Anyone successfully quit smoking ^and^ lose weight at the same time?

[LadySquishington]

So, I have quit smoking... not doing too bad so far.

But I really, really need to lose weight. I have about 2 stone to get rid of.
Problem is, with quitting smoking at the same time, I find myself putting things in my mouth constantly.
I can’t afford to gain any more weight... I hate the way I am. But I also don’t want to continue to smoke.
Has anyone ever managed to do both or am I setting myself up to fail?

Sometimes I think I should tackle the weight first and then quit smoking, especially as I really really don’t want to get any bigger. But at the same time, I worry if I don’t stop smoking now, then I never will.
Any advice?

Yep. In January I started a very strict ‘health kick’, cut the carbs, went sugar free, quit smoking and started running. I will add though that I was absolutely ready to quit, I’d had many failed attempts and was really determined. Once I got the running bug, and realised that it was going to be the thing that got me skinny, smoking suddenly became a big risk to that much bigger than the obvious risks of smoking, ironically. Less than 6 months later, I’ve lost 2 stone, dropped from a size 14 to an 8, and I am probably the fittest and healthiest I’ve ever been.

You don’t need to replace nicotine with anything, certainly not food. Exercise is giving me the headspace and mood boost that I used to get from cigarettes. I do still think about smoking probably every other day, but the thought of having one seems totally alien.

You could try Alan Carr’s book, it gets very good feedback on here.

That’s amazing thenew !

I’ve considered going out running. I’ve never done it as an adult but I always loved running as a child.
I’m abit embarrassed to do it though 🙈 I live in a fairly built up area so it would have to be street running... I’d look ridiculous tbf.
I may give it a try though... I’ve got my shock absorber bra and some new trainers, the only thing that’s stopping me is me!

I read the Allen Carr book about a month ago. It worked fairly well, I quit for a couple of weeks. Then went on holiday and had a few smokes, so here I am again.
Tbh, I’m fairly confident I can give up the cigs this time. I’ve made a promise to myself that I want to see my kids grow up. Smoking isn’t worth the risk of missing out on that.
So I guess my main worry is the weight gain. Or even staying the weight I am
I’ve wanted to lose this 2 stone since I had my eldest nearly 5 years ago.

I wish I had the willpower to do what you’ve done, it’s incredible!

Thanks lady, I won’t lie, it’s not been easy. I was very very strict for the first three months, literally not a grain of sugar passed my lips. I can be more relaxed now. I had reached a point where it had to change. I was really miserable, always finding a reason to not stop smoking, or not start dieting. I was really desperately unhealthy and it was only going to get worse. So a massive diet/lifestyle overhaul happened. I promised myself a year of strict diet/exercise/health and if it didn’t work I’d reconsider my options.

Everyone goes ‘softly softly’ with diets but I needed my ass kicked! By changing everything all at once, it was like ‘new healthy me’ just appeared, and the detox bit was over pretty quickly. I do still miss cigarettes but only when I’ve had a drink or very occasionally when I feel frazzled and need 5 minutes (and then I go for a run!)

Good luck, and remember that kicking smoking is massive in itself. If you do gain a few pounds at the start, it’s still better than smoking.