I was out of control with binge eating the junk food that goes down (this is unlike me!!!) yesterday, and I think it has to do with my stopping smoking. I felt like I had to be eating every waking minute. I don't normally feel this way!!

For those of you who quit, what do you do to keep from gaining weight during this period? Yeah, if I stop binge eating junk it'll help, but I don't have the will power, I gotta replace it with something.. I feel like I'm starving 24/7.

sugar free gum and low sodium pretzel sticks. I quit smoking before i was banded and managed with out gaining at all. I just kept telling myself that what was the point in the torcher (sp) if i just went and picked up the bad habit again. Thats what i told myself everytime i reached for a smoke. I tried and tried to quit before this last time and failed but i have been smoke free for almost 8 months now. and finally the cravings have gone away and i never thaught it would but it finally has. good luck on the journey if i can help at all let me know.

Addiction transfer.... was discussed yesterday on Oprah.

Dear, you have an addiction....so fix that. You may not even have needed the surgery...just your addictive behavior under control.

Knowing first hand about addiction, I've stopped eating and the other habits and sleep now. Yeah, sleep. Weird, huh? But I just don't know what to do....either about my addictive behavior.

Stopping smoking was the hardest thing I've ever done in my life! I was an emotional and physical wreck at first!

YOu get past it, but it doesn't seem like it will happen while youa r ein the middle of it.

I kept straws everywhere and I sucked on them like a cigarette. Sometimes I even inhales and then blew out like I had actual smoke. I also chewed on straws.

Just know that even if you gain some weight, you'll get back under control later and the band will help you.

Carrot sticks....celery.....bags of lettuce to eat mindlessly. Every time you want a cigarette, get up and jump around or dance or exercise until the yearning settles down. Nicorettes. Stretch alot. Get a massage...anything to think healthy and think detox. Scrub your skin in the shower and think about releasing more toxins and getting healthier. Yoga breathing every time you want a cigarette. LOTS of yoga breathing.

You'll get there.

When I quit I was hungry all the time. I quit 1 1/2 months after my surgery. I had basically no restriction. I ate. Eventually that "hunger" feeling went away. I haven't had a cigarette in almost 3 months now, and I've lost about 30 pounds since I quit smoking.

Good luck. It's hard but you'll get through it.

I guess I'm afraid cause I saw a co-worker balloon up from stoppin... and my mom gained 25lb when she quit, and has never lost that weight. She's been 'dieting' for years to lose it. So I'm afraid I'm going to not only stop my steady decline with the band, but GAIN, and then some reason never lose again

Going into this, I said I'd be strong and I wouldn't eat to make up for smoking. But damn if I can help it.

Honestly, I wouldn't worry about it if you didn't lose anything or even gained a few pounds while you are quitting smoking. The weight will come off and you will be healthier because you quit.

When I quit, I lost one pound that month. I was upset, but my doctor pointed out, I QUIT SMOKING! She told me most people gain at least 10 pounds from quitting. And I lost a pound!! That made me feel better and I moved on.

I quit 4 years ago. I definitely put on some weight from that. However, I didn't even try to stop my eating all the time. Another reason for the weight gain is that the nicotine increases your metabolism - that's the reason I started smoking so many years ago (stupid, huh?).

It's addiction transfer - find a healthy alternative that you can do every time you have that craving. I know exercise if probably the best distraction and it is soooo good for you. Also, the endorphins it releases will become your new "bliss".

It IS hard {{hugs}} and I applaud you for quitting!!!

wombat

I have to stop smoking 90 days before my doc. will start testing for the process. It has been the hardest thing I've had to do in my life. Still trying to win the battle.:thumbup:

Edited November 21, 200916 yr by abby44319
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