Quitting Smoking and Dieting Support

I quit smoking on Columbus Day (Oct. ) two years ago. My mom was having her 4th cancer surgery: Lung, liver, colon, adrenal. I am 56, and I had been smoking since I was 11. I'll be honest, I still miss my cigs. When I see somebody smoking I want to join them. Well why don't I do that? I do not miss waking up coughing, or my hair, clothes, and car smelling like stale smoke, spending my hard earned money on cigs, standing out in the rain, snow, hot and cold to smoke, or having burn holes in anything. I made a choice not to overeat to compensate for my lack of cigarettes too.

I was also going through menopause. If the smoking cessation didn't do enough to slow my metabolism, the menopause finished the job. I could read Bon Apetite magazine and gain 5 lbs by the end. Needless-to-say, I packed on the pounds.

So here I am: A fat woman with a hair trigger. (Said in jest but it feels that way sometimes) I didn't quit smoking to be unhealthy in other ways, like oh, say, by getting fatter.

What didn't slow down was my appetite. My body doesn't require as much food now as it did, but my stomach still wants it. So, I have to increase my exercise and get my metabolism going again. Ugh. That's it, just Ugh. It's not fun yet, but I'm hoping it will be. I have a Wii game and give that a shot. I also have some DVDs of Pilates, Dancing, etc. It's ongoing.

To those who are quitting smoking, I say Bravo. It was one of the hardest things I've done. I tried many times and failed. To those who are raving maniacs as a result of this process, I am your sister. I promise you it gets easier. And the weight? It comes off. It's worth sticking with it. *applauds you*

Ugh i was just wondering about this topic today.....Im battaling trying to decide to give it up or not. Its so hard. It is a social thing and alone thing for me.

they have those labels on cigarette packs in canada. while i was out there visiting family, i bought a pack, and it was SO NASTY!! they showed messed up gums and teeth, the insides of lungs, and stuff like that. some were really graphic. it didn't stop anybody from smoking, cuz A LOT of them smoked, but maybe it will stop a a few in the new generation from starting. i think it's a good idea. anything to make smoking more "annoying" and unattractive.

I was going to reply about that.. Being up here in Canada. We've had those pictures for a couple of years now.. Smokers joke around and "hey did you see *that* one yet"?..... the limp d!ck, or the lungs, or the teeth.

Some smokers got themselves sleeves to slide over top. Some take them out and use their own cigarette container. As a smoker, it did not make me quit. But after months..... ok.. after days and days of seeing grossed out images, you do start to wonder. Ok my teeth don't look like that.... What about my lungs, what about my brain. So I think it DOES help some, just not as much as they would like.

Ugh i was just wondering about this topic today.....Im battaling trying to decide to give it up or not. Its so hard. It is a social thing and alone thing for me.

It's all how you think. It shouldn't be a battle on whether you want to live healthy, or continue going down a path that is not healthy.
If your really battling. Try www.whyquit.com lots of info.
Great ebook http://whyquit.com/NTAP_large_print_212_pages.pdf

As others who have quit can agree on. It's not a social thing (only if your friends are smokers)

How social is it when you are the only one that's smoking?
or
How social is it when you are in the hospital hooked up to a machine to breathe.

WooHoo - it's been 75 days since I quit smoking! So, so happy about that. Not so happy about my weight gain, but one thing at a time.

We had a party at our house a couple weeks ago and would you believe not one single person was a smoker? It was so nice to be one of "them" and not have to go hide somewhere to smoke.

I also didn't notice until later yesterday that I'd gone up a couple flights of stairs and normally be out of breath. I didn't even notice that I wasn't . THAT is a great feeling too!

Keep up the hard work non-smokers! And for those of you still smoking, quit when you're ready.

I want to quit smoking. Today I asked myself why do I smoke. I can't find a reason other than habit & addicted to nicotene. Well I've decided that I am stronger than that.So I've decided on July 1st I am going to really put this into action and really give this a try. I hate smoking I hate the way I am out of breath, I don't like smoking in front of people who don't smoke I feel disgustingly stupid with a cigarette hanging from my lips. I am finished. Bad thing is my fiance smokes. Major set back. Good thing is we don't smoke in our house. I am afraid I will eat me. I have to figure out what to do instead of smoking. I tried regular gum, crackers,ice. I am not going to buy the patches or other gum I am going cold turkey.OOPS I didn't mean I'll "eat me" I meant I will "eat more" LOL

Well...its now been 7 days 10 hours and 12 minutes since I last smoked. Now all that crap is coming out of my lungs and chest. YUCK! But, I feel so much better. I've found that I can actually do the "Just Dance" for an hour. FABULOUS! Thanks for all the support, Craft. :flowerforyou:

62 smoke free days for me! I feel great.

Awesome job, Craft!

Time smoke free: 14 days, 23 hours, 28 minutes!

You're right, I feel great. I can't imagine purchasing another tobacco product. I'll keep using my e-cig and lozenges as needed. Can't wait until I'm as successful as you!

Today is my first day of quitting. I just started MFP about a week ago. At first i hesitated, wondering if doing it all at once would be too much but the more i thought about it, I think that making all of the changes at once is better than dragging it out and having to readjust lifestyles multiple times. Anyways, my husband is quitting with me. I work with my dad and he is on day 14 of quitting (so proud!) and I just hope that I can do it while not replacing it with food! Trying to think of all of the positive aspects to not smoking, especially setting a good example for my son! I think I am going to take all of the money I would spend on cigs and put it in a jar on my desk at work and when I feel like I am officially done, take my son out for a special day! Do you guys have plans for your saved money??

Today is my first day of quitting. I just started MFP about a week ago. At first i hesitated, wondering if doing it all at once would be too much but the more i thought about it, I think that making all of the changes at once is better than dragging it out and having to readjust lifestyles multiple times. Anyways, my husband is quitting with me. I work with my dad and he is on day 14 of quitting (so proud!) and I just hope that I can do it while not replacing it with food! Trying to think of all of the positive aspects to not smoking, especially setting a good example for my son! I think I am going to take all of the money I would spend on cigs and put it in a jar on my desk at work and when I feel like I am officially done, take my son out for a special day! Do you guys have plans for your saved money??

Some things that have worked for me (besides my e-cig & lozenges) are sugar free jello cups and grapes. The jello cups are little more satisfying. Either way they're about 5 calories each. So you can actually have more jello than grapes.