I think im doomed :(

avesoriano

Are there others like me? Smokers who just want to start a healthy life?

My choice to quit smoking doesnt seem to help me from my food cravings. Its so hard to start the two together.

Am i being too hard on myself? Should i quit smoking first or just concentrate on my diet?

Will appreciate support and advices. Tia

BeachyBecky

I'm sorry, I know it is tough. I haven't smoked in years since my early twenties but definetly know its hard to quit. Don't really have any great advice for you, but wish you the best of luck!

lovelyrose11

First, congrats on your journey to be healthier! I think you should def focus on your diet and maybe not go cold turkey on the smoking. Maybe cut it down a lil each week until it's out of your life???

sunkisses

I've never been a smoker, but I'd say that if you decide to work on the diet separately after you've quit, just make sure to log your food. Go in to settings and set yourself at maintenance so you don't feel stressed out further by the number. Log every day, even if you go over. This habit is good, and you'll be on the right track when you're ready to start losing weight.

mandylooo

Are there others like me? Smokers who just want to start a healthy life?

My choice to quit smoking doesnt seem to help me from my food cravings. Its so hard to start the two together.

Am i being too hard on myself? Should i quit smoking first or just concentrate on my diet?

Will appreciate support and advices. Tia

If you're not dangerously obese, I'd suggest giving up smoking first - the less you have to lose the more true this is. It isn't uncommon to put on weight whilst giving up smoking (I did) so why have to do it twice?

Also, if you are not very overweight your biggest health risk is the smoking, which is another good reason to deal with that first.

colleen1106

I quit smoking on december 28th, and started working out and eating better the same day. I don't know if it was the best idea, but it seems to be going okay for me. I figured that if I just quit smoking I would put on some extra weight so why not try to do both at the same time. I feel wonderful!! Its definately hard but you just have to take it one step at a time, don't worry about not smoking all day worry about the moment.

mandylooo

I quit smoking on december 28th, and started working out and eating better the same day. I don't know if it was the best idea, but it seems to be going okay for me. I figured that if I just quit smoking I would put on some extra weight so why not try to do both at the same time. I feel wonderful!! Its definately hard but you just have to take it one step at a time, don't worry about not smoking all day worry about the moment.

Fair point - if you can do both at once, then you should, but if you have to prioritise one, make it the smoking.

sonjawi

I quit smoking two months ago. It definitely is not easier to try to get your eating habits in good order right after it - however, it has a huge benefit to "clean up your life" on all levels. I did not want to add more weight to my waistline and that is why I chose to look at my lifestyle and try to get my big butt off the couch. I am not quite there yet, but at least I am trying . Food is for me not a cold turkey thing as smoking was. I can slowly adapt my habits, and every little change is a step in the right direction. So, take it easy! And don't be surprised if you get as cranky and moody as when you try quitting smoking. After all, for many of us smokers food is the substitute for the other addiction at least for a while, and we just kind of shift. So we have to quit another addiction...even if its a milder one, hopefully

thor1god1of1awesome

to me both is extremely hard. I am chewer (i know ew) and I been trying to quite on and off. It sucks. So I suggest you focus on quitting, look around for different programs that can help. I wish you the best of luck in your health.

MaximalLife

Are there others like me? Smokers who just want to start a healthy life?

My choice to quit smoking doesnt seem to help me from my food cravings. Its so hard to start the two together.

Am i being too hard on myself? Should i quit smoking first or just concentrate on my diet?

Will appreciate support and advices. Tia

Smoking is the single worse act a person can engage.
Quit today.

The way I see it, if you smoke, eat anything you want, exercise or don't exercise.
It just won't matter.

You are ruining your health, and nothing but quitting will arrest that process.

Jenninedinburgh

I quit when I turned 30...it was the hardest thing I've ever done....I would say quit smoking first, give it your priority. Know and understand that it might take a few attempts until you are free, but KEEP trying. The energy you will have once you quit and your body is getting the oxygen it needs will naturally make you more active and in a better place to go for your next goal of losing weight

Jenninedinburgh

I quit when I turned 30...it was the hardest thing I've ever done....I would say quit smoking first, give it your priority. Know and understand that it might take a few attempts until you are free, but KEEP trying. The energy you will have once you quit and your body is getting the oxygen it needs will naturally make you more active and in a better place to go for your next goal of losing weight

