Hi Barb,

I'm glad you devised a plan for how you're going to overcome these issues.  You know whats going to work best for you.  Fortunately, there are a lot of people here that support you.  Best of luck!

Sincerely,

Megan Londergan, RD

Registered Dietitian

Hi Barb,

I'm new here too and as a former smoker (took three tries but I did it), I thought maybe I could give a few tips that helped me get through it.  I managed to only gain 5 pounds when I quit (which isn't bad).  Here is my process, and it may or may not work for you, but this is what I did.  These steps kind of make it easier to get through the cravings and make you less likely to try to replace one oral fixation (smoking) with another (eating).

First things to really focus on before you try to quit, is when you light up instead of focusing on how your lungs feel or that first rush, focus on how the cigarrettes taste and smell.  Then start smoking only outside, once you get your house smoke free, you will be less likely to catch a whiff of stale smoke and trigger a craving.  You will also start to notice how bad the smokey clothes smell.  Then really focus on what triggers your cravings and see if you can distract yourself (one craving at a time) with something other than food to put off lighting up.  I would take my dogs out and play frisbee or clean something around the house I'd been putting off (like residual smoke residue) or whatever, just something active to get through the craving (which really only lasts about 5 minutes). Pay very close attention to what and how much you are eating to stay conscious of not replacing smoking with food.  If you really need to chew on something, get some sugar free popsicles or sugarless gum.

When you get to the point that you are only smoking while driving and after meals, just maintain that until you have your mind totally made up that you are discusted with the whole smelly, bad tasting habit.  You won't be able to successfully quit until your mind is set that you really don't like to smoke and you don't know why you still do.  I used patches (starting at the middle strength because I had already cut down) for about the first two weeks then really didn't need them anymore.  And I stayed away from smokey places for the first three months (totally worth it).  I haven't had a smoke in 4 1/2 years. 

I hope a few of these tip help, I'm rooting for you!

Starr  ;)

Hi Marilyn,

Sounds like you've been through the wringer with cigarettes.  I'm so glad you found a doctor that paid attention.  I've had one like that, sadly she's not practicing in our area any more.  I was on Chantix a year and a half ago, it helped my husband but I got many of the adverse affects.  Fortunately, I stopped it before I lost my son, as I truly fear that I wouldn't be around today if I had the added depression. 

I didn't know thyroid was changed by quitting, that is very important information.  I will discuss this and any other possible medical issues that could occur when I quit.  I do most things naturally so I'll probably try an herbal suppliment for anxiety and nervousness that quitting causes.  I really don't have much weight to lose to be a very happy camper, 5-8 lbs.  Then I will work to maintain that, I gained slowly over the years, it just creeped up on me, I'm not looking for a quick fix for any of my "problems".  Knowing what I'm facing and why helps so much because then I can prepare for it ahead of time.  Honestly, 50 lb weight gain would blow my mind, especially if I had no idea why it was happening. 

I've had to force feed myself in the past, now I see how important it is to eat enough calories to keep my body from feeling starved and storing up for the famine.  Ha!  I already learned something!  I was eating 1 real meal a day, often fast food and restaurants, snacking as I felt a little hungry, then wondered why I kept gaining.  The Slimfast bars (snack and meal) along with the drinks have helped me get enough calories without doing the junk food thing.  I'm certain that once I do start quitting, the 3 meals and 3 snacks will become easier to do, having a planned menu will keep me from stressing the numbers.  I can't promise myself many stress free things, so that one is a huge bonus.  I'll bump up the exercise routine once I start for several reasons, sweat off the water retention, stimulate metabolism and work off the urges.  I haven't been doing the plan long enough to feel like its become part of my life yet, but I love it.  Thank you for your advice. 

Barb

PS. there is only one flaw with the whole program... family.  I would love to have a guide to their needs, so that I could adjust the dinners for them.  The meals should feed 4, I have a teenage son and my husband eating with me, they both fight over the left over portion.  Not sure if they need more or are just being "piggies".  (they love the food, just want more of it)

Hi Megan,

Yes I agree that quitting smoking should be top priority, however I've tried before and I know it is one of the toughest battles I'll have.  It will take hard work and a lot of discipline, emotional and physical.  After my last major attempt to quit, I just didn't care anymore.  Only recently have I even played with the idea of quitting, and I attribute this to the new vitality I have from eating better, exercise and feeling stronger.  So I decided to battle weight and learn better self-discipline in this area first, then I'll get the guts up to do my final battle with those cigarettes.  By then I hope to have a decent routine for better living set in place that I can fall back on as I ride out the cravings and pain.  Thank you for your advice, it will help me get mentally prepared for the journey ahead.

