Last year my New Years resolution was to begin Atkins. So on 1/4/03, my DH and I began. In the year since then, I have lost 75lbs(10 more to go!!) and DH has lost 48. That was the first resolution I've been able to stick to.

This New Year, we've decided to work on the health of our lungs...so we've set 1/5/04 as the date we will quit smoking. My question is regarding weight gain. Has anyone on this board quit smoking since beginning low-carb-eating? Did you gain weight, as it seems everyone I've ever known has once they quit smoking? Will the fact that we no longer have (nor crave)any of the 'evil' high carb foods around help?

Just wondering...Thanks.

Kathleen
235/160/150
Since 1/4/03

I weigh less than my driver's license says!!

Kathleen - I am so glad you posted this! I, too, plan to quit smoking in 2004, and I am scared to death to gain back weight that I have lost on LC. I hope someone chimes in soon.

Jen
175/132/120

Well I think you ladies are very blessed to already be low carb veterens when you quit smoking. I quit before finding this WOL and I did gain 10 pounds in about 3 months after I quit. I have since lost those 10 pounds but I was already overweight when I gained them hence the reason I'm here.

Congrats on one of the most liberating things you can do! I was so amazed at how strong a hold those nasties had on me. I never want anything to have that much control over my life! IMO, it is worth the weight gain to be rid of them.

Jen

Atkins since 11/11/03

140/136/115

Hey, Jen - any tips? What worked for you? Did you quit cold turkey? Any advice would be HUGELY appreciated.

Jen
175/132/120

Jen,
I had tried the tapering off thing and that didn't work so I tried to quit cold turkey and my DH threatened to take me to a sych ward!
I started only smoking in my entry way with the door opened and I found that lessened my amount of smoking if I was at home. Being out was a whole different matter... puff puff!

I did two things then that helped me quit. I asked the Lord to take them away from me with every urge and craving and I then only smoked outside. Completely outside! It was freezing cold here in Ohio and I found it not worth it to freeze just to smoke. It would be a puff or two and I would run back in the house. That lasted about a week and then the next time I was at church I recommited my vow to the Lord to not let anything have a hold on me but Him and I never put another cigarette in my mouth again! I can't say it was easy to quit when I was trying to do it of my own accord, but I can do all things through Christ who strangthens me.


Jen

Atkins since 11/11/03

140/136/115

Katgrrrl;

Congratulations on your decision to QUIT smoking. I quit 12 years ago cold turkey. I had tried several times before that and was not successful. From my own personal experience I can tell you this. The urges get less and less as time goes on. Think of it like carbs. You are going to have this craving but dont give in to it. Exercise did help me to get my mind off the matter at hand.

Now my husband has tried to quit at least 7 times I know of in the last 20+ years. He has not been successful. He always quits because I keep nagging at him. (I nag because I know how bad it is for his heath) I will say that he has had a bad experience with quitting. He tried patches for a while. Then the doctor put him on an anti depressant that he didnt like the side effects at all. He did put about 30 pounds on this last try. Then he was so upset with his weight gain, (he has never had a weight problem until now) that he decided the solution was to go back to smoking $&^#%^.. Go figure...

I think it depends how long you have been smoking. The withdraw for him is bad. His nervous system just goes crazy. However he really dosent do anything healthy for himself and it sounds like you guys have already experienced cutting carbs.

Their are several things on the market today to help. Or, you can come to us. We will be more than glad to encourage you.......

Good Luck

Kimberly
October 2003 WOL
262/243/175
http://www.lowcarbeating.com/valchal/gif

Thanks, all, for the tips and advice. Keep your fingers crossed for me!

Jen
175/132/120

Kathleen,
I don't have any advice for you, 'cus I'm still smokin', but that is going to be my next goal after I reach my weight goal. Since you are so close to goal, I say go for it. Just make sure you have lots of raw veggies and dip and nuts around to munch on when you get the cravings. I find myself already using that stuff to at least keep from lighting up another one. But I know I am going to turn to food when I decide to do this. So.........when I reach my goal weight, that's when I will go psycho for a little while. Hopefully it will coincide with warmer weather and I'll go for a walk when the cravings get insane. My mom quit eons ago and she ate fruit and went for walks during the withdrawal period. I, on the other hand, will eat veggies instead.......or maybe pork rinds.....or almond cookies (homemade) but I still fear the food monster rearing its ugly head. I will just have to make absolutely sure I have nothing around that I can cheat with.

