quit smoking gaining weight :-(
ashmarie822
Posts: 4
hi everyone! im new. i quit smoking last year in April and by July i had gained 30lbs. well that was really hard for me because i have always struggled with my weight and before that had got down to 193. i am always stuck around 220. well anyway i started back smoking July 4th (i was drinking) i got back down to 210. now in 4 weeks of quitting again i am at 223 and eating out of control. i feel so helpless. i really feel like i can't stop. its to the point i am extremely depressed and for 2 days was in give up mode. i am ready to get back on track though. i need help!!! how do i continue not smoking and control my eating and lose weight???
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Replies
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I quit smoking and gained weight too, at first, because I snacked a lot. Here are some of the things I did when a craving for a cigarette hit...
- Exercise (even if it was just going for a walk
- Get out of the house, a change in environment distracts you
- Change whatever you are doing at that moment to something else. If you are on the computer, get off it. ( I had to give up the computer for 2 months till I got a grip.)
- Clean house
- Get out into nature...A LOT
- Shower shower shower, it calms your mind
- eat negative calorie snacks (or close to it) when a cigarette craving hits. Munch all day on celery, carrots, cucumber, peppers, etc....
I gave up smoking and gained physical fitness. Even if I walked for 15 minutes and then sat for a bit and got back up and walked another 15. I did something, anything. I also realized in doing this that one step after another you will crave the better health feeling after you quit smoking if you substitute working out for smoking. You will love the feeling of being able to reallly breathe.0 -
I quit smoking and haven't gained anything because I started keeping track of calories and getting my butt moving on a regular basis.
It's been 2 months now and so far, so good.
You've got this. You just have to want to, and then do it. :flowerforyou:0 -
Agreed!I quit smoking and haven't gained anything because I started keeping track of calories and getting my butt moving on a regular basis.
It's been 2 months now and so far, so good.
You've got this. You just have to want to, and then do it. :flowerforyou:0 -
I quit smoking and haven't gained anything because I started keeping track of calories and getting my butt moving on a regular basis.
It's been 2 months now and so far, so good.
You've got this. You just have to want to, and then do it. :flowerforyou:
This is exactly the same as me. I was determined not to snack or put on weight like everyone else and I managed it. I have not smoked for a while now. But you can definitely lose the weight you have gained from stopping smoking!
I agree with Angelofthesho. Go for a walk, have a bath or a shower, whichever relaxes you more or start doing something you enjoy more, e.g. watch a TV show, draw a picture, play a game. It will take your mind off of the food. Or chew some sugar free gum. I find if I kept my mouth occupied I could get away with not smoking at all.
Good luck. :flowerforyou:0 -
This is all good stuff. I'm getting ready to quit smoking. Thanks for the tips.0
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Interested in the comments on this one because while I'm not a smoker...my sister (46) quit Thanksgiving day and has gained ever since.0
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happened to me too,,,do not keep any bad foods near you that you are going to eat them/
if you feel like eating, go and do a power walk,
water flushes the toxins out,0 -
I used Nicorette gum for the first month or two which really helped fight the nicotine craving (which seemed much like food craving to me at the time).
It was easier for me to cut back on the gum, than to cut back on smoking. I gradually reduced the gum until I no longer had tobacco cravings. During that period, I learned to distinguish between hunger and tobacco craving.
I also did many of the things others have already suggested, especially doing something different during the times when I would have normally lit up a smoke (walking, visiting a coworker to discuss something in person rather than phoning and smoking, etc)0 -
I quit on Dec. 21, 2012...and have actually lost weight...9 lbs since then.
I found making an entire life style shift helped me. And also found the way MFP sets it up isn't very good for recovering addicts. You will already have a tendency to replace food with smoking, so doing only a 1200 calorie net might not help. I am following the TDEE/BMR method and it is helping a lot. I replaced smoking with a healthy addiction...working out. What was your biggest smoking trigger? Was it boredom? If so that makes you even more likely to put on weight because you will replace smoking with eating. Pay attention to those triggers. If you get bored find something to do that will draw your attention.0 -
hi everyone! im new. i quit smoking last year in April and by July i had gained 30lbs. well that was really hard for me because i have always struggled with my weight and before that had got down to 193. i am always stuck around 220. well anyway i started back smoking July 4th (i was drinking) i got back down to 210. now in 4 weeks of quitting again i am at 223 and eating out of control. i feel so helpless. i really feel like i can't stop. its to the point i am extremely depressed and for 2 days was in give up mode. i am ready to get back on track though. i need help!!! how do i continue not smoking and control my eating and lose weight???
