Quit buddies - quiting smoking and losing weight

This thread is for anyone out there who is trying to quit smoking and losing weight  or just wants to quit without gaining weight.

Lets face it - losing weight is not easy and quiting is the hardest thing you will ever do.  But I believe the only way to really quit for good is to make a commitment to a LONG HEALTHFUL LIFE!

If you are at the place in your life where you know you need to re-evaluate how you live and the consequences on your body then you are already well on your way to being the person you know you really are.

This thread is for POSITIVE motivation.  Tips to help each other quit and encouraging each other to be the best we can be every day.

Like every good AA meeting you must be willing to admit how much you smoke - if you messed up and smoked and be accountable for your actions. 

I will start this thread by telling a little about myself.  I don't usually do this because I hate being judged.  By the way, you WILL NOT BE JUDGED BY ME.

If you choose to join this thread please be respectful of other and pass NO JUDGEMENTS!! 

Any way about me -

I am 42 and have smoked since I was 16.  By the time I was 18 I was up to a pack a day.  By 40 1 1/2 packs a day.  Both my grandparents died of lung cancer.  They smoked 3 packs a day for 40 years.  (give or take).

1 1/2 years ago I was in the hospital for pneumonia.  I spent 10 days in the hospital and another 14 days recovering at home.  At that time I started chantix.  I was smoke free for 3 months.  But I was not a healthy person emotionally.  By the end of my Chantix run, life stresses were too much for me and I started suffering anxiety attacks.  I had a lot of stresses then.  My husband and I were suffering in our relationship and he had quit his job against my wishes.  This cut our income to more than half  Given that we were just barely middle class that loss of income was huge.  I suddenly felt as though I had the entire weight of the world crush me. 

With so much stress I took up smoking again.  I smoked despite the diagnoses of COPD and I felt every puff.  I woke up coughing, I went to be coughing and still I could not quit.

Lets fast forward to weight gain.  I was already overweight when I went into the hospital.  In the hospital they started me on steroids and my weight climbed 20 more lbs.  On Christmas day of 08 I weighed 152 lbs.  I am only 5 feet tall and at 152 I weighed 50% more than I had on my wedding day.

I think thats when I first decided that I had had enough.  I still did not and do not know enough about good nutrition, but by being a little more concious of what I was eating I dropped 4 lbs.  When I weighed myself on February 1st I weighed 148.  This was very depressing.  I still could not button the bottom button of my shirts and my clothes were very tight.

But I realized that I would never ever lose the weight if I did not stop smoking.  If I did not stop smoking I could never run a mile or do anything that would help me get the weight off for good.

2 weeks ago I joined this site and started to really learn about how to take care of my body.  I still have not quit smoking but I now smoke 5 a day instead of 30.

I have lost another 4 lbs since joining this site.  I now walk 2.5 miles (at least) every day and am learning to do strength training at home.  I am still working on the final big quit.  My life does depend on it.  But thats why I started this thread. 

If I can change YOU can.  NO EXCUSES!  Lets beat the butts and the butt together!

I really need some quit buddies!

I'm 43yo and have smoked since I was 21.  I now smoke at least 2 packs per day.

I have tried to quit before, but not very seriously.  I never made it more than a day.  Chantix did nothing for me.  Maybe because I wasn't really serious.

This time I mean it.  I am so sick of smoking.  I hate it - hate the smell, hate the money I waste on it, hate that I let something so nasty control me.  I also feel like an outcast - smokers are considered low-class and smelly and as lacking emotional strength.

Recently a neighbor boy was banned by his parents from playing at our house because we smoke.  I've never felt so low or so guilty in my life.  Even though I've never smoked around other kids (hubby & I do smoke around own kids - more guilt!), I do understand these parents, I don't blame them for wanting to protect their kids from 2nd hand smoke, but it still hurts.

My children are young.  My family has a history of heart attacks and strokes.  ALL of my mom's family died young (except for her) because of heart problems.  My mom had a stroke at age 53 - she lost her eyesight!  That's only 10 more years for me.  It's irresponsible of me to smoke and be overweight when I have children who need me for many more years.

I already have an appointment with a doctor.  I will get Wellbutrin and whatever else I can.  Patches, gum, nasal sprays, sleeping pills, something to calm my nerves.  Am also going to see a accupunturist and a hypnotist.  THIS TIME I AM SERIOUS!  Whatever it takes I will do it.

My quit date is March 20th.  My husband is taking the boys on a spring break vacation so I can concentrate on quitting without wanting to kill someone! I'm seriously thinking of asking him to take the car keys, my credit cards and any cash. 

I'm with you on beating both the butts and our butts!

I am with you!!  I have been smoking since I was 18 and I will be 33 on Monday 2-23---So 2-22 is my quit day!! 

 I have been off and on through the years but mostly on!!  I quit when I was pregnant with both my children and as soon as I got out of the hospital I started again!! 

I've lost around 95 pounds in the last two years and I've got about 30 more to go and I will do it and I will NOT be a smoker anymore! 

 The main reason obviously is health but the cost is unreal!!  In Wisconsin I pay $4.35 for a  pack and they are going to go up another $0.75 soon!  That's $153 a month for my stupid pack a day habit!!!   AARGHH!!! 

