Smoking Cessation and Weight Gain - Smoking Cessation Message Board

Frozen · 02-18-2007, 11:38 AM

Please feel free to redirect me if this has been discussed recently. I quit smoking (again

) about 4 weeks ago and can almost see myself gaining weight by the minute. I honestly don't think I'm eating more than before. I cannot afford to gain weight -- carrying around too much extra as it is. I know that diet and exercise will help, but if it were that simple, I would have been thin a long time ago. Any suggestions, sympathy or empathy will be most welcomed.

Frozen · 02-18-2007, 11:52 AM

Also, let me ask...when should the weight gain taper off? 2 months? 6 months? A year?

SanyBelle · 02-18-2007, 11:58 AM

Hi Frozen, congratulations on quitting smoking!! Awesome!!!

Yea, about the weight gain, everyone tells you to eat celery and carrot sticks

, yum like that's going to take the place of a cigarette. I gained about 15 lbs but in my case it's probably a combination of quitting and depression. I'm back to dieting again hoping to lose 25 lbs in the next few months.

Don't worry about the weight gain at first, that will settle down... I've read the average person gains 5-10 lbs when quitting smoking. You can do something about the weight after you quit. Just make sure you aren't snacking (alot), that you are drinking alot of water and you are getting some exercise.

Good luck and keep us up to date about the quit!!

Memaw649 · 02-18-2007, 10:27 PM

Frozen,
First of all congratulations on being quit 4 months!!! Wonderful!!

What Traveller said....excellent advice!! She is exactally right.

I gained about 15 pounds after I had gotten off the Chantix that I used to quit smoking. I've taken that off now. Now I'm in the process of trying to lose at least 50 more. I figure if I can quit smoking, that I ought to be able to lose some weight. Only thing is.....I hate to diet!! I'm not that fond of exercise!! But we do what we have to.

When you quit smoking it slows your metabolism down...thus the weight gain. Exercise (I walk) helps to raise it. So find a way to raise your metabolism and you won't gain so much weight. Make sense?

Good Luck to you!! And keep up the good work. Let us know how everything goes for you.

Memaw

Don't worry too much about gaining weight right now. Just concentrate on the quitting smoking. One thing at a time.

Reyne · 02-19-2007, 07:26 AM

I am sending you some understanding that is for sure!!! When I quit I just blew up..I gain about 25 in less that 3 months. Some of it water, some of it me eating more and my body adjusting.

My body now at 6 months is finally adjusting and now I am going to try to work on the weight. For now concentrate on your quit!!! Try to walk, eat what you want in moderation....that is the key moderation.

Hang in there...it is all worth it!!