How to quit smoking and not get fat?
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My missus went from 30 a day to 0 a day overnight, and has now been off them for 8 months. She's also lost 3 stone in that time. Can be done, all it takes is hard work and dedication.
Today is my 10th consecutive day smoke free. I had been half-heartedly toying with the idea of packing it in for a while, but when it happened it was on a whim, just threw half a fag out of the car window and that was it. So far, ive been amazed at how easy its been, although im aware it could turn nasty at any time. I have been to the pub twice since and they have been the hardest times, esp when your mates smoke, but now ive wanked on about it, its become a pride thing - i dont want to let anyone see ive failed.
Coffee and Beer dont taste any different, its a mental association and you normally consume them in situations where you would also smoke. I always thought driving would be the worst bit for me, cos i used to smoke 4 or 5 on the way to my first meeting, but it was actually the easiest.
You could maybe get some nicotine lozenges or similar, i used about 3 of them and once i got halfway through one, i had to lie down. They taste fucking grim and you get a headrush from hell. Good nicotine hit mind.
I smoked 15-30 a day, every day since i was 16, im now nearly 30. Not quite up there with the best, but i think its fair to say i had quite a habit. The big challenge will be to get through October with NOOL day etc.
no more
I don't smoke, but I don't think you automatically become obese after quitting smoking... Just cut down on your calories, get some exercise, don't eat too much junk food, and if you get a craving, drink water or chew gum instead of reaching out for sweets.
I stopped 3 years ago cold turkey, and didn't gain but 15 pounds afterwards on and off (in three years).. mostly its down to just taking care of yourself. Since you won't have anything to kill food cravings, you have to really get to grips with either exercise or little munchy bits to get your hands off the sweets.
For a long while, I carried baby carrots around with me to nibble on to get over the loss of sticking a cig in my mouth at coffeeshops and bars. Looked weird, but that's not much a change for me. 
melly wrote: For a long while, I carried baby carrots around with me to nibble on to get over the loss of sticking a cig in my mouth at coffeeshops and bars. Looked weird, but that's not much a change for me.
I did sunflower seeds, as it kept the hand to mouth habit pleased. Quit cold turkey (2 packs of Marlboro Reds a day). The first week is a bitch, second is pretty bad, but after that you're home free.
Didn't smoke for 6 years, until I deployed to Iraq. No alcohol and no sex....I needed something. Quit when I came home.
Just don't do the step down. Hard cigerettes to lights. All it will do is make you smoke more in the end.
JHC
I started smoking in the army at age 18 because of boredom and stress (it was either one or the other) and also because it was dirt cheap at the army store - beer and cigs were kept cheap to keep morale up. It was only when I turned 30, moved to another country and got married that I thought it was a good combination of reasons to stop. Last smoke was New Years Eve 1998/1999 and I went cold turkey after that. Overall I would say that coffee and beer actually taste better without the cigs - amazing how much your taste and smell come back once you stop. Plus it saves a shitload of money. Seems like pretty soon there won't be anywhere left to smoke anyway. Will admit there's still the odd occasion where I think to myself "a cigarette would go down nicely now", but it only lasts a few seconds.
Had my last ever cigarette on Sunday. I am finding it quite strange really, not too bad but a complete change of lifestyle.I tend to be snacking on fruit and veg rather than chocolate, drinking water rather than tea or coffee (to change the whole habit thing) and instead of drinking beer or wine on an evening, I am going to the gym.
I am now the most boring person in Yorkshire!! My worst fear is becoming a bloater so that Old Monkey will just point and laugh 
Hopefully if enough of us have stopped for the October gigs and NOOL day, then it may not be too difficult. As long as Nick and Shug keep out of my way.
Leather_girl's advice is all too logical. Your calories burned must be greater than your calories consumed (duh!).
I've never smoked in my life, but I do know it's easier said than done. I think nicotine is a stimulant (increases your metabolism a bit) and also a bit of an appetite depressant. So quitting smoking screws you over two ways in your battle of the bulge. My stepfather, who was a chain smoker (3 packs a day) for about 35 years quit cold turkey and kept it up for the last 10 years of his life. But he replaced his oral fixation of cigarettes with Twinkies & Reese’s peanut butter cups and put on 25 pounds, which he never really took off. It was too little to late as he dies of emphysema. Since you're still young, though, you should be able to quit without significant ill effects (except maybe some occasional bitchiness for a while). My step mom also quit cold turkey, has been off them for 15 years, and didn't gain weight because she eats well & works out, much like leather_girl's advice.
Shellshocker wrote: Leather_girl's advice is all too logical. Your calories burned must be greater than your calories consumed (duh!).
I've never smoked in my life, but I do know it's easier said than done. I think nicotine is a stimulant (increases your metabolism a bit) and also a bit of an appetite depressant. So quitting smoking screws you over two ways in your battle of the bulge. My stepfather, who was a chain smoker (3 packs a day) for about 35 years quit cold turkey and kept it up for the last 10 years of his life. But he replaced his oral fixation of cigarettes with Twinkies & Reese’s peanut butter cups and put on 25 pounds, which he never really took off. It was too little to late as he dies of emphysema. Since you're still young, though, you should be able to quit without significant ill effects (except maybe some occasional bitchiness for a while). My step mom also quit cold turkey, has been off them for 15 years, and didn't gain weight because she eats well & works out, much like leather_girl's advice.
