I quit smoking one week + one hour ago. I’m feeling more or less stable with regard to that. I still have major decisions, namely I’m trying to get up the nerve to travel for a while, since jobs are few and far between and I am single and bored and lonely, etc.
My weight went up a few pounds about the same time I quit, and hasn’t budged. I can’t blame pms, salt, etc. I have been eating too much, but exercising too much, too, so I’m suspicious about what that extra few pounds is. I’m a bit worried about the factors that are going to work against my weight loss. Quitting smoking, approaching middle age, being female, not being willing to give up sugar and various treats, eating too much at parties when I’ve been drinking, etc, etc. I can see plenty of eating behaviors on my part that aren’t productive to weight loss that I let slide, but maybe if I want to wear size 4, I would likely have to work on a lot more. I’ve been size 6, and was still a bit chubby, though my BMI was an official 24.9. I think it’s a continuum, maybe some chubby folks like me who want to end up at size 4 have to eat salads and baked chicken with brown rice, but for size 6 we can be more lenient? Or the size 10 that I currently am? How often can I eat a piece of chocolate cake at size 6 vs size 4? My dad has always carried an extra 20 pounds or so (supposedly he was chubbier as a kid), and has not eaten a piece of cake in 30 years. Lucky for him, he’s indifferent to chocolate, but still eats the occasional oatmeal cookie or whole grain muffin. If he gave up treats like that, would he lose that last 10 pounds? I think not, given his age and how long he’s carried that weight, but maybe the occasional treat is enough to plateau weight? I’m starting to think that may be a problem for me now-too many “occasional” treats and overeating.
I know that when I go to parties and drink I tend to eat too much. I think this is more of a problem than the occasional cookie I eat, though I have to watch the size and quality of my sugary treats. A 40 calorie thin mint, hell yeah! A 250 calorie donut, not so great. A burger and fries once every month or two, hopefully ok, once or twice a week, not ok. Or maybe if I eat a salad instead of fries, I could eat a burger once a week? Baked sweet potatoes that I can eat with nothing added-excellent. Cutting up sweet potatoes and roasting in salty oil until crispy, yummy but not a habit to get into. I need to find a balance to get to whatever weight I’m going to get to, and then stay there.
Smoke Yourself Thin! 
You’ll get there! We’re both having the tough journeys here. Quitting smoking and trying to lose weight. Sometimes I think it’s a damned if I do, damned if I don’t scenario, but I know we can do it!!!
Congrats on making it to the one-week mark!
I think you’re exactly right about finding the balance! I don’t want to live in a world without the occasional sugary treats or salty crunchy things. The trick is, as you say, finding our comfort levels. Easier said than done some days. 🙂
Hurray! Congratulations!
I think a big part of the balance equation is to figure out what feels right for you. You learn by trial and error how often you can indulge in the treats. Finding the balance involves making mistakes to learn.
Just found your site. Congrats on your new life change. If my mom could do it after 25 years and 3 1/2 packs a day you can too. She has been smoke free for 15 years. Stay Strong.
re: comment
julie, I live in a small country town where sidewalks are non-existent (except for the main town area which i was not in) and had a 40 minute break. The 4 minute drive would have been a 5 mile walk each way which is a lot more than 10 minutes each way.
I used to live in nyc and know all about walking everywhere, which is something I enjoyed, but in Floyd VA it just isn’t realistic.
I get the eco-nuts thing, I do my part (for the most part): I rarely use plastic bags, I buy locally grown/produce meat, vegetables,dairy, and I recycle.
Sorry, I had no idea! Around here, it’s at least a 5 minute walk to even get to my car, and if I wanted to drive 5 miles, basically across town, it could take 30 minutes, easily. More during rush hour. Bicycle is quicker, especially once you factor in parking.
Congrats on the week without smoking!
That’s such a huge step forward for good health. (And I’m personally a believer in treats and could never skip them entirely. Life’s too short! It’s getting the moderation thing down that’s always a challenge.)
Hey! I missed your week celebration! I must say… FUCKINGAMAZING! Smoking is NOT NOT easy, or even kind of easy to quit… I hope things are still going well.