Quitting Smoking

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lorigrocks
lorigrocks Posts: 123 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
So...now that I am in a routine of exercising and losing weight (only 4 more pounds to go) I would like to quit smoking!! I have quit in the past and gaining weight was my worst enemy. But at the same time when I quit the last time I was not working out or watching my weight so...this time around I am hoping I can do it and not gain anything. Has anyone had a similar experience with quitting smoking, working out and staying within your calories, etc. if so, were you still able to maintain your weight or did you end up gaining anyways?
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Replies

  • denverheather
    denverheather Posts: 2 Member
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    Congratulations on a healthy decision to prolong your life! I have quit 3 times, this last time was it (each of the previous times had approximately 5 years of no cigarettes-this time 8 years and counting). There may be some weight gain if you are not careful, however if your hand to mouth cravings are replaced with lemon water, carrot sticks, Celery sticks, a quick walk, a piece of gum, etc. you will not see the weight gain to an extreme. Be careful about craving carbs in place of the cigs (especially yummy cupcakes, cookies, soda, etc) that will taste so much better with your smoke free taste buds. Good luck! hang in, it gets easier each day and for those real hard times...BRUSH your TEETH! :)
  • Becre8tive
    Becre8tive Posts: 108 Member
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    Well...I can answer your question, but you won't like it :sad:

    I gained a lot of weight and thought it was only me. I didn't understand what was happening. Giving up smoking is hard, it's a pain in the behind. Smoking is an addiction, it's not just a bad habit. It takes will power and discipline. You can't just have "one" you have to give it up for good; no questions asked.

    I used an online support forum when I quit (not sure if I am allowed to mention it here, but you can find it my profile). I was relieved when I learned that it wasn't just me. Almost everybody gained weight. Quitting smoking was just more important!

    Now, well now I feel like I have super powers and can do anything. Losing the weight that I gained will be a walk in the park :-) (sorry but that's how I feel)
  • janinelambiase
    janinelambiase Posts: 68
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    I have no advice, but it's my same goal. I quite before (with the help of e-cigarettes) and now where I am in my routine I like to try again. I know its not gonna be easy, but as further I am into my calorie/fitness plan as more confident I feel about it.
  • janinelambiase
    janinelambiase Posts: 68
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    I read somewhere that smoking can also block your weight loss and your metabolism will increase once you stop.
  • sargessexyone
    sargessexyone Posts: 494 Member
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    I started using an e-cig a month ago. It's going really well. No weight gain and every time I buy e-juice I get the next level down of nicotine so I can wean myself off.
  • ndrmom
    ndrmom Posts: 1
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    I am the opposite. I quit smoking 8 months ago. It was SO hard, and I gained 14 pounds. BUT - I don't care. I am certain that if I cared about the weight gain at the time... I might not have been successful at my quit. I waited until NOW (this week) when I am 100% confident in my quit...to start to lose my 14lbs. Wish me luck :-)

    PS. you CAN quit smoking. I do NOT recommend nic replacement..it just prolonges the inevitable - GOOD LUCK TO YOU - I've never felt better!
  • ChaplainHeavin
    ChaplainHeavin Posts: 426 Member
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    I've quit smoking many times. The last time I quit it has lasted over 31 years. I guess I was the exception to the rule when I quit because I didn't gain weight but actually lost weight and for two reasons:

    1) My addiction was so strong that my body revolted against me and I threw up every day for two weeks when I quit.
    2) I was so poor at the time all I could afford to buy for food was a bag of potatoes and carrots.

    Quitting smoking was the hardest thing I've ever done in my life, but one of the greatest decisions I've made as well. One of the biggest shocks for me was when a young lady told me, "I'm glad you quit. You don't stink anymore." Now I actually start to get physically sick if I'm around smokers even if they are not smoking. I've heard others who quit say the same thing. And if I can do it, you can too.
  • StraubreyR
    StraubreyR Posts: 631 Member
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    I've quit for four years, using e-cigs. I didn't gain anything at all during the first 2 years. The weight came along after, so I can't blame quitting smoking. But at least I can exercise much easier!
  • SnuggleSmacks
    SnuggleSmacks Posts: 3,732 Member
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    Yesterday made 4 weeks for me. I have not gained weight, but I haven't lost either. I've stayed conscious of what I'm putting in my mouth, and made sure to have lots of healthy snacks available to satisfy that oral craving. I pre-portioned things like cashews and cheese into little 100 calorie bags, I have baby carrots, black bean hummus, hard-boiled eggs, and I even tried kale chips.

