hate it when you think you're hungry but you are NOT hungry but your mouth THINKS that it needs something and no matter what you give it it isn't right.......?? arghhh. I hate this part of the quit...
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hate it when you think you're hungry but you are NOT hungry but your mouth THINKS that it needs something and no matter what you give it it isn't right.......?? arghhh. I hate this part of the quit...
I just chewed on a plastic straw til I didn't do it anymore.
these replacement suggestions don't have to become permanent. Like I said, when you realize you were chewing on a straw to do something with your mouth you can let that go too.
I crunched on a lot of carrots and celery sticks.
Or how about an Atomic Fireball????
Nancy
I know the feeling although I tried not to get into any food habits ( or addictions ! ) I still seem to have a snacking habit especially in the evening, not so much in the daytime hours even after 972 DOF !!!
At least I have managed to lose the 10 pounds I gained initially and 5 more so I am not overweight but only because I have chosen a much healthier diet since I quit smoking. I gave up Meat and Dairy lost weight and stabilized m BP and chloresterol without having to take meds ! Also really cut down on my sugar intake and I have found the less sugar you eat the less you crave sweets !
In the beginning when that crave was very strong I used straws like Dale jonescarp.aka.dale.Jan_2007 had suggested to me and it was a great idea !
All great ideas, and that might work for someone who did not have a food addiction before quitting.
I did, and if you add the hypothyroidism on top of that, I totally understand you ahkhippiechic!
And if I had a solution at this time, I would gladly share it with you. I gave up refined sugar (almost 100%), but I still have white bread from time to time; I watch closely what I eat during the day, but I give in to late night eating (and sometimes that is a full meal, more than what I might have had for lunch).
The only consistent habit has been the 30min walk/exercise, for 5-6 days/week.
You are not alone, and I promise you, as I discover things which are helping me with the struggle, I'll share them with you! If you can, please, by all means, use any of the suggestions presented to you above.
Daniela
I know exactly how you feel. Sometimes I wonder if my mind is sending false hunger pangs. I will eat a sandwich or something and 15 minutes later my stomach feels like I haven't eaten all day! I use the delay and distract tactics that I use for cigarette cravings, which helps sometimes. I have become addicted to the old fashion peppermint candy, but I figure that is better than other snacks I could have. I've tried veggies, but they just don't do it for me, even with ranch dressing.
Hang in there. I know it's hard to do, but you have to concentrate on NOPE and be secure in that before tackling the food.
You are doing awesome!
WOW! thank you EVERYONE. I am amazed at how you elders are just THERE for everyone. Thank you thank you!
gonna try the cloves, definitely the plastic straw. Been trying all kinds of vege, etc. I already am a vegan, but I am a good vegan cook and so being chubby has always been a thing for me I am no longer on the VAIN train so its really just about not being MORE than 20-30 lbs overweight. I think Daniela is right, I have a bit of a food addiction (can you have a "little" addiction? ha ha ha...doubt it!) and so trying to fix what is going on IN MY MOUTH with food is not working for me. It is the weirdest thing and I remember it from all my quits. I googled up oral fixation to see what I could learn... DON"T DO IT...I thought I was open minded but...GEEZ.
I am also struggling with blood sugar crap. I never ate breakfast (american spirits and organic coffee with almond milk...seriously like I thought that was healthy???) kept me going until noon or so. Now I have to figure out what is withdrawal and what is low blood sugar because I didn't eat. I have always been a night eater and a night smoker...was not unusual for me to wake at midnight, two and four and have a few puffs.
I am a hot mess since day 11.......hopefully will get better soon?????
protein for low blood sugar
first 2-3 weeks are the hardest. that week is the variable.
Protein helps you feel full, nuts are a great snack. It also takes 20 minutes for your brain to register that you are full. Eat slowly then get up and move or distract yourself. The beginning is the hardest. I threw out any concept of "diet" out the window for the first month. I was always a stress eater so it was difficult at first. I did put on about 5 pounds but I'm eating healthy again and the weight is coming off. Just do what you have to to protect your quit.
When we quit smoking we can confuse hunger and wanting a cigarette . The best thing to do first is to drink water. Ice cold as cold as you can stand it. Sends that calming signal to the brain. (Did for me) Healthy snacks as much as you can. The weight will eventually balance out. It is better to focus on the quit irst The rest will come.
ahkhippiechic I just LOVE you, your posts make me think and make me laugh and really are so much fun. I, personally, ate Sour Patch Kids which are so sour that they SHOCKED me...on bad days, I ate so many that the inside of my mouth was sore. I have always been a sugar addict...I do try to cut back, even to detox but I always end up back with a way to get my sugar. I am not overweight, I use an exercise bike for seven miles a day and try really hard to add other exercise in. Biggest problem is my shortness of breath...I cannot walk outside because of intense allergies and overwhelming fatigue. Between having Rheumatoid arthritis and COPD, my energy level is often pretty close to below zero. I push through it most of the time but sometimes, it knocks me out.
I PROMISE you that it will get better, you are really making progress and you are helping others along the way. I worked today so I am exhausted tonight which is putting it mildly. Please keep on posting, asking for help, offering help, being a seriously important part of this community, I MEAN that.
Ellen
Ah shucks thank you for the LOVE! needed that for sure. I may be on the odd side of not really normal. and I swear it is like my tongue has its own withdrawal symptoms.
PS. I went to town after working in the yard all day and bought 5.5 pounds of red vines. Holy Sh.t. Lessee 140 calories per serving and 46 servings in the container. Do you do algebra? if I ate ALL of them in one week what would the circumference of my stretchy leggings be when I put them on????
and psssss. I am SAD that you have copd, RA and are tired! that stinks. sleep sweet and restful!
ahkhippiechic I wish I didn't have RA and COPD and that I was not so exhausted all of the time but I AM alive and I am a force to be reckoned with when it comes to whatever is thrown my way. I am not giving up until it's out of my control.
Thanks for the love.
Ellen
I sometimes use a cinnamon stick to breath through or chew on, that is until I chipped a tooth, hahaha.
Now I just use regular chewing gum.
I loved your blog! I don't eat sweets very often and don't crave them either, some times potato chips but not a lot, or some almonds for a treat. Sunflower seeds work great too!
Thank you for sharing and please know you are not along each day I have to pray to STOP eating and then I remember to come and read here or my other support groups to be taught how to be grateful I am NOT using nicotine and I have a family who still teaches ME I not alone in all my fears insecurities of hand to mouth OLD EATING habits I put a grapes in ice tray freeze then put in my water glass and as the cubes melt I get a little treat you add whatever fruit you like or make ice cubes with apple juice or your favorite juice to flavor your water it's wonderful these ideas given to me a very long time ago sincerely thank you for bringing back these special memories of healthier hand to mouth habits. Keep on keeping on
Try a clove or hot chili pepper. It wakes the mouth up!