Barb

Hi Barb,

I am going to give you some advice for this situation but, because I to am a smoker and know how hard quitting is. I actually quit smoking two years ago and due to the nicotine urges and self pressure I started back up. I did however find out some very interesting facts as far as weight gain...because smoking has a stimulant reaction on the body when you quit it gets thrown way off course. STAY ON THE SLIMFAST PLAN!!! Your body will crave food(especially as taste improves) I am also going to advise you to see your doctor before quitting and use the doctor as support because when I quit(not that you will do the same but many do and don't realize) I gained 50lbs. in a VERY short amount of time. I started with fluid retention(body trying to clean it's self) and added weight, which caused severe depression(I had lost my best friend) So, I called my doctor (at the time I thought he was wonderful) and he gvae me some line about how I was looking for excuses to smoke. I didn't like that answer because I didn't want to smoke nor did I want to be fat. So, I went to another doctor and SHE IS WONDERFUL!!! She explained to me that depression is a normal reaction to being quit, but that much weight gain and fluid retention was NOT! My mom had died from kidney cancer and that was one of my many worries. She sent me for blood and urine tests and everything came back good except for one test THYROID. Smokers who quit have a high risk of developing thyroid problems, when they quit(not a common known fact). So, I was put on levothyroxine and slowly lost some weight, but I needed to reprogram myself to eat better and though very leary of it decided to try slimfast...I DROPPED ALL the weight, it gave me something to concentrate on other than smoking. I went off slimfast and slipped back to wife, mom and CNA roll and completely forgot me...gained some of the weight back and resumed smoking...I now know where a lot of my errors are and have learned from them and so, I am back to reteach myself to eat right and trying to get to smoke free again. I hope this helps.

Hi,

Quiting smoking and weight loss are both personal issues.  Different tactics will work differently for each individual and I totally respect each person's decision.

I have a slightly different take on this however.  I don't think that you should put off quitting until you lose weight.  I don't know how much you weigh but I'm willing to guess its not enough to pose the same health risks as smoking.  Smoking may cause weight gain in certain cases but experts recommend focusing on the quitting process first and getting to the matter of your weight later on.  Remaining on the Slim-Fast Plan will help you remain on track during this process.  Good luck! 

Check out quitnet.com for techniques, tips, and support.  You may also want to check with your physician about alternative methods.

If you have any questions please contact us at 1-800-SLIMFAST (754-6327) or visit us online at slim-fast.com.

Sincerely,

Megan Londergan, RD

Registered Dietitian

Hi Barb! My next goal is also to quit smoking. I knew I couldn't do both, change eating habits and quit smoking at the same time, so last January I started the SF plan. I met my goal this past summer and want to make sure I can maintain my weight over the course of time. So far, so good. By spring I'd like to start working on the smoking. I know the way things are right now, I have no problem on maintenance and I'm hoping I can be as disciplined with the next goal. I plan on increasing my exercise when I start, hopefully that will help ease the tension a bit and keep me in good shape....Good luck to you in your quest to become healthy!...PAnn

Hi, I'm new to the slimfast plan, I love it!  I'm actually eating more than I usually do, but am confident because its eating better.

My question is that I'm planning to quit smoking soon, part of my get healthy plan.  I realize that most people gain weight when they quit smoking and I don't want that to happen.  Is there any way of preventing this?  Or would it be better to lose a little more than my goal, so that when I gain it back I might be closer to it?  Or should I just get to my goal, quit smoking and gain the weight, then work to get back to my goal weight?  

My main goal is all long term, I'm not in any hurry, except that I need to buy cloths that fit...  I need to know what to expect as normal weight gain when I quit smoking, so I don't throw out cloths I may need again.  Please advise. 

Darkbabette (Barb)