Tell me again

JennieR

JennieR

Cathlete
Why I should stay smoke free?

I've gained all my weight back since I quit smoking. And I mean all of it. I'm disgusted with myself. I just keep getting bigger and bigger. I know my eating could be better, but I really don't eat that badly.

I'm so tempted to go pick up a pack of cigarettes.

Ex-smokers, please tell me the weight gaining stops. I don't know how much longer I can take this. :(
 
Jennie! I quit 12 years ago this October...That first year was the hardest and yeah...I put on some pounds...I think the hardest thing was the hand mouth connection...I got lots of gum...always had gum.

I used to dream about smoking...it would be so bad I would wake up all disapointed in myself because it was literally like picking up a lit cigerrett. It was horrible.

After that first year though...things became much easier and I did loose the weight that I had gained plus the weight that was because I was fat and lazy.

good reasons why not to smoke...OMG...they're expensive...here, they are 5 dollars a pack. 5 Packs of cigs equal a cathe video...

The smokers cough...how annoying is that...

Food tastes better, which right now may not seem like that GREAT of a thing to you, but...it will be later.

Your clothes smell better. They still have the downy fresh smell later in the day...I know mine do. I hated smelling my clothes.

Oh, and since every where is going smoke free...you wont freez your tush off in the winter...NOt sure where you live...and I can't check...but I live in Maryland and Jan and Feb can get pretty cold here...I laugh at my boss out there smoking in the rain, sleet and snow....shivering.

If I think of anymore...I'll let you know...smile.
 
JennieR said:
Why I should stay smoke free?

I've gained all my weight back since I quit smoking. And I mean all of it. I'm disgusted with myself. I just keep getting bigger and bigger. I know my eating could be better, but I really don't eat that badly.

I'm so tempted to go pick up a pack of cigarettes.

Ex-smokers, please tell me the weight gaining stops. I don't know how much longer I can take this. :(
Click to expand...

The weight gaining does stop. Really it does! I stopped smoking two years ago September 1st. I did gain some weight but am now at the point where I am doing normal on and off weight gain.

I think it helped me with weight gain that I was doing Weight Watchers at the same time. I only gained 5 or 10 pounds and took it off with WW. Unfortunately, I stopped WW so have 15 to lose that I gained...plus the weight I hadn't lost yet at WW before I stopped:(.

Now if I could stop STILL craving a cigarette after two years...that would be great:rolleyes:!

Carrie
 
It stops. I promise you. You have to go through this adjustment period. It's for the greater good. Allow yourself this time. Keep reminding yourself why you are not going to let a plant control your life. You are the one in control!!!
Failure is not an option Jennie!!!

Reasons to stop smoking are endless.
My mother died with half a lung, complications from an aeortic aneurysm that she survived. Smoking had weakened her veins. She suffered horribly in the last weeks of her life. The sound of her breathing haunts me to this day. Smoking is a slow and painful way to kill yourself.

Smoking ages your skin, your teeth, your fingers are yellow, and you smell bad.
If you continue to smoke, you body will reach a point where it cannot repair itself. Quitting now is giving your body the chance to reverse the damage. Don't turn back. You are getting over the hump!!!

Are logging every bite you take?
Keep a journal of everything you eat. Also, everytime you feel the urge to smoke, drink a glass of water.
Every glass of water is an opportunity to flush all the toxins out of your system.
Chew gum!! OMG, I was annoying as hell with gum chewing, but who cares!
 
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I've never been a smoker but both parents smoked like chimneys. I swear it shortened their lives by at least 10 yrs. It continues to sadden me that I lost them at such a young age (69 &72 and within 2 months of each other) all because of cigarettes. Dad had lung cancer that spread everywhere, Mom had a stroke.....both of them we had to make the decision on life support. Please do this for yourself and for those that love you.
 
Jennie,

I don't have any personal experience to share, but I just wanted to offer you support & encouragement. You can do it!!
 
Jennie...when did you quit smoking?? How did you quit smoking? Is this your first time trying?

The first time I quit was a year and a half ago, started running, working out with cathe...but struggled on and off with it for six months, and went back about a year ago, and stopped working out...lost a lottt of weight so by december (which was my 2nd time and last time quitting) I was thin, out of shape, coughing, skin starting to feel the effects, unhealthy...ickkk. I was scared of gaining weight, but I swore no matter the weight gain, I was going to get through this. I immediately started eating healthy, working out consistently....still gained weight!! This is natural!! They say after six months your metabolism will even out, and your weight will be where it would have been if you never smoked at all (given you haven't totally given into food). I've put on almost 10 pounds, but I feel and look great!!! Working out is my new addiction, I shake from withdrawal if I don't do one..lol My skin is great, my breathing is awesome, I can do IMAX 3! I remember when I couldnt' get through the warm up of KPC! Girl, you will get through this! I've had the days you are having....keep the faith!!! And let me tell you something, even if you do slip once ( and I know most of us ex-smokers probablyy have)...don't you dare let it get to you mentally. You just jump right back on this wagon with all of us going through the same thing. That's what's great about this forum..we're in this together. I hope this somewhat helps. Weight can always be lost! Trying to quit smoking again?? ummm..not so easy. I keep that in mind to.
 
