Smoking
FoodFitnessTravel
Posts: 294 Member
So i started smoking a year ago. I remember my first few days as a smoker, i was thinking "hey this is making me less hungry!", also foolishly thinking that I can always stop. Then it became heavy, I am going through a pack a day now. The reasons to quit are obvious, but my biggest one is not health, or the money i'll save, or to bring my taste buds back to life. It's that, ironically, i find girls who smoke unattractive, and the habit is very repulsive.
So, former smokers, or the ones who are in quitting process right now, i have a few questions for you: do the cigarette cravings EVER go away and what can I possibly do to not gain weight from metabolism that slows down and increased appetite?
I already work out and watch my calories, but I'm scared that once i stop i'll just give in and eat.
Any help is much appreciated.
So, former smokers, or the ones who are in quitting process right now, i have a few questions for you: do the cigarette cravings EVER go away and what can I possibly do to not gain weight from metabolism that slows down and increased appetite?
I already work out and watch my calories, but I'm scared that once i stop i'll just give in and eat.
Any help is much appreciated.
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Replies
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A little over 5 years ago I joined a gym and 3 weeks later quit smoking. I never gained any weight.Today on a good day I can run 3 miles in 27:00. I will always be a smoker,this is not my first time quitting.Lets just say I am on a good long break.0
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so the cravings never really go away?
I am glad to hear you never gained any weight, good job!0 -
Hello love!!
I quit smoking a little less than a year ago. I was at my absolute heaviest and needed a complete lifestyle change, so it was pretty different than your situation. For me personally, I still crave every now and then, especially while i'm driving.
And although it sounds too easy- I find the best way to stop the craving momentarily (for me) is by keeping mints, gum (regular gum, not nicotine- that stuff is crap) or a bottle of water in my car at all times- since that is where I crave the most.
If you are motivated enough to quit you can do it! And trust me, workouts become a whole lot more fun when you can actually breathe during them
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I smoke off and on, generally 1/3 of a pack a day when I am smoking.
I've never had trouble breathing or any trouble with exercise at all.
When I'm taking smoking breaks I don't gain wait at all if i keep up my regular food and exercise routine.
The cravings never really go away, which is why I still smoke......0 -
I quit smoking 3 years ago. I smoked since my teenage years (quit when I was 40). I still think about smoking. Even have smoker dreams every once in awhile. However, it was soo difficult for me to quit that I don't think I will ever go back. But, I am just one cigarette away from smoking a pack a day. I know I can't smoke socially. I sure wish I could! I don't think the feeling ever goes away, but it isn't like I obsess over it constantly. I don't think of it every day or even every month. I gained 15 lbs when I quit, but I was okay with it. Now I have 20 lbs to lose. I don't regret it for a minute!
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I quite smoking about two years ago, minus the occasional when out for drinks with friends. Because, like yourself, I was aware of the potential to replace one habit with another, I was careful to plan my days as well as my meals and keep busy. Idle time will be your worst enemy. Good luck!!0
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Do stuff that makes you want to quit smoking, like running and stuff. At least that's how I quit.0
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I quit in March of this year. I don't have cravings. I do have that micro-instant when getting behind the wheel, or sitting down at my computer, when I automatically begin to reach for the cigarettes...but I stop myself before the motion has even really begun. Habits are hard to break. But I very rarely even think about it beyond that, except when I'm around someone who smokes, and then it STINKS OMG I CAN'T BELIEVE I SMELLED LIKE THAT!! The smell of other smokers reminds me constantly of why I quit.0
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IAteAllTheVegans wrote: »I smoke off and on, generally 1/3 of a pack a day when I am smoking.
I've never had trouble breathing or any trouble with exercise at all.
When I'm taking smoking breaks I don't gain wait at all if i keep up my regular food and exercise routine.
The cravings never really go away, which is why I still smoke......
Not yet.
You smoke to keep the cravings away? Really? You do understand that you are inviting a variety of noncommunicable diseases such as lung and pancreatic cancer, myocardial infection and emphysema, right?-1 -
I quit 7 years ago using Chantix. I still think about smoking every day and if a pack wasn't $6 and it didn't cause cancer I would probably start again tomorrow. I loved everything about it.
I also gained 40lbs when I quit smoking. Then I gained another 25 lbs from having kids. I've lost 35 lbs so I still have quite a way to go.0 -
I used an e-cig so I wouldn't replace smoking with eating. It partially worked. I did gain weight, but I would do it again in a heart beat. At first the cravings were fierce, so much that I would avoid going out, or even walking to close to a smoker...it was too tempting. But now, if I go out, I take my e-cig, and I can "smoke" socially, and I dont miss it as much. Now I hardly even use the e-cig otherwise, but it is great to have when I have had a stressful day and start to feel tempted. While my craving have not gone away completely, they have diminished greatly. I have gone without a single puff of a cigarette for 163 days 0
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E-cigs. Do it. I use an iTaste MVP with menthol juice. It even charges my iPhone.0
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FatFreeFrolicking wrote: »IAteAllTheVegans wrote: »I smoke off and on, generally 1/3 of a pack a day when I am smoking.
I've never had trouble breathing or any trouble with exercise at all.
When I'm taking smoking breaks I don't gain wait at all if i keep up my regular food and exercise routine.
The cravings never really go away, which is why I still smoke......
Not yet.
You smoke to keep the cravings away? Really? You do understand that you are inviting a variety of noncommunicable diseases such as lung and pancreatic cancer, myocardial infection and emphysema, right?
You do realise you are replying to an ADULT who is fully aware of the implications of smoking. How patronising and rude
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Hi there!
