Quitting Smoking while changing food/exercise habits

I quit a pack a day 20 year habit on Aug 28, 2011... My advice is to read Allen Carrs Easy Way to Stop Smoking and also sign up for an account on Quitnet.com, I spent alot of time looking at the forums on that website in the first few weeks. I tried to change all my habits at the same time...Very difficult, I probably gained around 10-15 pounds, BUT I will gladly take those pounds as a non smoker!!!!! Its so worth it, I am now working on the weight and exercise aspect. And my endurance and lung compacity is SOOOO much better its amazing. I had to cut out alot of coffee, I now dont drink it past 2pm at the latest because caffine affects me now like it never had before. I also advice you to stock up on melatonin to help you sleep, I suffer a bit of mild insomnia now but like I said I will gladdly take it over the smoking habit. I love being a non smoker and the best part is that my children are so proud of me, I advice you to do it, make quitting smoking your priority over everything else and once you got that licked then move on to the next on the list. Anyways, feel free to add me if you need support, its hard but not as hard as it has to be.

Ditto on Allen Carr's book.

I quit on Jan 1st this year (best thing I ever did) and have since lost 7 lbs. Quitting has made me stronger, I figure if I can quit a 15 year addiction then stopping myself from eating a doughnut should be easy.

I stopped smoking permanently after reading that Allen Carr book - over ten years now. I really didn't like the book or the tone of the author but I persevered and quit before I'd finished it and have never had a cigarette since. Just don't compensate yourself with food like I do!

I started cardi/weight lifting and quit at the same time. I smoked a pack a day since I was twelve (27yrs), I'm 39 now. I never worked out in my life, short of an attemt once or twice for a week. I tried everything to quit. Too weak!

I use an electric cig now. I have an Inferno w/tube tank. I still get the nic. without having to smoke. It's just vapor. I'll smoke it forever if I have to.

I quit a 12 year 20-a-day habit cold turkey after trying a nicotine spray and deciding nicotine sucked. Honestly both my OH and I found it really easy on the "addiction" side of things, it's the habit that's the beeyatch to break.
I have tried to eat relatively healthily for a few years now, but did gain 6lbs during my first few months of quitting. But I've lost it all and more since then and i only quit 8 months ago. It helps that being smoke free gives me more stamina. I'd say don't put it off, but make sure you've got stuff to do to occupy your hands.

I am in the same boat as you. Couple of weeks ago I quit smoking after reading Allan Cars books. I lasted 1 week after gaining 3lbs in that week. Out of stupid useless fear I started again. I have been miserable ever since. The other posters are correct focus on the smoking 1st and then the weight loss. I was doing both and I damn near lost my mind. I tell you the week that I stopped smoking I saw dramatic changes and I curse myself everyday that I went back. I'm right there with you. My new quit date is this Friday....I'm re-reading the book and come hell or high water I'm going to make it and screw the weight gain. For those of you who quit....I raise my glass to you...a toast to your freedom....I promise I will be joining you on the NON-SMOKING side very soon...

Quit smoking group:

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/755-quitting-smoking

I quit 13 years ago after smoking for 15 years... or so... I used the Stop Smoking Stay Skinny plan.. I used to never eat consistently and had a smoke & coffee for breakfast - the book advocates eating whatever breakfast you like and then keeping your blood sugar steady throughout the day by eating good food frequently. I used to cut my cigarettes to make them gradually smaller & smaller - that kind of helped too.

For me it was mind over matter. You have to BELIEVE without a doubt that you can do it. And you really CAN once you are truly ready to do it.

Best of luck!

I quit smoking Nov 6th, 2011 cold turkey. I did put on 18 pounds and yes it is harder to get it off but let me tell you I feel so much better. I can now run and do a hard hour workout without feeling like my lungs are going to give. The allen carr book is great. Good luck if you need support please feel free to add me.

I quit smoking January 10, and haven't gained anything. I haven't lost either, but that has more to do with some travel I've been doing, and overabundant conference food with no time to exercise. Basically, I tried to substitute a healthy choice every time I had a craving - either exercising (I started serious 5K training), drinking water, or eating fruit and veggies. So, it can be done, and it is worth it - you will feel so much better knowing you are doing everything to support a healthy lifestyle. I second everyone who has suggested Allen Carr's book, too - that's what did it for me, and I think it made it so much easier to quit. But don't worry if you do gain some weight - quitting smoking is much more important to your health long term.

I quit smoking exactly 3 weeks ago and started changing my eating and exercise habits about 3 weeks and 3 days ago I didn't smoke much either, I was actually slowly weening myself off the nicotine. Then what I did, was stop smoking when I was triggered to. Biggest things you can change-dont' smoke in your house if you do and don't light up when you get in the car. I was down to one a day, and honestly one day I just stopped, and it's been great. I'm focusing my time on exercise and living a healthy life.

I smoked for about 10 years also. Have to do it so you have the energy to work out and not to mention. Food tastes sooo much better!! GOOD LUCK!!!

I quit a pack a day 20 year habit on Aug 28, 2011... My advice is to read Allen Carrs Easy Way to Stop Smoking and also sign up for an account on Quitnet.com, I spent alot of time looking at the forums on that website in the first few weeks. I tried to change all my habits at the same time...Very difficult, I probably gained around 10-15 pounds, BUT I will gladly take those pounds as a non smoker!!!!! Its so worth it, I am now working on the weight and exercise aspect. And my endurance and lung compacity is SOOOO much better its amazing. I had to cut out alot of coffee, I now dont drink it past 2pm at the latest because caffine affects me now like it never had before. I also advice you to stock up on melatonin to help you sleep, I suffer a bit of mild insomnia now but like I said I will gladdly take it over the smoking habit. I love being a non smoker and the best part is that my children are so proud of me, I advice you to do it, make quitting smoking your priority over everything else and once you got that licked then move on to the next on the list. Anyways, feel free to add me if you need support, its hard but not as hard as it has to be.

Excellent advice! Those two things, Allen Carr and Quitnet helped me to quit a 50 year, two pack a day habit, cold turkey! I've been quit now for 27 months. Best thing I ever did for myself. Once you quit smoking you can give your all to getting the weight issue resolved...and you will have the oxygen to really amp up your exercise. :drinker:

I agree, I used quintet and read cares book also. I quit 7 months ago gains 10 lbs in first month then maintained for awhile now weigh less than when smoking.

ohhhh I forgot the most important thing! I HATE BURPEES AND JUMPING JACKS! Every time I would have a craving to smoke I would do burpees or jumping jacks for 5 minutes.

I smoked for 10 years. I quit the day I went back to college. I think because everything else in my life was changing it seemed like the timeI to quit smoking too. The fact that I knew I would have to succeed in school made me feel like I had to succeed at quiting smoking (Even though I was scared to of going back to college!). I did gain a little weight, however, I wasn't dieting. I think that to quit smoking you need a major change in your life! Why not make eating right and exercising the new change to go along with not smoking. I agree with other posts that after a while you will smell how bad they smell. When I quit I'd just be like eeew, yuck, that's so gross, and then you know what, it was. Plus having MFP will help! There is a TON of encouragement here! Good luck!