Barb - 30 lbs gone FOREVER!
Atkins-3/14/03
174/144.8/135 5'2"
"A little knowledge is a dangerous thing."
Knowledge is POWER

I probably shouldn't even post this but this is what happened to me. I had only been low carbing for 2 weeks when my birthday rolled around and It was my plan to quit smoking on my birthday.I had been smoking since I was 8 years old which makes this a 35 year old day in day out habit. This was my 3rd attempt and I did make it longer than the first two (one day and two days) I made it a whole 7 days. I could see it was affecting my eating and I was really going nuts, the cravings were worse on the 5th day than they were on the 1st. Needless to say my son's cigarettes were laying on the coffee table and he was asleep and BAM I DID IT I SMOKED ONE! That was a month ago and it only took me about 2 weeks and I inched my way back to two packs a day. So my advise DO NOT ever let yourself smoke that first cigarette again once you quit. Do whatever you have to do but just don't ever let another cigarette touch your fingers.If a cocain addiction is any worse than a cigarette addiction I just thank my God that I never touched the stuff. Good Luck to you both. I will try again, I will beat this monster some day! Anita

Whew, Anita! That's a rough one. The one thing in which I am lucky is that no one else in my house smokes (in fact none of my friends smoke anymore, except my sister-in-law and I really don't see her that often). I have to smoke outside or in my car. I KNOW I wouldn't be able to quit if there were others in my house that still smoked. More power to you that you were able to go a full week! You know, you are right, we will beat this monster some day.

Jen
175/132/120

My support and sympathy to all you quitters--and would-be quitters. There's no greater gift you can give to yourself! I urge you to keep trying as many times as it takes.

I'd suggest making sure you reward yourself day in and day out. How about a cigarette savings plan? Every pack you DON'T smoke, put those bucks in a jar, and buy something nice for yourself.

As for the weight gain? Worry about that later. You'll have years of better health and more money in your pocket for a personal trainer. Whatever it takes!!

My pack-a-day habit is a distant memory. But for some, the desire never totally goes away. I wish you every success...day by day by day.

Happy and Healthy in 2004!

Barb L.
Started Atkins January 2003
162/137/130

I'm with Barb L.

It truly is the greatest gift you can give yourself. I quit 4.5 years ago. I won't lie to you either...it was the hardest thing I have ever done! I used the patch and I believe it was key to my finally leaving this addiction behind.

Barb L. is right though...the desire never really goes away completely. It does, however, get a whole lot easier to manage.

I said to myself before starting this woe that if I could quit smoking I can do anything! That is an empowering thing to be able to say and believe.

Jen and Kathleen I wish you both much success in this. It is without question the greatest thing I have accomplished (with the possible exception of my wonderful daughter).

Good Luck! I know you can do it

Started Atkins 10/27/03
182/157/142

Hi,

I have been reading these forums for a few weeks and have come to rely on reading the great advice from all the members. So I registered tonight and I am posting my first comment. I quit 12 years ago and yes you will have a challenge. The best thing that will help you is that both of you will be quitting together. I made it with the support of my better half,(with the help her rolling pin) remember alot of people have quit, it's just like when you start eating low carb. That was scary to me but now I think I might just make it to the end of this tunnel!

WELCOME Rinkrat!!!! It's great to have you with us. Last night we were talking about NY's resolutions and I announced that when I reach my goal weight, smoking is the next thing to do. So, I have said it here and "in public" which means I am going to have to commit to it. I know it's going to be VERY tough for me, but showing myself I COULD lose 30 lbs tells me I might have the resolve to get this nasty monkey off my back too. When the time comes, I'm gonna be on this board ALL the time, I think.

Again, Welcome to LCE!!!!!

Barb - 30 lbs gone FOREVER!



Atkins-3/14/03
174/144.8/135 5'2"
"A little knowledge is a dangerous thing."
Knowledge is POWER

Kathleen,
I quit back in 95, I still have days where I would just LOVE to sit down and wallow in them, I don't think that ever goes away, and I really feel that if it weren't for my 6 year old daughter , I probably would have caved by now.. but it's a day at a time thing and you have to really WANT to quit. And the average weight gain is around 10 lbs not a big thing for all the good you will be doing for your lungs and heart and those you love and who love you. Good luck and give it hell!!!!

Jackie