Quit smoking and started gaining

[javagirl]

Help! Since I quit smoking 5 1/2 months ago I've been gaining a fairly steady 2 lbs/month. It's starting to really add up and none of my old pants fit, now the new ones are getting tight, and I'm not sure if this is going to stop any time soon! I have NOT gone off plan during this time (not even over the holidays!), carbs have been usually 20-25/day, protein from 90-100, calories averaging 1700/1750. Some days more and some less, but less than that and I start getting pretty hungry. No gluten but I do eat dairy - should probably drop that but food gets kinda boring without it at such low carbs. I'm assuming thyroid is normal because my morning temps or energy levels haven't dropped or changed any. Moderate exercise (hiking and outdoor stuff) several days/week.

I maintained fairly well for several years before this, although I had stopped losing about 10 lbs above where I wanted to be and never could budge it. Now make that about 22 lbs. Has anyone been through this and know how long it'll go on after quitting? Any suggestions on what I can try to at last stop the gaining, let alone lose some of it again? Thanks in advance for any help.

[Peachy]

My doctor told me that you take a hit to your metabolism when you quit smoking. I don't exactly know to what extent that is affecting you, but you may want to take some steps to increase your metabolism. Strength training is supposed to help. Dividing your meals into smaller mini-meals is supposed to help too. Sorry I can't help more. I'm going through it myself.

[javagirl]

Thanks for your thoughts Peachy. Yes, I think the metabolism drop is hitting me hard - more than I thought it would. I sure wish I knew why. I've actually started intermittent fasting to help bring calories down, and hopefully to regulate insulin levels and whatever else is wrong with me. You're right, I should probably do more resistance training too. I never thought I'd have to feel hungry again while keeping carbs low, but sadly it doesn't seem to be working very well for me anymore.

I wish you success with your own quit, and better luck than I with the weight management!

[downtownfellow]

:tongue:I was on the Protein Diet for almost a year (2004), and I went from 315 lbs to 240 lbs. I was happy as can be, so I upper my carb intake and I was abel to maintained the weight off for over a year. I was in a healthy kick. In december 2005 I quit smoking for good, I gained all the weight back. Doctor told me nicotine (of lack of) was the reason I gained the weight back. I kept eatign the same, but kept gaining the weight. I am back on PP, this time w/o smoking. I am hoping I'll doa s good as before and able to keep the weight off. Good luck to you