What's harder? Quitting smoking or quitting overeating?

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  • Artionis
    Artionis Posts: 105 Member
    Really, what difference does it make which is "harder"? And so what if it's "hard"? What of value in your life have you ever accomplished that wasn't "hard"? A fellow named Erik Weihenmayer climbed to the top of Mt Everest. And he is blind. OK, that was "hard".

    I read the success stories - people who had hundreds of pounds to lose, and they took their life back and succeeded. How proud they are and should be of that accomplishment. Was it hard? I believe it.

    Self talk matters. If your self talk is "but it's so hard", that is gazing down the path of quitting because "it's too hard," If your self talk is "I've made a commitment to a healthy lifestyle change. I won't be perfect, I will stumble along the way, but I WILL accomplish my goal", that is gazing up the path to success.
  • MrsC1st
    MrsC1st Posts: 45 Member
    I tried to quit smoking on three different occasions, but the fourth time was a charm. On October 21, 2010, I quit smoking cold turkey; on all of the other occasions I quit due to pregnancy. Both addictions are hard to kick, but as someone else stated above that anything worth having at all; is worth working for and waiting for. I have made a concious decision to take my life back from obesity. Everyday, each meal, sometimes even moment by moment I dwell on being in the moment and rely on my positive self talk. I use to do a tremendous amount of emotional eating, now when I'm tempted to overeat due to stress, boredom, anger, fear, or any other human emotion; I stop to ask myself, why am I wanting to eat and deal with the issue instead of eating. I pray that you don't take this post the wrong way, because I do understand our struggle. Hang in there! It does get easier when you deal with the emotional side of things.I log into mfp everyday...feel free to friend me or personal message me anytime for support. Everyone need support at some point in time.
  • Phanntom
    Phanntom Posts: 28 Member
    As one that did one, (quitting smoking) cold turkey and is currently doing the other....quitting smoking is far more difficult. As a doctor told a friend of mine that was hooked on prescription drugs after an injury, ominously told him..."the brain NEVER forgets". Especially things it found pleasurable.

    My "overeating" has been a two-fold problem. First, was all the wrong foods, and second was portion sizes. An easy to devour lunch for me might be 2 McDonalds Double Cheeseburgers, a medium fry and a medium coke. I haven't actually checked but I'm willing to bet that lunch exceeded my entire daily caloric allowance. My daily caloric intake was likely between 3500 and 4000...in the range of what most professional athletes need during their season. My exercise level could've been described between non-existent and very little. I'm not sure who or what to thank for the fact I don't currently weight 750 pounds like those you see on various programs...by comparison I'm a svelte 240 pounds, and the fact, I don't have diabetes.

    I've tried eating better over the years for short periods but have always reverted back to my old ways. I elected to retire early and I'm currently on an odyssey traveling the country's backroads in my RV. The advantage of this is I have access to many, many farmers roadside stands. So...now, I'm taking advantage of this to actually eat better and I'm cutting portion sizes and incorporating in some cardio exercise and some dumbbell strength training.

    I'm really not trying to cut anything out of my diet. I know from past experience....that will result in me failing. I love food and that will probably remain as long as I live....but I'm adapting that to less of it and adding healthier things into the equation...then by nature...I won't be eating AS MUCH of some of the other things. The last couple times I've dined out....rather than ordering the largest steak on the menu....I'm ordering the smallest and sides are now asparagus or broccoli in place of mashed potatoes w/gravy or a baked with "the works". Hopefully, these little changes in my lifestyle will turn out to be keepers and over the long haul will make for a lighter, healthier me.

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