Just quit smoking, get active and watch your calories...smoking is decreasing your lifespan with each day and the sooner you quit the more damage you undue.0 -
I quit smoking 6 years ago and then had a whole bunch of life changing events happen. First, my husband passed away unexpectedly, then I had my gall bladder removed, then I shattered my ankle and was pretty much bed ridden for several months. It probably took me about 9 months to be able to move around like I wanted to again after that. Add in that I was going through menopause and all these things added about 40 lbs to me! But I knew that I didn't want to start smoking again. I just took one thing at a time and am now down about 45 lbs since the start of all that. I have never felt better. Just keep in mind the reasons you quit in the first place. It's definitely not easy but it can be done. And you'll feel SO good being able to breath again! Then little by little you can improve other areas of your life. One thing builds on another. Success breeds success! Hang in there!!!!!!!!!!0
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I lost a lot of weight about 6-7 years ago...kept it off...moved to upstate NY about a year ago, QUIT smoking in September...continued my healthy diet, started training for 5K's...and I've STILL put on about 15 lbs (30 in total over the past year)...it sucks...a lot. My doctor explained that when you smoke, it speeds up your metabolism to help promote the nicotine in your system. When you quit, so does your metabolism. I have faith...(mostly because I have to)...that my metabolism will wake up again soon, and this will all be in the past!!! WE CAN DO THIS!!! Quitting smoking is the best thing you could ever do for yourself...and living a healthy lifestyle will only make it better!!! Stay strong!!!0
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I'm on the patch right now, and just started here at MFP.
The quitting smoking part is honestly sooo much easier than quitting eating all that junk food. I've found that drinking a LOT of water is helping with both aspects, as well as chewing gum.0 -
I quit smoking and haven't gained anything because I started keeping track of calories and getting my butt moving on a regular basis.
It's been 2 months now and so far, so good.
You've got this. You just have to want to, and then do it. :flowerforyou:
This is exactly the same as me. I was determined not to snack or put on weight like everyone else and I managed it. I have not smoked for a while now. But you can definitely lose the weight you have gained from stopping smoking!
I agree with Angelofthesho. Go for a walk, have a bath or a shower, whichever relaxes you more or start doing something you enjoy more, e.g. watch a TV show, draw a picture, play a game. It will take your mind off of the food. Or chew some sugar free gum. I find if I kept my mouth occupied I could get away with not smoking at all.
Good luck. :flowerforyou:
I get lost in Pinterest...ha ha0 -
As a smoker for 45 years I can tell you it took a stay in the ICU with blood clots in my heart and legs to get me to quit. I quit Jan 26, 2012 and I can do so much more than I ever could. I quit drinking any form of alcohol on July 4, 2011.Just think what you could do if you didn't smoke.Don't wait until it's to late and you can't undo the damage done to your wonderful body! Love yourself totally! Good Luck!0
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Nicotine is a powerful appetite suppressant and fat-burner. I quit about 7 years ago and gained weight also.0
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OP - first off....Don't give up. If you need to tackle one obstacle at a time do so. I started back to MFP on 1/1 to rebuild my healthy eating and exercise habits. I am down 9 lbs now and my quit day for smoking is 3/1 (my 40th bday). I am going to use many of the same things already said to be successful at quitting without gaining weight. Exercise is going to be my replacement activity along with using the Patch and Gum. Carrots, celery and sugerless gum are going to be my go to snacky items to fight cravings.
You can do this. Find your inner reason for why you want to get healthy and use that as your mantra.0 -
Yea just remember nicotine is an appetite suppressant. So you are going to be a lot hungrier0
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I quit for 41 days and had the same thing happen... I thought I was going to be all on top of things and not gain weight. Hah. I snacked like it was my JOB and 8 pounds were on in no time. So I panicked and started smoking again. Bad plan. Now I wish I had just stuck with it because I know how to avoid snacking. I can do it. And I will do it again!
I know you hear things like "nicotine speeds up your metabolism" but only by 200 calories a day or so... so it can be shaken!
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Don't be too severe on yourself with the weight gain. Just remember - you don't want to go through quitting a second time. It's miserable and you know that now.0
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Watch the carbs. Sugar can be a sort of replacement-addiction, and the less you feed it, the better it will get. Make sure you're getting lots of protein, fiber, and fats.
Also GOOD FOR YOU!!!! Giving up smoking is one of the hardest and most important things you can do for your health, and even if you gain a little weight at first, you will be way healthier. You'll probably even look better as your skin gets more oxygen. Soon you'll feel so much more energized and able to do more exercise.
You can do it!0 -
I just quit smoking on 2/3/13, and i have already gained about 7 lbs in that short period of time. I also started to count calories again and have also gotten back to the gym (my bf has been a BIG motivator, since he has been going to the gym with me and is already a very fit and healthy guy). Quitting smoking has been difficult, but not as hard as I thought it would be! Losing weight has always been harder for me, but everyone is different. Don't go back to the cigarettes and don't get discouraged! You got this!0
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I've quit smoking before, and would always substitute eating. So this time ... not so much. I'm lifting heavy 3x weekly and I'm watching those darn calores like a hawk. I set myself to an attainable goal with a slow and steady loss progression. If it takes me a year to get to goal weight, who cares? I don't.
Having said that, I did switch to e-cigs with a super low nicotine content, and that gives my fidgety hands something to do when I'm sitting around doing nothing in particular. It's a weaning process. So if you gotta take intermediate steps and wean yourself, do it. There are enough tools out there to make it happen for you. I do plan on weaning myself to nicotine-free juice and then hopefully kick even the e-cigs altogether. But, one step at a time.
