For all you ex smokers

JennieR

JennieR

Cathlete
When you quit smoking did you gain weight and how much did you gain? Also, were you working out when you quit smoking?

I've had a hard time trying to lose weight even before I quit smoking. Now I'm afaid it's going to be even harder to lose weight.

Any suggestions or tips?


*♥´¨)
¸ .• ♥ ´¸.•*♥´¨) ¸.♥•*¨)
(¸.•♥´ (¸ ;.♥•Jennie•♥
 
Have you quit yet or are you still trying? I was unable to quit on just "willpower" alone, but when I finally figured out how to do it the right way, it wasn't hard. I didn't gain any weight. If you've been smoking for a long time, and can't seem to quit no matter what you do, please send me a PM.
 
I didn't gain an ounce and it really surprised me!

I had been working out for a couple of years when I quit so I definately continued. I worked out harder because it was one thing that I could do that wouldn't make me want to smoke!

I snacked on pretzel sticks for the most part. I would suck off the salt and then eat the pretzel. This worked great for me as far as battling cravings. I used hard candy sparingly. The pretzels worked much better.

I also used the product "smoke away" to take the edge off and that worked well for me.

Keep up the good work! I know you can do it!:)
 
I gained about 30 pounds when I quit in March of '04! I've read that on average a person can expect to gain about 7 pounds when they quit if they're not consciously overeating (as I most definitely was!) I have since taken the weight back off, and let me just say it was SO worth it to quit...I can't even tell you how much better I feel, all in all...this coming from a longtime smoker (smoked for about 25 years)...you're doing the right thing and you CAN do it.
 
I didn't gain any weight when I quit 6 years ago.

I was working out at the time consistently, I just made sure that I paid close attention to what I was putting in my mouth when I had a craving.

Gum never worked for me. It was the continuous motion of hand to mouth which was what I needed. So, at the time, I kept Skittles handy at all times and that was my go-to.
I also chewed a lot of pen caps (gross, I know). But after about 2 weeks, I didn't HAVE to have something anymore.

Just remember, it takes 2 weeks to create a habit - whether your habit is a smoke-free lifestyle, or otherwise.

You can do it (if you really want to!)!!
 
I quit smoking this last Tuesday. I started taking Chantix the Sunday before.

I have noticed that I am munching more. I'm not sure if I'm just hungry or I'm substituting eating for smoking.

I put off quitting for so long because I've always heard that when you quit smoking you gain weight.


*♥´¨)
¸ .• ♥ ´¸.•*♥´¨) ¸.♥•*¨)
(¸.•♥´ (¸ ;.♥•Jennie•♥
 
This post about mindless snacking while on the computer reminds me...

One thing that definately helped me in my battle against weight gain while quitting was that I gave up or did very little of my "trigger" activities for a while like playing on the computer and drinking coffee. I am only an occasional social alcohol drinker but I even gave that up for a while.

It got a little easier with every passing week.

At around the 6 month mark is when it hit me that I had done it. I had quit smoking and at that point I knew that I wasn't going back! What a great feeling!!!!:)
 
>I quit smoking this last Tuesday. I started taking Chantix
>the Sunday before.
>
>I have noticed that I am munching more. I'm not sure if I'm
>just hungry or I'm substituting eating for smoking.
>
>I put off quitting for so long because I've always heard that
>when you quit smoking you gain weight.
>

i think once you break away the cravings you will be fine. it could be you taste the food now so you want more or just have to have that hand to mouth thing somebody mentioned. i know some have said to journals with what you are eating what time,how much, and how you feel(or a scale of 1-10 your actual hunger) to help identify the issues. i am an emotional eater and just like the taste of food myself for comfort LOL.


kassia

http://www.picturetrail.com/ldy_solana

"And do what thee wilt as long as ye harm none"

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Congratulations Jennie! I know its not easy but you are doing a wonderful thing for your body and your health:)

I quit smoking a little over a year ago and actually lost weight. Maybe because I was able to push myself harder cardio wise after my lungs cleared out?

