Stopping Smoking

[Sindylou]

Hi all, I gave up smoking 7 weeks ago (after 20 a day for the last 15 years!) and I have put on 7 pounds already!! Even though I eat carefully, lots of fruit and veg etc. I am only 5 foot 1 and weigh now 8 stone 7 pounds and every lump and bump is starting to show. Getting very depressed because I don't want it to escalate any more. I exercise on my Lateral Thigh Trainer (yes, I've got one of those off the telly!) every evening also. Is there anything I can do to slow this weight gain down or stop it completely without going back to the ciggies?

[MrBen5]

Hmmm, the only thing i can suggest is sex. Or maybe some other sport. if your getting depressed, weight will pile on...

[Sindylou]

Oh, I'm single at the moment - anything else MrBen?

[MrBen5]

Erm, not really Sindylou. I suppose you could purchase other sports equipment. Another thing would be to not look in the mirror as much too. It will make it much worse. I would keep a tally on a chart of your weight week by week and set yourself routines to carry out. e.g running up and down the stairs 8 times, non stop. 30 push ups etc. Do the things you plan to and do and do them daily and you will soon notice the pounds coming off. Like i say, dont look in the mirror as you will just find things.Obviously, it all depends on your budget. If you can be bothered to go to the gym and afford it, then go there...

[Loosehead]

The trouble is smoking is often an alternative to eating so when it's gone you tend to subconciously eat more without realising it. Carefully analyse what and why you eat and then you should be able to control it. I mean instead of smoking ar you eating sweets etc. It's a common belief that smoking helps you stay slim but it's not the smoking itself that does it, it's the fact that you tend to eat less and there is also some evidence that smoking increases metabolism slightly. Anyway you are doin gthe right thing exercising so keep it up and try and avoid nibbles. You've gone through the pain of giving up so now look at the weight problem, you can't tackle everything at once. Don't be tempted to start smoking again just because of this.

[jababe]

5ft 1 and 8 stone 7!!!!!! Think yourself lucky girl. You must be so slim. I'm 5 ft1 and weigh 9.5 stone and don't think I am fat. But thinking now that maybe I am. To be honest when you get into a routine your weight should stay the same. Excercise will keep you healthy.

[JOEYGREEN]

I have tried twice this year to quit smoking and on both occasions I put on about 5lb in one week! Only yesterday I gave in again. I don't know what the answer is but please don't go back to the ciggies like I have!

[Sindylou]

Hi Joeygreen, I gave up using the patches and they worked for me (and still are, I am on the lowest strength now). I know that I won't pick up another cigarette because I was desparate to give up. Have another go. I know that the weight thing is an issue for me but i guess any doctor will tell me, you and everyone else that it is better to be a bit overweight than get some hideous disease. I gave up because I am a single Mum to a little 5 year old boy and I didn't want to die early and leave him all alone in the world - what would happen to him? Going back to my first post, gaining a bit of weight is not such a big deal after all!!

[EDLEE]

Good luck hon, I finially quit (after thirty years) and quickly gained thirty pounds. Took three years to get rid of it (mostly) . More exercise than you think you need and less food than you think you need. It is at least as hard as quitting and they don't make patches to help,yet.

[sunnyday2d]

i gave up 10 yrs ago, (and it was bloody hard)
i did not use anything, i put weight on for a short while but it leveled out after a few wks
but beleive me its the best thing i ve ever done,
so stick with it kid, you know it makes sense.

[JOEYGREEN]

I know this was a few days ago now but just wanted to say thanks for advice too. I'm still smoking but like you I am mum to a five year old little boy. Although his Dad and I are still together I still wouldn't want him to grow up without me. I'm not even enjoying the cigarettes to be honest. I hope you are still ciggie-free...I will join you very soon!

[Sindylou]

That's brilliant - let me know how you go. Thinking of you!