Beating the weight gain of becoming a non-smoker?

Moniqua1

Ok, so it always seems that when I choose a good decision, the bad always kicks my butt before the good results come through. I'm trying to avoid the bad on this (the mood swings were enough). I'm going on week two, and.so far, I've gained 2lbs but I deserve them because I wasn't careful. Now, all I want is junk food and that's not normal for me. I bought hostess orange cupcakes out of a vending machine at work! I feel out of control. Today I was a little stricter but I feel bloated and I even ran an extra mile and a half before I did my zumba class. Any suggestions to keep the weight under control before it gets even a little out of hand?

vena60

Try 4 0z of orange juice three times a day.

Patovader

How about replace the habit by going for a glass of water instead of a cigarette? Or instead of the junk food take lots of fruit with you and have a piece?

Edit to say, congratulations on your decision to quit and good luck

Moniqua1

I do take fruit EVERYWHERE and I always keep a granola bar in my purse "just on case" I could go through eating a whole pear tree and not think twice about it! Oh, and then people at work and their darn cookies or homemade Bosnian food!

jeanniebspurs

I gained over two and a half stone when i stopped smoking, if it didnt move i ate it! It wasnt so much about breaking the habit for me i seemed to be constantly hungry,i wasnt om mfp until i had gained all the weight so i think if u r tracking what u r eating it will probs help u make sure u dont wake up one day like i did and wonder where your waist has gone!

Moniqua1

I'm not sure that I'm actually hungry, or if I just need something to do. I'm not very god at.sitting in one place without doing something. I was thinking I might just start skipping breaks and going back to work as.soon a I finish eating, but I can't stop shoveling food into my mouth! I eat something sweet, and then I need to counter it with something salty, rinse and repeat. Lol

Cait_Sidhe

I quit 12.5 months ago and I've gained back ~15 lb. It's starting to come off again. Just give it time. It's frustrating. I tried so hard not to gain. I militantly tried to keep my calories at 1200/day and took up running. It didn't work. I seemed to use all my willpower on that ONE THING which was smoking. My willpower for everything just flew out the window. I'd rather be the weight I am now than a smoker though. It's all leveling out now and I've regained my self control.

JoeD1968

I'm working on the smoking thing as well
I did start smoking American natural organic cigs
Not a cure but a good alternative imo.down from a pack a day to about 5 a day.
It's just soooo hard to quit altogether

Moniqua1

15lbs I'm freaking scared! That's how much I've lost! not smoking hasn't really been as hard as I thought. I wonder of quitting and not gaining is possible!

somigliana

I quit almost 2 years ago and managed not to gain any weight, but it was the most difficult thing I've ever done and took loads and loads of gritting my teeth (and I was sooo moody the first month) and sheer willpower. I stuck to my daily calorie target come hell or high water (I'm a stubborn woman, according to my husband!)

I developed a bit of a sugar-free gum addiction as a replacement for a bit, though, and then I had to quit that!

Good luck.

Patovader

I think you need to replace the bad habit with a good habit, I can imagine that it is very difficult especially if you have colleagues etc who all go for a cigarette immediately after lunch or during a break, how about going for a quick 10 minute walk around the block whilst they do that?

surabhit

I quit smoking about 2 months ago, and luckily for me I didnt feel any major need to replace smokes with food. The suggestion of fruit and water is great - I did that too. Water helps to fill you up without putting on calories. But my best incentive was that I started running (from not being able to climb stairs without gasping for air) and that's helped me lose weight instead of gaining anything. Find a new class/exercise which is different to your normal routine - it'll surprise your body and you'll end up losing weight.

Kebby83

Carrots and gum.
I smoke. I had quit (my third time quitting) but someone offered me one, and that turned into two and you know the drill, so now I smoke a stupid pack a day. And I'm a girl who has WATCHED and taken care of people dying from lung cancer - if that doesn't stop me, God knows what will.

But. They say you should eat carrot sticks and gum. You could try one of those electric cigs. Or the patch - don't smoke with the nicotine patch on - it made me throw up.

susie18

I am still a smoker. About a pack a day. I took a hiatus from smoking about 3 times within the last several years and obviously unsuccessful. I had gained from that, then started smoking and lost. Now I let things go to the point where I need to focus on weight only first, then attempt becoming a non-smoker again. I have too much anxiety and worry so much. I'm trying to figure out how to control all of it; weight, smoking, everyday anxiety. Good luck and just keep using this website and the gym to keep on track. I'm sure you will be great!!

eppy5555

I can totally relate. I quit almost 8 weeks ago and have put on almost 10 lbs. I have been going to the gym so some of it could be muscle weight but I feel bloated and bigger than I have been since post pregnancy 14 years ago. I want to eat all day long. I try to eat grapes and carrots but what I really want are nachos and m & m 's. I don't really think about smoking any more, even though I smoked at least a pack a day for over 25 years, because I think about food all day long. It is like a totally new addiction.