I Quit

I agree with what everyone else wrote. I have been smoke free for about a year and a half and I still get the occasional craving, but it passes a lot quicker than when I first quit or even six months ago. The weight gain is temporary. I gained WAY MORE than I care to admit, but I think to myself " the weight can be lost, the damage from smoking...maybe not". You just have to find what works for you, but whatever you do, don't give up.

What a great thing you are doing for your body! It takes so much courage and many coping strategies to quit smoking. Think about what brought you to this point, try writing in your journal about your thoughts and feelings. Reward yourself with something other than food ie. a great book, a day trip, a movie in the theatre, a bubble bath with music and candles. Maybe inviting a friend to go outside and enjoy a walk somewhere unique would distract you A few pounds are nothing compared to the benefits of going smoke free - congratulate yourself!! The weight will come off again, your body is just adjusting to the many changes it's going through. Stay distracted, change your daily routines, try deep breathing, drink lots of water from a beautiful glass or bottle, chew gum, brush your teeth and put on lip gloss so that your mouth is too pristine for smoke or junk food.

For some reason you decided that smoking and unhealthy eating were less comfortable than a healthy lifestyle. Focus on the reason, be kinder to yourself and take it one day at a time.

smoking 16 days ago and my weight is up 6 pounds, Help I want to quit MFP too I am very discourage!
Will I keep gaining now that I quit smoking? Should I lower my calories?
Suggestions

I quit 15 yrs ago and I have never looked back. Don't quit MFP you need this community now more than ever. Instead of lowering your calories increase your activity level. Get a pedometer and track how many steps you are taking a day. I have a fitbit and I love it. How much are you excercising, what type are you doing?

Wow, great job. That is crazy hard to do. Try that new blue electric fake cigarette. It's the fixation that is hardest sometimes. That little device you drag on and "smoke" comes out. You need an outlet. Food is easiest but just not going to work. Find something that you love. I just rediscovered my love of ballet, of all things. I'm 32 and back to ballet! But it moves me. I love it. What's your niche? Try something radically different. Horseback riding? Snow shoeing? Hiking? (Climbing those hills as a non smoker will move you.) Swimming? Running? Channel that need into exercise somehow.

Hang in there. Don't give up. You can totally do it.

DONT quit

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you're trudging seems all uphill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest, if you must, but don't you quit.

Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As every one of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure turns about,
When he might have won had he stuck it out;
Don't give up though the pace seems slow--
You may succeed with another blow.

Often the goal is nearer than,
It seems to a faint and faltering man,
Often the struggler has given up,
When he might have captured the victor's cup,
And he learned too late when the night slipped down,
How close he was to the golden crown.

Success is failure turned inside out--
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems so far,
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit--
It's when things seem worst that you must not quit.

- Author unknown

I would try several things to keep your lungs healing and YOU smoke-free:

1. When you crave a cigarette, try to focus on why you are nervous/anxious, etc. Keep a journal so that you can plan on being prepared during the times you have cravings.

For many smokers, the craving for a cigarette lasts longer than the other symptoms of withdrawal. This is because craving can be set off by reminders of smoking. These reminders are sometimes called "triggers." For most smokers, smoking was something that they did in many parts of their life. So, there are many places and things that trigger a craving because it reminds them of smoking. This means it is important to have a plan and a few ways you will handle cravings. Over time, as you are no longer smoking as part of your life, activities will no longer remind you of smoking. (from smokefree.gov) http://www.smokefree.gov/pubs/craving.pdf


2. Take a good multivitamin, Complex B vitamin and Coenzyme 10.

3. Get plenty of exercise.

4. Work on any problems that have caused you to feel tense or anxious. This is a good way to do some self work so you will be healthier inside and out.

5. Get plenty of sleep and stay on a regular schedule.

6. For the increased food intake, try to munch on fruit and veggies. Drink some hot tea. Sometimes when we think we are hungery, we are really just thirsty.

7. Drink one gallon of water per day.

8. Hang in there, what a wonderful decision you have made to beome healthier!