Also I highly recommend a book - I tried to quit several times and was finally successful when I read this book - Alan Carr's Easy Way to Stop Smoking -

http://www.google.co.uk/products/catalog?hl=en&cp=36&gs_id=2&xhr=t&q=alan+carr's+easy+way+to+quit+smoking&pq=alan+carr's+easy+way+to+quit+smoking&rlz=1C1CHES_en-GBGB374&gs_upl=&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.,cf.osb&biw=1280&bih=685&ion=1&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=11565542622509845503&sa=X&ei=M58JT_7WAsOIhQeGyd2_CQ&sqi=2&ved=0CD8Q8wIwAQ

MicheleHand

You are not doomed! You can do this! Each healthy choice you make every time is a step in the right direction. Each time you choose to eat the right thing rather than the wrong thing and each time you say no to a smoke it is as well. You can do both - just one decision at a time. It helps if you grab a water whenever you want the wrong thing. Your body always needs the water and you cannot eat or smoke with a mouth full of water. Good luck!

bjshields

I quit 25 years ago, and I sometimes still have dreams that I'm sneaking a ciggie! I find it disgusting now, so your body will change. Good luck to you!

OxleyT6899

In hard times like this people tell you to go to things you love. And for most people ( or me at least ) its food. But I found a way around that. I found my favorite hard candy ( jolly ranchers ) and got the sugar free kind. They taste just the same as the regular kind, the only diffrence is that the regular kind has 25 calories and this kind has 5. I could eat basically however many I wanted. And the good thing about hard candy is that you don't chew it so the sensation stays in your mouth for a long time. Hope this helps!

- Taylor

jsuaccounting

It is tough. I managed to quit but did gain weight.

I would quit smoking first and then work on diet. If you get your diet right and then quit smoking - you'll just have to re-adjust your diet anyway. Some people can do both by developing an obsecion for a sport or exercise.

stylistchik

I never smoked but my husband used to smoke 4-5 packs a day :noway: and he quit in conjunction with working out. He cut back a lot, but realized the he couldn't get a good workout in if he couldn't breathe so so a few months, every time he wanted a cigarette, he hit the gym. He hasn't smoked in nearly 2 years because he enjoys being able to work out. It was probably easier because he was deployed and wasn't distracted by family or other things. I don't know if it helps but maybe its inspirational.

revren10

every time you want a cigarette drink water

kezza2002

Hi there. Well done on deciding to make you life a healthier one.

Trying to quit smoking and losing weight at the same time is very hard. Each one is hard enough on their own.

When I quit smoking 6 years ago I decided to give myself 6 months before I even contemplated losing any weight. And boy did I rediscover my sweet tooth the minute I stopped putting those toxic ingredients into my body. I ended up putting on some more weight with cravings for Mr Kipling Angel Slices.

I then started on my weight loss, which even now is still hard. I've still not made it to my target weight but that is a whole other story.

I agree with the others you must stop the smoking first. The damage smoking does to your lungs is bad. Just google smoker's lung and you'll see the pictures which show you what I mean. I'm just so glad I stopped.

Good luck. xx

angeldelight13

im currently 185lbs and tomorrow i will be phoning the Dr for an appointment to start on there quit smoking program. The way i did things was i gave myself a goal of 14lbs to lose then i would quit, my lodgic in doing so? The way i see it is iv now got a stone to play with if i eat more when i quit, but also iv worked bloody hard to lose that weight, so do i really want to gain it back by quitting? NO! It should be enough to make me really think about what im eating in the process of quitting.
I wish you a lot of luck, we all know its bad for us, so even if we do put on some weight we will be taking a very big step towards a healthy future
Feel free to add me for support x

polar135

Not doomed. You just have to decide when you want to quit and then doit. i personally hit my weight loss goal first, then started trying to quit. I used chantix to quit, but thats not for everyone.

If i had to go back, i would have quit and continue to diet.

SLN11

It is tough to make any life changing desion !

I quit smoking on the 3rd July 2011 and I have not had a *kitten* since not even a puff, there are sometimes where I do think ooo *kitten* like in drinking environments etc !

I honestly believe you need to focus on 1 thing at a time, but I quit smoking un aided and totally with my own will power if you want it that bad you will do it in your own time. The thing that made my mind up is I couldnt breath ( I have asthma anyway) I couldnt walk 15 mins to my corner shop without puffing panting and having 2 *kitten* in between.

