How to Get the Weight Off for those 55 and over when quitting - live in upstate SC

[aries2]

Although I have put my quit date as 6/24/2013, I have quit before and have been tapering off from cigarettes, now on Welbutrin and Chantix and Nicrorette gum. I officially had my last cigarette or 1/2 of a cigarette on 6/20/2013. I find drinking alot of water and drinking tea instead of coffee (which is one of my triggers) helps alot. Unfortunately, I am overweight and have now gained 5 lbs that does not help my lumbar (lower back) areas. I do not live in a safe neighborhood to walk, but my kitties have started me doing isometric exercises, hand weights for upper strength, and yoga for my breathing and stress reduction. Any ideas how to lose the weight in general? Been to a bariatric clinic -- they said I wasn't fat enough -- been to an endocrinoloist who said I'm doing everything right - eating alot of protein, green veggies, and apples in the morning - pineapple chunks at night. I have medical issues that have forced me to quit smoking, but where I live, the heat here, and the allergies, I don't miss the smoke --- or shall I say -- yet?

[joyeuxencore]

Welcome to EX and the best decision you will ever make...congrats on 3 days free! The most important thing you can do is educate yourself about the addiction! In regard to your specific question...check this out...xo

http://whyquit.com/joel/Joel_Index_06_Weight_Gain.html

[joyeuxencore]

It takes the mindset that we aren't giving up anything...we are doing it because we want to and not signing up for a lifetime of deprivation but a lifetime of freedom...that is the personal journey no one can take for us...We will be here for you every step of the way! xo

"YOU are worth SO MUCH MORE than a cigarette" xo

http://media.wix.com/ugd/74fa87_2010cc5496521431188f905b7234a829.pdf Allan Carr

http://quitsmokingonline.com/

http://whyquit.com/whyquit/LinksAAddiction.html          

http://whyquit.com/joel/Joel_03_21_blood_sugar.html

[AutumnWoman]

It's great that you have been able to put down the cigarettes -- and early at that!  Whatever you do, now that they're down, don't pick them up again.  Please don't be like a lot of people (myself included before I came here) and allow the weight gain to put you off quitting.  Smoking is a true killer, and if you get your quit down, you'll be able to take off any extra pounds.  I lost the weight I gained during my quit and more besides and I'm not the only one here who has done so.  Here is the link to a blog about weight control while quitting that may be helpful.  And there are groups here for fitness and weight loss which may still be active -- check them out.

https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/blogs/AutumnWoman-blog/2010/12/20/you-can-control-your-weight-as-...

[YoungAtHeart]

DEFINITELY start reading Allen Carr's book.  And don't worry that he cautions not to quit until after you have finished reading....lots of folks here have successfully quit after not finding this site (or the reading) until after our quit dates.

As far as the weight is concerned, you should eat smaller but more often meals all day long to keep your blood sugar levels equal in the early days of your quit.  Each should contain a bit of protein and a fruit/veggie.  Other than that, it is not a good idea to diet during the early days of your quit.  Quitting smoking needs to be your #1 priority - and you will be able to exercise so much better with your cleaner lungs;  Perhaps you could use the money you save by not buying cigarettes to join a gym after you have completed the quit journey?  I have been told it is easier to lose the weight after a year of being quit.  I am almost there - so I can let you know!  

Congratulations on making it through the first couple of days.  That is a HUGE achievement and you should be very proud!

Nancy

Quit 7/4/12

[aries2]

Thank you all. Unfortunately I have vision issues and can't read books anymore- except watch You tubes or change the size of the fonts on my computer screen. Would you believe I can't eat much because of stomach ulcers and IBS  (900-1200 calories/day of protein, green leafy veggies, apple in the morning, pineapple at night).  See what cigarettes do to you? It's not just the lungs - it hits the bladder, the pancreas, the brain, the liver -- everything.

I can't stand the smoke anymore. That is my motivational too plus having your "first aid" kit available of water or sugar-free  tea (no coffee) for the hand to mouth habit, and my Nicorette gum when needed.

Does anyone know how to download pictures from the computer?

Thanks all for your encouragement. I'm gonna add you guys as friends! 🙂

[Crunkgrinder]

Allen Carr's book can be read online in PDF format.

http://media.wix.com/ugd/74fa87_2010cc5496521431188f905b7234a829.pdf

I highly recommend it, above anything else. What I have gotten from this book is unlike anything I've gotten from reading anything else or trying anything else to help me quit smoking. It's amazing. A lot of it is common sense and you will laugh at yourself for how blatantly stupid smoking is, although we all know it already. This book takes a totally different approach.

[YoungAtHeart]

When I opened the Allen Carr PDF, I coud enlarge the font.  Try it - I think you will find you can do it, too.  It is an important read and well worth saving to your desktop!

Nancy

Quit 7/4/12

[aries2]

I LOVE Allen Carr's PDF form! That's all for that, and I'm reading it enlarged. I recommend it before one's actual quit date. Speaking of that quit date, I need to change the date back insead of what it is. I've followed the instructions; however, no luck. Should I click "Did you relapse?" to change the date back. Now 20 dates smoke-free with no aids to assist me. Yay!

[aries2]

Now 35 days smoke-free with no aids, gum, patches, etc. Really getting into yoga that I usually do.Definitely quit coffee -- I drink water or green tea. I have a couple of questions for the group.

1. Have you gotten any headaches in the first month of quitting?

2. I still have urges but do my yoga breathig when they come.

3. Typically when do the urges and headaches subside?

Thanks!