Quit Smoking, Gained Weight

With you working out AND just quitting smoking, I know it's difficult to fight those cravings. However, you could try eating healthier, low-calorie snacks when you feel like you need to snack on something. I decided to stop eating red meat, but my mother makes beef or pork for dinner at least 4 nights a week because my dad needs to gain weight. And it's hard, because I LOVE pork... But on nights when she makes them, I either have some tuna or prepare myself a serving of chicken. It definitely helped me, because it's been about a month now and I haven't had a single bite of pork. (:

I'm having the same issue. Quitting also slows metabolism and I already have low thyroid. I've been chewing sugar free gum and eating tic tacs. You still have to count them tho. I go thru a lot. I am up about 6 lbs since end of January.

I went through something similar. I quit smoking (unfortunately I fell off the wagon since ) and I found my appetite definitely increased! One of the reasons quitting smoking causes weight gain is because nicotine is a stimulant, similar to caffeine. It suppresses your appetite to a certain extent, and it gives your metabolism a slight bump. Obviously, those do not weigh out the numerous terrible side effects, so good for you for quitting! It's definitely not easy, so major kudos! If you can quit smoking, you can definitely lose weight! You are obviously strong and have immense will power! First off, since you quit, you no longer get the slight metabolism boost from nicotine (it's very slight though, so don't worry!). Your body WILL adjust to this. Working out will definitely help as well, as regular exercise increases your metabolism much more than nicotine! So keep up the good work in being active! Also, make sure you drink plenty of water. It helps keep you fuller, so you do not feel the need to snack as often! Keep a water bottle with you at all times. When you are tempted to snack, drink some water first. Then, if you are still hungry, you are probably truly hungry and not just bored or craving a cigarette. At that point it is ok to have a healthy snack. It can be hard when other people in your house keep tempting, not so healthy food around. Try putting those items in a cabinet you do not go in often to avoid them. Keep healthy snacks readily available, so when you want to reach for a snack those are the things you grab! Cut up raw veggies and fruits and keep them right inside the fridge. Also keep around protein bars, greek yogurt, raw, unsalted nuts, and string cheese. Those are good quick grab and go snacks that are healthier options. Just remember, you will get through this and be so much healthier since you quit! And, if you do fall off the wagon, you will have to quit all over again and end up gaining even more weight,so it's better to just keep going now and not backslide! Good luck:)

Good luck amyk113. I've tried giving up a couple of times and know how hard it is! I lost my appetite though, got crumpier and when I started smoking again, my appetite came back again and I wasn't cranky anymore. Have you tried nicotine patches or nicotine chewing gum? I haven't tried those, preferred to go cold turkey instead, but I have heard the patches and gum have worked for some people.