspiring read and you are an outstanding young lady.

Well done!

I don't always comment on threads, but I remember reading a thread when you first quit and your achievements with running and of course, your new relationship I'm so pleased for you, Carrie.

thekidsgirl said:

I want to be able to make an awesome retrospective thread, but I need some amazing stuff to happen first!

tomorrow afternoon once I've got my tax return sorted I possibly have something worth self-congratulationing too

It's been that long!?! Already!?!

Wow!

Good going, Carrie!

CarrieMpls said:

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.

congratulations, Carrie. So much has happened in a year.

I remember when you posted pics of the condo...you had those colorful murals on the wall that you had to paint over.

You really should be proud of yourself, and it feels like you are.

and you have a boo!!

btw, you do realize that Anxiety probably christened your lavatory, dont you?

This made me happy.

Carrie i am so proud of U... i can't believe its been 2 years, dang its gone by so fast... i remember when u tried it the first time... u just needed to find the replacement that worked for u... glad to hear that everything has come together for u.. keep up the good work and make sure to always focus on the positive....

CarrieMpls said:

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.

WOW! Congratulation! you inspire me

then again...i feellike a total lard, cause guess what....I be pimpin that nicotine...

Nice post, Carrie. I am so happy for you that your life is on track and like a faerie tale!

Big hug from Amsterdam

CarrieMpls said:

A few weeks later I took up running.

I also paid more attention to my diet and took up yoga

My goodness, running AND yoga! This is inspiring.

How did you begin? Just slipping into some runners and going for a neighborhood jaunt?