I also am a closet smoker--only my young children and husband and one neighbor know so it's terrible!!  My own parents think I quit when I was 21 and none of my friends know or anybody at my oldest child's school!  I have to sneak around when we go out--usually to the bathroom alone so I can get my fix!!  It's embarassing actually!  I hate having to try to hide the smell all the time! 

So this is it!!!  I am done with smokes forever!  I actually have about a pack and a half left--so when they're gone I am done!!! I will enjoy my birthday smoke-free and get on with my life!!!!  AMEN---Good Luck to All and Keep Posting!!!!

Melissa

Congratulations on your decision to quit smoking!! Making that decision is the first step of a long journey. I smoked a pack a day (or more) for 15 years and quit over 5 years ago - it can be done. I'm so happy I quit, and I am never tempeted to smoke again.

A couple of words of advice .... you need to reinvent your self image to be one of a non-smoker. So much of our identities are wrapped up in smoking that we have to have the courage to be someone new in order to successfully quit. You have to have to courage to let it go and not let it rule your world. Also, find all the resources you can - a website I found very helpful was quitnet.com. When I had a craving I looked up on the internet stories of all those who suffered painful losses and death from smoking - that squashed most hard cravings.

Good luck!  

been looking for a thread like this ... myself, i have been smoking since i was 14, stopped cold turkey when i was 18 for 4yrs and started again cuz of boredom, thats my biggest problem ... i want to quit for good, just for all the benefits (especially the snoring which has been caused by my smoking and now my weight) .. and the cost of smoking here where i am .. $10 a pack .. i juts kick myself when i think of what i could be doing with all that money ... i smoke just under a pack a day .. like to beat this horrible habbit ...

cheers everyone, and good luck

shawna

I smoked at least a pack a day for over 11 years. I quit last year (August 29th to be exact). It can be done. I used Chantix btw. It is so worth it. I'm a brand new person. I'm pretty sure that quitting has improved every other aspect of my life as well. I'm just more confident now. I feel that since I've done something that tough and important, I can do anything.

 yearn to lablled a non-smoker, i have thought about using many aides out there .. but they all seem hit or miss ... what i really need is to be around non-smokers 24/7 (unfortunately can't always happen), i don't smoke around non smokers and honestly dont crave a cigerette when i am with them ... i know this is gonna be a huge struggle for me no matter which way i choose to go about it for the simple fact that my sin-in (aka:b/f) is a smoker and a heavy one at that ... and he has stated he is not ready to quit ... hes supportive of me when i do try and doesnt beat me down when i fail (which is nice) .. just cant wait to finally succeed ... i know i will one of these times

Woohoo!  I knew I could not be the only one who wants to quit and lose weight too!  Thank you for joining me!

I know we can do this.  I really do believe that.

Today (and yesterday) have not been that great for me smoke wise.  Stressful days always send me towards the smokes.  But though I smoked 5 yesterday and 4 today I won't give in and just keep smoking.

Hi, everyone

I quit smoking May2, 2000 the day before my son was born. That's right I smoked through the entire pregnancy with every intention on smoking when I got home after delivery. My plan was to smoke between feedings while he was in his crib laying down and I'd go outside with a light jacket and then take it off when I came in and wash my hands to minimize exposure as much as possible. I spent three days in the hospital with delivery and post delivery recovery just awwing over my new miracle. then it was time to bring him home. I fed him and laid him into his bassinet and put on my jacket and my lighter and my cigarette pack and headed for the door. I sat out on the porch with a cigarette unlit in my mouth for alot longer than it would of takin to smoke it and just thought about life, what was important, how i felt and what I was really getting from that little cigarette. The answer: Nothing.....except time away from my son, a cough I hated and money handed to the sweet cashier to kill me. So, right then I decided - I can and will go the rest of my life without a cigarette to be healthier for my son. So, I did. It was so hard!!! And I had so many temptations. Even a few, not so nice family members, that purposely tempted me with my favorite brands. But the difference is, I was determined this time! I can do anything I set my mind to and I did! And honestly to this day, I have cravings but I recognize them as a mental connection to a certain situation and release it just the same. My, God send, that really helped me was GUM!!! I needed something in my mouth in place of the cigarette, so, I chewed gum all the time!!! And believe me, it made all the difference. I also tended to replace it with food, that one is a BAD idea. So, I've decided gum will help me conquer that addiction to. I chew gum now in between scheduled meals/snacks and it makes a huge difference!!

So, what I'm saying is: If you WANT to quit (not someone telling you , you should and you saying I quess. You really have to WANT it YOURSELF!!) If YOU really want to quit, YOU CAN!!! Put them down right now and don't pick them back up EVER. Clean the entire house, rid it of all smoke fumes, throw away all ashtrays and any cigarette memorabilia. There are gonna be days and cituations where your cravings will be worse than others. But continue to tell yourself: I"M STRONGER THAN THIS ADDICTION!!! I CAN DO THIS!!! And if you need help, send me a message I'll be happy to try to help you!!!

