Very glad to hear that, congrats Meganatrix!
I had been a smoker for over a decade, quit
three times (each lasted around 1 year), after 3 failed attempts at quitting, finally decided to just go for the nicotine&oral fixation substitute (vaporizers) instead.
Whenever I quit smoking, my energy level and ability/willingness to exercise rises dramatically (not to mention the joie-de-vivre-boost you're referring to), and of course, it has happened when I switched to vaporizers too.
I prevent probable weight-gains by beginning a regimen of walks several days a week once I quit (around 45 mins a day, duration can be increased gradually), I walk rapidly but at a comfortable pace at which I don't ever run short of breath. Since it never feels like intense-exercising, it's very sustainable. By doing this alone, I managed to actually lose a couple of pounds each time I quit.
Have the same problem with sodas, substituting them partially with a way healthier alternative, white tea& mate (and stevia) helped me a lot, but it's still a vice I have to live/reckon with.
Hope we never have to switch back to manuals, and hang on to our zest.
Best!
-nuri