Sorry that I missed this at first. I remember when you first came on here, and now here you are at over a year.
The weight change will happen. I kept my quit weight plus an additional 5-10 lbs for a year and a half after I quit. Finally got kind of a handle on it this year, and I'm maintaining at 15 lbs. below my quit weight. Unlike you, I've always been pretty thick, so I didn't need the extra. So I'm happy just not being obese. I suspect you're more dedicated than me, so you will get there.
Huge congrats on your great quit! One year IS a special milestone and it sounds like you rewarded yourself well! BRAVO!!!
As far as the weigh thing goes, you are on the right track! Just like quitting, it will take a bit of time, but it can be done! I've lost 15 pounds since the beginning of the year and I'm finally down to the weight I was one year "after" I quit. Ten more pounds to go for me! One day at a time!
I haven't visited much but I sure haven't smoked :). My reward trip to southwestern France was awesome. There was a bit of struggle there as the tour guide smoked. Yikes!!!! She was 20+ years younger and I could out walk her going uphill. I turned to her and said 'I'm faster than you uphill because I don't smoke anymore' LOL!
Today is just such a special day and achievement for me. It seems so strange that I allowed myself to be a Slave to that nasty, disgusting addiction/habit. Jumping for Joy!!!!!
Now if I can only get rid of this 16 lbs. Well 15.6 as of this AM. I've been working with my doctor. 5 weeks ago she Raised my calorie count to 1500 saying 1200 is to low. She has me eating more protein, doing all exercise in one session, eating 4 smaller meals per day, never going without eating for more than 3-4 hours. In 5 weeks I've lost .6 pounds :). Beats gaining it! She says at my age (64) after a lifetime of food regulation and regular exercise it will be very difficult to lose and to work on acceptance since I am still well within the range for my height. But I won't give up because I'm used to being a size 6P not a 10P, I worked at it my entire life!
Even with the weight I climbed 216 stairs up a cliff in Rocamador without taking a deep breath :) That is because I'm a non-smoker :)
Keep the Quit everyone. If I can do it surely you can!!!