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Original poster

Smoking v Obesity

49 replies

Faggy · 15/08/2015 10:26

So,to cut a long story short,after several years of not smoking,I have had a few fags,and am planning to start smoking again (in full knowledge of the facts).
I have steadily and consistently gained weight since giving up and I am now classed as obese and the heaviest I've ever been.I've tried everything to curb my ever increasing appetite and just don't seem to be able to tackle the eating.I'm very unhappy with myself.

Far more disturbing from my pov is that I used to be very sporty,but now I'm finding my size is preventing me from doing the things I love to do.I know running would have too great an impact on my joints.I'm feeling tired so easily,sluggish and lacking in energy.I used to walk for miles,now I find its getting more difficult.

I know smoking holds its own risks,of course I do,but I can see my body struggling here and now,owing to my size.
I'm left with the one thing,that is smoking,that I know I can use as a tool to control my weight.

All I can see is continuing the same pattern of getting heavier and heavier gradually,and the thought makes me feel so bleak.
I have,before,given up smoking for a few years abd at the same time dieted so as not to gain the weight.This time I went about it all wrong,and didn't watch what I ate,so now its spiralled out of control.
I'm seeing smoking as a short term measure in order to lose the weight.I know I can give up again,but this time have a clean slate and not let over eating take its place like I did before.

I'm reckoning its better to smoke and be active,than not a get fatter,lose mobility,and feel miserable.

I'm pretty desperate.Anyone got any experience to share of a similar situation?

OP posts:
lucjam · 15/08/2015 10:32

I kind of understand where you are coming from. Have you thought about giving e cigarettes a go first instead of normal cigarettes?

I wonder if there is a statistic somewhere that proves bring a slim smoker is less likely to kill you than being obese? Could be interesting to find out.

MarchLikeAnAnt · 15/08/2015 10:32

I think you would be incredibly stupid to start smoking just so you lose weight.
Why not go to your GP and see if there is anything they can do to help you?

Original poster
Faggy · 15/08/2015 10:33

I have wondered whether e cigs or vaping or whatever have the same appetite curbing properties.

OP posts:
lucjam · 15/08/2015 10:34

Found a study www.rand.org/pubs/research_briefs/RB4549.html

ginmakesitallok · 15/08/2015 10:34

Sorry, but if you are planning on becoming a smoker then you are an idiot. Smoking kills 50% of smokers. Smoking won't help you lose weight, diet and exercise will do that.

lucjam · 15/08/2015 10:36

Scarily it looks like you're thinking is correct! That is worrying I'm obese and trying to do something about it. Gives me motivation to try harder!

StonedGalah · 15/08/2015 10:36

Agree with March. How about you just get more active without the ciggies? Hmm

You are making excuses and you could end up still big but super unfit as smoking wont necessarily help you lose weight.

LittleBearPad · 15/08/2015 10:38

Sorry but you have no idea that smoking will curb your appetite, not all smokers are slim. You do know that smoking will be incredibly bad for your health.

What else have you tried to lose weight.

You don't have to run, walking and building up to brisk walking and maybe then running would help.

A diet would help.

Smoking won't.

Original poster
Faggy · 15/08/2015 10:39

Thanks lucjam for looking that up.
Its appreciated,and very interesting.

OP posts:
Original poster
Faggy · 15/08/2015 10:47

I have to clarify that in my case I know smoking helps weight control.
Its tried and tested for me as an individual.

I absolutely don't dispute that there are better ways to do this.

But it seems those better ways just aren't doing it.

I'm far from sedentary,but to offset the over eating pattern I can't seem to break,a bit of light walking just isn't doing it -I'd need to ramp up the intensity of exercise dramatically.
Exercise,unless as elite level isn't enough to negate out of control eating habits anyway.
I miss a higher level of fitness,because I enjoy that intensity.And tbh I can feel the effect obesity has on my breathing when I'm walking far more than I ever did when I was smoking and slimmer and fitter.

Not that I don't want to hear the side of people who think its an idiotic idea.
I'm exploring the whole issue.

OP posts:
Original poster
Faggy · 15/08/2015 11:03

Interestingly,having googled smoking and elite athletes,it seems some elite athletes use smoking as a training tool.

OP posts:
pinkfrocks · 15/08/2015 11:08

I'm not going to mince my words- sorry.
I don't see how you can balance one killer against another and expect sympathy or support for your choice.

Smoking doesn't just kill it causes disability, poor life quality and premature ageing. Women are at greater risk for cervical cancer and a whole host of other female diseases if they smoke- not just lung cancer or heart diseases and stroke.

