Weight Gain

[antons]

I am in my 6th month now without a cigarette and have pretty much got over all the craving, however I am putting on a lot of weight now which someone remarked on in the Pub last night and I think this has knocked me for six, anyone else experienced this?

[quit 14 Month Winner]

Hi Antons

WELL DONE on being in your 6th month - I am on about 3 1/2 months & "yes" my weight has gone up big time but I also know it will go back down again with a little effort & self control (whatever that is!!!). BUT as just posted a little or even considerable weight gain is MILES BETTER than a slow & painful death from SMOKING.

I think we all forget sometimes how well we have done in getting free from this killer addiction.

But as I am finding we then have to 'climb the next flipping mountain' !!

Best wishes & good luck .... "because you're worth it !!"

Jonathan

NOPE

[antons]

Thanks Jonathen for a very encouraging reply, well done to you too.

I must admit for a short second and only a second I did think to myself oh start again and the weight will drop back off but that won't happen. The unfortunate thing is Christmas is in sight with all that food and booze about

[andi22]

Hi antons, great going to get to nearly 6 months quit - and still going down the pub! You've proved you can achieve such a big step in your life that dropping that weight will be do-able too. I'm 18 months down the line now and not quite back to where I was weight-wise before I quit, but I will get there soon.

I don't know what you drink in the pub but maybe you could cut back the alcohol a bit, reduce the portions you eat, don't eat all that processed stuff and get out and walk a bit more. You could probably manage this without anyone really noticing, then they'll suddenly be saying how slim you're looking. Another thing a number of people seem to do when they quit is take up running, but this might be a step too far. Good luck, Andi.

[Hidden]

Anton, perhaps you have substituted smoking for alcohol. Perhaps if you think about how much you drank as a smoker and whether perhaps it's sneaked up in quantity without you noticing. Alcohol no matter what your tipple, is dead calories. They serve no other purpose than to sit on your hips or your belly and accumulate. Look up a calorie counter on the internet, there's loads and tot up the calories involved in an average night at the pub, I promise you you'll be truly shocked.

[EmJay Partner]

Hey antons,

Congratulations on reaching 6 months, that's amazing

Try not to despair too much, it sounds like you are now at the point of being ready to tackle your weight issue. Don't ket it become a huge problem in your head and maybe take a little step at a time.

I've just had a nosie about on healthunlocked and there is another community called Weight Loss.

I've messaged one of their volunteers and moderators and invited them to pop up a post on our community.

Anywhose, there are lots of hints and tips on foody stuff of all kinds, it's worth a look. Here's the link;

healthunlocked.com/nhsweigh...

[tazdave 6 MONTH WINNER]

yeah have put on bout 12 kilo since quitiing.. not a bad trade off for being able to breath and not stinking any more though

[monky Administrator Cake sniffer outer in reply to tazdave]

Tooooooooo flippin right Tazdave

[tazdave 6 MONTH WINNER in reply to monky]

yeah monky will amp the walking and short sprints up. i think the first 6 to 12 months weight gain is normal

[nixy 27 Months Winner]

Yep, I have put on almost 2 stone in six months then started smoking again (foolish woman) and lost some weight. In my third week of not smoking again and if I am not thinking of stinky fags I'm thinking of eating something tasty and sweet. At the moment I am trying to eat fruit and chew gum, but am feeling grumpy and at odds with the world. It's ok to feel like this and I know it will pass. Onwards and upwards to all the ex smokers, keep going.

[monky Administrator Cake sniffer outer in reply to nixy]

Hey Nixy, lovely to see you again gal

Sooo on your 3rd week quit now then, thats just great news gal yes I know what you mean about thinking of sweet and tasty treats Maybe just try eating fruit every other day untill you get used to it and get to like it eh Cos your brain and body is having a big change cos your not smoking now so dont push it toooo hard eh The more you get to like the fruit, the more you cut out the tasty fattening bits

Like you say Nixy, onwards and upwards, cos we can do it

Pete

[nixy 27 Months Winner]

thanks Monky, really trying with the fruit. Funny thing is when I was smoking for all those years I never bought chocolate or sweets and only had an occasional cream cake. Take the fags away and I seem to turn into someone else!!!! Not only am I fighting the fags but sweet stuff as well. Well the fags won't win this time so I'll just have to get fatter, as you say we can all do it. Best wishes from an ever expanding large lady.

[Hidden]

Hi Nixy. Don't be lulled into a false sense of security with fruit, it is mainly made up of sugar so you can still put weight on eating fruit if you have too much. I was getting through about 500 grams of grapes a week when I first stopped smoking. Mind you you've got to have some pleasure in life. Bananas are the worst culprits, they're quite high in calories for some reason. They do contain vitamin C amongst other nutrients as do other fruits especially citrus. Your body struggles to absorb vitamin C when you smoke so you'll be able to boost your reserves now you've stopped.

I think you're brilliant stopping again when you've already been through the quit process once such a short time ago, I don't think I could do that.

[nixy 27 Months Winner]

Thank you sinfree, Well I had to stop really as I went downhill fast after smoking again for 4 months. Couldn't even get upstair or walk anywhere. I was so mad with myself. I have to go through the cravings all over again. Ah well it has taught me a lesson. As for fruit I don't really like it but am trying hard, kiwis oranges. pears and grapes at the mo. Trouble is I am still snacking on other things as well. Christmas will be here soon and I know I will be eating chocs ect., (which I never bothered with whilst smoking) but what the heck I will reevaluate the very porky me after xmas. Not stressing at the mo too many other things going on in my life to worry about my spreading girth (and boy is it spreading fast!!!)

[Hidden in reply to nixy]

Aww hey Nixy I'm reading a book at the moment called Build your Willpower by Kerry Gene (77p on Amazon kindle.) Its only a short book but it explains in simple terms just how difficult it is to try to use willpower for too many things at once. Its worth a read at that price as it talks a lot of sense and explains a thing or two, as well as offering helpful tips on how to manage and grow willpower.

[nixy 27 Months Winner in reply to Hidden]

Thanks sinfree, will have a look at this book as willpower is sadly lacking at the mo. Actually all my willpower is being used on not smoking so nothing left to stop me eating (good excuse don't you think ha, ha)

[Hidden in reply to nixy]

yes, that is exactly what it says in the book. But not an excuse, it's the reason.