Readers Respond: How to Manage Weight Gain When Quitting Smoking

Responses: 19

Smoking Cessation and Weight Gain

The Important Thing is Staying Quit

I have a section in my purse I fill with things to help me quit. I have LOTS of sugar free gum, flavored lip gloss, hard candy and sunflower seeds. When I have a strong craving, I take 5 deep breaths and hold the last one, letting it out slowly. Works every time! Even feel a little lightheaded like you would from smoking. I also bought some aromatherapy candles for work stress and lots of yummy smelling lotion. It's nice to smell really good, especially when I think of how stinky I smelt before. I drink lots of water and take the stairs a lot. Ive gained a pound or two (I'm on day 4) but they say a gain of 5-8 pounds is normal. This weekend I'm going to start working out. I am also going to do http://caloriecount.about.com to keep up with my progress. If you use this program and do what it says you're sure to lose weight. Best part is it's free and they have support groups. Hope this helps! Good luck to everyone trying to quit and remember that one cig does matter, so don't do it!

—jeannine83

Don't Justify!

This is my 4th time quitting. I've been smoke free 10 days, but I'll never pick up another smoke again. In the past I have always gained a lot of weight which is partly why I go back to smoking. The issue is that I would JUSTIFY eating. I would say to myself "I'm craving, but I haven't had a cigarette, so I can reward myself with something equally pleasing! Like ice cream or a caramel apple or a bowl of cereal in the middle of the day! Its not a REWARD, it's a MISTAKE to justify. I've met several other women who have done this. Reward yourself with a NEW BOOK or a MANICURE not popcorn. :) YOU CAN DO IT!

—Guest stella

Down 7 Pounds Now

As of today I am down 7 lbs from the time I posted here last. I guess it did take a bit of time. I am officially 2 lbs lighter than when I initially quit.

—Guest Bram

Hated to Gain but Won't Smoke

I quit smoking on May 28 and in four months I have gained 15 pounds. I eat no meat, no fried or junk food and exercise 1 hour per day( Which I didn't do before quitting) I know I am not going to smoke again but need to know where I have gone wrong. Any suggestions?

—ginas03

Not working for me!!!!

I quit smoking after 28 years. On day one I started walking a min of 45 mins a day. I began running about 2 weeks ago 30 mins a day (6 mornings a week) and walkng 30 mins in the evenings and STILL have picked up 5.2 pounds. The exercise seems to cut my appetite so I do not eat as much as I used to and I use an electronic cigarette to simulate the smoking experience so I don't have a problem snacking for hand to mouth gratification. The exercise regimen alone should have been enough since I was already overweight to begin with. I need help!!!!

—Guest Brat

Baby Carrots

When I quit for 10 years, I lost weight by eating baby carrots....every time I got an urge I would eat a few. It was crunchy and it felt good. When I ate a baby carrot it also moistened my mouth so it wouldn't be so dry. Hope this helps.

—Dianne6506

It Takes Time to Fix Your Metabolism

October 14th will mark 2 years that I have not smoked. The most frustrating part was the 8lb. weight gain. It took almost 1 1/2 years to take it off. The reason I feel it took so long was that I was in great shape when I quit smoking. I ran 3 to 4 miles per day and weight lifted 3 times per week. I didn't increase my calorie intake one bit. My metabolism got thrown out of whack because it didn't have the nicotine elevating it all day long. then magically about 2 months ago I just began dropping weight. To date I am 2 pounds lighter than the day I quit smoking. I WILL NEVER SMOKE AGAIN!!!!!!

—rickperez

Wer'e on Day Four!

Doing well... bike rides , lots of apples and sunflower seeds, cleaning cupboards, playing computer games.... My husband is wearing the patch, but it made me extremely nervous... My husband is on 2 inhalers, and I am doing this not only to support him, but to stop the damage I have done to myself. We have a lot of people praying for us... so we are SURE we can fight this battle, this time !!!

—RobyneandJack

Apples

I would bring an apple with me to eat on the way to work to help with the smoking in the car thing. By the time I was finished eating the apple my craving was gone. Plus they are nice and sweet!!

—Guest Christine

Don't Sweat the Weight Gain!

I'm one of the many folks out there who had spent years trying to free myself from nicotine. I completely understood the Mark Twain "it's easy to quit...I've done it a million times" quote. And, what invariably did me in was weight gain and worrying about weight gain. So, before I quit smoking again -- on Jan. 18, 2007! -- I figured out a system to lose weight. I attended Weight Watchers and lost a lot of weight before I quit. Because I knew I had a system that worked if I worked it, I was able to quit. Yes, I gained weight -- but this time around -- I knew it was more important to quit smoking. I've lost almost all of the weight that I gained....and I have never felt better!!! If you can quit smoking, you can lose the weight later, and the benefits of not smoking are too numerous to list. Good luck everyone.

—KatieBQuit

Suckers

I used suckers to keep my hands and mouth busy. Also tried to snack on non fattening, healthy foods. Exercise in some form gets your mind off both smoking and eating, plus burns up calories.

—dadmont

Water, Tea and Fruit

I started to drink chamomile tea instead of coffee, I took several fruits to the office and ate them when i had a craving instead of eating chips and I drank a lot of water.I have been smoke free for 10 months now and you wont believe this but i lost weight instead of gaining it due to that when I stopped smoking the colitis and and inflamed belly I had went away too:)

—Guest Duquesa

Walking

Walking 30 minutes a day and lots of ice water. I also temporarily feed the hand to mouth association with licorice sticks which also seemed to reduce the cravings.

—Thorsmom

Frozen Grapes

Spread washed grapes on a cookie sheet and freeze. Bag up in snack size bags and keep on hand (in freezer of course) for a quick snack. Sweet and satisfying...and won't break the calorie bank.

—Oreck

Running!

As soon as I quit smoking, I started running. I could only run for 10 minutes, and just three months later I am racing in 5K's and running up to 70 minutes straight. I have put on two pounds of muscle and look smaller all around. In my situation, I just channeled my addiction positively and have had excellent results. Running has relieved my stress from quitting and burned any extra calories that I used to burn by smoking. It's been a win-win for me. The running is great but I am more thankful that I am now an ex-smoker. I would still be grateful even if I put on some weight. Be healthy!!

—Guest chrsirty