Okay.... choices?

[qwertyui]

So yesterday was the day I finally quit smoking. I Had my last cigarette Tuesday night before bed, and I hope to never smoke again. My DH and I are ready to get on with things and not smoke. However, I am making terrible food choices. No eating tons, but having wicked cravings. When I smoke, I eat on plan no problem. I think I'll give myself a week to entertain cravings (within reason and with portion control) and then that is that.

What do you think?

[treebunny]

I found roast almonds to be very satisfying.
Also smoked cheese.

Try your best to only eat on-plan things.

A glass of water will chase a craving, also.

[jem51]

SF gum...as much as you need.

[rose1]

I think it's a slippery slope.

[Remykins]

SF gum, that what i used when i quit. And yes i gained 2 lbs (which was alot for my 118 body). I also started the gross habit of chewing on my fast food cup straws, yuck!

I picked up picking at my nails, and ate quite a bit more... but candy did help.

[Leadsinger777]

You're substituting one craving for another. I think if you recognize it you'll be able to manage it better.
Make sure you have foods around you that are allowed and that will help you with too. That way you don't have to choose...

Congratulations on quitting smoking! That's one of the best things you can do for yourself.
Good luck.

Rick

[Leo41]

Congratulations on stopping smoking! You've done a great thing for yourself.


Tolerating cravings by indulging will only keep them happy, and they'll never leave you. Imagine having a cigarette once or twice a day? Would you ever be able to stop?

Indulge as much as you want in on plan foods, especially foods you love. Treat yourself to sumptuous, low carb meals and snacks, and within 2 weeks, the cravings should subside. Even if you eat too much and don't lose, at least you'll conquer the cravings and can then begin to limit your intake.

Remember, NO deprivation--all the good meat, fish, veggies, salads, etc. that you like. Forget induction--just low carb.

[qwertyui]

Thanks everyone! You are right! I'll keep it to legal indulgences, and really enjoy myself. I'll bake a cheesecake, to help with the sweet cravings. I really appreciate your responses. It makes me really happy to get this positive support.

[maryvit]

You quit a horrible habit. (been there, done that ...17 or so years ago)

at the time i was also on a 'low fat diet' (live and learn) but I did chew toothpicks ...may seem gross but I kept them in my purse, my pockets, my car, my desk ... because it's the habit of hand to mouth - and i didn't care what it looked like to any one else - my friends/family knew I wouldn't eat them forever (3 weeks and i was pretty much ok w/o them )

but except for being on a silly low fat plan so only eating boca burgers (with bun!) and salads ... i didn't gain any weight from the ordeal.

but no matter what - don't give in to tobacco .... your lungs are worth wayyyy more than a pound or two on the scale till you get over the pangs of addiction.

focus on health - grab a toothpick ... and best of luck to you!

[Ilpirata]

i smoke. and i'm not going to even consider quitting until i'm done losing weight.

[LustfortheMoment]

CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR EFFORTS!!!!!!!!!!!

[Sharis]

I say do whatever you have to do to protect the quit. THAT is more important than anything. If you have to eat off plan to keep you from smoking then do that. Do whatever you have to do at least for the next month or so. Then you can find your way back.

Oh, and congratulations on your new life as a non-smoker.

[hotmama_007]

I quit smoking using the patch. Cravings for me (for cigs) were awful. I would definitely not indulge for a week if you've already lost some weight doing LC. It's HARD to quit smoking and if you allow yourself to indulge too much it will be hard to stop once you see you've put on a couple pounds, then a couple more etc.... It great that you're on a journey to health. I'm pretty sure when you say "indugle", you don't mean indulge on a ton of healthy snacks, right? :-) Continue striving toward improving your health and it will make not smoking easier too! Best of luck to you!

[ProteinMonger]

Originally Posted by Ilpirata

i smoke. and i'm not going to even consider quitting until i'm done losing weight.

Why not? I quit at the same time I started my lc diet. I had used some sort of tobacco product habitually for the past 5 years (either a pack of cigarettes or a can+ of dip a day). It wasn't easy, but I was able to break through both my food and nicotine addiction at the same time. The sooner you quit the better.

I have been smoke free for 4.5 months and in that same span I dropped 50+ lbs. It can be done.

[qwertyui]

Originally Posted by hotmama_007

I quit smoking using the patch. Cravings for me (for cigs) were awful. I would definitely not indulge for a week if you've already lost some weight doing LC. It's HARD to quit smoking and if you allow yourself to indulge too much it will be hard to stop once you see you've put on a couple pounds, then a couple more etc.... It great that you're on a journey to health. I'm pretty sure when you say "indugle", you don't mean indulge on a ton of healthy snacks, right? :-) Continue striving toward improving your health and it will make not smoking easier too! Best of luck to you!

I mean I'll try to stick to "on plan" snacks. You know - a slice of cheesecake, some low carb chocolate mousse, perhaps some veggies and dip, etc. I need to stay away from booze, and as they say around here: "Jen - get out of the chips!". I think I have the right head space for this right now. I don't want to mess up too bad.

[fawn]

I say congratulations on your quit! It was the best thing I have ever done. I hate the smell of them now. And I was addicted!!! It was the only thing i had left after beginning low carb!

