Sugar vs. Cigarettes - Trying To Figure It Out

[Christine616]

Hello my fellow exer's. 

After being quit for over 6 years now, the 'cravings' have come back. Not sure if I want to say cravings, but more like conscious thoughts. I've been very slowly gaining weight and have become not so happy about it now.

When I quit cigarettes, I began eating popcorn regularly. That itself doesn't seem bad, but the popcorn gained a sugary flavor. 😉  I've always loved sugar, and now feel like the sugar addiction is out of control. I want to figure out how to stop eating so much sugar. One scary thing is, that I've begun to think a cigarette would help. If I smoked a cigarette, I would not want to cram sugar into my mouth. I ask myself, "Do you think that cigarettes are more unhealthy than sugar?" I have a feeling that most of you would say, "yes". But I wonder if it depends on the particular person's body and how the different things affect them. ANYway, I'm trying to figure out what steps I need to take to get off sugar and stay off nicotine, too. Thoughts or opinions?

I've recently (for several weeks) found free time for myself and chose to waste time just chilling and relaxing. Well, I think some boredom has set in - Not knowing what to do with myself physically. I'm very physically capable of many activities, but instead, I sit at the PC much of the day/s.

One of the things that helped me when I quit cigarettes was the Allen Carr book, "The Easy Way to Stop Smoking". So, just recently I've begun to listen to his book, "Good Sugar Bad Sugar" which applies the same principles. 

I feel like I know the answer to my question, and that is, that I need to exercise more. Seems that is always the answer. The bigger thing is, changing daily habits. The brain needs to retrain itself with new habits. Yep.

And, N.O.P.E. 

Thanks for listening. 😃

[Barbara145]

So glad you are talking about what you desire to do to change your life.  That is the first step.  Sounds like a little depression.  Maybe the winter doldrums or perhaps more.  You have already done the really hard thing.  You quit smoking.  You got this.  Feel better.  Enjoy your precious day.

[YoungAtHeart]

Lots of things on which to comment here. Sugar is just as addictive as other drugs.  I found this on a search:

When an individual eats sugar, the brain produces huge surges of dopamine. This is similar to the way the brain reacts to the ingestion of substances like heroin and cocaine. Researchers think that this might be because our bodies have adapted over time to seek out foods that are high in calories.

It's the same brain response as nicotine! 

Exercise  gives you a hit of dopamine, also burns calories.  Win-win!  Start with increasing your intensity and amount of time spent.

Then, reduce the amount of sugary things you buy.  You can't snack on what you don't have.  

I don't advise going whole hog.  Start by limiting what you eat between meals and in the evening. Frozen grapes are a great substitute, as is a smidge of peanut butter on apple slices, or a few almonds and pear slices.  Maybe limit yourself to a dessert treat after two meals, then one.

I find I simply cannot have just one Hershey Kiss.  There is a saying, "if you can't have one, have none."  Easier said than done, I agree. but I have vowed and declared I will not buy them anymore.

Spend some time here reading blogs of people who just quit, and remember how awful those first weeks were.  You REALLY don't want to put yourself through that again, do you?  Not even mentioning the health consequences and how difficult it is to make the decision to quit again.

Smoking is NOT the answer!  

Nancy

[AnnetteMM]

Of COURSE smoking is worse. And the thoughts about smoking might just be a little bit of denial about some other things...like getting older for instance. Our bodies change a LOT as we age, including getting tougher to lose weight.

For me, another factor is the increase of smoking in movies and some TV, even. Monkey see...

[Barbscloud]

@Christine616 I'm a little confused about the sugar and popcorn connect.  It's recommend as a low sugar snack for diabetics.  Have you thought maybe something else is going on?  Like you said, I think you answered your own question - you need to get moving more.   

That can be exercise or just doing more on daily basis.  Try to to set some mini goals for the day.  I do exercise everyday, but I also write down tasks I need to complete.   Crossing things off the list can motivate you to do more and feel  sense of accomplishment. 

But finding time for yourself is not bad thing.  Too often, we neglect ourselves. 

I get the connection about smoking and not eating.  Something I have delt with since I quit 5 years ago.  But, I don't thinks smoking is going to solve the problem.

Glad you reached out.  Being vigilant about our quits is a journey.

Super congrats on you on you 6+ year of success.  

Barb

[biscuit9]

You do not want or need nicotine in your life.  Quit day 130 for me.  Nicotine is the devil, still speaking to you and luring you after all this time.  I've done hell week more recently than you, and you don't want to go down THAT road again, you have simply forgotten how nicotine wrecked your life.  I like sugar too and my labs tell me I have to cut back on sugar.  I quit smoking last year, this year I'm getting physical, and that's the part of your letter I'd like to address.  Getting UP out of that chair and MOVING.  I tore my achilles heel about 1.5 ago and it kept me immobile for  months.....very painful.  I know what it's like to not be active and I think it works on your psyche, and that it gets you down.  I'm not going to tackle everything at once, but I am committing to a plan this year of movement.  I would encourage you to get a record book of your activity, to make it real.  Walk in a park, walk in your neighborhood, WALK.  You tube has so many videos of stretching, exercise, there is no limit, so find someone you like to follow becaue inactivity breeds inactivity.  Your mood will improve when you can get out and go for a walk.  I make it a point now.  Pouring rain yesterday and I put on a workout tape right here in my home.  Make yourself move, even if it is just 5 mins at a time.  Get active and get off that screen, I had to do it too.  Fitness will improve your mood and you will start to feel better.  Weigh yourself and then get to moving.  You can't live life in front of that screen.  I challenged myself to an hour a day, and if not, I have to write down why I didn't workout that day.  Best of wishes and I hope you get motivated to move.

