Quit smoking and gaining weight, HELP? -
I-m so fustrated. I quit smoking for the second time and gaining weight. It has been 2 1/2 months and have gained 20 lbs. I gained 40 the last time. I ended up gaining addt-l 20 and had a breast reduction because the weight was so hard on my back. After that surgery I lost all my weight, but was smoking again. I-m so upset. I go to jazzercise 3 times a week, walk almost everyday, I thought this would help, but it-s not. What can i snack on that won-t pack on the weight, help???
Sounds like you have an oral fixation and when you quit smoking you are so used to the hand-to-mouth motion that you start eatting more.
You are working out a good amount, but the problem is you are eatting more calories than you are burning. Try to replace the chewing motion with things that are good for you that burn calories while eatting them. Snack on celery, carrots, cucumbers. Carry a bottle of water around with you and you can have the same motion with drinking water all day long. You can screw the lid closed and open each sip to give your hands something to do. Make sure you aren-t carrying a coke bottle or you-ll drink all of the soda--which is not a healthy alternative.
Everytime you feel the urge to -smoke- something, fight instead. My friend had a punching bag in his office that he would spend 5 min punching when he used to take his cig breaks. Punching takes out the frustration and requires too much concentration to still be thinking about the cigs.
That is perfectly normal. Many people sub in M-Ms or Skittles for the cigs and end up gaining 30 lbs. Consider replacing those with things that you suck on a long time--jolly ranchers, gobstoppers. That way you won-t be packing on the calories. Try the patch or lozenges to help you quit--that will reduce the need for nicatine which often leads to the automatic reflex of eatting. Just remember that quitting smoking is the best thing to do and even if you put on 10 lbs to quit--your body is healtier 10 lbs overweight than it would be if you continued smoking.
I know people tell you carbs are your enemy but their really not, they fill you up so you dont have the urge to constantly snack..try oatmeal and drink lots of water also, salads have hardly any calories..make a huge salad and make sure to drink lots of water afterwards.
I quit smoking almost a year ago..and I have been loosing weight and getting healthy ever since.
There are three reasons why people tend to put on weight when they quit smoking:
1.Generally, for most people their appetite improves because the toxins in tobacco have the effect of suppressing appetite. It’s tragic that this is one reason why young women start to smoke, because they believe it will help them keep weight off. When your appetite improves you may find you want to eat more. ADVICE: Eat healthily and get active. That means nutritious foods in satisfactory portions – don’t pig out on rubbish foods with high sugar, fat and salt content and do some exercise.
2.The minor physical withdrawal symptoms from nicotine feel exactly like being a bit hungry. So don’t make the mistake of trying to satisfy the withdrawal from nicotine with food. ADVICE: Recognise that during the first 5-7 days the empty hungry feeling isn’t real hunger. Have a drink of water or do a quick relaxation exercise instead of eating.
3.Many smokers make the mistake of searching for a substitute to replace the cigarette. Often this will be lollies or high calorific snacks like chocolates, biscuits, cream cakes or sausage rolls! ADVICE: Do not use any substitutes – you don’t need them.
If you follow this advice you won’t put on weight, in fact you’ll lose it, because once you quit you’ll feel much more motivated to get out there and be active.
Good luck!
Allen Carr’s Easyway To Stop Smoking http://www.allencarr.com.au/states/qld
All you need to do is do some running/ jogging every day (30mins to an hour) and you-ll never gain one single pound.
Good luck!
Try stepping up your exercise - start lifting weights - do more intense cardio, that sort of thing. And definitely find healthy snacks (fruits, veggies) and rid your house of junk food.
if you snack on fresh fruits and veggies then your eating healthy, which is all you can do. especially since your already working out. plus...id much rather be somewhat overweight than end up with lung problems...so its a good trade off. :)