Is weight Gain an Issue?

[Lexxie1018]

For everyone Doing this smoking Cessation.....is weight gain an issue?  I seem to be gaining some weight after i stopped smoking.  There is so many factors due to on-going into stressors in my life; however, those were present at least six months ago as well.  I have been stopped smoking for a little over two weeks now (with the help of the patches and sometimes the gum) and I seem to be gaining the weight.  UG!  does this get any easier?  any post could be of assistance to me :-) thanks  (hope I did this correctly...i newbie)  Lexxie1018

[avisg]

I quit a little over two years ago from a three pack a day addiction .Yes I did gain weight about 15 pnds the first 6 months after but once my body adjusted I was able to take it all back off .The 15 pnds was worth it to me for my health over all. I have not had as much as a cold since then .

[Dakotawinks]

Thanks Kathyjo, I know it's an emtional thing going on, but it doesn't make it any better for me knowing it. I also know it is a sorta lost friendship or maybe one of those friends that stabs ya in the back type of friendships, but I did LOTS of things around my smokes. When I left work it was "ahhhh time to relax and have a smoke" things like that and those are the hard times for me. I keep saying "no" but it is hard. Like you said "four months?" I'll keep trying......I think I smoked about 33 years so not too far behind you, so "yes" if you can do it maybe I can too. Thanks for your words......they always help me:)

[kathyjo]

Believe it or not, you are suffering from the emotional addiction. This is the hardest part of the addiction and you really need to learn how to deal with it. Whyquit has an article, called "my cigarette, my friend" which has gotten me through some real tough times. Remember, I smoked for 38 years so I know how difficult it is and I'm here to tell you that if I can do it, anyone can! I still have an occasional craving but I can handle it better. If I recall, it was about the 4 month mark that really was the turning point. I know that is discouraging news, but in retrospect, it does and did get easier daily (remember, in retrospect : )
Stress is, in my opinion, the hardest to deal with, but Wayne Baker said something that was really profound and it was loosely this, Stress will still be there, with or without the cigarette. That statement really put into words all the turmoil I was feeling. If I did, I blow it all and did it alleviate my stress? NO! Do I feel better about myself? NO! My most important accomplishment just became my biggest failure!!

You will feel better soon, I promise. If it doesn't happen then you can use me as a puching bag : )
Stay strong and we can get through it together : )

[Dakotawinks]

Tomorrow will be 5 weeks. I never thought I could go this long, but I have to tell ya.... I am still having cravings. I suppose I'm unusual though. They called me from the Quitline and I told the lady I was still craving them really bad and she "couldn't believe it" I thought to myself maybe she never smoked or maybe she didn't smoke too long. I don't know but I literally have to tell myself "no" everyday. I do hope for myself it gets easier.
I feel like I'm gaining weight. I have not gotten on a scale. I'm eating alot though, so I have to be. I am trying to exercise but finding myself super busy lately. I have exercised faithfully since I was in my 20's and for whatever reason I haven't done it enough during the week. I went from 5 days a week down to about 2-3 so I need to get on the ball.
Good luck......try walking

[kathyjo]

I do too! In the beginning is happened a lot, but now its every now and then. I think its normal, don't worry  : )

re: the above link that was ******* out, go to why quit.com and look for the following:
Education
Joel's Library
Library Categories
What about weight gain?

Hopefully it will help you.

[Lexxie1018]

I have been having dreams of me smoking.  It seems so very real.  I have had several of these now.  Just a short note....wonder if anyone else has those too

[kathyjo]

Congratulations on your decision to quit!

http://****.***

The above link will take you to an excellent article about your quit and weight gain. There are a lot of great articles at whyquit.com, pretty much anything you might have a question about, so read them all. It helps especially when you get an urge to smoke.

Most of us have gained some, but it does level off after a while : ) It is an issue for most of us as well, but more important is not smoking.

As for getting easier, well it does but you have to be willing to put your time in : )
Smoking was something I did for 38+ years, so I can't expect things to change overnight, but I have almost a year behind me and I will NEVER, EVER jeopordize it.

Good luck and were here for you : )
Kathy Jo