Help - Swapped Nicotine for Sugar!

Mumstrongbow wrote: »

I gave up smoking 15 weeks ago. Since then I have put on a stone in weight as I cannot seem to stop eating sweet, sugary snacks, ice creams etc. I have limited mobility due to an autoimmune condition. What do others think is a realistic target to lose each week? I have been trying to stick to the 1200 calories per day on mfp, which is fine during the morning but come mid afternoon I am tempted back by the sugar. Any suggestions please? (before giving up smoking I was 140 pounds and not tempted at all by the sweet stuff)

Congratulations! I've been off the cigarettes for about 10 weeks now. Don't limit yourself on the sweets or calories too much as you can only fight one demon at a time. Make the cuts in other areas that aren't so linked to your cigarette cravings (and yes, regardless of what the literature might say, we are still very much addicted to cigarettes. Speaking for myself, I quit cold turkey and can honestly say that I still want a cigarette every single day).

I would probably phase myself down to maintenance over the next couple of weeks and then target a deficit of less than 500 calories per day after that. Gradually ween yourself off the sweets. Start to replace them with lower calorie options over time (fruit, Halo Top, small snack size bites of chocolate, etc.). 4 months to put on the weight, and 4 months to take it off. Easy peasy.

I'm allowing myself to eat a ton to fight my cravings but I'm also able to get in a lot of exercise.