Stopped smoking, gained weight and ready to start again!!

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  • Barbsmb
    Barbsmb Posts: 4
    On Feb. 5th I started the fasting diet, lost a steady 1 lb per week for the first 3 weeks then I quit smoking since then I have gone back to my original start weight plus about another 3lbs despite still fasting 2 days per week. When I quit I consciously chose not to eat any differently. I stopped fasting a week ago as I was getting disheartened.

    Last Monday I decided to go low carb instead as I am so fed up with myself. I am on day 5 and despite keeping the carbs around 20 to 30 per day I have lost no weight on the scales and the dress I have on today feels tighter than it has ever felt.
  • Barbsmb
    Barbsmb Posts: 4
    On Feb. 5th I started the fasting diet, lost a steady 1 lb per week for the first 3 weeks then I quit smoking since then I have gone back to my original start weight plus about another 3lbs despite still fasting 2 days per week. When I quit I consciously chose not to eat any differently. I stopped fasting a week ago as I was getting disheartened.

    Last Monday I decided to go low carb instead as I am so fed up with myself. I am on day 5 and despite keeping the carbs around 20 to 30 per day I have lost no weight on the scales and the dress I have on today feels tighter than it has ever felt.

    How long do people think it will be before things start to kick in again? This is soooo frustrating and disheartening, makes you ALMOST feel like lighting up again. :(
  • khall86790
    khall86790 Posts: 1,100 Member
    It should start evening out soon I would imagine, I can't talk though because I still smoke. But I have friends who have quit and they gained but then lost it all again within a year of quitting.
    Weird fact but allegedly smoking burns up to 200 calories, so you should bare in my your body is making an adjustment for that too.
  • fluffykitsune
    fluffykitsune Posts: 236 Member
    Legitimate question.
    How does stopping smoking make you gain weight ?
    Is if because food becomes the new comfort / coping method instead of a cigarette ?
    Or is it chemical imbalances ?
  • Barbsmb
    Barbsmb Posts: 4
    Like khall86790 says it is to do with metabolism. As I was already fasting I consciously made the decision NOT to eat any differently. I have read that giving up smoking can kick hypothyroidism into touch but this is only what I have read on the internet.
  • Marilynj28
    Marilynj28 Posts: 1 Member
    Hi all. I stumbled upon this thread by googling "I quit smoking and can't stop gaining weight" lol I'm a member of MFP but hvnt been on in a while. Basically I feel like crap right now. Was down to 148 and feeling really good ....them quit smoking 6 and a half weeks ago and and back up to 160 :( my eating isn't any worse than it was before but here I am. Need to start working out harder or more I guess. Like someone else mentioned, I too have gone from an active job to a desk job. So I guess I'm going to have to re lose all the weight I just lost last year! Thinking I should have waited til after summer to have quit smoking LOL
  • tenintwenty
    tenintwenty Posts: 92
    Be strong. You will get through this. Have faith that you are doing what is right for your body even if you hate the weight gain. I've have a similar experience whenever I start eating properly for my IBS. I eat LESS calories, but I put on about 5 lbs because my body just sucks up the nutrients it couldn't absorb before. Just tell yourself you'll give it another month. I bet any gain will taper off as your body adjusts, then you can work at getting your weight back down. It can be very difficult to feel like your body is betraying you, but don't panic. If you have a lot of anxiety about your body, you might consider going to an OA meeting to get some positive support.
  • MelsAuntie
    MelsAuntie Posts: 2,833 Member
    IF I had the choice, and there was no alternative, I'd much rather be overweight than have decaying lungs, yellow teeth, bad breath, stinking hair and clothes, and a shortened life span. Of the two, smoking is by far the more self-destructive.
  • pwnderosa
    pwnderosa Posts: 280 Member
    Don't even worry about it Marilyn, you are doing a wonderful thing for yourself and I think it is much easier to lose 15 lbs than to quit smoking! Your metabolism can slow down a little after you quit, food tastes better as your senses return and some do eat more to satisfy the hand-to-mouth thing. I am sure you will be back in balance soon and you will probably be able to burn a lot more calories in your workouts than you could before as your lungs and organs heal. You are doing great, don't be hard on yourself for a bit of gain, you can do this!!
  • TiaSmall
    TiaSmall Posts: 2
    I stopped smoking six weeks ago and have gained 10lbs. This sucks. I am very happy I had the will power to quit smoking but living in a society where "thin is in" my weight gain is constantly on my mind. Over a year ago I was over weight and lost 40 lbs. So this weight gain is not good. I exercise regular, eat healthy but no matter Im still gaining. Is my body just trying to regulate itself now? Please help.
  • schmenge55
    schmenge55 Posts: 745 Member
    I assume it is your body adjusting. Stick with it and do not give in on 6 weeks. You will kick yourself if you do!!
    I stopped smoking six weeks ago and have gained 10lbs. This sucks. I am very happy I had the will power to quit smoking but living in a society where "thin is in" my weight gain is constantly on my mind. Over a year ago I was over weight and lost 40 lbs. So this weight gain is not good. I exercise regular, eat healthy but no matter Im still gaining. Is my body just trying to regulate itself now? Please help.
  • TiaSmall
    TiaSmall Posts: 2
    Nope not going back to smoking. I just needed some moral support. Thank you.:happy:
  • elizabethkdunne
    elizabethkdunne Posts: 2 Member
    quitting smoking made me gain 20 pounds. it's totally disgusting and I cannot see any benefits. I struggle to breathe whereas I didn't when I smoked. My clothes don't fit me., My stress levels are through the roof. I see no benefit other than avoiding lung cancer in 20 years. I hope that helps it hasn't helped me. Also, your likely to have a stroke due to stress 70% more than smoking. I intend to go back smoking in about ten years as my stress and weight is killing me quicker.
  • elizabethkdunne
    elizabethkdunne Posts: 2 Member
    sarahdangar wrote: »
    I stopped smoking about 8 1/2 months ago. My biggest fear and the thing stopping me for many years was gaining weight. I stopped smoking and started here to manage my weight. I was doing ok, I had gained about 2 Kg but was coping with it and loving the fact I can now run and am healthier. Now, suddenly, I have gained ANOTHER 2kg, my eating habits haven't really changed, nor my ex regime. I am trying hard to get it off without becoming too obsessional (which I can be, and can get dangerous), but nothing is moving just more gains. I hate the way I look and feel - nothing fits. People say it only 4kg/8lbs ish etc but to me it is horrendous, I feel terrible and awful for it. All I want to do is start smoking again to get this weight off, but the thought of actually smoking is awful too!! I really feel at a bit of a crossroads and feel myself spiralling emotionally. Has anyone else been here??

    Smoking increases your metabolism and banishes stress. Unfortuntely we get cancer from it on a lottery basis. I'm stress and food balloned due to giving up smoking andmy health has never been worse. I'm going back to smoking in about ten years for sure.

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