Dependency-Deception; Weight issues with quitting

[historyteach]

This is a new term I just learned of: dependence-deception.

The dependence-deception can cause our body/brain to confuse cravings to smoke with cravings to eat. Remember we are in a sort of boot camp where we are actively retraining our brain to respond to triggers differently.

Not with a smoke.

Have you identified some of your triggers? That's the first step in responding to the trigger appropriately. (Think the HALT acronym. Hungry, angry, lonely, tired. And then, any other feelings -- physical and emotional.)

It is excruciatingly-frustratingly-maddening to feel out of control on this one but please, please be patient. Our brain and body are coming to grips with what is a major metabolic event -- quitting smoking.

Sometimes, the evil hand-to-mouth munchies feel a bit overwhelming. If we could just eat watermelon every time we had a craving....hmmm. But I know that's not what I'm craving.

(Thanks to Mellisa at trytostop.org for this information.)

This new information is making alot of sense to me. I've been on a sushi binge for a while now, and it's not pretty. So, I need to identify what it is I really need, and I think I know. I go out for sushi when I'm lonely. There's other people around. And food has always been associated with comfort/home/family and friends/love in my upbringing. So, I need to do something different to get my needs for company met without eating all the time.

And it dawns on me, when I was going to the group smoke cessation counseling, I wasn't binging like this. So, the dependence-deception model works for my issues.

Has anyone else heard of this concept? If so, how did you deal with it. I'd like to explore this issue some more if anyone has something to share about it.

THanks for listening; Remember to keep the quit and post before you puff!

Shalom!

[Justme57]

Hi Teach

I read with interest your post. I am now Smomber 6 weeks, and am eating +++ my problem is compounded by the fact that I have also been started on cortisone, which increases teh appetite anyway.

I will have to ponder the above, and see what I can come up with .

Thanks for the info !

HUGX
Lee

[historyteach]

Yer welcome!

I look forward to any responses concerning this issue. Thanks for considering it.

Shalom!

[outonalimb]

Teach!

Oh, yes, I've been eating way too much since I quit.

Definitely replacing one oral fixation with another!

I know I can get a handle on it, though...Its only been 11 days...I find myself reaching for food less and less each day...

I know what my biggest trigger is...its STRESS. Cigarettes always gave me an excuse to stop everything, sit down, and smoke. I've got to learn another way to relax...I've been trying deep breathing but I don't think thats quite enough. Good thing to think about...Its always better to have a solid game plan in place BEFORE the cravings hit.

I have been quit for 1 Week, 4 Days, 13 hours, 2 minutes and 55 seconds (11 days). I have saved $62.32 by not smoking 230 cigarettes. I have saved 19 hours and 10 minutes of my life. My Quit Date: 4/4/2006 7:15 AM

[Webbiecat]

I don't think I've identified a trigger for the eating yet. I know it's not when I'm stressed or upset. Although I would smoke then, eating does not agree with me during those times. (I carry all my stress in my stomach)

It seems to be a habit of sorts I guess. I crave chocolate after a meal, or at other times when I would normally take a smoke break. I try to do other things, but sometimes I just give in and eat some chocolate!

Ah well. I'm over 3 months, and still not smoking. I guess the chocolate is better than the cigarettes! I'm just trying to moderate my intake!

[historyteach]

Bump up for Moose
and all the other newbies!

Keep the quit and post before you puff!

Shalom!

[stringer belle]

as a female who has struggled with my weight and my appearance pretty much my entire life, i was really freaked about the weight gain that comes with smoking cessation. if it was just as simple as wanting to eat more to compensate for the oral fixation, that would be tolerable for me.. but the fact that your metabolism actually takes a kick in the ass and slows down as well is what made it scarier for me.

i make sure that i drink lots of green tea and i also drink mona vie juice.. i exercise 5-6 times a week, and i try to eat healthfully.

i've learned that if i am living and eating well, i FEEL WELL. it's so simple, yet trying to train my brain to not binge eat, not drink, and not smoke... is about the furthest thing from easy.

still completely smoke-free now, about 5 mos.

[iuchewie]

since i quit dipping, i've gained about 30 lbs... i'm now to the point in my quit where i can start to focus on my weight again. i've often said that i'd focus on the weight once i was secure in my quit... my #1 goal up until now has been quitting... NOW it's time to deal with the weight the same way i dealt with the quit - one day at a time

chewie