Hi Amy,
Welcome alot of good advice and support comes from here. I smoked for 42 years and was in the top 1 percent of heavy smokers. Using this program and all the support from alot of the people here I haven't had a smoke in 8 days was tough at first but it's getting easier.
The preperation I couldn't wait to get started. I was going to wait until I go home in February but decided with the help from the people here I would give it a go early. So now I'm looking at going home with over a month smoke free.
Some good advice so far. Especially go through the my program it really educates you and helps. Read alot of the post here. I have read and read them and then read some more. The Alan Carr book that was already mentioned alot of people have talked about it. My wife ordered it for me which I won't see till I get home in February but I still want to read it.
Just remember your not alone just come here and ask questions or ask for help. Especially when you are ready to quit.