Hi, 4my2girls. Welcome back and congratulations on 6 smoke-free months.
#1 - I've experienced the sudden increase in smokers, too. When I smoked, everyone around me didn't. I'd worry when I stopped at a light and the wind would carry my smoke over to another car. The only cigarette in 30 cars was mine. The I quit and smokers are all over the place, a dime a dozen. Trust me, the only thing that has changed (other than your quitting) is your perception of your environment.
#2 - Next party, invite only your daughter's friends? Just a thought. Smoking mothers. My parents smoked. The second-hand smoke I grew up with primed me for nicotine addiction. Thanks, Mom & Dad. They can't hear me, they've both been taken by smoking related diseases. Just because your daughter's new friend's mom smokes is no reason you should start again. If it bothers her, try to lead her into her own quit. Your daughter is more important than that. (not fussing, just pointing out the obvious :))
#3 - From what I've seen here and other quit boards, it seems that no matter what you do you are going to gain during the first six months. Oh, yeah, there's the few rule-breakers, but they're the exception. So, you gain the first six months, then your body finally gets adjusted to the whack the loss of nicotine gave it and the exercise and proper diet start to kick in and the pounds start coming off. Give it a bit more time.
#4 - A lot of smokers seem to have used nicotine to medicate light depression. Go to your doctor and fess up. If you have to, hang a sign around your neck that says "No matter what I say, I'm here for depression."
Accomplishing 6 months of abstenence from what is considered to be the strongest of all addicting drugs is no small feat. You have done wonders with your life already. Let everyone around you fight. That's their problem. You stand tall and proud because you have control over yourself.
BTW, you did exactly the right thing by coming here. I hope we've been a bit of help for you. :)
Keep up the good quit, 4my2girls.
Shevie
[B]My Milage:[/B]
[B]My Quit Date: [/B] 5/23/2005
[B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 471
[B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 9,439
[B]Amount Saved:[/B] $1789.8
[B]Life Gained:[/B]
[B]Days:[/B] 87 [B]Hrs:[/B] 23 [B]Mins:
