I gave up cigarettes about 4 months ago after many years of smoking. I had put it off because I was afraid of gaining weight! But, my nieces are getting to the age where they were going to figure it out and I don't want them to ever know I smoked - how can I tell them not to if I do it?! Luckily, it has been pretty easy except that I have developed a sweet tooth! I know in the long run what I am doing for my health is more important than the 8-10 lbs I have gained in the meantime!

I have decided to go back to induction as enough time has passed that I feel in control enough to stick to it - I did not want to take everything away at once as I thought that would be a recipe for disaster. I let myself have ice cream and take part in the sweets that have come through the office for the past couple of weeks, but I set the limit at 10 lbs and I'm about there. I refuse to have to buy pants in a size bigger! And the best part is, the sweets made me feel terrible - I had headaches and was lethargic, even cranky sometimes. I just did not feel like myself at all. I complained about it and my boyfriend gave me the best advice. He told me not to worry about the weight - the cigarettes were more important to focus on. He assured me that knowing how I operate he was sure I would regain my footing and focus on eating properly again... what a guy!

Has anyone else quit smoking while doing low carb - if so, did you crave sweets too?

__________________
I've led a CHARMED LIFE! :silly:

All men should stive to learn before they die,
what they are running from, and to, and why....

196/160ish/125

When I quit smoking, I also wrangled with my sweet tooth. I drank a lot of cold water and very strong mints - Altoids and tictacs back then. Nowdays, Starbucks coffee mints are about the strongest I've come across. I would think drinking lots of hot herbal teas or green teas would help address oral cravings.

Good on you for taking this immensely important step!

__________________
~~~Teelbee
Back to GOAL!!!
start weight: 176/goal range: 137-134/now: 138
Reached goal in Aug. 2003 - 4rd year of maintenance.

Thanks for the advice. Dont' most mints have sugar in them though? Although, probably not as much as a bowl of ice cream!!!

__________________
I've led a CHARMED LIFE! :silly:

All men should stive to learn before they die,
what they are running from, and to, and why....

196/160ish/125

There are sugar-free mints. Starbucks after coffee mints are sweetened w/sorbitol, but the mints are tiny so you'd be hard pressed to consume enough to get the ill effects from sorbitol.

__________________
~~~Teelbee
Back to GOAL!!!
start weight: 176/goal range: 137-134/now: 138
Reached goal in Aug. 2003 - 4rd year of maintenance.

Just wanted to chime in with congrats for becoming a non-smoker. Yes, you've got a peach of a guy, and I'm sure he's pleased to know you'll be living a longer and healthier life!

__________________
Barb L.
Atkins since Jan 2003
Maintenance as of 4/05


My Fitday Journal

Charmed, go check out April's journal. She's just gone 38 days smoke free! Congratulations and making that commitment. We want you to be healthy!

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Nita

Thanks so much for the encouragement! I feel that I am now past the worst part. It's just getting back on track and cutting out the sweets at this point. It is getting easier and I am finding I am not craving them as much as I was. Hopefully I can dump the pounds I have gained and move on from here! Good luck to anyone quitting - it's hard at first, but the longer you stay away from cigarettes the more you will question what you were ever thinking to pick them up in the first place!

__________________
I've led a CHARMED LIFE! :silly:

All men should stive to learn before they die,
what they are running from, and to, and why....

196/160ish/125

Very true. I smoked for a few years in college days, and quit when I got married to a non-smoker.

Now when I think of the stinking clothes, the stinking hair, the stinking breath, the stinking car, I realize how much he loved me then. He never, ever asked me to quit smoking. I got the message anyway. Love conquers all!

Keep loving yourself, and all good wishes.

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Barb L.
Atkins since Jan 2003
Maintenance as of 4/05


My Fitday Journal

Conrats for quitting Charmed!

I quit 79 days ago and I'm finally feeling 'up' to induction and making eating right a higher priority, although not smoking is still priority #1. I'll allow myself a tootsie roll pop if I get a real bad craving.
I've read where sugar and nicotine share the same metabolic pathway and a bit of sugar can help with nicotine cravings.

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keep on keepin on

211/165/170

Gregg, quitting smoking... yes, that's the NUMBER 1 priority and you are NUMERO UNO for quitting!

Werther's makes a lovely SF hard toffy lozenges that lasts a long time in the mouth. You can find them at Walgreens and similar stores. Then, give the super-strong after-coffee mints sold at espresso stores a try.

__________________
~~~Teelbee
Back to GOAL!!!
start weight: 176/goal range: 137-134/now: 138
Reached goal in Aug. 2003 - 4rd year of maintenance.

Thanks tb, yes there is whole selection of sf hard candies that are pretty good. So far I haven't seen any sf pops though, y'know, something on a stick resembling a cigarette.

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keep on keepin on

211/165/170

Oh, that made me laugh!

So far I haven't seen any sf pops though, y'know, something on a stick resembling a cigarette.

__________________
~~~Teelbee
Back to GOAL!!!
start weight: 176/goal range: 137-134/now: 138
Reached goal in Aug. 2003 - 4rd year of maintenance.