Joining you !

[bonniebee]

I know my quitting smoking is my most important priority right now But I know i am already eating more and have gained a few pounds in just 3 weeks . Because i tend to get canker sores from hard candyor gum even the sugarless gum , I cannot use those as a substitute for the cigarettes . Being overweight is almost as unhealthy as smoking . My daughter quit smoking over 10 years ago and put on at least 40 or 50 punds since then and became diabetic now she is losing the  weight and her doctor said her blood sugar is almost normal again . I lost 20 pounds a few years ago and felt so much better phsically and mentally I would hate to gain it back again . Any advice i can learn from this group will be great !

[Barbara145]

Hi Bonnie.  Walking everyday helps with weight gain alot!  Your quit has got to be your first priority.  Quitting smoking is difficult.  It takes all your energy.  If you focus on weight early in a quit, you could easily lose your quit.

[SimplySheri]

Hi Bonnie!  Congratulations on your wonderful three weeks!!  That is lovely.  I realize many people worry about weight gain during the early days of their quit, but being overweight is usually no way as unhealthy as smoking.  Start finding physical activities you like to do....hula hoop in your living room if it's cold out.  Walk up and down stairs.  Dance in the kitchen.  Just move!!  And don't forget to eat healthy as well.  Carrot sticks, celery....anything crunchy helps.  Eat 6 small meals a day rather than three large.  Suck on ice chips. 

You have already identified that weight is important to you....great that you want to stay healthy!!  But don't use that as a waivering reason to think of smoking again, ok?  Stay quit!!

[djmurray]

So glad that you've joined our group where we're dealing with weight/health/exercise.  For anyone who's interested, it's in Groups, called Cravings -- Food vs ciggs.

[Thomas3.20.2010]

 You’d have to gain about 100 pounds to equal the negative health consequences of being a pack-a-day smoker, according to Pat Folan, RN, the director of the North Shore-LIJ Center for Tobacco Control in Great Neck, N.Y

That's not likely even if you don't try to control your weight. However, you don't have to gain weight!

http://www.webmd.com/smoking-cessation/features/stopping-weight-gain-while-quitting-smoking

Don't let this Nico-lie get the best of you!

[elvan]

Thomas is right, the weight you would have to gain to equal the damage done by smoking is phenomenal and it still probably would not be as bad as smoking.  My sister lost most of one lung and has advanced emphysema and she called me today and talked on the phone while she was walking.  I have a GREAT deal of difficulty talking when I walk, I have a great deal of difficulty walking.  I was trying to sweep a little when she called and she told me I needed to sit down because I sounded so short of breath. Her breathing was better than mine, she has been eating gluten free, all organic food because her daughter and granddaughter moved in and that is what they "demand"...she has lost 15 lbs since the end of December.  She said she really DOES feel better.