stopped smoking and stared eating

Congrats for stopping the cigarettes!! That is the #1 thing you can do for your health! I say just keep it up with MFP, increased exercise and healthy foods within your calorie allotment and it'll come off! I know it's extremely common to gain weight after cigarettes - combo of taste buds coming back and not having the stimulant anymore. You're doing the right thing... just keep it up and the weight will come back off the healthy way! Congrats again!

I know exactly what you are saying.....I smoke as well and I have found that diet PLUS quitting is WAY TOO HARD. So, I suggest you either hold off on the quitting while trying to cut back. Pack your fridge with as much celery and carrots as you can stand.

When you feel you need one, do some crunches instead......sort of trade one addiction for another. Working out is a lot healthier.
Good Luck

Firstly well done on giving up the Smoking ! As an ex smoker i know its not easy, but you have done the hard part !

I think as you have so little to lose you should maybe eat more!

Are you eating to enough?

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/10589-for-those-confused-or-questioning-eating-your-exercise-calo

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/61706-guide-to-calorie-deficit


This is just a part of it! please read the link above


Generally someone with a BMI over 32 can do a 1000 calorie a day (2 lbs a week) deficit
With a BMI of 30 to 32 a deficit of 750 calories is generally correct (about 1.5 lbs a week)
With a BMI of 28 to 30 a deficit of 500 calories is about right (about 1 lb a week)
With a BMI of 26 to 28 a deficit of about 300 calories is perfect (about 1/2 lb a week)
and below 26... well this is where we get fuzzy. See now you're no longer talking about being overweight, so while it's still ok to have a small deficit, you really should shift your focus more towards muscle tone, and reducing fat. This means is EXTRA important to eat your exercise calories as your body needs to KNOW it's ok to burn fat stores, and the only way it will know is if you keep giving it the calories it needs to not enter the famine response (starvation mode)


Also this might be helpful http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/00trayn/view/how-to-bust-a-3-month-plateau-87677

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/153704-myth-or-fact-simple-math-3500-calories-one-pound-eat



Good luck on your journey

I think it's great that you are taking steps before it really gets out of control - good for you.

Congrats on quitting smoking. You did it in the right order. Smoking first then weight loss, and the weight gain you experienced has everything to do with your changed metabolism and hormones.

I smoked for 15 years. As you begin to excercise, your lung capacity will grow. When you are breathing better, you will notice an energy level that is even better than nicotine. Stay on track! You can do it.