Smoking - can i prevent weight gain completely?

07-10-2017, 05:08 AM

Hi, i'm a 20 year old female and i have been smoking since i was 14 years old. I smoke about 10 - 20 hand rolled cigarettes per day. 3 weeks from now i will be quitting smoking.
I have struggled with eating disorders throughout my life, with periods of binge eating then periods of starving myself. I completely messed up my metabolism and previously weighed almost 200 pounds.
Over the past couple of years i have been living a very healthy lifestyle and have dropped my weight down to 110 pounds, i still want to lose another 5 pounds, i'm only 5ft. I eat a clean, vegan, wholefoods diet, i never drink alcohol, i run for 40 minutes 4 times a week, brisk walk every other day, lift light weights and i do pilates. The only problem with my health is that i smoke, well i'm determined to quit!
I'm just really concerned about weight gain, many people say it is inevitable. I am worried the weight gain will trigger my eating disorder behavior again.
When i quit smoking, i will be continuing to eat healthy, exactly the way i'm eating now, being vegan means most junk foods that i can get where i live are off limits anyway, i will be doing more exercise, running faster and longer and lifting heavier weights. They say smoking burns an extra 200 calories a day so i will be burning another 200 a day on top of the 300 - 600 calories i'm already burning everyday through exercise.

I know the weight gain that comes from quitting isn't as bad as the diseases that come with smoking which is why i'm quitting anyway. I just want to know if i can prevent it, i don't want a negative body image again and i'm only 5ft tall so every pound i gain shows and i still want to lose another 5 pounds.
Is weight gain inevitable?

07-10-2017, 07:43 AM

Good for you for making this very important decision, especially at your young age. I quit more than 2 years ago but not before the damage was done. If you stick with your plan then yes, I think you will do well with no weight gain. That has been the experience of other ex-smokers I've met online who followed similar activity plans as yours. But as you've already stated, the risks of smoking far outweigh any weight gain so I will urge you not to let the thought of weight gain deter you from your decision to quit. Smoking related diseases like COPD are irreversible. Even if you should gain a few pounds that is much more easily remedied than growing new lungs. Stick with your plans to maintain an active lifestyle and a healthy diet as a non smoker. You can do this and will do well with that attitude.

07-10-2017, 02:41 PM

I quit 2 years ago and havent gained a pound! Like you, I am little. 5'3 and 110 lbs. I exercise 3-5 times a week, both doing cardio (running) and weight training.
I substituted smoking with eating low cal foods like baby carrots and celery sticks. No dip! My biggest pleasure was always having a cigarette in my hands while driving..since I am in sales, I am almost always in my car. Now, when I get into the car, I hold a pencil or pen in my hand near the window. No, I dont chew on it, I just hold it! lol. When things get really bad and I want a cigarette, I go for a run. If I am in work clothes and cant run, I go somwhere alone and do jumping jacks or run in place. I do whatever it takes to take my mind off it.

Increase your exercise to add some yoga or other relaxing techniques...start drinking Chamomile or some other calming herbal tea..and remember this is the single best thing you can do for yourself.
Good luck. You are going to be very glad you did this!

Smoking - can i prevent weight gain completely?

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