Giving Up Smoking/Weight Gain

[Wispy68]

I'm going to stop smoking on 1st February (with patches and counselling) but I'm a bit worried about putting on weight. I'm determined not to replace cigarettes with food, but was just wondering whether the weight gain is due to over eating after stopping, or are there any other reasons for it? Many thanks.

[gastwo]

Hi Wispy.

Speaking from my own experience (male, btw) I packed in smoking 12 yrs ago after 30 a day for 30 years, and within 3 months I had put on 8 Kg, purely through metabolic change. 12 years on and I still have that extra weight, even if I diet, exercise, practise yoga, etc. As I'm not too over-weight, I'd sooner have the extra flesh than the problems that I had when smoking. Good of luck with it - best thing I ever did.

[willowherb]

have you tried the click to quit website they are really good and have a message board to help you..as others will have the same problem,,my dad gave up after smoking for 45 years and he didnt gain weight,,but he did restrict his sugar intake..i wish you the best of luck..if you find something new to start doing on february 1st then it will take your mind off it

[smudge]

Wispy - I was only ever a casual smoker, so stopping completely didn't really affect me. I really admire you for attempting to stop smoking, it must be a very difficult thing to do. 

 

Think of all the benefits, healthier lungs, less coughing, brighter eyes, whiter teeth, pinker tonque & fresh smelling hair & clothes! Oh & all that extra lolly you'll have to spend, on a new hobby! Good luck.

[Bangkok]

I have up 14 months ago.  Nicotine acts as an appetite suppressant, and so you will feel hungrier than usual.  As a diabetic, I could not eat lots extra, so I carried sugar free sweets and raw carrots around with me.  Part of the urge to eat is to find something to do with your hands, so play with a pen instead.

 

Smoking also typically increases your metabolic rate, so when it slows you tend to put on weight.  As long as you do not eat extra, this should not be excessive. 

 

Good luck

[Wispy68]

Thank you all for your replies and wishes of good luck. I'm going to need plenty of that...and willpower!

[natalie_1982]

I have been not smoking for 8 days now (wahoo!) and I haven't gained any weight.  In fact I've lost it - I think this is down to two reasons:

1. Smoking can slow the blood flow to your bowels - the doc has been treating me for IBS for 2 years and within 2 days of giving up smoking I could 'toilet' normally i.e. I was no longer bloated and the food I am eating is now leaving my body! (sorry!!)
2. I started a healthy eating kick and as my appetitie grew with giving up, I ate healthy snacks instead.  On a Sunday night I chop a load of carrots, peppers, celery, fruit, etc and pig on that.

I guess I've made a kind of lifestyle change!

 

There are three reasons your appetite increases when you quit smoking:

1. Nicotine suppresses your natural hunger so you feel it more when you quit
2. Not having something in your hand/ mouth, boredom makes you think you want to eat more
3. MOST IMPORTANTLY!  As your body is repairing itself itneedsmore energy so you actually do need more food!  (Tho makeit good healthy food and not crap)

I know they say ex-smokers are the worst, and I have only given up just over a week ago but I haven't touched one and don't want to.  I was smoking less than 10 a day during the week and up to 40 a day at the weekend.  I feel so much better already, my taste, smell, skin and hair are all different - healthier and clearer!.  My mouth doesn't taste like a stale ash tray when I wake up either!

 

I found that the website http://www.givingupsmoking.co.uk also really helped me.

 

Good luck!!

[natalie_1982]

Thinking about it though, I gave up without any aid and I guess you're even less likely to put on weight as you'll be weened off the nicotine so probably won't experience thepoints I mentioned above.

 

Good luck again!

[Wispy68]

Thank you very much natalie. Very interesting reading. The weight gain thing doesn't seem so bad now. I've had IBS for a few years too, so it will be interesting to see how things go in that department!! Congratulations to you on your success so far. I think you're doing really well, considering the fact that you're doing it 'cold turkey' too!! Well done you.

Thank you again, for all your answers.

[PatTheRat]

99% of people who give up will put on weight. If u are gonna eat instead of having a smoke, go for a bannana or an apple, or both. If u do this u wont put on much weight at all. Dont go for a mars bar or packet of crisps.