Quit smoking and now Im over eating? -
I was just wondering if ya-ll knew how it happened as well as how I can change it and maintain a regular eating habit once again?
Thanks!
hey Kibbles ..
congratulations on quitting, that-s a biggie...the good news is that you quit!! the weight isn-t really all that bad a news, most folks put on a few -new quit pounds- when quitting... the good news is that its usually temporary.. the folks in support groups have a saying -the weight can wait-.. in fact unless one is morbidly obese the benefits of quitting smoking out weigh the weight considerations
i see where others have mentioned the hand to mouth thing.. that is part of it, the other thing is that food just tastes better, when you have your sense of smell..also there are subtle changes in your metabolism that contribute.. many of us munch on low calorie stuff, like baby carrots, sunflower seeds are another favorite, as well as salted roasted in the shell peanuts..(a good multivitamin doesn-t hurt )..
you may note that i have mentioned support groups... i found that it was very helpful, for mysel,f to be involved with other quitters, as well as folks who had some solid recovery time behind them.. they answered a lot these kinds of questions.. i am a member of nicotine anonymous and attend meetings both locally and on line.. on line voice meetings are as close as your computer..
Nicotine Anonymous is a Non-Profit 12 Step Fellowship of men and women helping each other live nicotine-free lives. Nicotine Anonymous welcomes all those seeking freedom from nicotine addiction, including those using cessation programs and nicotine withdrawal aids. The primary purpose of Nicotine Anonymous is to help all those who would like to cease using tobacco and nicotine products in any form. The Fellowship offers group support and recovery using the 12 Steps as adapted from Alcoholics Anonymous to achieve abstinence from nicotine.
Okay well I-m not 100% sure on this, but this is what I have been told.
When you smoked, your hand constantly moved from a resting position to your mouth, your mouth opened, you took in, then closed your mouth, and released.
in the same way, when you eat, your hand connstantly moves from a resting position to your mouth, you open your mouth, take in food, close mouth, and exhale.
so the motions are similar, and therefore your body replaces one with the other.
this is perfectly normal for someone giving up smoking, however if you don-t stop soon, it will result in mass weight gain.
how you get out, is your own choosing.
hey I just gave up smoking 8 days ago and have had similar problems. My only advice is to treat the new found addiction (which is what it really is) the same way you quit smoking. Think of a piece of chocolate cake like one cigarette. You knew after having just one relapse of smoking, it shouldn-t mean that you necessarily failed yourself. It just means that you start over. It-s not easy, but figure out how many calories you need in a day and do not exceed that number. Be sure to have a light breakfast and lunch and a normal dinner. Try drinking water or chewing gum, anything but smoking or having another bagel. And understand that if you eat a slice of chocolate cake, it-s not the end of the world. Just hop back in the saddle the next day.
good luck to you!
oral fixation;; ya need to find something else to do with your mouth...- if ya don-t work, get a job (few these days will give ya cig breaks)...