I want to quit smoking but afraid of weight gain rumors

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Replies

  • goonas
    goonas Posts: 205
    Quitting smoking is not as difficult as I believed it would be - because I was so determined to do it, I was determined to make sure that I improved my life, I didn't substitute for food, I started with sugar free polo's and water. I never gained weight when I first stopped, and since doing that I found this site and started to lose weight. Once I got over the first 3 days it felt plain sailing and not looked back since then.

    I have now been smoke free for: 1 year, 39 weeks.

    I also put £50 per week into a CLEAR jar every week, I could see the money build up - since quitting I've saved £4,550 !!

    This is £2,000 worth.

    IMG_0060_zps1039bde4.jpg

    I then used that money to buy myself a nice bike, which helped loads with losing weight and getting fit.!
  • SuperCrsa
    SuperCrsa Posts: 790 Member
    Giving up smoking does not make you gain weight. People tend to put on weight when they give up because they substitute the habit with something else - normally food.

    This is exactly it!
    Its not the smoking or not smoking that makes you gain weight, its usually because instead of sticking a ciggie in your mouth you now put food in.

    I am back to smoking now, BUT the numerous times I quit I used gum and water when I wanted to put something in my mouth.
    The last time I quite I lost 8kgs afterwards, just stuck to my calories.
  • rduhlir
    rduhlir Posts: 3,550 Member
    I quit last December and I never gained. The horror story is just that, a story. Doesn't mean it has to come true for you. If you focus on the calorie deficit you won't gain.

    Find something else to be addicted to. For myself that was running.
  • ANDRE_DOE
    ANDRE_DOE Posts: 113 Member
    Just quit stop making excuses and do it. those were rumors from people who wanted to replace the oral fixation with stuffing junk in there mouths. and didnt exercise. You dont fall in that category your a new woman an active woman a woman that has been liberated from the bondage of being a slave to food. You can do it We Got Your Back
  • Capt_Apollo
    Capt_Apollo Posts: 9,026 Member
    if you were to just quit smoking, yeah, you'd probably gain weight, because smoking can suppress your appetite. But if you watched your calories and started exercising, you'll be good.

    i substituted exercising for my cigarettes. if i felt like a smoke, i knocked out some push ups.

    also coffee. i drink too much coffee, but it's better than smoking.
  • mrsamanda86
    mrsamanda86 Posts: 869 Member
    I quit smoking about three months ago, right around when I started my eating better/losing weight. Granted, I cheated and got an electronic cigarette that I'm still using, but I've managed to lose 18 pounds so far since quitting. I quit a couple years ago as well for 2 years and didn't gain any weight(and that was when I was still lazy and didn't eat right). Just make sure that you are aware of the times when you get bored and want a cigarette, go for a run, do the dishes, get a glass of water, some carrots... Do something to take your mind off it, the craving passes generally in a few minutes. I love the e-cig for the fact that when I'm in the car(long trips or just around town) I can't really go do the dishes haha.
  • grrrlface
    grrrlface Posts: 1,204 Member
    The reason many gain weight is because they try to substitute one addiction with another. Addiction for nicotine by overeating.

    I would HIGHLY recommend that you not try to fill your hands too much. If you're new to counting calories and all that jazz and working on weight loss/fitness than don't quit smoking right now. You will get overwhelmed and give up on both. Tackle one battle at a time. Try to cut down on cigs while you're trying to get the hang of weight loss but if you crave it, go for it. Once you are on the right path to weight loss and have mastered counting calories and staying under and are a regular at working out, THEN go for quitting cigs.

    Good luck.

    This! 1000%!

    I was here 2 years before I even thought of quitting. I had the hang of this, knew which foods kept me satisfied and how to beat cravings. Did regular exercise.

    I gained nothing. Well, apart from the freedom of not smoking anymore.

    It's so easy if you learn all this first.
  • ekz13
    ekz13 Posts: 725 Member
    don't worry too much about the weight, focus on one demon at a time, deal with the weight along the way but don't sweat it.. get rid of the nic demon and then you can focus on the food..

