should I start using nicorette again?

I have not smoked for 1 year and 4 months now.  I quit by using nicorette.  My problem is I have gained 20 lbs and I am just so depressed about it.  I belong to a gym and go regularly, I am a lifetime member of Weight Watchers, which I was at my goal for 2 years until I stopped smoking.  Now all I want to do is eat! I love to cook, bake and create new recipes and my mother owns a german bakery/restaurant.  Im thinking of starting to chew nicorette again because I have tried everything to get this weight off and the will power is not there!  
any suggestions?

[cattalina]

I don't think Nicorette will help with weight loss... and if you start it to substitue your hunger pains you'll likely keep doing it forever. There's a weight loss forum here at medhelp, maybe you'll find the support you need there. Go up to forums at the top and it will give you a list. Looking for an 'easy way' is addictive behavior and never gets us to where we want to be! GL

[rue10]

If you're not craving nicotine or smoking, I don't think it will help as an appetite suppressant.  

Are you craving to smoke and eating instead?  Or just eating to fill up the time you used to smoke?  It may get better as time goes on give yourself some time.

Also age plays a factor in weight loss.  What you used to be able to lose at a younger age gets difficult as you get older.  


Good Luck

[catmagnet]

You took the words right out of my mouth~~ age definitely is the enemy here, but I believe being 20 lbs heavier is healthier than smoking cigs...might be a different story if you're morbidly obese.

[terrified999]

The reason you gained weight is that nicotine is an appetite suppressant.  But, you can lose the weight.  I have quit for 12 years now and the first two were the hardest for the weight gain.

1.  I suggest you get used to your new body.  Go out and buy some clothes that make the body you are in look fabulous.  It will help more than you know.

2.  Keep track of calories.  Eat whatever you want but no more than 1200-1600 a day depending on how big you are.  You will find that you will want to eat more veggies because you will be starving if you eat one piece of cake (about 600 calories vs. a few plates of veggies and some turkey)

3.  Eat small meals but frequently.

4.  A few extra pounds beats lung cancer any day.  

5.  Eventually your body will adjust to lack of appetite suppressants, but by then, that dirty dog, age will have caught up.  Almost impossible to drop weight after 40.  

6.  Stop baking.  Or at least stop eating what you bake.  Most people don't know that cigarettes contain a lot of sugar.  You are trying to replace all that sugar.  Quit sugar and see what happens.  It should help a lot.  Instead of sweets after meals, now I eat a piece of sugar free gum.  It works.  

Good luck.  And don't be insane and go back to the cigs.  Each time you quit it is exponentially harder to quit the next time.  I mean really.  The last and final time I quit I went through such terrible w/ds that I couldn't put a sentence together for 2 weeks.  I couldn't drive.  I was out of it.  Good thing I did it during midterms.  lol.

Seriously, though, they are bad freaking news.  Oh, and don't forget to exercise.  Go walking at night even if it is cold.  

[colliemomma2]

Thanks for all your helpful tips!  No, I will never go back to smoking, this is the longest Ive ever quit and I am finally over that craving.(i cant even count the times ive quit)  It would be stupid to give my body the nicorette if im not craving it.  I just need to get it together and buckle down and lose the weight again, like i did the first time at weight watchers.  Youve enlightend me a great deal.