[RC-Monster Mike]

I smoked for 20+ years myself - I quit(finally for good) last summer. I agree with the other quitters here on most counts. I "quit" a few times over the years - I used to say " quitting smoking is easy - I have done it about 10 times!". I am pretty determined this time. The most important thing is your mindset - you have to really WANT to quit. The truth is, I enjoyed smoking for the most part. I didn't necessarily like the smell it left on my clothes, or my breathe, etc., and especially hated the cost (In NY, taxes is the bulk of it), but the actual act of smoking was enjoyable and relaxing(in stressful situations, I smoked a lot). I smoked about a pack a day and after all the years, I simply became unhappy with my fitness level, the never-ending cost spikes and the fact that I ain't getting any younger. I also lost both grandfathers to cancer and my mom had cancer when I was a kid - the urge to be cool when I was a young teenager was what drove me to smoking. Like everyone else in my position, I look back and wonder why I made such a bad decision to start smoking in the first place! When I decided to quit, I was committed to quitting - for me(not for my nagging girlfriend, or concerned buddy - I had to make the conscious decision for my own reasons). I also made some lifestyle changes, as well as being acutely aware of the times I was "most likely to smoke" (long drives in the car, stressful situations, immediately after a meal or after sex, etc.). I also decided to get back into working out/exercising - I decided to ride my bicycle initially - I comitted to riding every day it didn't rain when I first quit (If I felt like having a smoke, I rode my bike). Nothing like a steep hill on a bike to remind you in a hurry how much smoking diminishes the lung capacity! The 1st month was pretty tough(1st 2 weeks especially), but I kept riding when I wanted a smoke, and held my course - been about 8 months or so since I quit now, and my biking has turned into biking and/or working out - I am good for about an hour a day 5-6 days a week(this is much needed for me, as I either sit in front of the computer or stand in front of the machine otherwise, so activity is what the doctor ordered). When I first started, i would ride for about 4-5 miles on my bike and could average about 11-13mph average speed - I now average about 15-16 or so miles on the days I ride, and maintain an average speed of 15-18mph, depending on the route I take(my lung capacity improved immensely within the 1st couple months of quitting). I feel much better now, and save an extra $50 or so each week that I don't spend on smokes(good thing in this economy, too). I still get the urge occasionally to be honest - but I know if I ever decide to "just have one smoke" that it will ultimately lead to becoming a smoker again, as it has several times in the past(yes, I had quite a couple times before, though usually only for a few months at a time). Smoking is one of those things I just wish I never started - I am glad I quit and don't plan on ever smoking again, but if I never started in the 1st place, I wouldn't ever miss it!