Weight Gain

Well, the Mayo Clinic Nicotine Dependence Center's 8 Day In-House Smoking Cessation Program (dry out tank for smokers) was a great success! Unbelievable easy! I haven't had a cigarette since 4:35 PM on 24 October 2008. And really haven't suffered at all.

HOWEVER, I stepped on the scale today. I was 113 lbs on 24 October 2008. 121.8 lbs today. H*ll I couldn't gain that fast when I was on TPN "and" eating to gain weight!!!

I'm giving it one more week and then I'm buying a carton of cigarettes and going back to smoking. At least w/the TPN and eating I was putting on evenly distributed weight. This 8 1/2 lbs is all right in the "apple" area. Its been too easy to put it on and its too d*mn hard to take it off. Either I stabilize at the 122 lbs mark or I'm going back to enjoying my ciggies!

How tall are you?? I bet your bodies "normal" weight is more and you are just finally getting there for the first time. Its ok to put on a little extra for your next flare. I understand what you mean though. I gained about 10 pounds in water weight from a birth control that didn't agree with me and it was right in my stomach. I hated it. Don't throw away your experience over some weight gain. You have gained just a little over 10 pounds in a month and a half.

Nicotine doesn't keep you skinny - it keeps you busy so you eat less. You might be eating more to substitute another hand to mouth activity. Try brushing your teeth when you feel the need to munch. "Smoke" a straw or coffee twirler. Munch on carrot sticks or celery if your crohns can handle it. Chew ice chips. Chew gum. Eat a cough drop.

Congrats on quitting smoking and I really hope you stick with it. PS: I am 5'7" and used to weigh 115 or so in high school, 120 in college 130 now. I have very many close guy friends who have told me I look a lot hotter since I have gained weight (and have boobs and a butt - plus now thighs and a gut) then I did rail thin. We like being thin to impress other women, not men. I bet most guys on here like a little meat on their babes.

They say that nicotine acts like an appetite suppressant, but I have seen plenty of over-weight smokers LOL!

:)

Congrats on quiting smoking.

Your body is readjusting to the lack of toxins.

C2 I have a different perspective on this weight gain thing. I am a former model and marathon runner and never wore less then a 10/12 in my adult life (I was actually smaller in the military then I was in high school because of the amount of PT and OPSTEMPO).  

 But of course I embrace my Gabriella Reese athletisism and my Anna Nicole curves.  Even though I may look like a train wreck now...LOL  It isn't because I do not care, it is because I know that health is the focus, and getting healthy is the most important thing. 

Now I am a size 24/26. I gained weight (150 lbs, litterly doubled my body weight) because I was unable to exercise (broken verts, leg, ankle, and foot) and I still have a very hard time moving. Obviously I am not going to be modeling again, but I do want to be healthy again.  So I know I will get sidelined from time to time, but I am like the turtle it might take me years to do it, but I will be healthy and in shape again. 

I am so jealous that you have only ten pounds to lose (and I also have to agree with fitzy here how tall are you and you know that a size zero is not something to aspire too), but I also know that is some of the toughest weight to lose. But really that is something you can fix in a month or two if you can commit to it and you can do it because hello you just quit one of the more addictive substances. Now I would like you to get addicted to the feeling of wellbeing that exercise can give you. It is going to suck for the first couple of weeks (3-6) because you will be sore, but it will get better. Please do the work to make yourself better, and as someone who's mother is dying of cancer to volenteer for such a thing, especially since you just kicked it, seems kinda crazy. I mean no offense I just want to make sure your focus is on the right thing. And that means replacing an old behavior (smoking) with a new behavior (exercising).

You can do this... and you do not need ciggs to do it.

P.S.  Thanks sniper! LOL

Thanks everyone. It is NOT a matter of controling portions. THAT is NOT the problem. Nicotine addiction wasn't a problem for me. It was and is THE HABIT.

The Mayo program is GREAT! It really is a "dry out tank" for smokers. The very first day a blood draw for nicotine and cotinine levels to determine the amount of nicotine support you need. They use the entire arsenal availabe for smoking cessation that yuo want and can tolerate. Patches are the main stay, depending on your blood draw results what dosage you are given. (Don't have to take any nicotine supplement you don't want to take). Then they also offer Chantix or Wellbutrin (Zyban) and any other mixture you want: gum, lozenges, puffer, nasal spray ... I forget what all is available.

You are kept busy from 6:30 AM to 5:30 PM. (Only 10 people at a time). Breakfast, counseling, classes on nutrition, lunch, exercise, history of tobacco, group sessions, private sessions, supper. Breathalyzer 3 x a day for the nicotine level and after any trip outside once you graduate to that privilege. The first 3 days no release from the in-house program, then an outside walk W/a staff memeber, then some free time to leave the facitlity for set time periods w/non-smoking friends or family. And finally graduation.

I am 5' 4". I'm 66 years old. I have a small bone structure. 120 lbs is about the limit that I feel good.

The problem is that I find myself grazing constantly and I'm not even realizing it until the stuff is sliding down my throat. I'm thinking I'm hungry almost constantly altho we all know I'm not. It isn't just the hand to mouth bit because I'm using the puffer constantly unless I'm in public (it looks like you are sucking on a tampax!!!). It isn't nicotine addiction 'cause I'm getting the nicotine and not craving a cigarette.

It IS an attitude adjustment. I resent depriving myself of a cigarette which I enjoy and having to fight this food craving. And especially sweets. I've not been fond of sweets in YEARS! One or the other I was and am willing to tackle - but not both.

And there is the matter of self-comfort and self-image. I'd rather smoke and be satisfied w/my appearance and comfort level. And be rest assurred I am NOT hung up on looking like a skinny cadaver. I HATE that the couple of times Crohn's put me there. But neither will I tolerate looking like an apple rolling down the street. I WILL maintain a physical image "I" am satisfied with. I could care less about other people's physical "image" of me.

Thanks, all of you, for caring!

C2> If you find yourself "grazing," aim for high-fat, high-protein foods- cheese is good. Carbohydrates and sugars offer little satiety, and people will eat and eat without feeling full- emptying a bag of potato chips or popcorn or whatever. There's no "off switch" for consuming carbs.

But the body *does* respond to fats and proteins. Prisoners used in diet experiments in the 1970s could consume 10,000 food calories per day as mostly carbohydrates and STILL manage to feel hungry. Fat and protein, however, cause the dieter to feel full more quickly, and stop eating.

Ps: I had now idea you were in your 60's C2. Not that you are old but I "pictured you" in your 30's for some reason.

C2, dont give up all that hard work. I made it through and am starting to lose the weight . I used baby carrots when I got the urge to eat or smoke or whatever my body was doing at the time. They are not fattening, taste good and mostly put something in your mouth besides a filter..

Sorry if someone already posted this info, but I didn't have time to read all the lengthy responses (I'm at work) hehe

When I quit this fall, the counselor told me that smoking a pack a day burns an extra 150 calories (since it quickens your metabolism, etc.) so she said weight gain is common for that reason. Maybe cut a few calories and exercise a little more? I'm struggling the same as you, so I definitely don't want to make it sound like it's easy, because it's not. I too have gained weight and am trying to deal, though prednisone is partially to blame in my case too.

good luck C2.. i hope you can endure... maybe this would be a good time to come out of retirement? a b1tchy attitude at Xmas always works for the mail!