Quitting smoking and restricting calories

SisterSueGetsFit
SisterSueGetsFit Posts: 1,211 Member
edited November 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
Hi all! I quit smoking a few days ago, and while I haven't really had any binge cravings yet, I know they will come (I've quit smoking before).

My question is this, is it totally unreasonable to adhere to a 1,200-1,300 calorie diet for a week or so? I do better when I'm very disciplined with calories/life. I'm terrified of gaining weight from this whole process after having successfully lost 50 pounds. I guess this is why I'm considering cutting my calories for the next week or so...just to ensure that doesn't happen.

For reference, I'm 5'5" and currently 154.

Replies

  • size102b
    size102b Posts: 1,370 Member
    Just have what you should and put your 'craving foods ' into your daily allowance
    Restricting for a week won't counter balance long term cravings ?
  • SisterSueGetsFit
    SisterSueGetsFit Posts: 1,211 Member
    size102b wrote: »
    Just have what you should and put your 'craving foods ' into your daily allowance
    Restricting for a week won't counter balance long term cravings ?

    Yes, I understand long term cravings, but if I can control things for a few weeks I'm usually set. It's just getting through the hardest days (for me). Thank you for your advice.

  • Ming1951
    Ming1951 Posts: 433 Member
    For me I probably would eat what I normally do but I would start logging faithfully. When I quite over 40 years ago I knew food tasted better but didn't realize that I was eating more of it, so if I knew about logging back then it may have helped me. So stay within your calories .
  • size102b
    size102b Posts: 1,370 Member
    SisterSueGetsFit wrote: »
    size102b wrote: »
    Just have what you should and put your 'craving foods ' into your daily allowance
    Restricting for a week won't counter balance long term cravings ?

    Yes, I understand long term cravings, but if I can control things for a few weeks I'm usually set. It's just getting through the hardest days (for me). Thank you for your advice.


    You have to do this as you know you can and as long as you log everything you can eat your proper allowance don't set it at 1200-1300 and then not log everything as it'll still show up on the scales
    Set it at the right amount and eat under that the hardest days will still need logging so to speak
  • FabianMommy
    FabianMommy Posts: 78 Member
    edited March 2017
    If it gives you confidence to do that, then go for it. I quit 11 years ago and actually lost weight as I was more disciplined - I think you have to be to avoid weight gain. Log faithfully and see how you get on, you might find splitting your calories into smaller, more protein based meals might help or you might be better with two larger meals, experiment and see what works for you.

    Another thing I did was workout more, that really helped with the cravings and it was empowering to see how quickly I gained fitness and didn't get out of breath anymore.

    Congratulations on quitting, that was my biggest fear that I'd put on weight but the reverse happened because I knew I had to be more careful!
  • kommodevaran
    kommodevaran Posts: 17,890 Member
    SisterSueGetsFit wrote: »
    while I haven't really had any binge cravings yet, I know they will come (I've quit smoking before).

    is it totally unreasonable to adhere to a 1,200-1,300 calorie diet for a week or so? I do better when I'm very disciplined with calories/life. I'm terrified of gaining weight from this whole process after having successfully lost 50 pounds. I guess this is why I'm considering cutting my calories for the next weekoo or so...just to ensure that doesn't happen.

    For reference, I'm 5'5" and currently 154.
    SisterSueGetsFit wrote: »
    Yes, I understand long term cravings, but if I can control things for a few weeks I'm usually set. It's just getting through the hardest days (for me).
    Short term may seem like the hardest part, but it's really long term that's hardest. What you can do for a week or two, doesn't have any great impact, it's what you can do for month and years, that counts. Restricing too much always leads to binges. You are practically at a healthy weight. You can't lose at top speed now.

    You can be disciplined with calories without eating too little. It's easier to be disciplined when you aren't hungry. Quitting smoking is difficult enough (for most people), don't make it harder. Stick to whatever calories you're already eating (I'm guessing 1600-1700 would be about right for you at this point).
  • Franacious
    Franacious Posts: 54 Member
    1200-1300 is what I eat now for loss so I don't think it's going to hurt you but I don't think you need to reduce your calories in order to avoid gaining. Just make sure you're logging everything and staying within your daily goals. You say you've quit before, so plan every day for what you might expect (I'm an ex-smoker as well), like having activities you can do to stay busy to get you through a craving, etc. I think it'll also help if you try eating mostly clean for those first few weeks. As a side note, when I quit, I remember having a few days of nothing tasting good as well. :)
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