    Good thing though is when your getting that urge, get up and go walk or run or do something else that's not smoking or not food. You will also notice that your stamina perks up too allowing you to work out harder and gain more energy. you can do this.

    this website is great and has a lot of good people with advice to help that have been there and are going through it


    http://www.quitnet.com/qnhomepage.aspx


    good luck, you can do it..

    and yes, I was there two years ago this coming oct 31.. it's possible.
  • Blamber21
    Blamber21 Posts: 29 Member
    Quit smoking about 6 weeks ago, was in the same boat as you. I put down smokes and picked up running. The really intense cravings were the addict/junkie in me looking for an endorphin rush. Chocolate and herbal tea was my savior. Small servings, count the cals, stick to maintenance during the first week or two. Do not beat yourself up. Limp along and get through the first couple weeks and you should be golden!! I feel amazing and I've saved almost $300!!
  • meeeshellllle
    meeeshellllle Posts: 75 Member
    I didnt gain any weight when I quit, maybe because I really watched my calorie intake and kept active. I will tell you it was the hardest thing I've ever dealt with mentally though. It's been 5 months since I quit and I feel wonderful :] You can do it!!!
  • Hi, I have a friend who smoked cigs for almost 6 years and she claims it helped her lose weight. Well, just recently she quit by smoking E-Cigs instead (vapes) and its working for her. Her doctor even recommended it as opposed to quitting cold turkey. She gets the satisfaction of smoking without the harmful and addicting nicotine. E-cigs offer a variety of flavors too that can help cravings. This is not the HEALTHIEST way to quit, but its a much better alternative. Quitting colde turkey can cause you to give up when the urge becomes too strong. I suggest looking into it. Also, the E-Cig juices comes in different levels of nicotine all the way to zero.
  • I_Will_End_You
    I_Will_End_You Posts: 4,397 Member
    Hi, I have a friend who smoked cigs for almost 6 years and she claims it helped her lose weight. Well, just recently she quit by smoking E-Cigs instead (vapes) and its working for her. Her doctor even recommended it as opposed to quitting cold turkey. She gets the satisfaction of smoking without the harmful and addicting nicotine. E-cigs offer a variety of flavors too that can help cravings. This is not the HEALTHIEST way to quit, but its a much better alternative. Quitting colde turkey can cause you to give up when the urge becomes too strong. I suggest looking into it. Also, the E-Cig juices comes in different levels of nicotine all the way to zero.

    I got a vapor cig a couple of weeks ago. For the first two weeks, I smoked real ones and the vapor.....I haven't had a real cigarette since Sunday, which is the longest I've gone without one for about 15 years. Granted, it's still nicotine, but it's still better than actual cigarettes, and like you said, you can lower your nicotine intake. I'm sure that cold turkey is best, but if anyone is really struggling to quit, give an e-cig a try. Just make sure you start with a high enough dose of nicotine. (24mg is recommended to start). I actually prefer the coconut, pineapple, peach, pumpkin pie, butterscotch, grapefruit and blueberry flavors I have over tobacco now.
  • lizjjam
    lizjjam Posts: 48 Member
    I quit cold turkey 4 weeks ago and gained about 14lbs back but I can't just blame the smokes.

    At the same time, we had builders refurbishing our house, I changed positions at work, stopped going to the gym and stopped logging on MFP. Honestly, even though I care I gained back the weight, I am giving myself some slack because I think other than a few extra pounds, I'm handling things pretty well...
    .. and really, don't we deserve a bit of happiness and a pat on the back for doing the right thing?
  • mfoulkebrown
    mfoulkebrown Posts: 94 Member
    It is not totally correct to state that people gain weight when quitting smoking SOLELY because they eat more or replace one addiction for another. Studies have shown that nicotine (which is a stimulant) allows smokers to consume more calories than nonsmokers with less weight gain.

    Quitting smoking can lower your metabolism slightly, but that should regulate itself eventually. I would just suggest sticking to your calories and maybe add a bit of excercise. That has helped me in the past when I have quit. I'm getting ready to do it again, hopefully for the last time.

    And to the poster who noted how much better food tasted, I couldn't agree more! I remember after I quit the last time walking into some chain sandwich shop and I couldn't believe how good it smelled!

    Another idea, if you're in the States is to check out resources from your state and county health services. Sometimes they offer free or discounted quit smoking help.
  • The added challenge about trying to keep weight off is the need to be doing something with your hands, sticking something in your mouth, - the comforting effect it has. If you pop candy (or whatever) into your mouth everytime you think about how nice it would be to light up, well, you know the consequences.

    That's the beauty of some quit smoking programs. They're not for everyone, but sometimes a little psychology is all that's needed to deliver someone to that "I can do this' moment where they can wrest control (of their own minds and bodies) away from their Brain -which is trying to kill them.

    For those people, a quit smoking program can introduce some common sense ideas that will allow the individual to once again be in control of their own destiny.

    The one my wife relied on (with success is FinallyReadytoQuit[dot]com -if you're looking for ideas.

    Best of luck with your challenge.

    Dave