On losing weight AND quitting smoking

PibblesRun

Please tell me there are people out there who quit smoking in the midst of weight loss? Share your story with me...did you continue to lose as much as before or did it slow down?

Ive been putting off quitting for some time now...because of the weight gain part. But today I got scared...my chest was tight and I could barley breathe exercising...its happened before but today it was worse...so much so that I quit in the middle of exercising and said that's IT...broke my cigarettes and threw them out. I cant do it anymore. Of course now...im terrified ill gain weight! I know quitting is better for my health and I shouldn't worry about gaining...but I do worry about gaining because I want/need to lose weight! I think that's what had me fail every time I tried to quit before...the fear of gaining weight. If I didn't have that fear I don't think id have a huge problem quitting. I mean...I have the willpower to diet and bust my butt exercising so why couldn't I for smoking?

Any tips for me on how to successfully get through quitting and not gaining/ hopefully still losing weight? Thanks!

olores

Firstly, congrats on making that heart healthy decision!! It takes a lot to realize where you are and make appropriate changes! Next, check in with a good doctor to make sure that you are as healthy as you can be before continuing to exercise....heavy!!! Once you do, have no fear.....cigs will not get in your way! Been there, done that!!! YOU CAN AND WILL DO IT TOO!! Also, google tips and you'll have plenty of great ideas!

PibblesRun

Thanks! Yes, I have my physical every year and things are good with my health. I have my annual physical scheduled for July...She didn't have anything sooner unfortunately.

fallingken

Gum, Nicorettes, celery, carrots, regular deep breaths when the urge hits. Try to avoid the triggers to smoke, and get out and just walk. Good luck on quitting, I had to practice that myself about 3 times before I got it right. It really is one of the hardest things I did, but I did it, for more than 12 years now. Don't worry about weight right now, it is less hazardous to your health than smoking, but don't just eat everything either.

PibblesRun

That's the problem...I will worry about my weight if I gain. Which will derail my not smoking. Honestly, If I had to choose between losing weight or not smoking...id choose losing weight. I want to quit bad...but I want to lose weight worse.

hlpatton

I found quitting actually helped my weight loss go faster because I could BREATHE when exercising! Within a week you will be able to breathe better and exercising will get easier and who doesn't want that?!

katiejo2011

I am the opposite. I was able to quit smoling over 2 years ago, but have not been able to stick with the weight loss. the only reason people gain is because they usually replace smoking with snacking (at least that is what i did), but just stock up on healthy snacks and so something like squats or some form of quick exercise when you want to smoke. That should help with not putting weight on while quitting.

My opinion, both losing weight and quitting smoking are hard and you may have to choose your battles. I chose to quit smoking first and now finally have chosen to lose weight. Hopefully i can pull it off. Good luck to you. You can do anything you set your mind to, but you have to want it enough.

LoudmouthLee

I quit smoking on June 1st, 2012.
I quit being fat on July 6th, 2012.

I have not picked up a cigarette since, while losing approximately 120 pounds. It's all about inner strength and making it through the first week or two.

Obsess over your food diary. Whenever you want a cigarette, drink water. Whenever you want to eat, drink water.

Morninglory81

I am also quitting now. I have decided to do Burpiees(spelling?) every time I get a craving. 5 for the first craving and add 2 for everyone after that. I figure if anything I can keep weight gain at bay that way.

Good luck!

yelliezx

Congrats on deciding to quit! That's tough work in itself. Quitting smoking wasn't too difficult for me but I did find myself eating instead of smoking. You just have to be really anal about what you're eating. Make sure you log and exercise! Just keep your eye on the prize! I don't have any great advice, you just need to have will power! Good luck, I hope you can do it OH and don't drink if you can help it. I always smoked while drinking!

mell6355

Being able to breath and work harder kept the additional weight loss away. You will find out quickly how much extra time not smoking gives you and new fun things to do with that time! If you smoke at work, make sure that you still take your breaks and sneak an extra 120 calorie burning walk in instead!

JillLangOliver

I was a smoker for a LOT of years. Me and my husband quit smoking together, year and half ago.

I discovered my lungs again! Because I was able to breathe better, I started exercising. Then watching my diet.

Since then, I have lost over 55 lbs. I'm at a good weight now but I'd like to lose about 8 more vanity lbs, since I've come this far.

You will be soooo glad to have the cigs behind you and in your past!

Lone_Wolf70

i lost 104 over 16 months and smoked the whole way thru. i wanted to quit somewhere in there, but didnt want to take a chance. Im moving to E Cigs next week.

