gaining weight after quitting smoking

I joined Calorie Count to try and get an idea of how much I am consuming everyday since quitting smoking- I am 26 years old and had smoked for almost 10 years before this go-around, and this time it's sticking- it's been 4 months, cold turkey.  Unfortunately I estimate I've gained about 8 lbs. of fat in those 4 months.

Before quitting I was a true size six, pretty athletic build and ate healthy- I always ate what I wanted and drank alcohol regularly.  This sometimes meant not eating breakfast or lunch- I never ate unless I was hungry, and I think smoking curbed my appetite quit a bit.  I excercised 2-3 times a week at a moderate intensity.  Since quitting I have stepped the excercise up to an almost athlete level (was a high school athlete)- 1.5-2 hours 5-6 times a week.  Usually cardio for about 45-60 mins and then some sort of strength training- weights, pilates, etc.  I feel like I am eating SLIGHTLY more than I did while smoking because I work out so much and sometimes feel faint/low blood sugar.  I feel bloated, chubby and my clothes are super tight.  I have gained a significant amount of fat.  Has this happened to anyone?  I am very frustrated and wonder if I will just gradually start dropping the lbs. or if smoking messed my metabolism so bad that I have to continue working out at this intensity to maintain this almost 10 lb. too-large-for-my-body frame.

elisabeth,

Have you put your numbers into the CC. Your body needs 1200 calories to work properly the whole day (low blood sugar) and The exercise is to burn more calories throught that day.  If you burn 200 calories in exercise you would need to eat 1400 calories for your body not to shock.

Hope this helps,

Great job on stopping smoking, you do not need it.

It doesn't sound as if you're eating enough for all the exercise you do.

I smoked 2-3 packs per day for 22+ years.  And I quit in Mar of this year. I did not gain any weight - only 3 pounds of water (because smoking dehydrates your body) and that was gone within 3 days.  I continue to lose weight every week, I eat healthy foods and within my calorie guidelines, and I rarely exercise more than an hour a week.

Quitting smoking does not cause weight gain. You don't need to push yourself so hard.  Cut back on the exercise and/eat more - according to what CC tools tell you. 

Congratulations on quitting Elisabeth.  It is the best thing for you.   I quit too 8 years ago.  I also gained weight but a lot more.  My doctor said it's easier to treat overweight health issues than smoking health issues.   It's hard because everything tastes so good, but I still crave a smoke every once in a while.   I used to eat a cookie when that would hit hard.  Now I just make sure I go to the gym and get my exercise and I remember trying to breathe before I quit.

Good luck in your journey!

"Quitting smoking does not cause weight gain."

Half truth

Nicotine does increases your metabolism. Plus cigarettes in general rob the body of vitamins and minerals soo..