My underlying issue has always been the food though, so now that I'm tackling it the way I've been supposed to all along, I've no desire to ever go back to smoking. 200 cals a day isn't much. Just a 30-minute walk around the block. I burn that lifting weights alone, and am building muscle to boot, which in turn will help to keep losing fat, and etc. Lifting is where it's at IMO. GREAT stress reliever and it's fun watching oneself progress from wimp to strong.
Any of you guys in the tobacco/food struggle, feel free to add me. I'll be more than happy to be supportive and share what I've learned (which isn't much, but every little bit helps, right?). :flowerforyou:0 -
wow thankyou everyone!!! im trying really hard to replace the smoking with exercise. i am hoping that works since i do really enjoy how i am feeling using the eliptical. i dont know how to do the quotes (i am using a phone) but thanks for all the support, ideas, and inspiration!!! and also to the people trying to quit and about to..... the first 3-4 days are the roughest for withdrawl and my food cravings do seem like they decreased this weekend im not sure if its from the exercise or just over time?0
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hi everyone! im new. i quit smoking last year in April and by July i had gained 30lbs. well that was really hard for me because i have always struggled with my weight and before that had got down to 193. i am always stuck around 220. well anyway i started back smoking July 4th (i was drinking) i got back down to 210. now in 4 weeks of quitting again i am at 223 and eating out of control. i feel so helpless. i really feel like i can't stop. its to the point i am extremely depressed and for 2 days was in give up mode. i am ready to get back on track though. i need help!!! how do i continue not smoking and control my eating and lose weight???
Its hard but you can do this. I quite almost 4 years ago and gained about 15-18 lbs. just getting off the last 10 but PLEASE dont go back to smoking its just a vicious circle and you quit, gain weight, start smoking, quit.... well you get the circle no need to go on. Its easy to say stay busy but you have to and you are probably like me, very oral person. I used cinnamon sticks, etc. just to have something in my mouth other than a potato chip. Good luck and friend me if I can ever help0 -
I quit smoking on 11.11 2012 and am I using a e-cig. I have been cutting down the nicotine strengths, in about a month and a half I will be down to zero nicotine. Then I'm trying to give up the ecigs. Add me anyone so we can help each other....
I have put on about 1 stone and a half since november0 -
Awesome job at quitting! That is an amazing accomplishment. My husband gave up 5 years ago and never looked back. I have never been a smoker, but think about how great you will feel! It took my husband a few years to gain his lungs back, but now he can workout like he never smoked before.
My suggestion would be to choose healthier snacks, fruits, and veggies. We just bought a mandoline slicer and it is awesome for making sure you have some cut up fresh veggies to eat and snack on. My husband and children love the fresh cut cucumbers, and we love snacking on fresh cut carrots, celery, etc. We now make a lot of homemade french fries too that are oven baked - so delicious! It all comes down to healthy food choices. If you are drinking anything but water, I would cut those calories and eat more whole grain, fruits, and veggies. You will save a ton of calories by drinking your water too. It also helps to fill you up if you are drinking enough.
I was eating 1,200 calories and felt very full eating that way. I did notice I quit losing weight though as I believe I slowed down my metabolism, so now I am eating between my BMR and TDEE and have began losing again. I hope this helps!0 -
I gave up smoking after watching my Dad fight a losing battle with Lung Cancer. Up till that point I used to say childish things like i would rather smoke and be slim than a fat non smoker (Jerk!!!).
Stopping smoking is the best single thing you can do for your health so stick at it, weight gain seems to be one of the hazards unfortunately but I am sure you will start to turn things round. Take advantage of the fact that lots of physical things will get easier and enjoy it. Good luck on your journey!!0 -
My husband and I quit Feb 1 but still use e-cigs. The plan is to gradually reduce the amount of nicotine in them until there is none. The e-cigs have made quitting seem almost like a non-event. It's not the same thing but it is close enough. During that time we have also started diet and exercise changes so we have been losing weight since then as well.0
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I quit smoking two years ago and I gained weight, period! I had a friend who quit one month after I did and he also gained weight. He lives in California and I live in New York. We saw each other eight months after I quit, seven months after he quit and yes, the weight gain was noticeable. We both talked about how much we LOVE being non-smokers. He made a comment to me that stuck, he said "We can always lose weight but we can never grow a new lung". Well since then he got on a serious exercise routine and is in better shape than he's been in years - since he first joined the military (he's retired military). He was so motivating to me that now I am watching my eating and exercising and have dropped 10 pounds. I almost NEVER think about smoking anymore. I love the freedom of not being a slave to it. I travel a lot, I love not obsessing about having to leave the airport to smoke or obsessing about landing and OMG, WHEN CAN I SMOKE?!?!?!?!?!? I love that I can run up subway stairs and not be out of breath. I love that I don't stink, that my home doesn't stink!
One warning I will give you is that food tastes much better when you stop smoking.
That being said, pat yourself on the back for quitting and don't worry if you put on a few pounds. In time your metabolism will go back to where it should be and you can work on losing those pounds, but you will never be able to grow a new lung!
My one major piece of advice is to make sure you drink a lot of water, flush out the toxins. Green tea is good too.0
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