Some of the issue is that the craving for cigs is the same feeling when you're hungry. As you try to kick the habit, your craving can't be settled with nicotine, so you feel hungry all the time...thus eating more. Plus, like you mentioned, the oral fixation.
JHC
you'll (hopefully) never ever get fat M.. It's not in your genes.
Plus if your Jeans (haha badd) don't fit for a while they will again soon.
I consider myself a smoke-a-holic. Just one little drag and I would be back on 20 a day. I haven't smoked for over 4 years and I've gained and lost weight in that time. I found that I drank more alcohol shortly after I quit, probably to fill the gaps smoking left. I have days when I say, if I smoked I would have one now, but I know I can't just have one. It took a long time and quite a few failed attempts to quit for this long. The thing to remember and try and keep fresh in your mind is that you cannot just have one.........
I gave up 3 years ago, went from 20 a day to zero without patches or gum, actually found it quite easy. Since then I have had two cigs, both this year, at Athens and Liverpool, and can honestly say now that I can take it or leave it, and I'm gonna leave it. Can't honestly see what the appeal was at the time, I can now taste food and I don't stink. I've also lost nearly 3 stone in that time through hard work and determination.
Some truly sensible advice there... Cheers! Might give it a try one of these days.
It's probably not about fatness at all. Just another piss poor excuse not to give up on it. It's about health and no money can buy it.
I've noticed I freak out every time I don't have a pack with me even though I don't feel like smoking. Addiction or what??? Probably best if just put one pack in my bag but never ever dare to open it. That should keep me calm. Maybe. :\ohwell:
Apologies if this sounds reactionary but smoking is a truly filthy habit. I'm no moralist or health freak (as those who know me will confirm!) but smoking is the one and only vice of modern society that directly affects those around you. Passive smoking kills THOUSANDS in Scotland every year and it really aint on.
They introduced a smoking ban in March of this year in all public places (work, pubs, restaurants, casinos....anywhere with four walls and a roof that aint your house) and it's been the best thing the Scottish Executive has done in it's shitey 7 year existence. When I arrived in that pub in Liverpool before the gig the other week I had to about-turn within two minutes of arriving cos the smoke was making me wanna vomit!
Indeed. A truly, filthy habit.
It's bad for your health, your pocket and those around you.(But then, so's PMT).
I have come to the conclusion after many attempts that I have little or no willpower whatsoever; but am as we speak, deciding whether to take up knitting again or continue in my quest at becoming a Sudoku Master in the hope that I can divert my attention and may stop smoking tobacco and only inhale fumes from the smog in this 'dirty ol' town'.
Really, the trick is to never start 
I did try, never hooked me.. can't stand the smoke and smell...
And believe me, I am in a family of 5 where I am the only one who were never a smoker.. they all quitted though!
Foreign F**kwitt wrote: What's coffee/beer taste like without a cig? :(
i'm afraid to find out.:dead:
nearly three years now for me, it's true what they say, 3rd times a charm. The trick for me was 1. I was ready (that's the most important) and 2. All of my mom's family has died from smoking (except my mom who never smoked) before the age of 50. Figured I'd like to live longer than that.
As for coffee and beer, they taste better. I've become a coffee and beer snob because I love the expensive stuff now. I even mail order my coffee, fair trade, organic coffee. Oh god I'm jonesin now. And beer, screw the generic big brewery stuff they pawn off as beer here in Canada, I pay the extra for microbrewery stuff just because it tastes better.
Actually, you'll be surprised what you miss in your food and drink, the taste and smell thing just amazed me.
If you're thinking about quiting, good luck. Remember, it's a drug addiction and you need to make up your mind to continue.
GlasVegas wrote: Apologies if this sounds reactionary but smoking is a truly filthy habit. I'm no moralist or health freak (as those who know me will confirm!) but smoking is the one and only vice of modern society that directly affects those around you. Passive smoking kills THOUSANDS in Scotland every year and it really aint on.
They introduced a smoking ban in March of this year in all public places (work, pubs, restaurants, casinos....anywhere with four walls and a roof that aint your house) and it's been the best thing the Scottish Executive has done in it's shitey 7 year existence. When I arrived in that pub in Liverpool before the gig the other week I had to about-turn within two minutes of arriving cos the smoke was making me wanna vomit!
Cheers. The US has been pretty progressive on banning smoking in public places and trying to do other things to nail the tobacco companies. I was glad to see Scotland do the same with their public ban. Now, if only the rest of Europe would follow suit.
I was a social smoker but when i went to Ibiza last month i smoked so much that by the end of the holiday i vowed to give up. Two weeks ago i had one, but none since.
I hate the smell, the taste and the cost and my hangovers are now nowhere near as bad. My skins improved already and i'm about to start running again. Fingers crossed i'll stay off them now.
i used to be able to sit at a cafe outdoors in the city and have a ciggie and a coffee,now no can do,they should ban cars cause people are enhaling exhaust fumes too..........by the way hi..ive been coming here and reading your posts for over a year now...thought id start joining in:)
dayymo wrote: they should ban cars cause people are enhaling exhaust fumes too
Be quite the funky idea. First put some regulations onto the Gov'ts and City work trucks. The exhaust from the Construction-type trucks is Horrible.
and welcome to the postin forwhatitsworth.. What did New Order do to deserve this site.
