Gaining

In article ,
Luna writes
Well, I knew it was bound to happen. I thought I was prepared to gain a
few pounds back from quitting smoking, even if I didn't eat any more than I
was before. But this is ridiculous. Seems smoking a pack a day is the
equivalent of burning 200 extra calories a day, from what I've read, and
since I was smoking 3 packs a day I would need to eat 600 calories less a
day just to maintain. And instead, during these last 2 weeks, I have been
eating more. Not sure how much more, I haven't been tracking, but
apparently a _lot_ more, since I have gained 9 pounds since Thursday. Yup,
9 pounds in 4 days. What sucks about this is that, ok, yeah, I have been
eating more, the scale says I have been eating a ton, but I don't _feel_
like I've been eating a ton. I just did a Fitday report for what I ate
yesterday, which was a pretty typical day for how I've been eating since I
quit smoking, and I ate 2085 calories, and 54g of carbs. Yikes!!! How can
I eat so ****ing much? And the sad thing is, I am still not eating as much
as I want to, by far. I am hungry all the time, and sleepy and sluggish
most of the time, yet I force myself to exercise and I force myself to stop
eating when I'm still hungry, and I am nevertheless gaining at a rate that
will put me back at 200 pounds in less than a month. Well, now I know how
it happens that people regain weight. You get in a situation where you are
constantly, gnawingly, painfully hungry, and you try to force yourself to
live with that feeling, and you're just too weak. Now I'm sorry that I
ever posted about pass sucesses here, because other people kept saying how
I "inspired" them and ****, which I was never comfortable with in the first
place, and now I feel like I'm letting people down. Anyway.

I REALLY sympathise. All my problems with weight come from two sources;
giving up smoking, and pregnancy/breastfeeding (simultaneous, in fact).
I KNOW how horrible it is. I used to smoke 60 Marlboro Reds a day.

A few thoughts:

1. You WILL be much healthier by quitting smoking. You will. It would
actually be healthier to regain the weight than to go on with the cancer
sticks, even if you NEVER lost the weight in future. But you WILL lose
anything you gain. Not tomorrow, maybe not this month, but when the
cravings go.

2. Indulge in some bitter orange or (gasp) caffeine if you can. It
will help with the sleepiness. I always eat more when I'm sluggish.

3. Every time you want to eat, exercise instead. ENJOY your improved
aerobic fitness!

4. Every time you think you are hungry, drink water. If you still feel
hungry, drink herbal or fruit tea. If You STILL feel hungry, do a few
weights or go for a walk or run. IF you still feel hungry, it's
probably mealtime by now anyway.

5. Split up your food into five small meals instead of three big ones.
Package up the meals at the beginning of the day and just eat what's in
the package.

6. Give yourself other treats; I find a hot shower is great, or a
pedicure, or gardening.

7. I find it easier not to snack at all than to keep pieces of celery
nearby, because I don't like celery and once I've reached the kitchen
I'm apt to reach for something else.

8. You are NOT letting anyone down. You are doing something so
difficult as to be nearly impossible.

Good luck,
--
Jane Lumley

Princess Bijou wrote:

"Ada Ma" wrote in message
...

to keep you motivated - think about those nice clothes you'll be able to

afford

once you have got rid of this 3 packs a day habit. think about that fab

coat

you didn't buy - you could have afforded to buy it on the spot if you

didn't

have the 3 packs a day habit.

nicotine addiction is bad - if it's any comfort to you the Big Brother 5

in UK

this year limited the supply of cigarettes to the housemates and some of

them

really suffered. at one point a female competitor was in tears and said

that

she was ready to leave the house (and the chance to win approx.

US$100,000) if

they didn't give her more cigarettes.



Im kinda ashamed to admit that Ive watched this show on occassion, but in
the Australian BB show the house has always been completly non-smoking. No
cigarette rations here!


Me too. I don't normally watch it but this year they have rather quirky
individuals and for the first time, some foreigners in the house, so I watched
it from time to time. Now it's Olympic time!

Princess Bijou wrote:

"Ada Ma" wrote in message
...

to keep you motivated - think about those nice clothes you'll be able to

afford

once you have got rid of this 3 packs a day habit. think about that fab

coat

you didn't buy - you could have afforded to buy it on the spot if you

didn't

have the 3 packs a day habit.

nicotine addiction is bad - if it's any comfort to you the Big Brother 5

in UK

this year limited the supply of cigarettes to the housemates and some of

them

really suffered. at one point a female competitor was in tears and said

that

she was ready to leave the house (and the chance to win approx.

US$100,000) if

they didn't give her more cigarettes.



Im kinda ashamed to admit that Ive watched this show on occassion, but in
the Australian BB show the house has always been completly non-smoking. No
cigarette rations here!


Me too. I don't normally watch it but this year they have rather quirky
individuals and for the first time, some foreigners in the house, so I watched
it from time to time. Now it's Olympic time!

On 8/15/2004 11:48 AM, Luna wrote:
Well, I knew it was bound to happen. I thought I was prepared to gain a
few pounds back from quitting smoking, even if I didn't eat any more than I
was before.

Congratulations on quitting smoking! This is a really positive step
toward your future health and well being. I'm sure that you'll get back
to your WOE soon. This has been a huge change for your system. I wish
you all of the future success in the world.

--
jmk in NC

On 8/15/2004 11:48 AM, Luna wrote:
Well, I knew it was bound to happen. I thought I was prepared to gain a
few pounds back from quitting smoking, even if I didn't eat any more than I
was before.

Congratulations on quitting smoking! This is a really positive step
toward your future health and well being. I'm sure that you'll get back
to your WOE soon. This has been a huge change for your system. I wish
you all of the future success in the world.

--
jmk in NC

Those were some great thoughts you shared. Thank you.


A few thoughts:

1. You WILL be much healthier by quitting smoking. You will. It would
actually be healthier to regain the weight than to go on with the cancer
sticks, even if you NEVER lost the weight in future. But you WILL lose
anything you gain. Not tomorrow, maybe not this month, but when the
cravings go.

2. Indulge in some bitter orange or (gasp) caffeine if you can. It
will help with the sleepiness. I always eat more when I'm sluggish.

3. Every time you want to eat, exercise instead. ENJOY your improved
aerobic fitness!

4. Every time you think you are hungry, drink water. If you still feel
hungry, drink herbal or fruit tea. If You STILL feel hungry, do a few
weights or go for a walk or run. IF you still feel hungry, it's
probably mealtime by now anyway.

5. Split up your food into five small meals instead of three big ones.
Package up the meals at the beginning of the day and just eat what's in
the package.

6. Give yourself other treats; I find a hot shower is great, or a
pedicure, or gardening.

7. I find it easier not to snack at all than to keep pieces of celery
nearby, because I don't like celery and once I've reached the kitchen
I'm apt to reach for something else.

8. You are NOT letting anyone down. You are doing something so
difficult as to be nearly impossible.

Good luck,
--
Jane Lumley