No cigarettes for 16 hours now. 5th attempt in as many months.

[Silent3]

128. One good thing about losing weight vs. quitting smoking...

...is that once you've been at losing weight for a while (for quite a bit longer than 16 hours!) you don't have to fish for compliments, people offer them very freely, even people you barely know, once you've lost enough that casual acquaintances notice.

I think some people hold back on saying anything because they're worried by the implied, "You were so fat before!", and without that worry, you'd get even more praise and encouragement.

I've never started smoking so I've never had to quit, but what would people say if you didn't mention that you'd quit smoking?

"Nice not to hear you coughing so much!"?

"Hey, you smell much better!"?

The best reason to quit smoking (or to lose weight) is for your own health, of course, doing it for yourself as you say... but "pats on the back" definitely can help with motivation. I think as long as getting attention isn't your primary goal you'll do OK.