DDH, I'm a VWOW (Vuloptuous Woman on Wheels ) myself. I started out close enough to 300lbs that I wasn't getting on the scale anymore. Got scared about diabetes and joined the Y. Later I upgraded to a better gym and started indoor cycling classes. And then put ALL my courage together and took a bike out on the road. The women on this site have supported me from my first struggling three mile rides last spring to my planned 100 mile ride this fall. (I can't believe I just wrote that! )

Something that really helped me after years of feeling only failure about my body. My physician said "Don't concentrate on your appearance. You'll get frustrated and quit. Concentrate on how you feel." Maybe if you know frustration is your real enemy - not your body - you'll be less likely to sabotage yourself and quit.

At first I only rode 3 days a week. My goal was every other day, and if 2 days went by, I absolutely HAD to ride - even if it was a short one. I think the wonderful thing about cycling is how fast the body responds. You have already shown HUGE commitment to your health by quitting the smokes. If you can do that, you have the willpower to carve out some cycling time. I think that once they get used to it, the people around you will respect it.

and keep reporting in! As is often said here by some wise soul, there's no achievement too small to celebrate! You are going to do GREAT!