[sockmonkey70]

I am enjoying reading both sides of this discussion! Very interesting and valid points on both ends

[almostheaven]

I quit smoking AND lost weight. But NOT at the same time. I wouldn't even attempt it. Quitting smoking is much faster. Losing weight can take a year or more, depending on the amount you need to lose, and then there's the lifetime of maintaining the loss. But smoking you can stop, and within weeks, it will get easier, within months, you'll be heading into the home stretch. Then you could consider the weight. In the meantime, just try not to gain. Get some sugar free gum or candy to pop in your mouth as a substitute. After a little over a year of no smoking, I no longer even reached for gum or candy.

[redsoxgirl]

I have to do a pitch for the patch here. I smoked a pack a day and quit about 8 years ago on the patch.

It's funny I had started slowly losing weight (like 10 lbs nothing major) and then decided to quit. My brother had quit with the patch and gained 50 lbs, which he then lost.

For some reason I didn't gain at all, I maintained for about a month and then I started losing weight again. I was crazy dedicated to exercise, and I really watched what I was eating because of seeing how it affected him, but overall it wasn't that horrible.

If anyone is really trying to quit and hasn't tried the patch you should, it helped me so much.

Good luck, whatever you do, it's so nice to be a non-smoker.

[JayEll]

elmuyloco, you said this:

But I think what is important to remember is that we don't know what health issues she has and saying that she needs to put one potential killer aside may end up being a death sentence for her.

You're right--there's no way of knowing because we don't know Altari's medical condition or health issues. But all things being equal, we can still have opinions about which is more dangerous. Your opinion is as valid as anyone else's.

Altari--you should ask your doctor about this. He or she will tell you which would be better.

Not dieting while she stops smoking is a sure way for her to gain at the minimum 10 more lbs.

How do you know that? Well... I don't think you do! Because you don't know Altari's medical condition or health issues! So, you're using statistics, too.

I'm curious--are you a former smoker, elmuy? The reason I ask is that not everyone can quit by cutting down on one cigarette a day. Is this how you did it?

I quit cold turkey--both times. Some people do better with the patch. Again, Altari, it would be good to ask your doctor about this.

Jay

[elmuyloco5]

X

[JayEll]

No offense taken! Or intended.

Jay

[Mdae]

i think each person has to decide for themselves what approach will work for them... but i applaud anyone who's doing their best to strive toward a healthier lifestyle - smoking or eating-wise. with baby steps, hopefully we'll all wind up where we'd like to be.