Smoking Dreams and Other Goings On

[JimHannoonen]

Hey all, It's been a while.

 

Last night I had a smoking dream. It's been a long time since I've had one. You know how they are. You dream you're smoking and they suddenly think "OMG! All that hard work down the drain! I can't believe it! WHY DID I DO THIS!?!?! AAAAAAAARGH!"

 

Only to wake up and realize it was just a dream and then that sweet relief seeps in. The knowledge that you didn't cave and that your quit is as solid as it's ever been.

 

What makes last night's smoking dream especially poignant is that about an hour after I woke up, my calendar reminded me that today is my 9 year quittiversary. 9 freaking years of not smoking! It's funny now that it's been so long, I rarely think about having been a smoker. All of the old hassles and bad things associated with it are just strange, far-off and blurry memories. Many people I've met over the years have no idea that I was ever a smoker and when it (rarely) comes up, they can't believe it.

 

So much has changed over the past 9 years. After I quit smoking, I gained a TON of weight because I turned to food when I couldn't have cigarettes. I got my shit together and decided to finally get healthy. Started eating right and got back on the bicycle. I started lifting weights and embracing the idea that I'm "training for life" and that I want to be here as long as I can in the best form of myself.

 

Over the past two years I've dropped over 100 lbs, started racing mountain bikes and at 56 years old, am the healthiest I've ever been. It's been a wild ride, to say the least.

 

If you're struggling with your quit, stick with it! I swear it's worth it. If I can quit and stay quit, anyone can!

 

Attached are a few pics. One from a couple years ago and two from last year.

Edited 1 hour ago by JimHannoonen

[johnny5]

Nice to hear from you Jim and thanks for the inspiring post.  Congratulations on 9 years smoke free!