I quit a little over 2 months ago! I used a vape and weened my nicotine level in my "juice" down every week until I hit 0mg. I now only use the vape (with 0mg of nicotine) in social situations. I smoked for 12 years.. first time trying to quit but I dont crave them often. When I do, I just distract myself and it goes away in moments.
Also, I did not gain weight.
Good Luck!0 -
Faye_Anderson wrote: »FatFreeFrolicking wrote: »IAteAllTheVegans wrote: »I smoke off and on, generally 1/3 of a pack a day when I am smoking.
I've never had trouble breathing or any trouble with exercise at all.
When I'm taking smoking breaks I don't gain wait at all if i keep up my regular food and exercise routine.
The cravings never really go away, which is why I still smoke......
Not yet.
You smoke to keep the cravings away? Really? You do understand that you are inviting a variety of noncommunicable diseases such as lung and pancreatic cancer, myocardial infection and emphysema, right?
You do realise you are replying to an ADULT who is fully aware of the implications of smoking. How patronising and rude
I'm not speaking to the OP, I'm speaking to IAteAllTheVegans.0 -
OP, cold turkey quit while you're ahead. It will probably be the most difficult thing in the world but it has to be done.0
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Faye, lots of adults in this world are not aware of much.
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uconnwinsnc1 wrote: »OP, cold turkey quit while you're ahead. It will probably be the most difficult thing in the world but it has to be done.
This. There is little research that proves e-cigs help individuals quit smoking. Save your money.0 -
I quit a year ago and I only rarely want to smoke anymore. Rarely, and it passes quickly. I had been smoking for nearly 40 years (like enterdanger above, I loved everything about it) and quitting was hard, hard, hard, but I did it cold-turkey and without any chemical help. Every time I wanted a cigarette, I would take 3 deep, long, slow breaths until the craving passed. Yes, I gained some weight, but I have lost it and much, much more. Quit now. Quit now. QUIT NOW! Do not rely on anything outside of yourself to eat less.0
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I am trying to quit now.....I have tried it all, Chantix and the patch. They did not work for me. However, i will never tell anyone that those things don't work because sooo many people have had success from them. Just personally, I have to do it by simply cutting down, limiting how many I have in a day and filing my mind with other things.
It's just a matter of making up your mind and being ready...similar to losing weight and getting back into shape.
I was a 2 pack a day smoker a year ago, now, I am a little less than a pack a day. My goal is to be smoke free by the new year.
As far as the cravings.....well, they will be there. When we change out lifestyle and eat healthier, those really really good and tasty foods that blow the diet to hell are still calling for us right? We resist......I know that once I stop for good, I can resist those cravings too!..0 -
FatFreeFrolicking, I get the impression you are not and have never been a smoker, so shhh...-1
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FatFreeFrolicking, I get the impression you are not and have never been a smoker, so shhh...
Is smoking some elitist club where only people that do it can discuss how to quit it? Get real. Most of us here have dealt with struggles before. I didn't lose 70 pounds just by herpderpin my way through the past almost 2 years. I know what it takes to push myself out of my comfort zone to break bad habits.
Smoking is one of the hardest habits but it has to be taken care of with your own intrinsic motivation and it has to be done as soon as possible.0 -
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FatFreeFrolicking, I get the impression you are not and have never been a smoker, so shhh...
You're right and thank the Lord for that.
I'm curious though… since when must you be a smoker to comment on a thread about smoking? Is it some sort of new rule?
I didn't think so. So kindly "shhh" yourself.0 -
Smokers want advice from non-smokers like obese people want advice from an anorexic. Saying that because you smoke you are going to get lung cancer doesn't work or else no one would smoke. OP is not asking 'what are the risks of smoking', she is specifically asking for 'former smokers, or the ones who are in quitting process right now'0
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I've been in the battle of quitting on and off since last year I have restarted several times but I have now been off smokes cold turkey now for idk like a month. And I find myself this time that I crave less food than when I smoked. But that might just be me.
But several of the many other times I quick for awhile I used nicorette gum and e-cigs. Those helped a bit especially e-cigs because I found out more and more that I really like the hand jesture more then the actual nicotene. But everyones different. But when I do get a food craving or a cig craving I just ignore it and do busy work like cleaning or going online or exercise. My husband tends to chew his finger nails but I don't advise that lol
But I haven't craved a cig since this last time I quit, and I've lost weight since I have.
Good luck with your weight loss and quitting an awful habit.0 -
__drmerc__ wrote: »uconnwinsnc1 wrote: »FatFreeFrolicking, I get the impression you are not and have never been a smoker, so shhh...
Is smoking some elitist club where only people that do it can discuss how to quit it? Get real. Most of us here have dealt with struggles before. I didn't lose 70 pounds just by herpderpin my way through the past almost 2 years. I know what it takes to push myself out of my comfort zone to break bad habits.
Smoking is one of the hardest habits but it has to be taken care of with your own intrinsic motivation and it has to be done as soon as possible.
No one wants ignorant opinions and would rather talk to someone with experience
Is the smoker the ignorant one or the non smoker? Should I refuse health advice from someone who smokes? Should I refuse fitness advice from someone who can't bench as much as me? Should I "shhh" someone who hurts my feelings by telling me that I am training wrong?
Ignorance doesn't always correspond with lack of experience. Someone can be quite educated on something without actually doing it, buddy.0 -
Smokers want advice from non-smokers like obese people want advice from an anorexic. Saying that because you smoke you are going to get lung cancer doesn't work or else no one would smoke. OP is not asking 'what are the risks of smoking', she is specifically asking for 'former smokers, or the ones who are in quitting process right now'
I wasn't talking to the OP. In case you missed that 0 -
This discussion has been closed.
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