Gimm, it is really common to gain about 9 pounds or so when we quit smoking. Our metabolisms slow down. Our heart rates, for instance, drop, because it doesn't have to wok as hard and use as much energy. I gained about 9 pounds when I quit smoking and lost it. However, I was already fat when I quit smoking. I've seriously undertaken a program to change my diet and lose weight a few months ago. The first month I lost 3 pounds. Since then, May 1st, I've lost 20. I waited to make sure that I was comfortable in my quit first before taking on another problem. I first tried to lose weight in November and wasn't quite ready. I am now. However, staying smoke-free still and always will have priority. I was told by my doctor that I would have to gain about 70 pounds to be in the same shape that I was in while smoking. Plus, I blew a long quit once when the pressure struck, and I had few tools, and decided to smoke rather than eat. Frankly, it is easier to lose weight than it is to quit smoking. Quitting smoking has to be done perfectly--no relapses; no slips for some of us. I lost 3.8 pounds last week even though I went on a picnic and ate so much that my aunt told me to get away from the table. Granted, I now exercise my butt off and normally only eat 1300-1400 calories a day. Once I lose the weight, I'll continue to eat a Mediterranean diet, but kick the calorie count up to about 1800. I'll work that out with my dietitian later.
My Mileage:
My Quit Date: 5/1/2009
Smoke-Free Days: 409
Cigarettes Not Smoked: 11,452
Amount Saved: $4,867.10
Life Gained:
Days: 46 Hrs: 1 Mins: 47 Seconds: 54