I say go back to induction level. It makes it easier. Cleansing your liver is a good idea too. 1/2 lemon in a glass of water and some milk thistle capsules in the form of sylmarin will help with the cravings too. the liver has a powerful memory storage mechanism.

[Remykins]

Last thing, do what works for YOU, whatever you try, give it at least 5 days... then you can switch it up. Everyone is SO different...
I know that the second time i quit i just said '2 cigs a day' and then i would skip a day, then there was none...
But the first time i was all over the gum and soda... i started smoking again like an idiot because they guy i was with did, and i figured if he did, i can... right

[BigGreen]

Congratulations on quitting smoking! (As the joke goes---"It's easy to quit. I've done it hundreds of times .)" Seriously though, my Mother smoked for over 20 years, and now, at 76, she has COPD and continually hacks and spits up her own mucous. Sorry for the visual, but it's not pretty.

I know some people have had success with Zyban, an antidepressant also known as Wellbutrin, and also with the nicotine gum.

Good luck,
BigGreen

[zizi]

Congrats on your decision to quit smoking!!!!!!!!!

[Sharon]

Congratulations on your decision to stop smoking from a wife whose husband HAD stage 2 cancer - he's OK now and doesn't smoke.

[mamabear6]

Good for you. I'm about there. Kind of! I'm finding it hard to ever say "today's the day".

I agree with the SF gum. Try vigorous exercise. or SF jell-o with homemade sweetened whipped cream as a treat. But mostly I recommend the exercise and gum.

[wannabethin55]

Congratulations on quitting smoking!

I quit 12 yrs. ago, after many attempts. Just take your journey to be smoke free one day at a time! It's hard, but you can do it!

[qwertyui]

Thank you everyone! I so appreciate the kind words and sentiments behind them.

I'm going to Fawn's approach and start induction today. At this point I have had no cigarettes, 2 fried eggs, 2 pcs bacon, 2 cups of decaf, and I am just tucking into a can of Tuna with mayo, red onion, celery and dill! It's yummy! And of course, another glass of water.

If I can remain diligent I can do this!

[Remykins]

Originally Posted by qwertyui

If I can remain diligent I can do this!

You will remain diligent and you can do this! dont doubt yourself for one minute... i always tell myself 'hey, this will be a walk in the park, no prob'.... the anxiety for me can slow me.... stress free is the way to be!

I know you can do, moreso i know you WILL do it!
happy trails!

[Nikouli]

I quit the same day you did! I have been letting myself be a little more lenient on the food situation. I'd rather gain one pound than start smoking again, ya know? Do what you think feels right, don't torture yourself. If ur doing a week, then back on plan by next! WTG on quitting btw!

[Nikouli]

Also some motivation to KTQ (Keep The Quit)....

On my third day being smoke-free (yesterday) I found out someone very dear to me passed away. I wanted to smoke more than you know! But guess what? I didn't, not ONE puff. If I can do it, so can any of you!

[qwertyui]

Originally Posted by Nikouli

Also some motivation to KTQ (Keep The Quit)....

On my third day being smoke-free (yesterday) I found out someone very dear to me passed away. I wanted to smoke more than you know! But guess what? I didn't, not ONE puff. If I can do it, so can any of you!

I'm sorry for your loss. However, good for you! That's awesome!

My DH is supposed to be quitting too, but he just went outside to smoke. He is being such a suck about the whole thing. I'm supposed to be all supportive and subservient to him, because he is quitting, but he is a total jacka** to me at the same time. Well, I guess another night of "ignore each other" is about to begin.

Why does he think he should have special treatment? I'm quitting too!

[shapeup1]

Originally Posted by qwertyui

So yesterday was the day I finally quit smoking. I Had my last cigarette Tuesday night before bed, and I hope to never smoke again. My DH and I are ready to get on with things and not smoke. However, I am making terrible food choices. No eating tons, but having wicked cravings. When I smoke, I eat on plan no problem. I think I'll give myself a week to entertain cravings (within reason and with portion control) and then that is that.

What do you think?

You just quit, you may go thru a period of withdrawl, that is both mental and physical. Not easy at all but you can do it.
I think the week is not a great idea as we know it could go out of control.
Fill yourself with good meat, ribs, ribeye whatever it takes.
Your doing a great thing by stopping , not easy, I know I went thru it , and now I can't even stand the smell...

[Fizgig]

My last cigarette was three weeks ago.

I ate like a fiend for the first three days, and off plan but reasonable amounts for the next two weeks. For the last week I've been back on a modified LC diet. Personally, I think that giving up the cigarettes is ten times more important sticking to a diet. If munching on Fruit Loops is what will get you through, so be it.

I went up ten pounds right away, but am down to 141 now. I've read that there's a diuretic effect with cigarettes and quitting tends to make people gain 3-5 lbs of water weight. I don't know if that's true but it makes me feel better.

You might be able to do both. It's certainly worth a shot. I agree with other folks here that it would be ideal to not smoke AND keep to a diet, but that is probably not realistic for 90% of people. If you have to choose, I think you should focus on quitting.

[Bluqq]

I started LC and quit smoking cold turkey about 3 months into atkins
Read Alan Carr's book "the easy way to quit smoking"
You'll understand the feelings more that you will go thru
I continued to lose weight and never did gain when I quit ...albeit at a slower pace


Its difficult but not impossible
The book really helped me understand what I was feeling and that helped me deal