quitting smoking and losing weight.

I quit a year ago this week. In that same year I have lost 45 lbs.

It's not easy but quitting does not automatically equal weight gain. I was suffering from daily vertogo and migraines and I was so very sick of being sick all the time. The decision I made a year ago was "to be healthier" so that's what I did. I quit smoking first, but also jump started my weight loss with a couple low carb weeks.

I did have the help of medication, topomax, a medication commonly prescribed for migraines with a known side effect of appetite suppression (for both food and cigarettes), so it worked out in my favor in many ways. I also kept nicotine gum handy and didn't beat myself up if I had a drag pf someones smoke when I was out--but if I had a whole cig--that was it--square one.

I may still be obese, but I feel SO MUCH BETTER! and I can walk up stairs without being nervous that I'll wheeze and everyone will think "Gross, that fat smoker can't even make it up 5 flights without taking a knee". Now they probably think "Hmmm, that fatty can really book it up those 5 flights!"

Anyways..good luck. Use the tools available to you: patches, gum, carrot sticks, support groups, and websites.
Keep up the good work!!!

PS: I smoked for 20 years.

I tried to quit smoking while I was losing weight. It totally effed me over and I ended up smoking more than before I tried to quit. I ended up completely off track and gained back 10 lbs I lost. In no way am I suggesting that you not even bother trying. Just know you may end up setting yourself back a bit. Be prepared for that. I've decided I will try again after I hit my half-way point. Mostly because you're right... It is difficult to exercise when you smoke. My heart rate goes through the roof, and I feel like everybody in the gym can hear me breathing, even over their head phones. lol Best of luck to you.

There are meds you can try, Champix starter pack. I heard the nicorette quickmist might help with the cravings you might get while out with friends or away from home. Hope you find something that works

I quit smoking the day I had my daughter november of 2011. Went cold turkey. Was successful until this past summer when my friend started smoking again and I joined the crowd. I've decided to quit again for my daughter's health and my ability to run.

All of my friends smoke and refuse to quit with me. It's killing me. I went 3 days without a smoke then broke down and bought a pack saturday from too much stress.

Any suggestions? Trying to change my life!!

*Add me!*

I'm mentally preparing to quit. I feel like I'm very close to quitting (any day now honestly)...but I'm SOOOO afraid of gaining like 30 lbs. The last time I quit (in 2006) my weight skyrocketed to my highest weight ever (I was also the caregiver for a loved one battling cancer but STILL) I weighed 190...i'm 5'4". It was horrendous. I'm so afraid of that happening again...so this thread is very helpful :flowerforyou:

^^^ ha ha ill never give up my ganja! but you could use working out like an animal as a stress reliever to deal with the site effects of quitting.. then you wont gain weight.

I quit the day i started P90X over a year ago and have since lost Nearly 50LB! Easy

I quit awhile ago. I didn't gain from quitting smoking. I gained from having babies and using that as an excuse. Oh and just being lazy!

When I quit I ramped up the cardio to help curb cravings as well as lots and lots of water. I still chew a lot of gum and its been like 7 years. I remember that food suddenly taste different, that was a major turn off for me unlike most folks so I didn't stuff my face.

You may not gain is my point! Track calories, burn calories and don't expect quitting to be easy. It's hard! But if it were easy, everyone would quit! :drinker:

One year, ten months, one week, six days, 19 hours, 29 minutes and 29 seconds smoke free. 17095 cigarettes not smoked, saving $11,282.90. Life saved: 8 weeks, 3 days, 8 hours, 35 minutes. (silk quit application - free and a great motivational tool).

I actually lost weight afterwards (with no exercise), I used a hypontherapist coupled with going on line beforehand and reading everything I could about the affects of a smoke, I also drank water every time I got a craving. I don't get cravings now (and I smoked heavily for 23 years) but every now and again I remind myself that I love being a non-smoker, that smoking is a dirty disgusting habit and that I will never smoke again for the rest of my life. I find that if you say that to yourself a couple of times it changes how you feel about smokes. Your not giving up something, your releasing yourself from an evil weed.

I quit 6 months ago after smoking for 16 years. Gained 10lbs but I honestly would rather the 10lbs than continuing smoking.
I can confidently say I will never smoke again.

A good app if you have an smart phone is smoquit. You input your info and it tells you how much money you've saved, how much smokes you would have smoked, how long you've increased you life, health improvements and lists month, hour min a sec smoke free.