You know all of that.

You need to look at the emotional reasons why you are over eating and lack will power- sounds as if you have an addictive personality and need to depend on food or fags to support yourself.

You're making stupid excuses to start smoking. Sure, you may pant more NOW as a fatty but wait until you are 50 and as a smoker you'll look 10+ years older, be breathless and be a physical wreck.

Carry on if you want to.

MarchLikeAnAnt · 15/08/2015 11:18

Elite athletes are not normal people. They are superfit, know how to feed their body, have a higher than average lung capacity etc.

Why not spend the money you would on fags and employ a personal trainer? Or use the money to join a sports club you like?

Dioskouri · 15/08/2015 11:21

Interestingly,having googled smoking and elite athletes,it seems some elite athletes use smoking as a training tool.

Wtf? Who?!

FretYeNotAllIsShiny · 15/08/2015 11:27

My advice? Don't fucking do it. I was on a diet and smoking, lost weight (yay!). Gave up smoking, weight loss slowed. Went back to smoking and my weight loss.... didn't alter. Going back to smoking did nothing.

Smoking might curb appetite, but is also curbs ability and enthusiasm for exercise. I'd go with the vaping option. That way you get the nicotine as an appetite suppressant if that works for you, yet you aren't going to lose any lung power. I think the biggest thing that will bring change is the determined attitude you seem to have. Good luck!

TheAuthoress · 15/08/2015 11:28

Funnily enough DH and I were just having a conversation about this last night - what would be worse, eating a diet full of processed and junk food, or eating a really healthy diet, not drinking alcohol or coke etc, exercising regularly, but smoking 5 cigs a day........ What does everyone think is better? I don't have any solid facts either way, just wondering.

NotReallyAPrincess · 15/08/2015 11:28

Interestingly,having googled smoking and elite athletes,it seems some elite athletes use smoking as a training tool.

Yeah somehow I don't think that's accurate

Original poster
Faggy · 15/08/2015 11:30

I've watched people I am close to struggle with obesity and die young as a result of it and lack of exercise.

It is a choice to smoke.Without a doubt.

But I am still not sure whether my health is worse for lack of exercise and obesity than it would be as a smoker who takes regular exercise,and fully intends,and is able,to quit again down the line.

OP posts:
Original poster
Faggy · 15/08/2015 11:33

Fret thanks for your kind words Flowers

Is vaping effective then?

Thats certainly something I'd prefer to explore.

OP posts:
magimedi · 15/08/2015 11:33

Try vaping - I gave up smoking nearly 3 years ago & vape instead. Initially I gained about half a stone, probably because food tasted so much more but now I've lost that & more. I can exercise properly as my lung function is so improved.

Vaping is like having your cake & eating it!

There's a stop smoking thread here & you'll find plenty of us "vaping vipers" able to help you with starting vaping.

PoppyShakespeare · 15/08/2015 11:36

Elite athletes also have eating disorders and other mental problems

pinkfrocks · 15/08/2015 11:36

You need to get to the root of why you can't control your appetite.
It's not actually an appetite- ie - you aren't really hungry.
You are using food as a prop to help you deal with whatever is going on in your life- boredom, low self esteem, whatever.

This is why you should not start smoking - because smoking is an addiction. Most smokers want to stop- they just can't as it's a physical addiction.
You can't stop eating.
The question is - why?
Only you choose to buy food, put it in your mouth and swallow it.
No one makes you.

Maybe read something like the Paul Mckenna books where he teaches you to recognise real hunger and then other triggers for emotional eating.

Original poster
Faggy · 15/08/2015 11:37

Fantastic magi.
I will look at that.
I'm at such a crossroads that any advice -the good,the bad,and the ugly is valuable.
At only about 7 fags into this,there isn't an addiction formed yet (and my mouth tastes horrible),so this could go either which way.

OP posts:
pinkfrocks · 15/08/2015 11:38

It is a choice to smoke.Without a doubt.

It's also a choice to put food in your mouth.

Have you been to your GP and asked for help?

I'm not going to post again simply because I think you're being an idiot.
Give up nicotine, cut back on food.
Start walking daily and eating less.
Learn to understand what is driving you to eat.

PoppyShakespeare · 15/08/2015 11:38

I run and I smoke (not during an actual run obviously) and when I stopped smoking for over a year I lost 15kg in part because I could run further and faster

a pint of water or mug of green tea will suppress your appetite much more effectively than a Marlboro