Hugs and Good Luck, Ashlyn

You are so right Ashlyn.  I never could quit just because someone one else asked it of me. 

Today I want to update this thread with reasons to quit smoking and lose weight at the same time.

i know in the past when I have discussed this with family and friends they have discouraged me from "taking on too much at once".  Meaning that Loseing weight is hard and quiting smoking is hard.  My loved ones thought I would have better success if I did one thing or the other.

But after having tried this approach numerous times I know it does not work.

Why?  Because bad habits support bad habits. 

Yes, you can diet and keep smoking and lose weight.  BUT smoking makes it harder to stick to your new diet and excercise plan.

Smoking decreases your ability to taste food.  Fresh foods, vegetables in particular, are often more subtely flavored than fast food and pre-packaged stuff.  Learning to enjoy your food is as much a part of dieting as eating less food.  If you dont enjoy your food you will not stick to the good eating habits that will help you lose weight.

Smoking makes it hard to excercise.  No doubt about it - smoking limits your oxygen intake.  Not only will you huff and puff through your excercises, but decreased oxygen will decrease the efficiency of your muscles.  I rather suspect that this will lower your metabolism too.  If your muscles are not working efficiently they will not be burning the calories!

But quitting and losing weight are mutually supportive. 

When you quit your body will begin to regain some of the stamina you lost through oxygen deprivation.  This will make it easier to stick to an excercise regimine.  Also, exercise provides a new focus for your stress.

Excercise also helps you to develop new brain pathways for seratonin.  Seratonin helps your body deal with stress.  But smoking actually decreases your seratonin receptors.  It is this lack of seratonin that keeps you smoking.  So excercise actually helps to limit the effect of nicotine depenancy.

Also - by making a commitment to better health over all you will have a new focus.  Instead of smoking, you can count calories or learn a new move.

You also have 2 times the opportunity to build your self esteem as you meet your goals.  And when you have lost the weight, you will be a skinny non-smoker with great skin, not a wrinkled "skinny fat" person with yet another goal to accomplish.

If you need support and encouragement while you quit - just stop back here.  I know YOU can do it! I know I can too!

Good luck!

i know sooner or later i will earn the label "non-smoker" .. and i will be proud of it ... it may take me 101 tries to do it but i will ... spring is on its way .. and its time for me to do some spring cleaning on thenasty lil habbits ... punt them out for good ... just like cleaning out the closet of ill fitting clothes ... 

sings *I'm on my way, on my way from misery to happiness uh huh .."  ..

Cheers everybody ...

Shawna

Thanks madamg for the information about the reasons to quit smoking AND lose weight at the same time - that's some good information to know!

I'm 24 hours into being a non-smoker and I'm ready to scream!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  No seriously--I'm doing okay!  I've chewed about 4 packs of gum though and my god, my jaws hurt like crazy!  Small price to pay for not smoking!  The only complaint I have is that I have a headache like you wouldn't believe!!  I'm assuming that's one of the withdrawl symptons??  We'll have to wait and see!!  I hope there are others out there that are doing this too!!  Good luck everyone and I'm going to try to post daily to keep this thread alive!!!!

Melissa

Melissa!  Congrats on your quit girl!

Way to go!

Your jaw will actually feel better in a few days.  Your headache will go away too.

Did you quit cold turkey?  If so you are a very admirable person. 

I am only my millionth quit.  But this time I am sticking to it. 

I hope you do post here every day.  There are a lot of challenges, but knowing someone is out there cheering you on will help!

Its really funny.  I can get on here and talk about smoking and NOT want a smoke.  But if people talk to me about smoking in RL, I crave one so badly!

Now all the literature will tell you to tell everyone you have quit.  The idea is to get some accountability for your actions.  But because it really bothers me to to talk about smoking I did not tell a soul this time.  And this time I am much more successful than I have been in the past.

The one person I will NOT tell is my mother.  If I do she will call me every day for a status update.  Yet, as any former smoker can tell you.  There is nothing to report.  Quiting sucks and either you are smoking or you are not.  There is no in between.

Keep up the good work!

Okay so much for posting every day but I've been busy!!  I still have my headache and I bummed one smoke from my neighbor to see if that helped my headache and it didn't so I've been good since!  It actually tasted nasty!!   I really feel like my head is going to explode but I'll give it a week and if it's not any better then I'm going to see my doctor (which will suck because I've never told her I smoked!)  We'll wait it out for now!  Hope you all are doing good!!

Melissa

I wanted to update because --

I have cold-turkey quit my 22 year, 2-3 pack a day, $150 per month, nasty habit! 

I am on my 3rd day now of being a non-smoker.  Never before have I managed to quit for more than 1/2 a day.  Maybe it is my deep internal determination this time (I have been SO ready to quit!) or maybe it's that I've had a healthy diet for 3 months now, but quitting has been pretty easy. 

I have no cravings and no withdrawal symptoms (not yet anyway).  What I do have is an annoying habit - reach for the lighter, think that I'll take a ciggy break when I'm done with X, check to see if I've forgotten my cigs when I leave a room - but once I remember that I'm a non-smoker I'm okay.

I want to encourage everyone with their efforts.  Quitting is possible!