Any ex smokers or anyone trying to quit!

I was a smoker for over 20 years and I quit in October of 2007. Thank GOD!!! It's a good idea to get into the habit of walking every day while you're trying to quit. It's best to start some form of exercise regimen while you're trying to quit. I used Chantix to stop smoking and it worked like a charm. Best of luck to you. And by the way, smoking is a lot more dangerous to your health than putting on a few pounds.

I quit smoking with the help of patches. I just drank a ton of water and kept myself going to the gym. If you are counting your calories, I wouldn't worry too much about packing on extra "quitting smoking" weight as I think (uneducated guess) that a lot of people will impulse eat instead of smoking a cig.

Just watch what you eat, keep your activity level relatively high and resist the urge.

Good luck!

Yes on the Chantix! I did put on weight until I got off the chantix, but then I decided that I beat smoking and I could beat the weight thing. I started working out every day and dropped my calories to 1200 daily (most days) I eat low calorie snacks all day long and I'm also taking Phenteramine.

Good Luck!

:flowerforyou: I consider myself a successful quiter. I started smoking at 15 years old when my lungs were still growing; what a HUGE mistake!. I always knew that I wanted to quit before I turned 30. 3 months before my 30th birthday, one day I said, 'ok, time to quit!". I stopped cold turkey and never cheated or had anything for 12 years! :happy:

The cravings never did go away, in fact, sometimes they were really bad, but I have good willpower. I never caved until one day I said.....I just want to be one of those 'social smokers' and be able to just smoke once in a while. I did that for 3 years, went months without smoking, just did it once in a while, which is not something many smokers can do.

Then 1 day, I said..."ok, done for good this time"! Again, quitting cold turkey, which in my opinion is the ONLY way to stop. That was 2 years ago, and I don't plan on picking it up again this time. Funny thing is, I don't have the cravings this time around. I never really enjoyed it much anyway, hated the taste, always gave me headaches, I always stunk of smoke, it really is a nasty habit. I would never date a smoker for the same reasons, so......isn't that enough of a reason to give it up?

My advice on how to do it? Cold turkey, keep busy, chew gum, suck on candy (sugar free), get up and do something...anything.....keep busy, don't stop. Whenever you get a craving, get up and do something until it passes. Don't hang with smokers....let everyone know that you are serious about quitting and ask for their support. If they don't give it to you, limit your time with them; they should support you even if they choose to smoke! If your habit is to smoke when drinking coffee.....don't drink coffee! Break whatever habit it is that is making you want to smoke....people, coffee, drinking.....whatever it is, just do it. Your life depends on it, you will be more attractive and smell better, and your loved ones will be SO happy! Good luck! :flowerforyou:

I also used chantix and it helped a lot. Its getting easier everyday. I gained a few pounds the first couple weeks but lost it once my body adjusted to not getting nicotine. i think it screwed with my metabolism. Good luck with your quit!

I quit smoking about five years ago. I chose a time carefully...and then also began an exercise regime (riding bicycle mostly), drank lot's of water (very important), ate organic foods and no meat for a couple weeks. I also found a good acupuncturist, yes it did give temporary relief.

I ended up losing about three pounds the first two weeks. I succeeded in quiting smoking...after thirty years! And, except for a couple of hours wasn't all that bad.

Later, when I quit the exercise regime and watching what I consumed I gained weight, but cannot say it was from quitting smoking as it was a few months after I had quit...just my "normal' weight problem.

Best of luck to you, if you like make me a friend and I can encourage you as you go. Have faith! Have Courage! and get on with it!!!

Hi.
First congratulations on deciding to quit smoking!
Second, YOU CAN DO THIS.

This will be day # 9 for me. I quit on April 1. I am using Nicorette gum, but I haven't really needed the gum too much in the past 2 days. I don't know why. I could be because right now I'm sick with some kind of cold/cough or whatever. Horrible coughing!

I was reading this book called: How to Stop Smoking, by Dr. Harry Adler and Karl Morris, and it says that through doing research they've found that hypnosis was the best way to quit and nicotene gum etc. was the worst! Well, the gum has been working for me so I ....... whatever.

I haven't gained any weight. Matter of fact I am steadily loosing lbs. I just log my food in MFP and keep doing my walk/exercise. When I get a craving for a cigg, I go walk on the treadmill.

Before I even quit I listed every little thing that was a trigger. Like, for example: driving. I used to NEED to smoke while driving. And the phone, I needed to smoke while on the phone. And on the computer, and after I ate, and with my coffee etc. etc.
Then, I tried to figure out a way to either completely eliminate those activities or find something else to do besides smoking while doing them. For example: Now, instead of smoking while driving I have 'driving suckers'. And when I'm on the phone I walk around or doodle. etc. And I know, this next thing will sound kind of strange, but it works for me real good! Sometimes when I am craving a cigg, I pretend like I am actually holding a cigg and I put it up to my lips and actually take a deep breath, a BIG deep breath. Like I'm smoking! And pretty soon the craving is gone! (i know i probably look mighty weird sitting there, pretending to smoke! lol!)

I wish you GOOD LUCK! But I know you can do this. I'm 55 yrs. old, smoked since I was 13, smoking about a pk a day. If I can do it, YOU can do it!
If you want you can 'friend' me for moral support. I need lots of that!
sue