sugar substitute??

[mitchws1725]

Good Morning!!

Great way to start the day - not smoking!!  I am on day 26 of my quit and I still feel like I want to smoke.

I sorta feel if someone came up to me and offered me a smoke I would take it.  Especially if I was in a

bar (which I have not been to).

I have gained almost 9 lbs. in 25 days which is a lot.  I feel like I might have substituted a sugar fix instead

of a cigarette fix.  I am eating candy and sweets like crazy.  Is this normal?  Has anyone else have this

happen?  Now I need to figure out how to get off sugar too.

Thanks all for listening to me.  Just to write this down has helped me realize this is a new issue I really

need to deal with.

Wendy

[Roj]

Please please don’t give into the devil sticks mind tricks...you have come so far you’re a non smoker period...give yourself affirmations in the mirror...”I don’t smoke, I smell better, I feel better, and I am saving MY life, this was the best decision I have ever made, I am strong and I am over it” repeat NOPE as many times as need be...try and find sugar free candy...I think it’s normal because EVERYTHING tastes better...worry about losing weight later, too much pressure on yourself all at once...better to be fluffy and living than smoking and dying...you got this!!!

[JonesCarpeDiem]

I cannot stand artificial sweeteners. I taste them for hours if I accidentally eat them.

How about if you are more selective with the sweets?

The idea is to find satisfying snacks that satisfy more than the need for sugar but deliver less calories..

Frozen grapes are a great snack that provide tactile sensations.

Those individual jello's only have 25 calories but you feel like you're getting more than that.

.

[PastTense]

Good morning, Wendy!!

I'm with you on the sugar thing.  I could eat sweets non-stop.  I have read several articles that linked quitting smoking with a drop in blood sugar which triggers a sweet tooth.

It makes sense - nicotine affects literally every single cell in your body.  How this stuff is still legal is beyond comprehension.

So, yeah, suger is definately a thing, and you will get over it. 

26 days quit looks so good on you.  Don't worry about a few pounds.

PT

[GyorgyiM]

Wendy,

I understand it's uncomfortable and that  we all do share a certain amount of healthy ego, but a few pounds wont kill you, cigarettes will. 

As stated above all good advice....Focus on the most important issue right now...Once you have some solid time under your belt (no pun intended) and you start to feel more healthy you'll  have lots more energy you will be doing activates that will wither away those pounds, so don't you worry. 

The ONLY thing you  have to concern yourself with today is to stay in the moment and NOT smoke. Soon all this will be behind you (there I go again,no pun intended, LoL).

P/S Try frozen Blueberries or Raspberries.....yummy!!

YOU'VE GOT THIS...

Smiles,

Gyorgyi

[YoungAtHeart]

It's normal to still have smoking cravings at 26 days.  This quit thing is a journey - not an event.  You should begin to notice the time in between them getting a bit longer and the cravings becoming less intense - if not yet - then soon. 

And NO, you will not take a cigarette if one is offered to you!!!  Do you REALLY want to start this over at Day One again? Make a plan now what you can do instead of accept that cigarette.  Are you keeping a cold bottle of water with you at all times from which to sip?  If not, good idea to start.  You could take a sip at that circumstance, or take some slow/deep breath, going slower and deeper with each - while puffing out your chest and PROUDLY announcing that, "No, I don't want a cigarette.  I have quit!"  Most people today want to quit - so you can take a well deserved bow at that point, too!

You might increase your exercise to burn off some of those extra sweet calories - and it has the added bonus of giving you a hit of dopamine you are missing  Even marching in place, doing a few sets of stairs or a few jumping jacks works.   You might also try eating 6 smaller meals during the day to keep your blood sugar level.  You can eat a bit of protein and a fruit or vegetable at each - like maybe a handful of nuts and an apple, or 1/2 a peanut butter sandwich and a pear, or a piece of chicken and carrot/celery sticks.

This quit thing does take some effort in the early days, but you will agree when you are free that it is worth it ALL - I promise!

Congrats on 26!!!

Nancy

[JACKIE1-25-15]

Congrats on 26 days.  You are doing great. Quick tips.  Substitute Sugar with fruits and vegetable snacks.  Get an EXercise routine going you even if it is just walking. You will feel better.  Never give up.. 

[elvan]

You've gotten great advice, when I first came to EX and I was worried about gaining weight, someone told me that I could always lose the weight, however, if you are put on oxygen 24/7, that's weight you HAVE to keep with you.  That terrified me and brought me back to reality.  I ate frozen cherries and blueberries as well as Sour Patch Kids...they were so sour that they shocked me and I couldn't eat very many.

You are doing great, keep taking one step FORWARD at a time.

Ellen

[indingrl]

CONGRATS 26 DAYS Wendy - good job - YAHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO - WAY TO GO!

[sweetplt]

Hi and Welcome Wendy mitchws1725 to Ex’s

Congratulations on 26 Days of Freedom...that is super, however you are still early in the journey and still need to work hard through a crave...if you haven’t already, I suggest you read at My EX Plan | BecomeAnEX ... it helps a bit to figure out your craves/triggers/urges and what healthy things you will do in place of smoking.  Here is a list to get you started 

/blogs/Maggie_quit_8-1-2010-blog/2012/03/19/100-things-to-do-instead-of-smoking?sr=search&searchId=1... Hang in there...it takes time...to feel comfortable in you new quit skin...keep us posted on how you are doing hon...~ Happy Thursday ~ Colleen 311 DOF