I quit cold turkey but I know that does not work for everyone. The most important thing is that you are truly ready to quit and comfortable with that decision. If you ever want to talk or just need support feel free to PM or email me.

Coni
 
Congratulations Jennie! I know its not easy but you are doing a wonderful thing for your body and your health:)

I quit smoking a little over a year ago and actually lost weight. Maybe because I was able to push myself harder cardio wise after my lungs cleared out?

I quit cold turkey but I know that does not work for everyone. The most important thing is that you are truly ready to quit and comfortable with that decision. If you ever want to talk or just need support feel free to PM or email me.

Coni
 
Hi Jennie
First of all good luck to you It is a hard habit to kick. I am smoke free one year and almost seven months. I did gain about 10 pounds. I am still freaked out about it but I am working hard to shed them. It is harder for me to loose now but I am almost 50 so I think my body is just adjusting. I am so happy to be part of the non smoking world. It is a gross habit. Not everyone gains weight so don't let that stop you from quitting. Yes, I did Cathe and smoked but always felt so guilty like I was a fake. I can breath better and I don't get winded. Quit it will be the best thing you do for yourself. I did use the patch for almost 3 weeks I needed help and didn't want to fail so it was a good crutch for me. The first day I quit I wanted to smoke just one more day so I played a game with myself if I could not smoke until noon and then went hour by hour. The first 3 days were a breeze and then that is when I needed the patch. I promise myself I will never smoke again. When I get the urge I say I am a non smoker I don't smoke. I hope to live the rest of my life smoke free.

Best to you you can quit.

Susan G.
 
Hi Jennie
First of all good luck to you It is a hard habit to kick. I am smoke free one year and almost seven months. I did gain about 10 pounds. I am still freaked out about it but I am working hard to shed them. It is harder for me to loose now but I am almost 50 so I think my body is just adjusting. I am so happy to be part of the non smoking world. It is a gross habit. Not everyone gains weight so don't let that stop you from quitting. Yes, I did Cathe and smoked but always felt so guilty like I was a fake. I can breath better and I don't get winded. Quit it will be the best thing you do for yourself. I did use the patch for almost 3 weeks I needed help and didn't want to fail so it was a good crutch for me. The first day I quit I wanted to smoke just one more day so I played a game with myself if I could not smoke until noon and then went hour by hour. The first 3 days were a breeze and then that is when I needed the patch. I promise myself I will never smoke again. When I get the urge I say I am a non smoker I don't smoke. I hope to live the rest of my life smoke free.

Best to you you can quit.

Susan G.
 
Yes, I gained some weight, but I wasn't working out at the time. DH quit at the same time I did (he did it with the patch back in the day when you had to get a prescription to get it.) His doctor assured him that the little weight he gained would be much less of a health issue than the damage he was doing to himself by smoking. We both started working out and lost the weight.

Don't deprive yourself too much right now. It's a lot to take just kicking the smoking habit. I'm sure the working out you're doing will help a lot.

Good luck and hang in there!! You're doing great!!!!

(Wow, as I write this, I just can't believe we used to smoke!! And we were smoking Dunhills! Hardly the lightest brand out there!)
 
This is a great post for me today! After reading Jennie's first post last week about quiting, I decided I will too. I had my last one last night and am determined to just quit cold turkey. I do workout a lot so I am hoping this will be enough motivation to keep me smoke free. Thanks for so many helpful tips on this subject...

Krista
 
>This is a great post for me today! After reading Jennie's
>first post last week about quiting, I decided I will too. I
>had my last one last night and am determined to just quit cold
>turkey. I do workout a lot so I am hoping this will be enough
>motivation to keep me smoke free. Thanks for so many helpful
>tips on this subject...
>
>Krista

Good luck Krista.

*♥´¨)
¸ .• ♥ ´¸.•*♥´¨) ¸.♥•*¨)
(¸.•♥´ (¸ ;.♥•Jennie•♥
 
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