Help

[ruggiegirl]

Need here. I need to loose weight. I stopped smoking 3 months ago and all I do is eat!

Need help. What are good snacks?

Really need motivation ........

[moreless Administrator 7 stone]

Hi and welcome, ruggiegirl

Unfortunately, when we give up smoking, we lose the hand to mouth movement and replace it with eating! Rather than thinking of food to fill the gap, maybe do extra activities, to take your mind of it? Having quit several times and gained weight, last time, I decided to give up the cigs and the junk food at the same time

Take a look at the Pinned posts section to the right of your screen (bottom if you're using a mobile), or in the drop down on the 'Posts' page (it says 'arrange by'). Read the Welcome Newbie thread, then move through to the challenges, where we hope you'll find at least one that will appeal to you.

Move down to the Topics, to find a variety of threads, collated into specific topics for ease of access and we ask that you also 'file' your own threads, so that others won't miss your important news.

Take a look at the NHS 12 week plan, as a lot of people have been successful with it, making sure to enter your details into the NHS BMI calculator, to get a calorie allowance tailored to your personal requirements. Don't forget to take your starting measurements and a 'before' picture, as they can be very motivating on days that the scales refuse to co-operate.

To the right of the HOME page (bottom on a mobile), you'll find Events. In there, you'll find links to our daily Weigh-in's (you will choose just one day per week), our Daily Diary, where we post our menu and exercise plans, for accountability, advice and support and our “What's happening today” thread, where we pop in for a chat.

Be aware, that the HU app doesn't give you access to all of our important features, so we advise that you use the full website page.

We've found that to get the best out of this community, we need to be active on the forum, as it's where we exchange information, get motivation and inspiration and make friends. We hope that you'll join us here, regularly, too.

It's only left for me to wish you well on your journey

[Hidden]

Good for you!! I quit after 25 years. I gained weight too. I like baby cucumbers, carrots, celery sticks, cherry tomatoes, almonds, raisins and baby bell peppers. Any fruit will do also.

[misswobble Maintainer in reply to Hidden]

I like a slow snack, which I sit down and eat with a plate and a napkin 😋

Either a ripe pear or red crunchy apple, sliced into segments, with a heaped teaspoon of almond "butter" to dip in

Almond butter is not butter at all, just roasted almonds which are ground into a delish paste 🙂 Calorific though so eaten in small quantities as a healthy treat

[Hidden]

Well done on the stopping smoking I gave up @ a year ago, I am currently vapping and weaning myself off that

Wishing you all the best on your weight loss journey moreless has given you some great advice

Have a look at the NHS 12 week plan, as many people have had success with it. Also use the BMI checker (a link to this can be found in the Welcome Newbies thread ) to find your target calories, it's important to eat enough. This was a major turning point for me, realising I could eat anything I wanted as long as the calories are accounted for 😊

Snacks - fruit / veggies (at the mo I am enjoying hummus and cucumber and carrot sticks it's all counted for in my calorie allowance for the day

[Weareallone]

Hi ruggiegirl

I have also gone through the exact same thing. I am a fitness instructor and I am now a lot more aware of what to eat and how to eat. I also had the sweetest tooth which didn't help when I quit smoking.

The biggest advise I can give you is to pack your meals with protein. Try and eat lean meat (chicken breast, turkey, fish) try to use minimal oil when you cook it. Also eat what ever vegetable you can get. Ideally green leafy veg but any will do. Don't juice it or make it into a smoothly to keep the roughage which is great for cleaning your digestive tract.

Try and eat at least 4 smaller meals a day and in between you can snack on a small amount of nuts (ideally almonds/cashews) to keep the hunger away. Please try and keep starchy carbohydrates to a minimum and even avoid during inactive periods e.g. Before bed.

I am currently eating like this and honestly I struggle to eat my meals. Protein promotes satiety so you really are not hungry at all so even things that you crave, you wouldn't want to eat because you are full.

I also don't drink any fizzy drinks, take any sugar (use stevia instead) and no junk except 1 day a week if I have been good all week

It is surprisingly easy once the addiction to sugar subsides. I hope this is helpful to you. Good luck!

[wa2un7 Maintainer]

Congratulations on quitting smoking. That is the hardest battle you'll ever fight. The others have given you suggestions. Another idea is oatcake with peanut butter. I quit after smoking after 50 years and though I don't really like to admit it I found sugar free chewing gum a godsend . Good luck 👍