The Giving Up Smoking Thread - Part 3

green1970

Sue-UU wrote: »

I'm only telling it as I see it, green1970, I succumbed to sweets for about a month until I realised it was swapping one for another, then I went to water and to doing more exercise which did the trick. Willpower plays a big part in what we do to get through cravings followed by assumed cravings (the mind). If we can switch our minds to doing other things and altering our lives a little, it's surprising how it works.

All the best to everyone and please don't delve too deeply into the words of those who try to help you, we too are human.

Sue

I think it's just a really interesting subject, how our minds work and it's something that crops up for most people that give up smoking. That's why it's worth talking about and analysing on here.

How would our quits go if we tried to do everything in one go right from the off - would they be better, would they be more likely to fail? Perhaps thinking about that a little more would help more people to quit successfully and long term.

Anyone else find it fascinating or is it just me :-)

Lotus-eater

Funnily enough, I used to eat alot of sweets while I smoked, since I stopped I've had almost none.

I don't think the e-cig is particularly relevant tbh in this, as you are still doing something with your hands, you don't need anything else to fill the gap.

But I do like not eating the sweets I that used to, I used to chain smoke and constantly eat boiled sweets when I drove.
Just need to sort out my crisp addiction now

karmacookie

The subject of addiction and how the brain works is indeed facinating!

People can be addicted to so many things, not just substances! If a scientist could come up with a cure for all addictions they would be very rich indeeed!

Sue-UU

Yes, I know what you're saying, greene1970, but everyone's different and what we can 'plan' in our minds that will help folk depends on the needs of the individuals at the time - also how much time we have to analyse it. :cool:

I always tell people:

"Whatever you think might help - try it - it may be just what you need to help you conquer quitting".

I truly think that about sums it up. Given that Money maker was wanting to lose weight I went for a quick post to try to help - if I do that, I'm happy, if not - I've done my best.

Sue

smileytiger

Lotus-eater wrote: »

Is that right?

How many do you have to eat to get the erm... effect?

If they are laden with the dreaded sorbitol not many..lol - but it's horses for courses - some peeps can down packets of em and be fine

On a personal note i lost 5 stone before i quit & i've gained some of that back - but i was grossly overweight & i smoked - so smoking does not make you thin - hence giving up does not make you fat. It's the fidgeting with the hands that makes you nibble and you also regain your appetite/taste.
It's not about advocating a diet - it's about healthy eating - something that as smokers non of us probably did. (again i'm speaking from experience) Fags n coffee for breakfast etc instead of starting the day with real food so you're always playing catch up.
I have a sad history of issues when it comes to food so there aint much you can tell me about what i should and shouldn't eat. I know the reality - but like giving up smoking - eating sensibly is something i have to work hard at. And i can't believe that promoting healthy eating is detrimental to anyone:)

hugs
Chrissie .xx

Needstochange

Interesting discussion on the weight thing.:)

Im kind of somewhere between the 2 arguments at the moment - I know for a fact that sipping water would not have hacked it for me during my first week of wall climbing (sorry Sue) but then I drink a lot of water anyway so it would not have been any different for me. I went for the sweets thing too for a few days and whilst I cannot say it helped a lot I did feel i needed something.

So I think where it is different for me this time is that this new behaviour of over eating is not me and will not carry on. I gave myself a fortnight and the good news is i'm starting to sort it now - pretty much back to normal eating for me by today. Today was the first day I felt really ready to tackle what could become problem number 2 if I continue "treating"myself. This way I should only have a few pounds to sort and not the major 2 stone issue I had last time. Exercise is obviously ideal but with my current workload and hours fat chance and zero spring to mind:o So will take the gain on the chin and go to normal me again, I will not be trying to lose it for quite some time

One thing I did learn about sweets biscuits toast whatever was that it never did actually make me feel better about not smoking. It did not replace them and it not give me any relief from the craving so in other words it was a pointless exercise eating it.

Lotus-eater

smileytiger wrote: »

It's not about advocating a diet - it's about healthy eating - something that as smokers non of us probably did. (again i'm speaking from experience) Fags n coffee for breakfast etc instead of starting the day with real food so you're always playing catch up.

I've always had a healthy diet... well up to about 8pm at night, which is when all the goodies will come out.
Never smoked before mid morning, unless I was driving, in which case it would be straight away.

I commuted a long way for a couple of years and used to do a packet of 20, just driving to and fro from work.

Lotus-eater

green1970 wrote: »

I think it's just a really interesting subject, how our minds work and it's something that crops up for most people that give up smoking. That's why it's worth talking about and analysing on here.

How would our quits go if we tried to do everything in one go right from the off - would they be better, would they be more likely to fail? Perhaps thinking about that a little more would help more people to quit successfully and long term.

Anyone else find it fascinating or is it just me :-)

No I really do, I seem to have a very addictive personality, so I find it also interesting to look inside myself and try to work out what's going on and why.

Lotus-eater

karmacookie wrote: »

I like the idea about treating yourself to some nice cosmetics or even some nice smellies? Let's face it, now that we have our sense of smell coming back makes it a good time to go perfume shopping(or aftershave, guys)!

I think it is important to give yourself a pat on the back when doing well at something and with the money saved from smoking we can all afford some small treats!

Bleh Don't use smellies. I smell nice as it is. I like my Oh to have perfume though, maybe she'll get some extra for her birthday.

Instead I bought today, 100 pairs of latex gloves, some screws and some heavy duty staples. £20 odd for screwfix (which would instead have gone on 3 (only 3 blimey) packs of cigarettes) that kept me busy today

Lotus-eater

Money_maker wrote: »

Well, 1 month later and just coming up to a stone heavier:eek:
Fortunately, I wasn't too big in the first place and I don't think anyone else has noticed but all my trousers are a squeeze and my stomach has flab. I knew this was a risk, I had made plans but they didn't work out. I FEEL heavy. On a positive note, it was either eat the house or start smoking again so I made the right choice:rotfl:

The last time I gave up smoking, was last year and it lasted 6 weeks, the longest I ever went, I was in the doctors and he said, well you've put on a bit of weight, don't let yourself eat too much. I was like....... do you want me to give up cigs or not?? :rotfl: I didn't say that, because he's a great doctor and he was saying the right thing.... but I was a bit peed off.
So then I started smoking again and was overweight as well! Made me depressed, did that.