I quit smoking 7 years ago today. My then fiance was asthmatic & had a father who had died from lung cancer and he encouraged me to quit...for my kids Well, I did. I used patches for a few days and then forgot. That day my little boy, who was not quite 5, said "Momma, did you remember your no smoking medicine?" I said I forgot and asked why and he said that the smell bothered him and it hurt his eyes. It had to have been unprompted because he wasn't yet in school and everyone we knew was a smoker.

So, the big questions...

Was it hard? Yes, and it still is. I still think about it when I am stressed. Frequently in my dreams I am a smoker, still have the lighter in my pocket and a Marlboro Light in my hand.

Did you gain weight? Yes. I have a bad hand to mouth habbit that I still am working on to over come...hence the reason I'm overweight.

Worth it? You betcha.