    Get lots of low-calorie snacks that you like. If you have the time and a scale, portion them in advance. When you have a craving, go for a walk or run if you can, and if you can't, go brush your teeth. If none of those are options (like sitting at work or whatever) then reach for those healthy snacks.
  • fowlerly
    fowlerly Posts: 40 Member
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    I quit smoking 3 months ago and I gained about 10 lbs with exercising and watching what I eat. Obviously I didn't watch good enough but I am now starting the journey of losing the weight! Not easy but worth it!
  • MomTo3Lovez
    MomTo3Lovez Posts: 800 Member
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    I am needing to quit smoking myself and worried about the weight gain. I have bought load of trident gum and I just need to get into a mindset and get a plan in my head. The only times I have stopped were the 3 times I was pregnant, as soon as I found out I stopped smoking and it was no problem because I knew my kids health was more important. I was doing so good this last time around and then major stress hit and I buckled and started up again, that was about 10 months ago. My big trigger is stress, most people go for food for comfort I go for a cigarette. And this time is a lot of stress for me (going through a divorce, fighting for custody with someone who hasn't called the kids since christmas eve (go figure) plus dealing withthe soon to be ex inlaws) Glad to know I am not the only one looking for a healthier lifestyle that includes quitting smoking...feel free to add me!
  • raggiemom
    raggiemom Posts: 139 Member
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    I too am in the process of quitting. I started off with Mar.15th as my quit date. I went for 9 days without a smoke Felt really good about it, and didn't find I was gaining weight because I was being diligent with what I was eating, and meeting my calorie goals. Then I caved and smoked for a couple of days,then quit again. And then a couple of weeks ago, dealing with some stress in my life, I was back smoking, just not as much as before Mar. 15th. I have a quit smoking coach through my health care system, and I get the nicotine patches and inhaler for free. I saw her 5 days ago, and felt really good when I left our meeting. We agreed that maybe I had tried to do too much at the same time....going cold turkey on the smokes and cutting back on comfort foods. So now I'm cutting back on the smokes gradually, limiting myself to 15 a day (down from 25-30). Next week, I will cut back to 10-12, and so on. And the big thing I'm going to do is remember to pat myself on the back for every day I only have 15. I've been good about not beating myself up for a slip up in my eating so I just have to learn to do the same thing with the smoking. I think I can do it now. Wishing you luck with your journey!
  • SnuggleSmacks
    SnuggleSmacks Posts: 3,732 Member
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    Just keep in mind that even if you do gain a bit, that is MUCH less important than quitting smoking. Smoking is such a huge health risk that quitting should be your very top priority, far above weight management. Any weight you gain can be temporary if you want it to be, it's much easier to lose it later than it is to grow new lungs.
  • kikityme
    kikityme Posts: 472 Member
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    Good job! I'm not ready to quit yet, but I applaud anyone else that's doing it!

    In Canada your doctor will provide the patch and gum for free. If you gain a few, you gain a few. The good thing is, can't smoke when you're working out!
  • Bun_Ya
    Bun_Ya Posts: 174
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    The good thing is, can't smoke when you're working out!

    Incorrect. I have smoked while doing chin ups before.
  • I_Will_End_You
    I_Will_End_You Posts: 4,397 Member
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    I quit in October using an e-cig and didn't gain any weight.
  • Barfl86
    Barfl86 Posts: 1 Member
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    I quit with Wellbutrin. Helped me a ton. It helped curb my appetite, helped with depression and with quitting to smoke.
  • janinelambiase
    janinelambiase Posts: 68
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    Just keep in mind that even if you do gain a bit, that is MUCH less important than quitting smoking. Smoking is such a huge health risk that quitting should be your very top priority, far above weight management. Any weight you gain can be temporary if you want it to be, it's much easier to lose it later than it is to grow new lungs.

    I think we are all WELL aware of that fact!
    However, we all decided ( or most of us) that we wanted to work on our weight loss first.
    Little Steps, one at a time!
  • lorigrocks
    lorigrocks Posts: 123 Member
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    Thank you so much for all of your responses...I really appreciate it. So I guess I can say that everyone is different some gain and some don't so I'll just have to find out which side I lay on. I am almost ready and will be prepared with lots of low calorie snacks and veggies available. To all of those who have quit smoking way to go...and to all of those who are trying or planning to quit...we can do it :-)

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