i quit smoking

jnhinshaw
jnhinshaw Posts: 8
edited October 6 in Health and Weight Loss
i quit smoking 3 mons ago and was on the right track to loosing weight BEFORE i quit now ive gained about 6-8lbs back im doing good by eating healthy which ive always done but its SO hard to control the food cravings especially at night i dont know what else i should do

Replies

  • rainedays86
    rainedays86 Posts: 105 Member
    I am a smoker but I also have food cravings that smoking just doesnt help. Tonight for example, I really really REALLY wanted a butterfinger bar. I had enough calories to eat one but I decided I better get my workout in first so I don't feel guilty for eating it. I spent half an hour doing aerobics and once I was finished I no longer had that craving. There is a butterfinger sitting on my kitchen counter unopened. This is a victory for me! I have extra calories and instead of having the candy tonight I am going to save it for my "time of the month days" when I HAVE to have chocolate. haha! I have quit smoking before and it's not unusual for many people to gain up to ten lbs after quitting. It will even out. Just try to keep yourself busy, and just make an effort every day. That's all you can do. Good luck to you!!!!
  • summersmi
    summersmi Posts: 50 Member
    I quit smoking about two years ago and had the same problem. I found that sugar free mints helped a lot. I just kept some with me at all times and whenever a craving hit I just popped one in my mouth. Also increase your water intake above what it is normally as well as find a hobby to entertain yourself with when you get cravings.
    Last but not least don't give up on quitting, it ain't easy but it is definitely worth it.
  • Cait_Sidhe
    Cait_Sidhe Posts: 3,150 Member
    It's been 5 months for me and I know exactly what you're talking about! I was ravenous! For most of that time I was exercising a lot and did not gain, but I also did not lose. It seems to have evened out for now and I'm not so hungry anymore. It will get easier.
  • jrcox520
    jrcox520 Posts: 130 Member
    It gets easier. In the beginning its fake hunger, so tracking your food and eating every 2-3 hours will help you stay more aware of what your intake is. I quit 36 days ago, and at first I quickly piled on 5 lbs. I nixed it by making it a daily goal to not eat anything impulsively, continuing to eat every 2-3 hours as I always had, and making sure to get all my water. Even so, my body sent signals that I was "hungry," but since I ate regularly I knew it was impossible. It will ease up. Join us at our quitting smoking group: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/755-quitting-smoking

    Congratulations on making the best decision of your life. :)
  • Sp1nGoddess
    Sp1nGoddess Posts: 1,134 Member
    I quit 13 years ago. What helped me was to eat regular small meals to level my blood sugar. I used the book 'stop smoking stay skinny'. Have some healthy fat and protein each time you eat. Give yourself little treats until you don't think about smoking anymore, it will happen!
  • 76tech
    76tech Posts: 1,455 Member
    I got through it by doing *something* when a craving hit, either food or cigarettes. Something could be get up and turn the tv on, or off, go open or close the curtains, etc. Three years later, life is a hell of a lot better.

    Didn't gain weight through the quitting process, though I didn't lose any either. But then again I wasn't trying to.
  • jnhinshaw
    jnhinshaw Posts: 8
    :smile: thank you all for your input and advice i am exercising again and i know it takes time but i wont give up i will keep at it!!!!!
  • Lozze
    Lozze Posts: 1,917 Member
    They say that quitting smoking is worse than quitting heroin so congrats!

    I would eat at maintenance while in the first month or two of quitting. You're shocking your body enough with giving up smoking. Good luck either way!
  • Lozze
    Lozze Posts: 1,917 Member
    They say that quitting smoking is worse than quitting heroin so congrats!

    I would eat at maintenance while in the first month or two of quitting. You're shocking your body enough with giving up smoking. Good luck either way!
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