Somebody cheer me up...PLEASE!

[outonalimb]

Well, I've made it 44 days...thats the good news...

the bad news...I've gained about 11 pounds. This is horrible!! I"ve been going to the gym 3 to 4 times a week (like I did before I quit)...I didn't think I was eating that much more than usual (maybe in the first week or two I did...but it doesn't seem like it lately)...and yet, I've gained 11 freakin' pounds!

I'm not very happy about this!

Did any of you gain weight? How much? Did it come off eventually? I'm really trying to watch what I eat now but I feel so discouraged! It almost makes me want to run out and buy a pack of cigs...I won't...I won't...I won't...but this is just so unfair!!!

[splendra]

((((outonalimb)))

First off big congrats on your clean time that is really great!!!

Many people do gain weight when quiting. Do not quote me but, I think the body retains fluid while it surrounds the nicotine and tar so you might want to consider giving up soda especially diet soda (if you drink it) soda makes you retain fluids... and drink lots and lots of water to help your body flush out....grapefruit juice also has a natural fatburner so drink a big glass of it in the morning I love the red kind...a good natural diuretic is parsley. You can juice it, make tea, or just eat it raw. It makes your breath smell and taste really sweet too...

[liiise]

i've quit 10 days now and put on 7 pounds lol if we can quit smoking we can do anythingggggggg focus on the smoking first then when you've got a good grip start watching what you eat, excercise ect.. but for now 100% on non smoking cause some people use 'gaining' weight' to start back, it will go away on it's own

[jlo34]

Very true, liiise. I've seen a lot of people use the "weight gain" as an excuse to go back to smoking. Doesn't make much sense to me. There's a commercial on tv asking "lung cancer or low riders?" Please don't be discouraged about the weight gain. Everything balances out in time.

Initially I lost 6 pounds. Then, after I slowed down on exercising, stopped eating so many IceBreaker sours (sugar and calorie free), got my taste buds back...I started eating more...more for enjoyment. Foods tasted different. I have now gained that 6 back, plus another 15. I have begun exercising again and watching my food intake and have lost 5 pounds again.

My take...take it easy on yourself. Be proud of your smoke free time...you're aware of your weight..do your best, but don't fret too much on it yet. Believe me, a doctor would rather see you slightly over weight (or over your normal) than smoking!!! Weight can be taken off...lung cancer, emphysema, COPD, throat cancer, mouth cancer, etc....that can't. When you have one of these disease processes...it's pretty much for life. So, pat yourself on the back for a job well done. Keep up the quit. Go for a walk. Watch your food intake (and beverage!). Do your best right now to manage your weight...or just put the "weight thing" off for a few months until not smoking is a bit more natural.

Just some ideas..or..."food for thought!!!". No calories in this advice though!!!
Jen

[outonalimb]

Thanks Splendra, liiise and Jen...
I really needed some words of encouragement...and your posts helped me alot! I'm keeping my quit...and I've been watching the food intake...I know this weight gain is temporary. I remember I used to look at women working out in the gym and they would be in shape and I used to admire them...the fact that they were in shape, working out, and not smoking. I used to leave the gym after a 90 minute workout and immediately light up a smoke...how crazy is that? Anyway, I'm proud that I set the smokes down and that I'm living a healthier lifestyle even if I am carrying around a few extra pounds for a while! Now there's just more of me to love, right?

Thanks again for your encouragement...
Keep going everyone!!
SMOKING STINKS!!!!

[historyteach]

OOAL;
I can empathise completely!
When I first quit, I was going to the gym and not gaining any weight.
Then, the trainer hurt my knee. Physical therapy and no gym allowed.
Then, this summer, hernia operation -- no gym allowed.
Then, I hurt my back this summer -- PT again, no gym allowed.
Back surgery two weeks ago -- no gym allowed.

In all, it's been about 6 months that I"ve not been able to go to the gym. And yea, I've replaced eating for smoking. :>(
I've gained weight, though I don't know how much. I don't WANT to know!

I go for my physical this coming week. My doc is NOT going to be happy, even though I quit. See, my blood sugar was not good before. I was "pre-diabetic." He wanted me to get it down. It's NOT down, lol !!! OY! So, I'm definately going to hear it from him. He's an awesome guy, and I've known him for years so, he's going to give it to me....
I think this is the first time I've not wanted to go for my physical...

Well, anyway, I'm now getting to the point where I'm about ready to do something about it. I felt like this with smoking too. It's an internal feeling I get.

So, my thoughts are, try to keep an eye on it, but, don't let it interfer with your quit. You, and I, can both take care of it when the time is right. ANd we both will.

Shalom!

[brians]

I am working on day 12 with the patch. I had to stop smoking due to poor breathing and pain in legs when walking. I have year and a half without alcohol.

[MeggieStar]

OOAL,

I've probably put on 10-15 lbs. in the almost six months since I quit. Yuck. It doesn't make me want to light up but it DOES make me feel lethargic and bad about myself. The more weight I gain, the less I want to go out, be seen, do anything! Some days I say screw it, who cares what I look like! and other days I can't even leave the house until I find something to wear that doesn't accent the rolls LOL.

Point is, I'm looking at the weight like another something I have to give up. Losing weight to me means changing my lifestyle again and I'm not sure I'm quite ready to do it yet. But I do have a plan in mind and I know taht when I finally am ready I'll be able to do it, just like smoking.

So don't get down on yourself too much. You are cognizant of the weight gain and it bugs ya, so that right there is saying that at some point you'll find a way to lose it.

FYI, I did weight watchers last year and it worked really well, except for that I was always hungry LOL.

Hugs!

[froglegs]

OOAL,


I can relate to the gaining weight thing (of course I am pregnant on top of it but....) anyway, just a tip I read somewhere that when you feel like you want to eat when you are really craving a cigarette to drink cranberry juice. It has the sugar your body is craving (or it helps to raise your blood sugar, can't remember) and it's good for you, so it helps the cravings and weight gain.

Hopefully this post wasn't too confusing, I should have checked the info before I posted
Anyway congrats on making it 44 days, that's great!