Looking for a friend. New to this site.

[JenniferNe]

Hi, my name is Jennifer and I am from Nebraska. I quit smoking 3 weeks ago and I have put on some extra weight. I needed to lose some weight before but lets add another 5lbs to that. I just started the atkins again. I also started an exercise program for myself. The only exercise I got when I smoked was lifting the cigarette to my mouth. I am doing very well not having cigarettes in my life. Just need to go to the next phase and lose some weight and start toning up. Would like to give and get some moral support. Just have someone to talk to. Thanks! JenniferNE

[Sandee]

Hi, Jennifer,

I quit smoking 5 years ago. I was 41 and the metabolism was getting slow and them boom, I quit smoking. I could not eat what I normally ate any longer without gaining weight. Plus I traded cigs for candy. Last year when I hit 150 lbs., I knew I needed to change my eating habits. I love sweets. I began LCing in Jan. 2003 and lately have good and bad weeks of eating. I am a carb addict and know what I should do -- stay away from carbs to control cravings.

I am starting the Power of 10 challenge on the exercise board. I will start next week after I read the book. I just need motivated.

Good luck on the "smoke free" attempt.

Sandee in KY

[JenniferNe]

Nice to hear from someone here. I started wondering what I had said to not have anyone reply to my penpal. So thank you! It's been almost a month without a cigarette, I do have my moments. Congratulations on your quit. 5 years is along time. My downfall is Icecream and Pizza. I have been working out on my crossbow which I bought last March. It made a nice coat rack for awhile. I also am doing the Tae Bo tapes. That is a tough one. It requires allot of balance which I am finding out I do not have.I figure I will give the tapes 6 weeks and if things aren't going well with them I am thinking of ordering the winsor Pilates. I have heard allot of good things about working out with Pilates. I just keep thinking of this summer and how I want to feel when I put on a pair of shorts. Last year the first time I put on a pair of shorts I thought what has happen to me?????? I don't want to feel that way again. We can hide allot in the winter time. I should close for now . Thanks again! Jennifer

[jennaper]

Hi Jennifer.

I'm Jen from PA. Only one person wrote me when I posted a message looking for a penpal awhile ago. They then disappered after that one post, so if you ever need someone to chat with for support, feel free to PM me.

For exercise, I've been using my stair stepper machine ever since I took off all the clothes I had piled up on it. I also do my tae bo tapes about once a week. I was trying to do it 2-3 times a week but I paid for it with pain. My ankles are incredibly weak and I don't want to have to go back to physical therapy for them again.

I have also been thinking about ordering the Windsor Pilates but I just can't afford it right now. Someone mentioned that there is a Pilates DVD at Walmart for around 10.00, so I asked for that for Christmas to get me started. Now I just have to see if Santa will be good to me this year.

I'll also mention that I smoke. I've been cutting down majorly lately...but it's mainly because I just got laid off and money is kind of tight around here. My best friend smokes and I see her almost every day so while I have cut down, I just can't get myself to quit. Maybe you can inspire me. lol

[Sandee]

Hi Jennifer and Jen!

Jennifer, I hope you are doing well with nicotine withdrawal. One problem I had was breaking the habit of associating smoking with driving, reading, cooking, etc. One bonus for me was that my DH and other close friends did not smoke. I had tried to lay the cigs down a few times over the years, but the longest I went was 2 weeks. In 1998, I was walking out the door to go on vacation and I decided at that moment to throw all cigs away. It helped being away from my "routine" the first week of withdrawal. (I was on the beach!) Anyway, I wish you success. When you crave, go out and get "fresh air" in those lungs.

Jen, you will know when it is time for you to stop smoking. (I lost both parents to lung cancer and decided to buy myself some time.)

Now, I would love you gals to help me with my carb addiction. I mean ADDICTION. Guess I just want to be accountable to someone. My DH does so well with LCing. I am going to start this "power of 10" exercise program soon. (Hey, I did 30 min. on the treadmill this morning!) I went from March 10 to May 10 without eating anything I shouldn't and then blew it on Mother's Day. I ate a piece of chocolate pie and then set off the cravings. Now I have very good days for several days in a row and then I have two or three bad days in a row. I need to stay focused.

Hope you both have a good day. Talk at ya later.

Sandee in KY

[cqueen]

I quit smoking 9 months ago and gained 20 lbs. Everytime I wanted a cig I ate. I still crave a cig. My best friend smokes like a steam engine, but it doesn't bother me. Mostly when I get stressed and know I can't eat a chocolate bar, is when I want a cig.

My reasons for quitting smoking were not for my health, but because I couldn't afford them. How can you tell your kids you can't have a candy bar or a soda because you can't afford it, but then I buy a pack. So, one night when I finished my pack, I just quit.

I'm glad I did quit now because I can actually breath. I can exercise now without getting out of breath. The worst part about quitting though, is I can smell like 10x better. Sometimes that's not a good thing. LOL.

I blew the lc ing on Thanksgiving. I was having a hard time getting back on track, but I finally have this week.

Have a great day.

Cheryl

[cqueen]

Jennifer......Just wanting to know how you are doing?

[JenniferNe]

Nice to hear from you! Sorry to say but you caught me on a real bad day. It's been 26 days since I quit smoking and 2 weeks watching what I eat and exercising every day. I can't explain it but my jeans just keep getting tighter and tighter. I am also gaining weight. Jeans I wore last week are to tight. It is probably stupid of me but I went and bought some water pills. Everyone is telling me that I am retaining water. I don't plan on going back to smoking but I can see why some people would due to the excess weight. I am having some dental work done next week. Next Tuesday I will have 4 teeth pulled and then on Jan 7, I will get braces. I'm alittle old to have this done but I am finally in a situation where I can afford this and it is something I have wanted all my life. I figure I will not be eatting a whole lot for awhile starting next week. I'm just feeling sorry for myself. I get rid of one bad habit just to pack on the pounds and I really don't know where they are coming from. Get this I felt so bad today I ate a bowl of icecream. Tomorrow is a new day so I will just dust myself off and get right back into it. Thanks for listening. Hope I didn't depress you. JenniferNe

[cqueen]

I know completely how you feel. I wanted to start smoking a million times, but talked myself out of it. It really is for the better.......Look at it this way, just think of all the money you are saving and all the new clothes you can buy.....

I feel bloated once a month and it seemed especially bloated once I starte this woe.

Good luck on all the tooth work. You probably will be tender and unable to eat for a while.

Also, don't feel bad about the icecream. Just keep trying.

Cheryl