Quit smoking without gaining.

kwardklinck
kwardklinck Posts: 1,601
edited September 24 in Motivation and Support
I've got the healthy eating and regular exercise thing down. The last piece in my road to good health is to quit smoking. If anyone is interested in a new way to think about quitting, I was given the recommendation of http://www.quitsmokingonline.com. It helps you to reduce the feelings of panic and despair that accompany trying to quit. I am also reading the book "The Easy Way to Stop Smoking" by Allen Carr. I've only started these two things and I'm already much calmer than I was a couple of days ago. I have tried to quit numerous times in the past and have always gained weight before starting smoking again. This time will be different for me. I will not only quit this terrible habit, I will also keep up with the diet logging and regular exercise to keep me feeling great as I get rid of my drug.

Replies

  • cjduckie
    cjduckie Posts: 78 Member
    I'm so with you on this! My next step is to quit smoking too - I promised myself when i reached goal weight I'd stop...and goal weight is only 11-13lbs away - I already feel the anxiety building. Good luck, IMPOSSIBLE IS NOTHING!!!!
  • papastu
    papastu Posts: 737 Member
    I smoked 20 a day, best thing I ever bought to stop smoking was an electric *kitten*, I quit in 5 weeks, I had tried stupid patches and gum

    Good Luck with your task



    http://www.paramountzone.com/mini-electric-cigarette.htm
  • backinthenines
    backinthenines Posts: 1,083 Member
    My mother always used the excuse of not wanting to put on weight for her reason not to quit smoking.

    Now she has 32% of her lung function left, is chronically disabled by her brochial problems, and her quality of life quite frankly is rubbish. She has finally given up a month ago (after having seen internal pictures of her lunch taken during a specialist assessment after yet another bout of emphysema) but the damage she has done will never come right as lungs don't regenerate cells in the way that for instance a liver does.

    Especially if you have children, I beg you to stop this crazy addiction even if it means putting on a pound or two temporarily from snacking. Cigarettes will put you in an early grave, a couple of pounds probably won't.
  • kwardklinck
    kwardklinck Posts: 1,601
    Last time I quit for a year and gained 25 pounds. Of course I was quitting as I watched my mother die of lung cancer. I started smoking again to get the weight off. Guess what? It took me 8 years to figure out how to do that. I smoked for 8 years until I finally "got the weight off". Now I still have about 5 pounds still to lose but I'm not waiting anymore. I've made excuse after excuse. I even watched my son start to smoke and I continued to smoke. Now, me, hubby, and son are all quitting together. By doing this, we have to hold each other accountable.
  • backinthenines
    backinthenines Posts: 1,083 Member
    I'm so sorry you lost your mum to cancer and I'm sure you don't want to inflict that pain on your son.

    Both my parents have been chain smokers til recently. Dad had a small stroke and mum developed serious breathing problems that got much worse over a very short period of time. Both are in their early 60s and it breaks my heart. I have pleaded with them all my life to stop.
  • Atlantique
    Atlantique Posts: 2,484 Member
    Don't forget that nicotine is a stimulant. I forget the exact impact of losing that stimulant, but I think it was something like 200 calories per pack per day. (I wish I could recall where I saw this).

    So you may need to increase your exericise to quit without gaining. It's not a huge difference, but one that you may want to take into account if you were a pack a day person or higher.
  • kwardklinck
    kwardklinck Posts: 1,601
    I just read that on the quit online program. I can increase my exercise to every day now. I know my body can handle it. It is also an amazing way to relax me. I love those endorphins!
  • leomom72
    leomom72 Posts: 1,797 Member
    i may have to try that..best of luck with your weight loss, AND quitting :)
  • I smoked and attempted to quit several times to only go back to it. I thought I could be a social smoker but it only takes a few for me to be addicted again. I haven't smoked in 5 years and I am in the best shape of my life. Quitting does cause some metabolism changes but exercise and eating healthy will combat the weight gain. Use this sight to keep accountable for your calories and you will do great! It's so hard at first but so worth it once the habit is broken! Best of luck!
  • cherrieruns
    cherrieruns Posts: 342 Member
    I was a two pack a day smoker. I asked my doc for a welburtrin script ( I don't think they use that now but I do think they use others). I took it for 2 weeks. I quit the first week. You can take those meds for up to 12 weeks I think. Anyway, I never looked back. I did gain weight however, I was not eating healthy and working out. You already are so you are ahead of the game. And, besides, I decided I would rather be overweight and smoke free. Good luck to you!
  • jjustjo
    jjustjo Posts: 285 Member
    I quit a year ago using http://www.healthcabin.net/manual-joye510-mega-kit-in-10-colorslong-product-7618.html. I smoked over 2 packs a day. This worked and I didn't gain weight...now I am losing
  • kwardklinck
    kwardklinck Posts: 1,601
    Thank you for the information. You really can't have too many tools when it comes to this.
  • katschi
    katschi Posts: 689 Member
    Good Luck to You!

    I, too, tried many times to quit before the last time actually stuck. It took about 5 weeks to feel less anxious and that I really could do it. I unfortunately gained weight but I didn't know all the things I do now about eating well and didn't have the discipline to stick to a healthy eating and exercising program.
    I went cold turkey without any aides to help me.
    I smoked from the time I was 14 - 34 and near the end I was a large pack a day smoker. We were allowed to smoke at work back in the day so I puffed all day long. Sometimes 2 if I was drinking. (not at work ... haha)

    It's been 17 years.
  • chelvid
    chelvid Posts: 12 Member
    I just wanted to add, you can do this. If I can then you can. I used to smoke 20 a day and never thought I would be able to give up. I gave up with will power alone and have now been smoke free for over 2 years and have never felt better. It is really hard at the start but every day it gets easier and easier and before long you won't even think about it any more.
This discussion has been closed.