Newbie

[Zena5454]

Good morning all, I'm new on here. Gave up smoking last October and have put on 21 lb (probably more as the scales are too scary to use) Wouldn't be too bad but was a good stone overweight to begin with. I start every day full of enthusiasm but by evening the carb cravings are hard to resist. It's like being on a never ending roller coaster..............any suggestions to change my mind set would be welcome

[daynac44]

Hi there,

1) Im new here too, 2) I quit smoking in April so I feel your pain!!

I have found diversionary tactics help the best. If I have a craving for sugar, cigarettes, crisps whatever I try to do something else like a few bicep curls , or get the step out and do that whilst watching TV, or if I cant be bothered to do anything physical I do some online research about anything I can think of!! eg tattoo's, vikings, places to visit, and before I know it an hour or so has passed, I haven't given in, and i feel pretty proud of myself.

Hope this helps x and good luck x

[Dave1961 25kg]

I hear ya. Carbs and night time for me used to be the worst!

DO you record your food e.g. in an app like Myfitnesspal which lets you keep track of cals really easily?

I tend to find that when I get to the end of the day if I have a couple hundred calories left I'll finish off my day with a little carby treat.

For some bizarre reason I would get real satisfaction out of working out exactly how much of the delicious yogurt I could have, putting it into the app and seeing it balance out to zero.

Brushing your teeth is a goo done to get you less inclined to eat and also doing something e.g. knitting or exercise or scrap booking or cleaning out your sock draw...keeping yourself preoccupied can help keep the cravings away.

Congrats on giving up the smoking - its been 14 months for me and am so glad I kicked it!

[Caz28]

Well done on stopping smoking, I know how hard that is, I gave up a year ago! I would encourage you to download the NHS 12 week plan, there's a chart to record everything and lots of useful tips, and also to keep a diary. Record everything you eat and drink, how much exercise you've done and how you feel (hungry, tired, happy, energetic). That way you can look back and see what works for you. There's a weigh in every Monday and if you join that the help and encouragement you get is amazing! I'm on week 12 of the plan and have lost 11 lb so far, eat loads more vegetables, salad and fruit , drink a lot more water and feel tons better! Good luck!

[Zest Healthy BMI]

Hi Zena5454,

Welcome to the Weight Loss NHS forum. I'd recommend having a read of our Welcome Newbie post - see the pinned posts area (top right-hand-side of the homepage) and it's a post by moreless - full of inspiring contributions by people in the forum.

The NHS 12 week plan is really good, and I'd recommend having a read of that, to see if you might find it helpful.

Join in with things in the forum, and enjoy it - it's a friendly and supportive place.

Have a great weekend and a really good week ahead.

Lowcal