[Christine616]

You guys are awesome. Thanks so much for all the positive replies! I don't feel so alone anymore. 😁😘🤗

@Barbara145 I love your final words of " Enjoy your precious day". I may steal that from you. 😉

@YoungAtHeart That's a great saying! ("if you can't have one, have none."). I need to remember that one. That works for cigarettes, too! 🚫

@Barbscloud I didn't explain well about the popcorn sugar connect. Allow me. At first, it seemed the only replacement I had for cigarettes was popcorn. First, it was microwave popcorn, then I graduated to already popped corn in the bag, then I tried different brands and types only to lead me to the sugary kind becoming my favorite. As a matter of fact, I think this is a good place for me to begin cutting back on sugar. Go back to popcorn without any sugar. 🍿

[Barbscloud]

@Christine616 That sounds like a plan and I like it better!

Barb

[Maki]

There is a get moving group here if that might help . It is not structured, just doing what we can by moving in some way as best we can . Feel free to join in . 

[Maki]

https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/groups/exercising-and-health/blog/2017/06/08/lets-get-moving-chal...

that link didn’t lead you there maybe someone can post it .. it’s called let’s get moving 3 if you are browsing . 

[Snowdoggie]

@Christine616 I got off of suger 2 weeks ago. I am substituting "Stevia" it is from a plant and you measure it the same way you measure suger. You can also bake with it. It is zero calories. I get the bag for pictures of iced tea and the packets for when I go out. Walmart sells it. I have lost 5 pounds in the last 2 weeks. I was a sugar fiend.

I have a mental block about "exercise" but if I call it get "moving" it is a lot easier for me to do. Glad you found us. Please don't smoke.🚭

[sweetplt]

Cigarettes aren’t the answer…Don’t give up a 6 year quit @Christine616 over gaining weight…find a plan for healthy eating and exercise that will work for you.  Months ago I gave up sugar (other than a few grams a day)…and I lost 10 pounds…honestly, I don’t miss it anymore…You can do this…keep close and try to read what newbies are going through and you will not want to start Day 1 again…Wishing you the best ~ Colleen 1514 DOF 

[Kimshine]

Smoking never solves anything. I believe that it sounds like you've got a plan by eating the less sugary popcorn. The formula to losing weight although difficult is to consume less and move more. 

You've got this. No smoking needed!

[green1611]

It is sugarcoated (poison inside) answer to start smoking to quit sugar. I feel.

There are some good articles on sugar = cigarette related questions, addictions and suggestion on this site.  You may go through. Those are helpful. 

[Christine616]

The weight gain has gotten worse. I'm 'outgrowing' my clothes now. Had to go up a size. I've been wanting to smoke instead of eat, but I've chosen not to. There must be a better way without having been born with ADHD.

I have not been moving enough on a regular basis. I need a plan for regular movement. I'm a practical gal, and want to be accomplishing something else while I'm moving (not just benefiting my health).

Thinking... 

Thank you, everyone, for your input and support! 

N.O.P.E.

@Kimshine @sweetplt @Snowdoggie 

[Barbscloud]

@Christine616 The only other thing I can think of, have you had your thyroid checked?  I developed hypothyroidism from quitting smoking (it can be a side effect of quitting) . I kept gaining weight the first year of my quit no matter what I did and felt down emotionally.  At the end of my first year I decided to check with my doctor and received my diagnosis.  It's much harder for me too lose weight now.  I suspect it from the thyroid and not smoking (smoking speeds up your metabolism).

I do exercise regualarly, but it's still a battle to lose anymore.  It used to be easy.

Barb

[Christine616]

💕Thank you @Barbscloud !! I had no idea hypothyroidism could happen after quitting. It was less than a year after I quit that I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism. I've been on medication for it since, but still slowly gaining weight. 

N.O.P.E.

[Barbscloud]

@Christine616 I used to be able to loss weight (lost 100 lbs. once), but it's become extremely hard since I quit smoking.  I think it's a combination of the thyroid, smoking increases your metabolism and reduces your appetite.   

There are a few of us that get what you're saying and experiencing.  Loosing weight can be more complicated than eating carrots and exercising.  In fact, new research shows exercise plays a small role in weight loss.  Certainly age can play a role, but I lost weight at 68 prior to quitting smoking for this very reason.  A year later I can't lose weight?

I never found it helpful being told not to worry about a few pounds, you can lose it later.  But, some of us are not talking about a few pounds that doesn't come off.  

You might find this recent thread interesting from a fellow  exer frustrated with the whole weight issue and quitting smoking. 

Rage typing - not for newbies - EX Community

Hang in there.

Barb