16 Months Smoke-Free
- I have gained 30 lbs, but I am at least able to exercise. That is SO much better than being on oxygen and unable to walk or enjoy life! My kids need me to be healthy. I will lose the weight and I will not start smoking Ever again! Its not worth it!
- —Kalisue01
Exercise!!!
- I have a bias because I'm a fitness instructor, but I know to quit one addiction, one must replace it. Joining a gym and taking group classes is fun and social. After exercise the desire for a cigarette is much less.
- —Jujufrog
Attitude Adjustment
- I would love to say I've lost weight since butting out for good on May 7, 2010 but...I can't. However, I go to the gym every day, keep an eye on what I eat, and have decided that since I can only fight one demon at a time, I will cut myself some slack re: weighty issues for a little bit. I can still get into my jeans, so am not getting wired about weight.
- —gib10
I Can Lose Weight
- I have smoked for 42 years and now have 8 days cigarette free. For years I didn't quit because I was afraid I would gain weight. I was told in October that I had pneumonia and beginning signs of COPD and the wheezing was beginning to sound like I was singing. Needless to say I am more afraid of not being able to breathe then to gain some pounds. I can lose weight but I can't breathe better unless I stay quit.
- —Guest Carolcls23
Limit the Gain
- I quit 7 weeks ago. The idea of gaining weight always prevented me from quitting in the past. After smoking for 30 years I knew it was time so I had to change my mindset. I wrapped my mind around the fact that I would gain a few pounds as a result of quitting. I'm 2.5 pounds heavier at the moment. I'm hoping to keep the gain under 5 pounds total. The first couple of weeks out I did allow myself to snack a little more often, now that most of the serious cravings are gone, I've cut out the snacking and pretty much rely on sugar free chewing gum when urges get overwhelming. Also, deep breathing is a great help to get past a carving. I've got carrot sticks other raw veggies around at home for emergency snacking. I always exercised but now I try to make sure I get at least 30 minutes in every day. Bottom line is I feel better, smell better and I've got a few extra bucks in my pocket each week. It has been worth the couple of extra pounds.
- —Guest Jag
Afraid of Weight Gain
- This time last year I quit for 4 days and then went back. I was on the forum here and feeling real positive and all it took was a bad craving to start again and now it's been another year. I am thinking again about quitting but I am afraid of the weight gain. Since turning 40 I've gained weight as it is and I've been unable to lose it despite the exercise I put in. I've been trying to lose these 20 lbs for the past few years and I know when I quit smoking, it will be 40 lbs I'll be trying to lose. I know too that quitting smoking is the single most important thing I can do for myself though. I'm thinking I'll pick up my exercise now and set a quit date within the month. I just want to succeed this time around.
- —MCus
Just Let it Be
- I have been smoke-free for 6 months and 2 weeks now. When I embarked on the journey of smoking cessation, I knew I would gain weight, I always did in all my other attempts to quit smoking. But this time, rather than anguishing over it, I just took it as part of the quitting process. I said to myself "Yes, I'll gain weight, so what? So be it! I'd rather be fatter but healthier than keep on enslaving my life to this horrible, deadly addiction!" That's the attitude I took--I just didn't care if I would gain weight. It was not my priority at the time. I just let it be. What I cared about most of all was staying quit. I bought new pants when I didn't fit into my old ones and rejoiced about the healthier me. Three months after I quit, I went on a diet. I am now back to the weight I had prior to quitting. The point is that as we've read on this wonderful website, "Weight can be lost, lungs cannot." Word of advice: drink plenty of water, breathe deeply, and just let it be.
- —pacerina
Welcoming the Weight Gain
- I quit smoking three months ago. Before I quit I weighed 162 pounds (skinny). Now I weigh 179 pounds which is the heaviest I've ever been. Everyone says that it looks good on me and I'm wondering what I can do to maintain the weight.
- —blanket1
I Quit When I Got Pregnant
- I've been smoke free for 4.5 weeks. I let myself indulge the first 2 weeks. I was pregnant and just quitting smoking, I was STARVING! Now I eat sensibly and walk every day and keep a good attitude about any weight gain. It's going to happen, just keep it in control and realize a few vanity pounds are more healthy than smoking! At 11 weeks pregnant I've gained 6 pounds but also a healthy baby and a longer life.
- —Guest kate
Consistency
- I lost weight before by being consistent. I wrote down everything I ate and didn't go over my calorie limit to lose weight. I also exercized every single day. My cousin and I walked a mile a day or maybe a little more 7 days a week. A lot of water, fruit, vegetables and healthy soup. Popcorn, and there are a lot of snacks you can create that are satisfying. I read labels and educated myself. Now though, since I quit smoking for 3 months so far, I've gained 20 pounds. I'm also older. But I know I can do it as long as I stay consistent. A multivitamin is important too. I lost 3 pounds and I just started. I have a lot of things going against me too. My medication tends to put weight on. I take thyroid pills, so that should be ok. I'm not going to give in because I am determined. I love clothes and feeling good about myself too much. Best of Luck everyone.
- —jesra
COPD & Emphysema
- I'm 50 years old and was diagnosed with COPD & emphysema. I quit smoking for 6 years, and it took just one cig to get me started again. Here I am having surgery March 18, 2010 and will begin to stop once again. The last time I quit, I gained 35 lbs. I was very athletic and ran 5 miles a day before and after I quit. I can't run anymore and am terrified how much weight I'll gain. I didn't change my eating habits the last time I quit and won't change it this time either. It did come off after 6 months on its own but going through it again at my age worries me. On the other hand, I know the weight WILL come off and I'll hopefully live longer knowing I have lung disease. It's been a long time since someone wrote a post here. I'm writing more for myself. I did it once and can do it again. Here I am with no bed to sleep on after surgery, but had all that money to buy cigarettes. I could have had a beautiful bedroom set by now. Now that I'm quitting, I will have that and my health.
- —QuttinTime
Running Not Only for Weight Loss
- I have been a non-smoker for 3 weeks. I have also developed a running routine, and feel great! I think I have put on a few extra pounds, but I am not going to worry about that just yet. The running has really helped me with the anxiety and restlessness experienced so early in my quit. It calms my mind, is amazing to feel your lungs repair themselves. I am praying that I have finally dropped a bad habit and picked up a good one!
- —JenniferMcC82
Licorice
- I have sucked on a ton of licorice since I quit 6 weeks ago. I have gained only one pound.
- —Guest evelyngayle
Meditation
- Don't forget to see your doctor. You may have an underlying thyroid problem. Another good thing to do is meditate, even if you have to take a class to figure out how. Meditation breaks the endless stream of thoughts, some 60,000 a day and allows you to focus on how thankful you are to be smoke free. I am on day 4 after numerous failed attempts. Feeling great and grateful!!
- —Guest redcartalks
Take it Easy
- I'm only on day 11, but I've found that avoiding alcohol not only prevents me from seriously craving a smoke, but also has helped me drop some weight. Jumping on a stair-stepper or munching on some carrots just long enough to curb a craving helps also. But I think the best advice came from my grandmother when she quit smoking. She said "Yeah, your gonna want cookies, and you'll gain some weight...but who cares?? When all is said and done, you'll feel so much better that the weight will eventually start to melt away again, And it'll be just one more reason to be thrilled that you stopped that nasty habit!"
- —Guest ane