Allonsee

The weight gain part is VERY MUCH about putting stuff in your mouth without being attentive to it. If you are already in the habit of documenting everything you're eating then it will be easier to notice when you start to drift.

Plan now (and try out by delaying a smoke with your new plan). Also, have a sweat inducing workout in mind for when you need to deal with the anxiety of not smoking. Trade nictoine for endorphines!

Good luck (Monday will be six months with no nicotine for me - it is doable).

salcha76

I have quit & quit again, this time for good (surgery scheduled...dr won't do the surgery on a smoker). reprogram yourself. write a new story....instead of saying i'm going to quit & gain weight.....say i'm going to quit & drop 10 and prove the world wrong....you write your own story/program. don't blame anything. recognize what your triggers are & reprogram yourself, avoid those triggers....i have had to turn down invites saying thank you, but that would be really hard for me i'm not ready for that yet.....i eat an apple every day for the car ride home ater work instead of that calm down smoke....things that are a habit can be relearned. instead of a smoke and a cup of coffee w/the paper on sunday mornings it's a walk or a chat on the phone....be aware of your triggers and reprogram, it can be done....good luck!

skruger22

Yaaaaaaaaaay for quitting smoking!!! I did it, and actually kind of replaced smoking with running! It was a good thing to do to keep me busy and keep my mind off the addiction. I chewed a LOT of gum, and I had a LOT of support from friends who hated that I smoked- you can do it!! If you ever need encouragement, you can add me- I'm keeping my boyfriend accountable, too- everyone should quit smoking!!!
Good luck- you can do it! Believe me, if I can do it- ANYONE can do it. It'll be hard- but it's do-able!

silvergurl518

Gum, Nicorettes, celery, carrots, regular deep breaths when the urge hits. Try to avoid the triggers to smoke, and get out and just walk. Good luck on quitting, I had to practice that myself about 3 times before I got it right. It really is one of the hardest things I did, but I did it, for more than 12 years now. Don't worry about weight right now, it is less hazardous to your health than smoking, but don't just eat everything either.

not a smoker here, but i've battled other addictions. i think this is great advice ^. good luck to the OP! quitting smoking will be one of the best decisions you'll have ever made. exercise and just life will become easier without your lungs/heart being crowded with nicotine/tar.

ShelliePAwesome

I quit September 30, 2012 and have lost around 30 lbs since then. I have watched many of my family members quit, but they gained weight. They all substituted some sort of food for smokes. I did not want to do that so i tried to stay away from anything you chew..i.e. food, gum, mints, etc.

What worked for me was Listerine breath spray. Overwhelm your tastebuds by spraying 5-6-7 times. Then do deep breathing. Does this make the craving go away 100 percent? no!!! But realize you will always crave cigarettes, but each month, the cravings get less intense and less frequent.

Try to stay away from your triggers, that can be places or people. I had to excuse myself from being around friends that were still smoking. I would just jokingly say to them that I had to go because they smelled so good (like smoke). Now I can be around them for a longer period of time.

The first week will be so horrible, but this can work in your favor. Just remember how bad the first 24 hours or how bad the first week was and you will never want to experience that again, dont backslide. You can do this!

Another awesome side effect is I can run for as long as my muscles will let me...not my lungs!

Good luck! You can do this!

TraceyG1971

Cigarettes are addictive due to the nicotine. They also become a habit. It's the hand to mouth habit that leads people to eat more when they try to quit smoking. To help with the nicotine withdrawal you can use the patches. To help pacify the hand to mouth habit you can try to eat raw veggies such as broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, etc.

If you don't want to pacify your habit with food, and you don't want to use the patches, try vapors. You can have your nicotine and the hand to mouth habit all rolled into one. I'm not talking about E-cigs. The vapors have nice flavors and aromas and the amount of nicotine can be adjusted so if you really want to quit, you can have it gradually lowered. Hope this helps. Good luck!!

stellcorb

I quit smoking and did not have issues continuing/ keeping my weight loss. I quit almost 2 and a half years ago after reading "The Easy Way to Stop Smoking" by Alan Carr and I haven't had one since. He goes over the mental addiction and talks you out of it with out any nicotine suppliments or drugs... if you really want to quit, it really works! The other good thing about it is he talks about not replacing it with anything... including food or candy which I believe is the main reason people gain.
Also, for reference, I smoked on and off (mostly on) for 16 years and at one point was up to over a pack a day. It feels nice to be a non-smoker and I managed to maintain my weight loss through a pregnancy as well!
Good luck to you... quitting is worth it!

