Any ex-smokers out there??

onawhymm
onawhymm Posts: 469 Member
edited September 22 in Motivation and Support
I was a "regular" smoker for over 30 years and decided to quit (for the last time) on New Years Eve, 2008. When I decided to quit it was September 08 and I knew I would gain weight so I lost 15 lbs before the quit date. It was reletively easy but I was a smoker then! I quit as planned and adopted the "failure is not an option" attitude. Happy to report that I am about to celebrate 2 years of being smoke free!!!! Yippee for me!

What I am NOT celebrating is the 20 lbs I added back on and cannot seem to lose. I know it's because I am snacking more - (replace a cigarette), cocktail hours seems to start sooner (replace a cigarette) and just in general the need to do something to REPLACE A CIGARETTE! None of these are good options! Although I am very proud of being smoke free and the positive effects it has on my health - I am very bummed out about the weight gain and the negative effects it is having on my physical and mental health.

I live alone - so it's easy to cheat. I try to stay busy with crafts and social events but I need to somehow brainwash this oral smoking fixation out of me!!!

Is there anyone with any insights and advice? Anyone dealing with the same thing?? I am open to any and all ideas. I would even try hypnosis at this point!

Happy to be moving onto year 3 - but would like a "lighter" transition!

Replies

  • BriannaSkye
    BriannaSkye Posts: 135
    I would snack on baby carrots when I had an urge for a smoke or a quick walk around the block. It seemed to help and I was over it pretty quickly
  • htimpaired
    htimpaired Posts: 1,404 Member
    I quit 13 months ago and I am so glad. I have lost weight but that's because I purposely started watching diet and exercise a few months after I quit. I found smoking was a deterrant keeping me from exercising (because I felt winded all the time!).

    As far as the hand-mouth thing goes-I did use dum-dums for a while, little suckers that are low on calories. Lots of tea. And deep breathing to get through those moments.

    Congrats on moving on to year 3!
  • littlemamajamie
    littlemamajamie Posts: 118 Member
    I quit years ago too. =) I chew a lot of gum it helps with it all.
  • want2BthinRN
    want2BthinRN Posts: 22
    Congrats on quitting!! October was a year for me and I am so happy! However I gained 32 pounds since quitting so I know exactly how you feel. DumDum suckers help alot, you have the hand to mouth motion (like a cig.) Try chewing gum too, it helps. There are soo many new flavors...try the "extra" brand dessert line like strawberry shortcake...really good. Good luck!
  • ArchyJill
    ArchyJill Posts: 548 Member
    I quit a few years ago. Smoked about a pack a day for 15 years, two packs during grad school. I loved smoking, quit to get a better rate on life insurance. Knowing that it's not so much an oral fixation as it is a behavioral habit I took up running about a week after I quit...I actually lost about 20 pounds in the process.
  • pageza
    pageza Posts: 1
    Try swimming, its working for me..
  • jschwarz3531
    jschwarz3531 Posts: 40
    I have set my own quit date for Feb 7th this year...one thing I am planning on using to help with the oral fixation is weight watchers fruities. You can get them at any meeting place (dont have to be a member). They are sugar free, come in a little tiny box that opens the same way a pack of cigarettes does, and are only about 15 calories for 6. What I like about them is they last really long even if you start to chew them because they are very chewy and sticky. I loveee the strawberry ones but I think they also have blueberry.
  • pinksgirlfriend
    pinksgirlfriend Posts: 32 Member
    i quit smoking after 22 years, about 8 months ago. in the last 4 months have lost 29 pounds. i lost ten before , my fitness and did not realize it until i had a dr visit. i have continued threw calorie counting and lifestyle changes. i dont even think about smoking anymore so there is no need to eat and fill some void. im not quite sure why you are still experiencing that. i found that disappeared months ago for me. i do realize we are all so different. i can now sit with a smoker smoking in a car or room and i dont want it.
  • onawhymm
    onawhymm Posts: 469 Member
    Thanks for all these suggestions - I just started running which I like (more than I thought I would). Thought the noshing would subside after a while - but it's still there!
  • amysj303
    amysj303 Posts: 5,086 Member
    I have set my own quit date for Feb 7th this year...one thing I am planning on using to help with the oral fixation is weight watchers fruities. You can get them at any meeting place (dont have to be a member). They are sugar free, come in a little tiny box that opens the same way a pack of cigarettes does, and are only about 15 calories for 6. What I like about them is they last really long even if you start to chew them because they are very chewy and sticky. I loveee the strawberry ones but I think they also have blueberry.
    I quit on my birthday, February 7, almost 5 years ago. I gained 10 pounds pretty quickly. I don't have any magic. When quitting a used the nicotine gum for cravings (not to chew constantly so you don't have cravings and get addicted to the gum like they recommend) but just developing healthier habits like exercise, more fruits and veggies, and the pounds started come off, slowly!
  • 1CALIJIBARO2
    1CALIJIBARO2 Posts: 132
    A BIG CONGRADS..!!!!!!!!!!!!...I just celebrated my 4th yr w/o any tabacco on the 16th of this month........I had smoked several decades..........I balloned up to 25lbs the 1st 4mons.........I was up to 2pks a day.....I had a bad accident & I was under heavy meds.. I guess that's where I increase my smoking w/o realizing.......I got to a point where I could not breath normaly...It burned when I would inhale or cough...........I had quit many of times b4 but the trick was stay and live w/o a smoke........
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