I think that you have given everyone looking to lose weight, or just to exercise to feel better, the inspiration they needed. I have not exercised in soo long because it was just too embarrasing to be 27 and out of breath in under 10 mins. Whats up with that. I am finally tired of feeling so much older than my age and I think that now, thanks to your push, I may just be able to get out there and start improving many other areas of my life. [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 2/15/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 10 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 268 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $82.5 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 0 [B]Hrs:[/B] 18 [B]Mins:[/B] 19 [B]Seconds:[/B] 2

I am sitting here tearing up and applauding. You go!!!! :) [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 1/8/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 47 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 711 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $197.4 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 4 [B]Hrs:[/B] 9 [B]Mins:[/B] 17 [B]Seconds:[/B] 17

Even though this post is related to weight, please mods, don�t move it to the Weight Gain category, because it's about more than that. And I have another reason, I�ll tell ya why in a minute. On January 27, when I was 26 days quit, I bought this: [img] http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y137/sammijofl/rewardbike.jpg [/img] I bought it as a reward, but I also bought it as an incentive. Here�s the thing. I�ve been overweight all my life, since I was nine years old. I inherited a very slow metabolism from my mother�s side of the family, and even though I don�t eat mountains of food, I�m extremely overweight and have been for almost as long as I can remember. Even before I quit smoking, I was eighty-five pounds overweight. After I quit, I gained fifteen more pounds, for a grand total of one-hundred. Omg, ONE HUNDRED. I bought the bike 27 days ago because I knew I was going to have to do something! With my slow metabolism, for sure I�d need to exercise if I were going to keep from doubling in size! But guess what, I barely touched that bike for the first three weeks. I didn�t start taking it out purposefully for exercise until Tuesday of this week. Why? Because for the past fifteen years, at least, I�ve been pretty sedentary. My weight combined with my decreased lung capacity made it very difficult for me to sustain any type of exercise beyond a few minutes. How sad is that!? When I was younger I used to be very active (even though I was heavy) but somehow over the years I got lazier and less mobile. I was afraid to ride that bike. Even though I live in Florida (where the terrain is very flat), I happen to live in a neighborhood where there are several hilly areas. I thought I would hyperventilate or have a stroke or heart attack. At the very least, I thought I would embarrass myself by having to stop and lay down on the sidewalk or something! I knew I needed to start dieting too, but I was avoiding it. If I didn�t exercise, dieting would be a waste of effort, I knew that from experience. So I wouldn�t even click on the Weight Gain category at this site because I didn�t want to read any of those threads. They�d just make me feel guilty. But then everything changed. What brought about a change? I went to Kansas

This post should be on 'perma-bump', 'uber-sticky', whatever it takes to make people read it. How inspiring. Go get 'em killer! :) [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 1/1/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 53 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 1,236 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] �291.5 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 4 [B]Hrs:[/B] 12 [B]Mins:[/B] 33 [B]Seconds:[/B] 33

SammiJo..."Wonderful Post"...would not have caught this if it had been in the diet/weight forum. :blush: Although...I may soon "ha-ha" (I am gaining...but expected it...later folks...the quit is important now) OMG, I am so glad you told this exactly the way you did! When I quit for that ten years...? Guess what...similar things started happening for me...like "New beginnings for a whole new Ball Game of Life" I started exercising, walking, seeking education and degrees and so much more...and you know what else... "My Achievment...of Quitting Smoking...pushed my self-esteem to the Max...I knew if I could quit smoking...I could accomplish anything I set my mind to do! I have lived like that since then because of Mental Image! Thanks SammiJo auntdeb :) [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 1/1/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 53 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 2,690 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $251.75 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 7 [B]Hrs:[/B] 9 [B]Mins:[/B] 35 [B]Seconds:[/B] 56

SammiJo.. OMG.. your story so belongs just where it is and I too teared up while reading your so eloquently written words. You are truly inspirational in so many ways! I wish you continued success in all that you do girl :) (((((((((hugs)))))))) Monica58 [IMG]http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o304/Monica58/Angel.gif[/IMG] [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 1/12/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 44 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 894 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $396 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 5 [B]Hrs:[/B] 0 [B]Mins:[/B] 39 [B]Seconds:[/B] 49

SammiJo, I loved your post. I read it slowly from end to end! I've got to get started with exercise and healthy eating, and I think you've just given me the push I need. Thankyou sooo much. Cheers, Jan [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 1/13/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 43 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 1,311 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $387 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 4 [B]Hrs:[/B] 21 [B]Mins:[/B] 55 [B]Seconds:[/B] 58

Sammi, I LOVE your post and reading your story. I think you made it over more than one hill on your ride. That new you just shines out of this post. Keep on keeping on. WELL DONE! Love, Seren x [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 12/10/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 75 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 2,651 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] �450 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 7 [B]Hrs:[/B] 19 [B]Mins:[/B] 1 [B]Seconds:[/B] 30

SammiJo, That is fantastic for you. I bet you are one proud girl. I loved your post and thanks for sharing. You really have the right additude and I am glad that you made it this far. You'll be more healty as time goes by and you will feel great!!! Love Dutch xxxx [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 4/1/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 329 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 9,874 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] �970.55 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 45 [B]Hrs:[/B] 19 [B]Mins:[/B] 2 [B]Seconds:[/B] 51

Nice post Sammi well done!