NEdblT

Hang in there, you can do this! It is the HARDEST habit to break, there is none absolutely NONE like it. Patches worked for me for approx. 6 months off and on over the years. February of this year I started the ECig with 16mg of nicotine. I only "vape" in the evenings and I am now down to 4mg.

THIS NOT TO STOP SMOKING. Nicotine is poison, literally! You just don't have all the extra chemicals that are in cigarettes. You are picking the better of 2 evils. I only say this is better because I can breathe again. I noticed my breathing lying in bed!! Inhaling nothing would be ideal. I am down to almost nothing now and don't crave cigs. With watching food and especially the exercise! I don't see myself ever picking one up again.

Believe me, I know. 35+ years, it's stop or die early and at 56 that's a scary thing.

Exercise whether a little or a lot (preferably ALOT like everyday) is the key. I did not think I could walk because of my knees. It has been hard and painful at times but I make myself do it everyday. It DOES make a big difference and as I lost weight it's gotten easier.

The Fitbit One is a great motivator. Community is great because you don't have to interact but "friends" will cheer you on, on the Fitbit site. I use MFP for logging food (very important) and it will also sync my exercise to/from my Fitbit Account on my PC also very important. MFP even has an App for my Windows phone! I can log and SCAN food on the go. It's awesome.

Hang in there you can do this. I'm just trying to get my health back and the exercise in the last 4 weeks has been critical. I've done other Diets such as NuSys and WW but find the interactive part of MFP and Fitbit One engaging. MFP has a huge database of foods and the Fitbit One is awesome in tracking activity. I'm not endorsing any of the products, especially "vaping", just telling my story. :-)

PibblesRun

I am also quitting now. I have decided to do Burpiees(spelling?) every time I get a craving. 5 for the first craving and add 2 for everyone after that. I figure if anything I can keep weight gain at bay that way.

Good luck!

HA that's for sure!!! those things are murderous! LOL

MizTerry

I quit for a year before beginning my weight loss journey per my doctors orders.

Invest in gum, naturally, and here's a bonus piece of advice: Cinnamon sticks will help a lot. Keep a jar at every location you are regularly at.
I've been smoke free since January 2012.

Edited to add that I was a pack a day smoker for 32 years.

leslieschoenle

I do not want to brag by any means but I quit smoking, drinking pop, and started working out on the same day! One day I got on the scale and it said 179lbs. (the heaviest I have been except when I was pregnant) and I had to change! I was a pack a day smoker, at least 2 bottles of pop a day, and eating about 2,500 calories a day with little not exercise. I was always tired and couldn't stand up for a very long time without my hips hurting! I have not had a cigartette, or a sip of pop and have exercised at least 3-6 days a week! I have lost 33.5 lbs. and feel amazing!!! the hardest part for me was the constant headache for about a week or two from no nicotine and no caffeine (i don't drink coffee either). I am so much happier the way I am now and couldn't imagine going back. Don't get me wrong a cigarette always sounds good but the risk isn't worth it in the end!!! Good luck and add me if you want to! I would love to keep in touch!

NEdblT

To TracyG,

You are right on the Ecigs. These aren't the $8-$12 things you see at the convenience store or Walgreens. I got mine from a local Vapors store. Mine does look like a cig. I prefer this compared to the people who look like they are walking around with a "bong" on a rope around their necks. haha. That type uses a lot of vapor, even more expensive.

But...... I have to fill it. It cost me $65 and had two batteries and a package of what they call cartomizers (look like the filters), where you load the vapor. They last quite a while and I have found cheaper places online compared to my local vapors store. My wife cannot smell it and has really helped.

All the other ideas are great too! Whatever works, they are evil nasty things. One thing I continually remind myself and no the cravings never go away just get better.

leslieschoenle

Not in a mean way at all but you aren't going to quit unless YOU are ready. I tried to quit multiple times and until I was ready I didn't do it. You will not gain weight because you quit smoking, you will gain weight if you eat to replace the urge for a cigarette! Celery is a great munchy with hardly no calories, and the car was the worst part for me... i did purchase an E-Cigarette and use that when the urge is WAY too much! Google them, it saved me! I have stopped using the E-Cigarette now, which is so much easier than a real cigarette. Please if you have any questions or need some motivation just message me!

mytime1986

Please tell me there are people out there who quit smoking in the midst of weight loss? Share your story with me...did you continue to lose as much as before or did it slow down?

