3 days smoke free.... gaining weight! - Smoking Cessation Message Board

livenlearn · 02-17-2004, 08:58 AM

hi there

i am VERY proud of myself for making it this long, cold turkey and without major mood swings.... HOWEVER, i have gained 3 lbs already!! and it's not because i'm eating more... i'm really being careful on NOT eating more, and watching what i'm eating..... does your metabolism really slow this much after quitting???? i know this is what i want to do... i do want to continue being a non smoker.... i just don't want to be a blimp..... i've been very proud of the fact that i'm 33, have 2 children and weigh 115... HOWEVER, i'm now teetering at 118, and its scaring me!!!!

any advice???

smartgal · 02-17-2004, 10:09 AM

Three pounds could easily be water weight. Don't freak out yet! Just keep doing what you're doing.

Deda · 02-17-2004, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by livenlearn

hi there

i am VERY proud of myself for making it this long, cold turkey and without major mood swings.... HOWEVER, i have gained 3 lbs already!! and it's not because i'm eating more... i'm really being careful on NOT eating more, and watching what i'm eating..... does your metabolism really slow this much after quitting???? i know this is what i want to do... i do want to continue being a non smoker.... i just don't want to be a blimp..... i've been very proud of the fact that i'm 33, have 2 children and weigh 115... HOWEVER, i'm now teetering at 118, and its scaring me!!!!
any advice???

Livenlearn--Hi, and congratulations on quitting smoking.
The best thing you can do, is to start exercising to increase your metabolism. Yes, most of us do gain a few lbs when we quit smoking, but mosltly it is from increased eating, eating more junk, (like candy and donuts!), but I don't think it's common to just GAIN weight without increasing your caloric intake. I quit 4.5 months ago and didn't gain any weight the first 6 weeks, but that's because I was watching my diet. After I started being a little piggy then I put on the weight. I've gained as much as 12 lbs, and now I'm only 6 lbs over when I started. That's okay with me, and later I'm sure I'll lose that too. So just start an exercise program if you have not already, or increase your workout if you already do, and you'll be fine. You won't be a blimp!!!

Worry more what will happen if you don't quit smoking!

Take care, and keep up the good work!

DEDA

willow42 · 02-17-2004, 07:15 PM

I've also gained a few pounds since quitting 3 months ago. I made the mistake of quitting while the turkey & mashed potatoe season was in full swing. I also had a "petite figure"... most people tell me I actually look healthy now...(I've gained 5-10 lbs by the feel of it).

Keep plenty of raw carrot sticks available for those food cravings.

Remember...you need to gain some significant weight (80+ pounds) for the weight gain to be as bad for you as smoking was!!! Once you're over the nicotine addiction, you can concentrate on weight loss. Congrats!!!

Deda · 02-18-2004, 02:04 AM

willow42--I like your attitude. I think we all need to tell ourselves when we quit smoking that it's okay if we gain a little weight because most likely we will. I'm finally starting to accept that now. But it's hard at first as I've always been so weight conscious. (Too much). That reason alone added to many relapses that I've had in the past when I quit smoking. I remember a Dr. that taught a smoking cessation class that I took many moons ago, had told us that if we had the willpower to quit smoking, somewhere down the road we would later find the willpower to lose the 10 to 20 lbs we might gain when we quit. I think he is right, and for now we shouldn't worry ourselves to death about it. What's more important anyway?

Yes...to never smoke again!

DEDA