But when I quit smoking I did crave choco and crisps more for comfort and normality more than anything when I did quit I felt healthier from the start and I started looking after myself in more ways than one however I did also gain 15-20lbs but so what overall my body is healthier in many ways it once wasnt and now I am making a change to my weight

Its the best choice you will ever make but make sure you want to quit for sure xx

You will do it good luck xxx

mollyrathpalatine

I think you can do it, i did it with very little effort.
Definately quit smoking. It's healthier to be a fat non smoker that be a thin smoker!!!!! It' s a disgustig habit.
You need to be definite about quitting smoking, if you are, you will do it successfully, otherwise you are wasting your time.
Think of all the money you will be able to spend on other things and how proud you'll be.
Pick a day and just quit, I found patches a great help for about 3 weeks to stop cravings, keep yourself very busy, exercise lots and drink water and use gum, all to distract you in the beginning.You won't put on weight if you don't start eating crap. eat lots of fruit instead.
You will be so proud that you've done it. Best of luck.
I haven't smoked for over a year now, i used to smoke approx 600euros per month, crazy, that would nearly pay a motrgage.
Just do it..... You can

LRD308

I smoked for over 25 yrs so I know its tough. The one thing that I found that worked for me was the e-cigs. Make sure you find a brand that has a variety of nicotine levels, so you can do a step down process. I used the ones that you had to recharge the e-cig via usb port. Three months later I'm completely off of them and I feel great.

Good Luck!

avesoriano

Thanks everyone. I guess youre all right. Smoking should be my priority.

I felt sad after finishing my diary today. Im not obese. Im not even overweight. My BMI is. 23-24. Im getting close to being overweight and i dont like it. Im used to being petite. After hitting 30, metabolism just really started to slow down. You might say that im in the panic mode. I just have to get control i told myself

I could see how well you guys are in your diet. I feel so shy because the bulk of my diet is carbohydrates. I just cant resist that 1 peice of oatmeal cookie. Ive been drinking 2 liters of water already. ITS SO HARD!

Towards dinner instead of getting another bite of chicken or fish i would feel like skipping it already. "OMG im over 300 cal!!"

Baby steps... Baby steps... Baby steps i think this should be my mantra

JessieNeutronGirlGenius

I actually just quit smoking myself and it's been pretty hard. Although I get cravings here and there whenever I get them I think of a healthier me and I usually get them at the gym (how weird?) and when it hits me I just work myself even harder and I drink a lot of water too. Its the whole "hand to mouth" action that satisfy me ya know?

busterbluth

When I finally quit (after 10-12 years of smoking?) it was for running. I knew I couldn't commit to the kind of running I wanted to do if I continued to smoke. Plus, cigarettes in Chicago cost, like, $10 a pack.

robin52077

I did both the same day. Usually when people gain a few pounds when quitting smoking it is because they snack excessively just to have something in their mouth. Logging food, exercising, and being very strict WHILE quitting prevented that. I went a complete 180 in my life all in the same day and it worked perfect for me.

grantsmom08

I am doing the opposite of what most of the posters said. i am a smoker and have cut back but not quit. I am focused on getting the bulk of the weight off first so I can accomplish one goal at a time. Quitting would add stress and a lot of down days that would mess with my focus. Once I get close to my goal (almost halfway there) I will then quit smoking. so the weight gain expected can be dealt with more easily at a lower weight.

nurse_chris

Congrats. I smoked for over 15 years and what helped me was having snacks in the house that were healthy, filling, and easily accessible when a craving hit. For me it was celery and carrot sticks. I found i would need to prep them as soon as i came in from the grocery store so there was no excuse. Also, clementines when they are in season........

So, concentrate on quitting smoking as that poses more health risks then the possibility of over eating after quitting...... Good luck, its hard and you will most likely have set backs, but nothing comes easy (ok, cliches are done!!!!)

stevwil41

I quit smoking about 8 years ago and it was motivated by fear lol. I'd been walking for a couple of months and eating a little better and decided to start jogging. It hurt the breathe for 3 days and that was the last time I smoked. One thing I would suggest is to not tell anyone in your life that you're quitting for at least a week or two. Otherwise, anytime you're the slightest bit cranky or whatever they'll make a big deal about you trying to quit and if you have a relapse they'll be all over you for it. Get through the first bit before you let anyone know. Good luck!