lowriders or lung cancer? do you put off quitting smoking in the fear that you'll gain weight?

Answer 1

I was able to quit and didn't gain much weight. About five pounds and after three months I lost it.

The biggest weight gain I got from stopping smoking was the extra weight in my wallet because I am not giving up all my cash for cigarettes.

This sounds stupid but the thing I read that helped me the most was - "The urge for a cigarette only lasts a few seconds". I kept thinking about that and every time I wanted a cigarette and I would start thinking - a few seconds, a few seconds, a few seconds over & over. I would get distracted & forget to keep thinking it but I also forgot about the cigarette. The problem is when you first start quitting the urge comes often but gradually it dissapeared. I no longer miss them.

Answer 2

Hi, Ki: I, too, was underweight when I quit in 2003. The bad news is that the weight gain continued over a couple of years. The good news is that, for me, it wasn't horrific. My metabolism slowed (and yours may not) and that's the worst of it. And, yes, it slowed over a long period of time. So I jumped a size, big deal. Am I happy with my new shape? No, but I am happy that the pulmonary disease I'm stuck with for the rest of my life won't be getting worse. I really rejoice when I see someone quit, especially before they do permanent damage. God bless your efforts to keep the weight off. Walk, walk, walk. The treadmill is your best friend! Love and best of luck, cmw EDIT: I was reading some of the answers and some misinformation. You need to know that smoking actually burns calories, so even if you did not eat more food, you'd gain weight. And that's other than the metabolism slowing part. Only 10% of people gain over as long as 5 years, so your odds are good. It does not have to be a nightmare. Stay positive.

Answer 3

Not quitting smoking so you won't gain weight is ridiculous. I am a smoker and I have quit a few times and always start again, it's an addiction. Oddly every member of my family smoked and no one had any cancer of any kind. I also know of several people who contracted lung cancer and never in their life smoked.

Answer 4

I quit smoking just over a year ago.....and yes I gained weight...but I was underweight to start..I do have a few extra pounds that Im working in the gym daily on and just getting back to sensible eating is making the difference...when you quit food tastes better!!!!! So when you do quit have it in your mind ahead of time to watch what you eat,exercise and just be glad youre now adding years to your life instead of knocking them off with every puff....I smoked for 27 yrs and now I feel the best I ever had since I was a kid...I also work around people with cancer and other medical problems...lost both parents to cancer and my hubby specializes in ortho oncology...so I have seen first hand the devastation that this disease does to you and the families that love them..its also not a painless death either usually.......so there's just a few thoughts to think about for quitting....

Answer 5

I've been battling my nicotine addiction for the past few months. I'm 30 something and don't want the rest of my life to be riddlled with health problems. For me it's a constant struggle however I value me and that makes my reslove to stay smoke free a reality and a life long choice!

Answer 6

I DONT SMOKE BUT MY FIANCE DOES, HE IS TRYING TO QUIT BUT, PEOPLE HAVE TOLD HIM THAT IF HE QUITS THEN HE WILL GAIN WEIGHT.

Answer 7

that is a stupid myth i smoke and it doesn't make you lose weight.