Pinny150 said:
Jennie...when did you quit smoking?? How did you quit smoking? Is this your first time trying?

The first time I quit was a year and a half ago, started running, working out with cathe...but struggled on and off with it for six months, and went back about a year ago, and stopped working out...lost a lottt of weight so by december (which was my 2nd time and last time quitting) I was thin, out of shape, coughing, skin starting to feel the effects, unhealthy...ickkk. I was scared of gaining weight, but I swore no matter the weight gain, I was going to get through this. I immediately started eating healthy, working out consistently....still gained weight!! This is natural!! They say after six months your metabolism will even out, and your weight will be where it would have been if you never smoked at all (given you haven't totally given into food). I've put on almost 10 pounds, but I feel and look great!!! Working out is my new addiction, I shake from withdrawal if I don't do one..lol My skin is great, my breathing is awesome, I can do IMAX 3! I remember when I couldnt' get through the warm up of KPC! Girl, you will get through this! I've had the days you are having....keep the faith!!! And let me tell you something, even if you do slip once ( and I know most of us ex-smokers probablyy have)...don't you dare let it get to you mentally. You just jump right back on this wagon with all of us going through the same thing. That's what's great about this forum..we're in this together. I hope this somewhat helps. Weight can always be lost! Trying to quit smoking again?? ummm..not so easy. I keep that in mind to.
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Pinny,

I quit smoking once back in 05. I was smoke free for almost a year and then went back to it again. This is my second time quitting. I quit 2/5/08 and used Chantix doing it.

I've probably gained about 35 lbs back. I WILL NOT weigh myself, because that would put me in a really bad place mentally, and I can't go there. Not the way I'm feeling right now.

I know losing weight is easier then quitting smoking, but the weight gain is just so discouraging. I work out and I can't seem to lose any weight. It's so frustrating.
 
I quit smoking 6 years ago and it is really one of my proudest accomplishments. That sounds sad but if you think about all the people who tell you they wish they could quit but just can't...it makes you feel pretty darn good. I remember that I kept a pack around because I was afraid that if I didn't have one there that it would make me feel deprived and I would want one more. One day I layed on the couch and held the pack of cigs like it was the holy grail or something and wanted to cry I wanted to smoke so bad. I didn't though and you won't either or you would not be on here asking for encouragment. You would be down to the closest 7-11 buying a pack.
You are going to have so much more energy now.
I do not know when you started smoking but I started when I was 14. So literally I am healthier now than I have ever been in my life.
You can do it!

Rachel:D
 
Thanks ladies for the encouragement. I do feel a little bit better. I just hope the weight gaining stops, and soon.
 
JennieR said:
Why I should stay smoke free?

I've gained all my weight back since I quit smoking. And I mean all of it. I'm disgusted with myself. I just keep getting bigger and bigger. I know my eating could be better, but I really don't eat that badly.

I'm so tempted to go pick up a pack of cigarettes.

Ex-smokers, please tell me the weight gaining stops. I don't know how much longer I can take this. :(
Click to expand...

you should be smoke free to live!!!!! my dad was only 53 years old when he died from lung cancer. The day I had to rush him to the ER because his lungs were filling up with fluid, he was asking me if i could get him a cigarette from someone! He couldn't even suck oxygen let alone a cig. It will be 6 yrs since he passed this august 30th. i miss him just as much as i did the first day he was gone. please don't pick the cigarettes back up!
 
Jennie,

I really do understand what you are going through. I think the most difficult part for me was knowing what to do in stressful situations.
I could always reach for a cigarette to calm my nerves. When I quit smoking, I reached for food so I gained weight.
When I smoked, cigarettes took my appetite away so I found it easier to stay thin. It is the very reason I started smoking. I was studying ballet and decided I needed to stay thin so I started smoking. If I felt like eating, I smoked.

It's a horrible habit and there is so much that goes into the addiction. You have to sort it all out and that takes time. You will gain control.

When my mother died, I wanted a cigarette so bad.
If I have a really bad argument with my DH, I want a cigarette. This is 10 years after I've quit! The urge never goes away. I just refuse to give into it. I have beat it, and I'm never letting in back into my life.
I constantly remind myself how strong I am.
I know that sounds silly, but it is daily affirmations that will get you through this. Tell yourself you can do this, and you can.
 
People who smoke SMELL terrible, especially when they douse themselves with cologne in a fatal attempt to camouflage the stench. The film the smoke leaves all over your walls and furniture... Not being able to breathe sucks, also. If you're single, you're REALLY limiting your options. I don't date smokers because I think kissing is a great thing. When kissing becomes ashtray-licking it kind of kills the thrill. My mother smoked her whole life, eventually gumming up her arteries so bad blood no longer freely flowed to her extremities, INCLUDING HER HEAD, causing mini strokes that resulted in a kind of self-induced dementia. My brave, beautiful, strong mother spent her final days in a nursing home, unable to remember much of anything. During one of rare lucid moments in the facility I asked if she missed smoking. She furrowed her brow and said "...No." The irony kills. Then there was my beloved dad, another life-long smoker, who spent HIS final days in a veterans nursing facility after the grapefruit-sized tumor in his throat was removed after the cancer had spread all over anyway. And you're worried about a few pounds? Are you kidding me? Get serious about your workout, clean up your diet and forget about those damned things. Cigarettes are Satan in a stick.
 
