Stopped smoking & up went the weight

[GetAGrip]

I'm just weeks away from the first anniversary of stubbing out my last ciggie. Although I made a concious effort not to get into the habit of popping mints, sweets or suchlike, my weight has increased by a stone in the last 12 months . I did however endeavour to walk more and spend more hours in the saddle.
Is this weight increase normal? Iv'e tried to watch portion control at mealtimes, and I don't do cake or biscuits but cannot have chocolate in the house . I must still be getting it wrong somehow. Any tips/advice would be welcome!

 

[tt123]

Yes I think it's very normal, and due to the fact that your metabolism isn't being stimulated by the nicotine rather than anything else. When I stopped smoking I went from 69kg to 83kgs in the space of less than 6 months, but then again I've always been a big fan of Hob-Nobs....

 

[vickster]

Totally normal. In my opinion, it is far better to be a stone heavier than to smoke (with all of the nasties that can cause)

Well done on being a non smoker

 

[Scilly Suffolk]

As well as stimulating your metabolism nicotine also suppresses the appetite, so when you were smoking your diet was being artificially regulated.

Now that you have stopped (well done, by the way), you are seeing the actual effect of your diet and lifestyle: as you have gained weight, it means that you are consuming more calories than you are using.

Although there is no magic bullet, the solution is very simple: eat less and exercise more. One stone over twelve months is not a dramatic gain, so you don't need to make dramatic changes.

Eating less, but eating more often will stop your metabolism from peaking and troughing and stop you getting hungry: three hours after a meal have a snack, about two and a half hours after a snack have a meal.

 

[alans]

I don't know anyone who has ceased smoking & NOT put weight on.I also know several folk who have put on weight & subsequently lost it.
I put 4 stone on in the first twelve months & still carry most of it 15yrs later.I reckon it's 'cause I discovered what food really does taste like without the overiding nicoteen sauce.

 

[paulw1969]

I have put on approx 3/4 stone since stopping and starting to ride again.....now i am doing mints etc which does not help but overall i hope my weight gain has been to muscle gain and not just the sweets ....muscle gain.....this might be your reason for the weight gain?
Like Jimmy says i guess i will have to watch my calories and try and burn off more than i consume, i am also eating more regularly rather than going a long time between meals as i used to because someone advised me to some time ago.....lets hope my weight settles down over time. However i am trying not to get too hung up about what the scales are telling me, i think it is more to do with how you look at the end of the day and also obviously how you feel! In other words i feel great that i have kicked the habit so the weight gain can be sorted later!!

 

[GetAGrip]

As well as stimulating your metabolism nicotine also suppresses the appetite, so when you were smoking your diet was being artificially regulated.

Now that you have stopped (well done, by the way), you are seeing the actual effect of your diet and lifestyle: as you have gained weight, it means that you are consuming more calories than you are using.

Although there is no magic bullet, the solution is very simple: eat less and exercise more. One stone over twelve months is not a dramatic gain, so you don't need to make dramatic changes.

Eating less, but eating more often will stop your metabolism from peaking and troughing and stop you getting hungry: three hours after a meal have a snack, about two and a half hours after a snack have a meal.

I remember using smoking in that very way as a single yet naive young waif

Thanks for the input all! In some respects it's comforting to know it's more than common to gain weight when stopping smoking, then again it's yet another battle to win . I use my legs more than my car now and try and cycle at least 4x20 miles a week which in itself makes me very hungry.
Here's hoping the summer salad season will make losing some podge a little easier.
Good luck to all other peeps in the same position!!

 

[PJ79LIZARD]

I ate More in the first six months, but I just cycled more miles, being less fit then I found it harder and subsequently burnt more calories. My weight is pretty much the same, but I've lost the belly and gained larger thighs! Just put some more time in the saddle and build that base fitness. Well done for making the twelve month milestone!

 

[Peteaud]

Ive put on 1 stone, but still better than smoking.

 

[caimg]

I've never been a smoker but - chewing gum! Keeps your mouth busy and it can make you feel bloated / more full, and satisfies sugar cravings.

 

[GetAGrip]

I've never been a smoker but - chewing gum! Keeps your mouth busy and it can make you feel bloated / more full, and satisfies sugar cravings.

At 10 cals a stick, gotta be worth a go

 

[MontyVeda]

it's just puppy fat... or maybe you're just big boned... possibly you haven't grown into your body yet?

happy 1st anniversary!

 

[MontyVeda]

I've never been a smoker but - chewing gum! Keeps your mouth busy and it can make you feel bloated / more full, and satisfies sugar cravings.

I've always found chewing gum just makes me feel hungry... and it makes my jaw ache.

 

[GetAGrip]

it's just puppy fat... or maybe you're just big boned... possibly you haven't grown into your body yet?

happy 1st anniversary!

Just love the idea of it being puppy fat

 

[phil_hg_uk]

Just love the idea of it being puppy fat

Just get a thinner puppy