So thought I'd start this thread for those who are currently in maintenance (or are trying to be ), there are not as many active maintenance-ers on here, but I'm hoping for the ones that are, they can chime in and impart their wisdom for those are trying to achieve that coveted balance of weight stability.

...or we can just chat about whatever. LOL.

19 hours ago, sillykitty said:

Do you think this is a transfer addiction, or a return of your past addiction? If you wouldn't have had WLS, do you think you would have taken the cigarette from that tall dark Italian gentleman? If you wouldn't have had WLS, if you did take that cigarette, wouldn't it have been easier for it to be one & done?

Doesn't really matter, you still have a battle to fight rather it's transfer addiction or regular old addiction. Just curious your thoughts ...

Either way, I wish you the best in overcoming it!

Now that I think of it, its probably not a transfer thing. I already had it, it was just laying dormant for a while.

I've been offered cigarettes a gazillion times in the past 9 years, and I have declined each and every single time. I didn't want it and was scared I would start again in earnest if I even just had one.

I think I was flying high on uber-confidence (which I guess is a result of having WLS?), and I believed that I could do ANYTHING and EVERYTHING...including having a cigarette and it being no big deal.

Lesson learned. Just because I feel like I can do anything, doesn't mean I actually can.

6 hours ago, ms.sss said:

I'm realizing this is not as uncommon as I thought...I'm surprised with the number of ex-smokers who know thier exact quit date!

I have no idea what date I had my last cigarette. I tried to quit so many times before, I wasn’t convinced I would actually do it. My husband can tell you the day, date, year and time he quit 40 years ago!

Are you sure it was really the lure of the cigarette that mad you go back--and not the tall, dark Italian fellow? ?

On 11/02/2019 at 11:45, ms.sss said:

Now that I think of it, its probably not a transfer thing. I already had it, it was just laying dormant for a while.

I've been offered cigarettes a gazillion times in the past 9 years, and I have declined each and every single time. I didn't want it and was scared I would start again in earnest if I even just had one.

I think I was flying high on uber-confidence (which I guess is a result of having WLS?), and I believed that I could do ANYTHING and EVERYTHING...including having a cigarette and it being no big deal.

Lesson learned. Just because I feel like I can do anything, doesn't mean I actually can.

This is a great lesson to keep in mind and thanks for sharing it.

I had a couple of less-than-stellar days this week due to life and work stresses (my shift on Thursday night made me want to shotgun an entire bottle of wine when I got home) and I strayed off path Tuesday.
Lol, 3 margaritas and a handful of tortilla chips and guacamole.
By the time my street taco arrived, I was into margarita #2 and couldn’t hold any food and drink at the same time so I —to my shame— chose drink and let hubs have my dinner.

My hangover on Wednesday was such that liquid protein was all I could handle til dinner. But hey! I actually did a Pilates class, so there’s that.
I think I had maybe 550 calories Wednesday so I felt completely unbalanced on the whole.

Got on the scale this morning for the first time in over a week and I was down 0.2 pounds from my last weight.

So today I finally allowed myself close to 900 calories as my paranoia from Tuesday’s margarita-fest is subsiding.

I still need to work on this whole maintenance thing, but I’ve got the next 2 days planned and I’m actually going to give myself two 12 -hour eating windows for tomorrow and Monday so I can mindfully add in more calories and some extra (healthy) carbs.

Are you sure it was really the lure of the cigarette that mad you go back--and not the tall, dark Italian fellow? [emoji846]

[emoji7]

Former smoker here as well. 19 years ago, September 19. LOL. Exact much?

I no longer crave cigs but it took years to get to that point. I do think it would be easy to pick them back up though. I really loved the ritual of the behavior and how calming it was because of sitting doing nothing and deep breathing.

Research four square breathing. Also look for a "finger pacifier" - something shaped about the size of cig that you can play with between your fingers while you get still and deep breathe 5-10 times. Very relaxing. I used cocktail stirrers or coffee stirrers/straws cut to length of cigs, pens, etc.

((hugs)) Glad you're seizing control of the palace again!

Interesting! Best of luck quitting again!

Question: Was everyone a prior smoker? I couldn't tell if there was anyone who was not?

1 minute ago, GreenTealael said:

Interesting! Best of luck quitting again!

Question: Was everyone a prior smoker? I couldn't tell if there was anyone who was not?

I was - I quit in 1994.

I never smoked. (Well, ok, a couple of times when I was about 7 . . .)

Interesting! Best of luck quitting again!

Question: Was everyone a prior smoker? I couldn't tell if there was anyone who was not?

I've never smoked. Knowing my addictive tendencies, I have made a conscious effort to never start.

5 hours ago, FluffyChix said:

Also look for a "finger pacifier" - something shaped about the size of cig that you can play with between your fingers while you get still and deep breathe 5-10 times. Very relaxing. I used cocktail stirrers or coffee stirrers/straws cut to length of cigs, pens, etc.

((hugs)) Glad you're seizing control of the palace again!

The most brilliant strategy I have every heard was from an old cowboy who quit cold turkey. He always carried his cigarettes in his front left shirt pocket. He dumped the cigs and filled the box with cinnamon sticks that he could finger and suck on. Three in one! He had the security of the box in his pocket, he could hold something shaped like a cigarette, and he had the oral stimulation. PLUS his breath smelled a lot better! He said he did this for a year.

6 minutes ago, AZhiker said:

The most brilliant strategy I have every heard was from an old cowboy who quit cold turkey. He always carried his cigarettes in his front left shirt pocket. He dumped the cigs and filled the box with cinnamon sticks that he could finger and suck on. Three in one! He had the security of the box in his pocket, he could hold something shaped like a cigarette, and he had the oral stimulation. PLUS his breath smelled a lot better! He said he did this for a year.

Oh cinnamon sticks!!!! Yes, fabulous!!! I'd forgotten about those!!!! I loved them! It was awesome to inhale down the hole they made. Probably wasn't the best thing for your lungs, but still. What a great idea!!! You should totes do that @ms.sss!!

3 hours ago, Orchids&Dragons said:

I never smoked. (Well, ok, a couple of times when I was about 7 . . .)

Johnson grass? We would smoke (or try to) smoke Johnson grass behind the garage. LOL.

never smoked, and gave up alcohol prior to surgery.

I keep losing weight, even with a much higher carb intake, using the Whole Food Plant Based approach. I cannot eat any more calories. I don't even count anymore - just eat as much food as I can, making sure it is all healthy and nutritionally dense. Each day I eat at least 2 pounds of veggies/fruit (mostly veggies), whole cooked grains, legumes, nuts & seeds. I look so boney, although my BMI is still good. I cannot get smaller than a size 10 pants or else I will have to completely change the clothes - again. I have never been a size 10 in my life and it is a good size for me. I'm just not sure about what to do at this point to keep from losing. 5 more pounds OK, but absolutely not more than that. Ideas?