Skip to content
  • Register
    • We are pleased to announce that as of March 4, 2025, an updated Rich Text Editor has been introduced in the MyFitnessPal Community. To learn more about the changes, please click here. We look forward to sharing this new feature with you!

    In a pretty rough spot...

    Posts: 2
    edited February 4 in Motivation and Support
    So first post so go easy on me :)
    Just over a year a go I quit smoking. I was 20 years old and had smoked for about 6-7 years.
    I did expect weight gain with all the usual symptoms of quitting. But here I am, over a year later and over 30kg heavier. My cravings never stopped.
    I made the decision to start smoking. If your immediate reaction is one of disgust then please don't share it. Im not happy I've done this.
    I know starting smoking for weight loss is bad and no way I can probably justify it. But I don't want to see myself as failing. I want to quit smoking. I want to be healthy.
    Maybe I don't have enough will power to do what so many others do, quit - gain a bit of weight - then lose it. Whatever the reason it didn't work. I tried everything. Failed juice fasts. Got a fitbit and got into calorie counting. But I had hit rock bottom. And cant get back up.
    I don't want to see it as failing, I want to take a breath, relax, and take this head on with a new approach.
    I'm going to take this one step at a time, how I should have done it. No climbing a wall and falling down the other side.
    Eat right - no more junk, no more empty calories. Exercise - until recently, other than walking to work (about 30mins each way) I never really did. Quit my bad HABITS - habits, not just smoking. I drink a lot of energy drinks. A LOT. and Im gonna quit slowly, ease out of it all. Cold turkey hasn't worked.

    I assume Im still going to get someone telling my "you idiot. you just didn't try. I quit and lost the weight."
    Im new to this whole sharing thing. Especially to a bunch of strangers online ;)
    But I need to get this out. I also hope there are people here who can help me, not just tell me I failed, but help me look past that and move in the right direction.

    Also I feel I should share my weight to maybe help understand?
    I did sit around 68kg. So I wasn't slim but I was happy. Now Im sitting on 100kg. I literally now feel uncomfortable in my own body. Which is weird feeling and one I can not cope with.

    I hope someone can understand where I am coming from.

    Marcus

    Welcome!

    It looks like you're new here. Sign in or register to get started.
    Sign In
    Register

    Replies

    • Posts: 18
      It sucks you started smoking again, but don't give up on the eventual goal. I'm sort of in the same situation as you. I smoke and am afraid that if I give up I'll pack on the pounds, but I've got to quit sooner rather than later.

      Right now my goal is to learn appropriate serving sizes and to introduce myself to healthier foods so that eventually when I do quit smoking I'll have learned the tools I'll need to beat the "I want every food in site" feeling. And even if I feel that way when I quit my foods will be way lower in calories, i.e. vegetables and fruit.

      Just don't give up and keep in mind that it is a journey and everything you're doing and learning will help in the long term.
    • Posts: 2

      Right now my goal is to learn appropriate serving sizes and to introduce myself to healthier foods so that eventually when I do quit smoking I'll have learned the tools I'll need to beat the "I want every food in site" feeling. And even if I feel that way when I quit my foods will be way lower in calories, i.e. vegetables and fruit.

      That's exactly how I want to approach this whole thing. Like you I know I need to quit for good, and sooner rather than later, but Im doing it for my health so that means getting healthy in all areas of life.
    • Posts: 261 Member
      Lately I've been thinking more and more about quitting but I have made the decision to tackle one issue at a time. When I hit goal, and have been there for a month or two I will then make the decision to quit and probably seek cessation help. This has been brought up by the board before and some people might get snooty about it, but most, especially those that have or are tackling both weight and smoking will be very supportive to you.

      I say, get yourself comfortable in your own skin again, and cut back as much as you can comfortably. Don't make it an issue of cold turkey at this point.

      Then, I would also say, typically we gain weight when we quit smoking not because our metabolism decreases, we gain because we are exchanging smoking for eating to keep our mouths busy. Having sugar free candy, gum, breath mints, etc on hand to keep our mouths busy may help. Some people have found success by finding "hand" activities like playing card games or hand eye coordination when they are bored and feel the need to smoke or eat.

      Smoking and eating are similar in that we often do more of both or each when we are bored. So finding ways to engage your mind, keep you busy, and interest you, are some of the best ways to deal with these habits. Lastly, both habits are rooted in dependency and many people find that they need to find something else to place their dependency on. Some switch to coffee or soda, some try to find healthy options like exercising or eating crunchy vegetables when smoking or eating cravings strike.

      If you ever want to talk about this more, you can always pm me. I'd be happy to discuss any of these issues with you. I research psychology and assist with building skills and breaking habits on a regular basis. :)
    • Posts: 125
      Get yourself an electronic cigarette, best thing I ever did. Once I get my body where I want it, then I'll work on quitting the e-cig, but in the meantime it's better for me.
    This discussion has been closed.

    Welcome!

    It looks like you're new here. Sign in or register to get started.
    Sign In
    Register

    Quick Links

    Categories