when you have given up smoking?

Question

how long does it take for the cravings to stop, and how much weight are you likely to put on?

Answer 1

I haven't had a cigarette for seven days now. I'm on the patch and though the intense cravings have gotten better they're still an all day problem. I haven't put any weight on and as long as you don't let yourself subsitute food for cigarettes, neither will you. When you go to the kitchen think about it. Ask yourself if your really hungry or if your just trying to fill the void. Drinks lots of water, but not juices. Those will add to weight gain. Keep active. Chew gum. Read. Just keep your mind and hands occupied and you'll be ok.

Good luck!

Answer 2

I stopped 7 years ago after 20 a day for 30 years. I had help in that i had pneumonia and felt too ill to smoke for about 2 weeks. I made the decision then to not start again when i recovered. When i felt better, the first 2 weeks were the worst, but the longer i went without, the more determined i was not to start again if only because i didn't want to go through the first 2 weeks again!
I put on two and a half stone BUT, i pigged out on chocolate, and i was about a stone underweight to start with. However, i cut the choccy down, lost over a stone and am now about where i should be.
Well done for making the decision to stop, the cravings will go i promise. But even now, i still get the odd moment when i could light up, but i won't because apart from anything else, i can't afford to smoke now!
Good luck. You can do it.

Answer 3

The physical cravings lasted less than a week, the mental cravings lasted about two and a half months.

I started dieting before quitting smoking and lost 25 pounds. Since quitting 5 months ago, I've gained all the weight back.

But I'd rather be an overweight non smoker than be thin and a slave to such a disgusting drug.

Answer 4

The Real Bad cravings stop after about 2 months, but you still get cravings from time to time as mentioned above for...... well probably forever. But the longer you stay off the more amazing it is, beleive me.

But be like me, don't ever be an ex smoking "moaner", let it go, i never moan about smokers, lots of my friends still smoke but i never give them a hard time.

Just break the "habit", ie if you love a snout with a coffee after dinner, don't have the coffee, have a mint or some fruit, etc etc. Good luck.

Answer 5

i stopped smoking 15 months ago and feel great. i no longer smell of smoke, i feel healthier and my taste buds have been having a party ever since! below is a link that tells you in a bit more detail what happens to your body and how it starts to repair itself.
personally tho even 15 months on i still get cravings, however short term they got easier to ignore each day. after a month or so i felt i could start going to pubs again and felt strong enough not to give in to them, as for weight i couldnt tell you as i found out i was pregnant and thats why i quit.
my dad however had 2 atttempts, the first time he put on about a sotne and a half but he sucked lollies and sweets to beat the cravings the secind time he chewed sugar free gum and didnt put on any, so depends what you do to take your mind off it...good luck anyways x

Answer 6

There are no rules for weight gain, and if you are careful it is possible to avoid it entirely. The cravings reduce progressively with time. Statistically when you have not smoked a SINGLE cigarette for 2 years, the odds are you probably not smoke again, but even then an ex-smoker is never the same as a never smoker, in terms of risk of re-offending.

Answer 7

It varies. I don't crave cigs at all, in fact the smell stinks to me now. I've only stopped for four months, but I feel tons better. I gained weight, but have since started working out which helps the weight and definitely doesn't make you want a cig. Good luck.

Answer 8

I quit 6 months ago,,, & I have lost weight,,, weird, but I have also stopped eating crap sugary stuff too. Those cravings go after about 2 months but I have moments when I smell a cig & really crave it. I just tell myself that I dont need it because I am a new person & that old person that was me is now dead lol :) & I dont need it anymore. I have let go of it,,, I dont want it.

Answer 9

I gave up smoking 5 yrs ago in march - it took about 1 yr for the cravings to go but even now if we go out for a nice meal i sometimes still fancy one. I put on about 3 stone but went mad on ice-cream and chocolate but if your careful like some of my friends they didn't put on any. Good luck, its all worth it in the end. x

Answer 10

I no longer crave a smoke. it has only been 20 years. I weigh less than when I quit. I changed my entire life style and became health seeking and adjusted diet and exercise. Congratulations to all who have done the single healthiest thing you can do to improve your health.