Addictions

I don't smoke anymore. I used to smoke but I wasn't "addicted". I was more of a "social smoker" so whenever I went out for drinks with friends I would smoke. Also my ex chained smoked lots. How I stopped, I just did. It's just down to programming your mind that you don't actually need it. Plus I hated it when my clothes and hair smelt and lost my sense of smell generally. My other half now doesn't smoke which has helped I suppose.
A few friends of mine who have stopped smoking said that they read Allen Carr's Easy Way to Stop Smoking book. They all recommend it. Another one of my friends stopped because she fell really ill for a whole week and she couldn't smoke. She still doesn't smoke to this day and it's been over a year, but she still keeps a big box of cigarettes under her bed, unopened, untouched as her "safety blanket".

I can tell you working mids and trying to lose weight + quitting your friend (cigarette) is going to be challenging. But, I've done it! I had to change some things, including my job. Working mids screws up your health as a whole and can add to the challenge of losing weight. But even though you might not be able to do that, it's still possible. The way I quit smoking was by exercising. Replacing one addiction with another I started running and wanted to run half marathons, eventually doing a full marathon. Smoking and running DON'T go together. So naturally I starting thinking of what I wanted as a dream crossing that finish line or having my finish line with emphazema or in my death bed. It took a few "slips" at some parties before I became smoke-free. The diet came naturally for me at the same time because I wanted to fuel my body right. It will take time to see the contrast of eating well and not smoking compared to struggling with the two - but eventually you'll get there with perseverance and determination. Follow your dream!!! As for the social aspect of smoking, I used to love that (cause smokers are so much cooler - and you don't miss out on all the good gossip!). But, with pro-social activities come pro-social friends with different socializing. You'll soon see that being out in the rain or smelling like an ashtray loses it's appeal after a while. GOOD LUCK!

AHA! I gave up smoking right as I picked a month to get in shape... Cold turkey I started August first and well so far so good. The thing is, is that food tastes better when it doesn’t taste like an ash tray... so we tend to eat more when we quit but just as long as your getting enough exercise this should tackle the gaining weight bit! Good luck!

I am totally addicted also. I have stopped for 5 years at one point but I put on about 3 stone :O
I'm sure it is possible to do both, but I am going for one at once. Hit my target weight, then stop smoking, whilst still maintaining and logging. Then I will diet again, to lose the extra pounds I have put back on. I know if I tried both at once, I would probably give up on both. I would be depressed I am not losing weight and smoke again to feel better then have to do it again and again. I am not saying do, what I am doing, you may have more will power than me and smoking, is a lot more damaging than being a few lbs over weight, just they way it has happened for me. Also if I know I have lost the 3/4 stone I want to, I reckon I will feel like I can master anything.