Lots of good reasons already given. I smoked in my teen years. couldn't go an hour without one. But with my first pregnancy I was sick so bad that the smell made me literally throw up.. so that got me off. And I wanted to stop for the baby and I've quit ever since.
Since then I had been in the best shape of my life.. gained some weight from not exercising for a long time but now I'm getting back into it. It will change.

For me I reminded myself of all those cons. The list is sooo long of why not to and the benefits??? curbs appetite.. thats it? Your health is more important. I'd rather be a few lbs heavier and healthy than smoking and thinner.

I'd make a list of the cons and keep them up somewhere on a fridge or something.. you could even put that one "pro" next to it to show how it is nothing.

Cons to me.. I was always sick, seemed my immune system was always suffering. The smell.. yes its really strong esp to non smokers. Second hand smoke if you have kids. Health reasons a mile long (have you seen the pics of smokers lungs? yikes. I HOPE my body can reverse effects). The cost... everytime I had any money in my wallet it went to cigarettes. Money down the drain. It's been about 10 years for me and I no longer crave them. I do remember how it feels but its not worth it. I don't need it. Not going back. You CAN do it. And I agree maybe since you miss something in your hand you may eat more.. the food journal is a good idea. I did that recently too now I'm more concious of how I eat daily. good luck!
 
Jennie,

I quit two months after you using Chantix (4/6/08). I'm up 10 lbs and I track my calories (I've kept a food diary for 3 years). I even decreased my daily intake by 250 calories to make up for the slower metabolism. Hang in there, I'm in the same boat you are and I'm sure that after some time our metabolisms will kick back in to gear. This is my second quit (first one was for a year 2002-2003) and I swore to myself I'll not go through the first week of quitting again...it's just horrible! If you ever need a support buddy PM me! We can do it! :)
 
As smokers or reformed smokers...we alllll know what it can do to our health!! But what non-smokers sometimes fail to understand is that it is an addiction! It is hard to get "serious" about anything in the few months after you quit, because it's all you can do to get through the day without thinking about it a thousand times. So here we are six months later,10-40 lbs heavier, feeling so unmotivated that we want to go back (and it doesn't matter that we know it will kill us at this point)...so here is where the strength and determination comes in...and it's so hard!! You have an addiction (still) AND extra weight.
jennie- I think you are still withiin that six month range where the metabolism still might be slower....but don't give up the fight! When I first quit..I didn't change a thing in my diet ( I may have eaten a bit more)..I concentrated on working out first, getting my lungs back, keeping that metabolism the best I could...now that I've been doing that a few months..NOW i've concentrated more on diet...the weight gain has stopped. you WILL level off...and then you can really concentrate on doing what you have to do.

I've considered tonight to maybe do a check in for reformed smokers/smokers who want to quit or have recently quit...I dont' know how to go about that, though....anyone in?

Iris
 
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Iris,

The check-in is an excellent idea!
It has been 10 years since I quit, and I do not fear a relapse, but I feel I could offer support.:)
I know how difficult it is to beat this addition.

Jennie,
In regards to your slower metabolism. You may want to consider reading John Berardi's book "The Metabolism Advantage" It's a version of his Precision Nutrition, but it's cheaper:) I make no secret that I am a big Precision Nutrition fan. I think eating food with a thermal advantage may help you right now. Foods that require more energy to digest (whole fruits, veggies, and protein). Try not to eat starchy carbs unless it's post workout- within a 2 hour window of your workout. Starch has the highest glycemic index and post workout is the time when your body is least likely to store any fat.
 
i didn't gain weight back when i quit mostly b/c i was constantly active with work and cycling to work. the 4th time was a charm for me but earlier experiences yes i did gain weight. my past 3 failures were mostly b/c i didn't do anything to replace it. i hate dr. phil but he is right in saying you need to replace a bad habit with a good one. maybe take up a sport,walking club, or something active. you won't think about smoking and you will be active. it really killed the cravings to cycle to work. i wish i still had that option b/c i would hope it would help with the junk food.

you have support here. you don't want to go back to smoking b/c it doesn't take long to do damage that could potentially stick with you for life. most ex smokers lungs will heal over time but sometimes it goes bad. you don't want that, you don't deserve it, and its just not worth it. weight WILL come off but lung disease will never go away!!!!

i would rather have a few extra pounds now that to go back to constantly being sick, being ousted outside to have a smoke, to smell bad, and those commercial ads about ppl with more mucus. that is true and its not sexy to cough up yucky stuff don't care how flat your abs look. just imagine paris or britney with their thinner selves coughing up black/green mucus.

that is WHY you don't want to go back.

ETA oh yeah think of all the money saved from NOT buying cigarettes!!! think of all the goodies either exercise or whatnot you can have with the money you saved from NOT buying cigarettes. think of a nice savings account with the money you save from NOT buying cigarettes.

hope that help :p
kassia
 
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