Ive been putting off quitting for some time now...because of the weight gain part. But today I got scared...my chest was tight and I could barley breathe exercising...its happened before but today it was worse...so much so that I quit in the middle of exercising and said that's IT...broke my cigarettes and threw them out. I cant do it anymore. Of course now...im terrified ill gain weight! I know quitting is better for my health and I shouldn't worry about gaining...but I do worry about gaining because I want/need to lose weight! I think that's what had me fail every time I tried to quit before...the fear of gaining weight. If I didn't have that fear I don't think id have a huge problem quitting. I mean...I have the willpower to diet and bust my butt exercising so why couldn't I for smoking?

Any tips for me on how to successfully get through quitting and not gaining/ hopefully still losing weight? Thanks!

I had the same experience last week.. I tried to quit and got so stressed about gaining weight I picked right back up. I would love to hear any tips anyone has.

Saucy_lil_Minx

I found quitting actually helped my weight loss go faster because I could BREATHE when exercising! Within a week you will be able to breathe better and exercising will get easier and who doesn't want that?!

This!
I quit in 2011 after my son had begged me to give it up after I took him on his first caving experience with me. We had to scale a cliff face, and I got super winded! I realized this is it I can't do one of my favorite things b/c I can't breath, and I'm too fat! This was Phase 1 for me!
It is worth it!!! Even if you do slow your weight loss a little. You will find your self supercharged, and kick it into high gear to make up for it in maybe a month or two...depends on the amount you smoked, and the years put into it.

baileyq217

I tried to quit somking before I started my weight loss. I was doing pretty good. Went from pack a day to a pack every 3 days. Then a pack a week. I even got to half a pack a week. And was only smoking when I was out drinking with friends( my downfall).

Then with my new diet and routine, I started smoking more and more each day. Yesterday it hit me, I'm back to my regualr habit! I am going to try to make it through my work day (9hrs) without a one.

Hopefully I can keep myself in check. No smoking and keep eatting healthy and exercising!

nellyett

Congratulations on quitting!! Getting in the mindset is half the battle so you're halfway there!

I quit mid-January of this year. I am happy to say that I am thrilled to be done with it! I was a pack per day smoker for 20 years, less a couple of years when I got pregnant and had my daughter. I started again when I separated from my ex-husband.

I have always been a big defender of smokers, and enjoyed it. A lot. I even graduated from the C25k program while smoking a pack per day.....and the first thing I'd do after leaving bootcamp is light up! LOL There is NO WAY that smoking was holding me back from exercise or life for that matter....haha However, it really did control my thoughts and my day....where are we going? can I smoke there? how long is that car ride? will there be other smokers there? I can help you with that after my cig....etc. etc. I am so grateful to be rid of that ball and chain!! Plus the money I'm saving!!! And I don't smell!! And I'm not adding more chemicals to my body in an already chemically overloaded society!! These are all reasons to remind yourself that you are doing something for you and that beautiful little girl you are holding in your photos.

Will you gain weight? That's truly up to you. I was a total WITCH when I quit! I went cold turkey and just ripped the band-aid off. Warned my family that it was going to be a very difficult few weeks and to just kind of deal with it if they could. The first few days I was a total zombie and sort of hid in a shell....the next few days I had the shortest fuse I've ever had! It wasn't until about the 2 week mark that I started feeling like a human being again! LOL Now I feel amazing and extremely grateful!!!

Circling back to your original question....yes it's possible to lose weight and quit smoking at the same time. I know lots who've done it. I unfortunately did not. I gained about 10 lbs and it had nothing to do with quitting. I had lost a pound the first week I quit, and then my bootcamp membership expired. It was cold outside so I wasn't running. I tried doing squats and lunges everytime I went to the bathroom at work, and would bundle up and go for a walk around the block when I was about to lose my temper. haha Let's not forget that I was eating WAY over my calories each day and was eating chocolate for breakfast, lunch and dinner. I think I was substituting the nicotine rush with a sugar rush.

So did I gain weight from quitting smoking? No. I gained weight from not exercising that often, eating way too much, and eating all of the wrong things.

Stick with your current program and you will be successful! I put off quitting for years from the fear of gaining weight, but as others have said, it has been so much more beneficial for me than worrying about a couple of pounds!

You can do this!! Congrats!!

amypomm

I quit May 21st and have lost 6 pounds since then. Im still losing at the same rate. Good luck to you, you can do it!