Dieting or smoking

Which in your opinion is harder? To diet or to stop smoking? They both take lifestyle changes. Has any one done both?

I have! I smoked for 10 years (Just quit in August 07) and had actually put off quitting for a LONG time because I was terrified of gaining weight- the reality was that smoking was actualy keeping me lazy, but I didn't figure that out until I broke down and quit for good. 

 I did initially gain a little bit of weight right after I quit, but I immediately changed my focus to healthy eating and an overall healthier lifestyle. While I think that quitting smoking was hard (it was REALLY hard) the worst was over by the 3rd month. The trick to staying quit is that you really, really have to want to be a non-smoker. You need to change that part of your identity.

 Losing weight is, in a way, harder because if you truly want to keep it off, it takes a lot of commitment. For me, I had to get out of the mindset of needing the weight to come off immediately. Making little adjustments and watching your intake (not obsessing) is more likely to lead to lifetime success. At least, that's what I would like to believe.

 

I like smoking so I'm focusing on losing the weight. Though running is kind of a bitch because of it lol.

I would think that it would be easier to diet and get in that healthy mindset, then try to quit smoking.

I'd say it's probably harder to stop smoking since it's highly addictive?

 

I quit for four years.  I just started again.  Damn.  Now I'm trying not to eat and want to quit.  I'll get there.

smoking all the way.  i think... maybe dieting.  maybe smoking.  maybe booze.  hmm.  boys.

 

there thats the answer, the hardest thing to give up is boys

I've got the diet thing down.

 

*fumbles for lighter*

I vote smoking. I quit last August.

And I can never smoke another cigarette ever again.

That is a sad thought, because I still remember the enjoyment. Sitting here typing this, I am salivating for a cigarette

As far as dieting, I don't have to give up food for life, I just have to eat the right kind of foods, and if I want a "puff" of french fries, or cheesecake, I just have to eat less of something else, or exercise.

I quit smoking cold turkey almost 2 years ago and losing 70 lbs in the past 7 months has been INFINITELY easier! I love my diet; quitting smoking was HARD but worth it.

Did both at the same time.
Cold turkey too.

I just made a goal and stuck with it.
I just said to myself whats so great about being a fat walking ashtray with crappy skin and yellowed teeth...Oh yeh NADA.

I'm 42 years old have had smoked for 30 years when I quit on September 4th last year.

I'll be honest, by using the patch, I've found quitting smoking MUCH easier than dieting.  I never have to have another cigarette as long as I live, but I have to eat every day.

When you don't make good food choices (I'm learning!), in my opinion, dieting is infinitely harder. 

I never noticed a thing about gaining weight when I stopped smoking about a year ago, maybe it was because I didn't smoke that much.

But I found stopping smoking so much easier. With smoking you don't HAVE to smoke to stay alive, but you have to EAT. There is way more brain working when dieting! You couldn't decide between healthy and unhealthy cigarettes! They were all bad so I knew I had to stop completely! Not so easy with food...

The smoking was harder at first, Ive been smoke free for over a year now and I don't think about it that often.. Eating healthy on the other hand is a daily struggle so Id say losing weight is harder in general..

Question:

 Do you just gain weight when you quit because people eat more to compensate for lack of ****? or is it some other reason? x

oh - and is this an american site? i tried to refer to ciggies as ''f ags'' and it *ed it?!? its just an accepted english work for ciggerettes? how is that swearing?? *confused* xx

its an american site.  the word you used is a derogatory term for homosexuals here.  probably cant use the english word for kindling either (tho that might be archaic).

Porkchop, I am not sure but I have been told that smoking burns about 300 extra calories a day, plus your appetite is stunted because of the chemicals.  Also, your taste buds are burned every time you inhale, so the food doesn't taste as good while you are a smoker.

I smoked for 10 years and quit 13 years ago.  I just woke up one morning and decided to smoke my last cigarette.  I never picked up another one, no matter what my stress level was.  If someone says they just can't quit smoking because..., I think they just aren't trying hard enough.  Of COURSE it is tough- smokers actually develop a gland in their brain that needs the drug.  It takes hard effort, for a long time, but it can be done by everyone.

Please point out if any of my info is wrong.  I won't feel bad, and it is important to get the right stuff out there!

I quit nearly a year ago the smokes, and I would say for me, dieting is way harder!

If i could quit food as easily as i quit the smokes I would be Kate Moss!!

I did gain a lot of weight when quitting but its a personal thing I think, as long as you are aware of it you can keep it under control.

I am a smoker and can't make 2 major lifestyle changes at once. I decided to go with the lose weight/healthy eating first which has been difficult for me, but not impossible since I am sticking to it. But if I didn't have the cigarettes to balance out the food cravings...EEK!

Oh to have a smoke right now...delightful yet smelly all at the same time

I gave up smoking more than 20 years ago, when I was very ill (asleep for 3 weeks). Smoking kills you quicker than being overweight.  Give up smoking FIRST, don't worry about the consequential weight gain whilst you are in the process of giving up.  That can be dealt with quite easily later on.  If you are overweight and smoking --- don't expect to see you grandchildren grow up.

 Giving up smoking is the hardest thing. Get some support from your friends.