Quitting Smoking while Losing Weight, anyone else on this jo

innerbetty

An unintentional new years resolution for me was quitting smoking. After the holidays I'm having a hard time getting back on the wagon with my logging. I guess I just wanted to start a thread where people doing the same can come to vent or find support and motivation.
I personally have never been a huge smoker- half a pack a day kinda habit. While I'm ok with not smoking (I never really smoked after work or on weekends for the most part), I find that a problem I've always had, and continue to encounter, is craving. Since I've always been kind of a part time smoker I've never given in to cigarette cravings. Therefore, I do not recognise them as such. Instead I wander the kitchen trying to find what I'm craving. A little of this and a little of that adds up so fast, you have no idea! I think deep down I'm hoping that making a concentrated effort to quit will help me to be more aware of my kitchen trips. I've quit temporarily before and I've always lost weight..not really sure how or why. I guess I'm also hoping that this will help make me less preoccupied with food.
I'm not on MFP often aside from mobile, so I tend to shy away from friendships as I sometimes feel as though I don't keep my end up. I am realizing though that support and friendship is just what I need to help me through this. (Baby steps in self realization:) I also plan on using this thread as a venting/distraction place to thwart my kitchen trips. Looking forward to making new friends! Wish me luck!

innerbetty

Additionally, I'm having issues with being on somewhat of a schedule at work (Mon-Fri 5:30-4) but no sort of structure for the weekends / after work. I can stay on track at work no problem but it kind of turns into a free for all once I get home. (as a side note I used to smoke at work but not at home) How do you stay on track on weekends and down time?

innerbetty

Using this as a distraction tool again today. I've done well but sleeping in really helps a lot! lol. Rather than tellng myself that I'm trying to gain control of two things I'm using one as a means to the other, therefore it's only one goal in the long run. Random question.. when you first lose a pound, do you log it right away or are you hesitant.. like you'll jinx it?

Shannonigans84

I quit on Thanksgiving, I know what you're going through! I didn't have it in me to be able to focus on quitting AND monitor weight loss, so I chose to focus soley on quitting. I too smoked 1/2 pack a day. But it wasn't addiction as much as a habit. It was my alone time, 5 minutes of relaxation. I didn't experience withdrawals when I quit cold turkey, but my appetite increased greatly. My stomach was constantly grumbling. I did my best to ignore it, but I still managed to gain 9lbs in 32 days. Finally at that point I was ready to get back to eating right. My hunger isn't as intense and I feel much more optimistic about things! Congrats on quitting! There is a group for people quitting smoking, you should check it out