Although I've cut down to as little as one per day, I don't really want to stop smoking entirely. I don't know why I feel this way, I wish I wanted to. I've gradually decreased my smoking over the past couple of years. First I cut out the morning cigarettes (those were the hardest, I loved me some coffee and ciggies in the morning). Then I cut out the multiple cigarettes after meals down to just one after a meal. Then I cut out the work breaks and smoking in the car. Now I'm just down to smoking after a big meal, not every meal, just a big one. And also I smoke socially on occasion but since so few of my friends smoke that doesn't happen much anymore.
I'm not doing badly with just 1 or 2 a day, but I'm right at that point where I can kick it for good.... I don't know what's stopping me.
I quit cold turkey for the same reason as lauralyn - 3 days and then physically you are no longer addicted. After that it is all in the mind. Cranberry juice will also help your body filter out what is left of the nicotine faster and that will help with the physical cravings. Other acidic juices will help, but cranberry is best. I did not quit while trying to lose weight, the weight loss efforts came later, but I have lost almost 50 pounds during my first year smoke free. You guys can do it, you just have to set your mind to it. It will probably suck for a while, but just remember that it is temporary and that you have to quit sometime, do you want to do it now or on your death bed? The low-cal foods are a good option. Also anything that takes a lot of time to eat - frozen grapes, frozen orange wedges (bonus as the acid helps pull the nicotine from your system), crystal light ice pops. Sugar free gum and frequent tooth brushing were also helpful to me. I also wrote down all the reasons that I wanted to quit on the front page of a notebook and then copied it over and over and over. I filled the entire notebook in the first 4ish days. It kept my reasons on my mind and it gave my hands something to do. I also found it helpful to say it out loud when I wanted a cigarette, talk to someone about it. Sometimes I had to say it a few times, but it helped. I also told as many people as I could that I no longer smoked. My Dad called me every day for a couple weeks to ask if I was smoking - it would have sucked to have to tell him yes (my mom died of lung cancer). I also changed any profile or whatever that listed me as a smoker. The more I told the world that I did not smoke, the more I wanted to keep it that way. My husband told me he was helped a lot by getting pi**ed off AT the craving, not about it, but AT it. It's hard, but you can do it and you will thank yourself. Even if you do gain a bit or stop losing for a bit, it's ok, it is worth it. Once you have gotten rid of the smokes you will be able to eat better because your food will taste better and you will be able to workout harder because your lungs will be healthier and you will have more energy - trust me.
If you have to choose one choose quitting smoking. You will do more for your life by quitting. The temporary uncomfortable detox may indeed cause munchies and emotional eating. But in the long run the clear lungs will help you exercise more. The body no longer struggling with toxins will absorb nutrients better, hormones will respond properly etc. In the long run it will be better for your weightloss, even if the short term struggles are not.
Once you have gotten rid of the smokes you will be able to eat better because your food will taste better and you will be able to workout harder because your lungs will be healthier and you will have more energy - trust me.
^^ So true GirlyGirl.
OT: My husband (never a smoker) always laughs out loud when we go to the over priced Fresh Market in the city and we see people buy cart loads of organic veggies and free range fed animal products and then the first thing they do when they get done loading their car is light up. He's like WTH??? They worry about the chemicals in veggies and than fill their lungs with poison? But in their defense, maybe they are smoking organic cigarettes?? My favorite though is when our SIL brags about her glamorous gym and personal trainer as she puffs away on her Virginia Slims. Something just seems so wrong with that picture, but then again, I'm sure her exercise is helping her lung function?...Kind of like when I used to go to the Drive thru and order a Big Mac, Large Fry and a Diet Coke....
OH, I also wanted to ADD: Smoking has been proven to decrease elasticity in the skin, especially the face. If you have any concerns about facial wrinkles as you lose weight, they will be FAR worse if you smoke...
Today is officially my third day without a cigarette! I cant believe I have managed this long and haven't really even CRAVED one... This is it once and for all, no more cigs for me!
x
