Wish me luck!

[Nix]

Well, for those that don't know, I am stopping smoking tomorrow and starting a Slimming World diet plan as well. First weigh in is Wednesday night. I know I might be seen to be a little bit more crazy than normal by tackling both head on at the same time. However, I think concentrating on learning the diet might help distract from the not allowing myself to smoke. This is the plan anyway. I am going into it (at the moment) with determination to succeed. I have posted on my fb about this with 2 very brave pictures of myself (1 many moons ago at my fav weight and the other of me now). I have started a blog also.I am doing these things to make myself somehow accountable for my actions and to keep up the motivation/positivity. I have 4 goals at the moment;
1, Stop smoking
2, Loose as much weight as possible before my operation in the summer
3, To be at my goal weight/dress size by summer next year
4, to be more happy and confident and healthier

I don't know how many of you have changed your lifestyles for the better, so I am asking for any advice and support thats going... I'm gunna need it!!

P.S.
I'm now off a medication that was a weight gainer so I am hoping to have a fighting chance at this now!

 

[Priceless]

Loads and loads of luck!!! You sound really determined and positive - totally the right attitude!

You just have to keep believing you can do it, even in the tough times. I gave up smoking a few years back, and it was tough, but I promise you'll feel so much better about yourself and so much healthier.

 

[Athena]

Very best of luck! I've never been a smoker, but I know from friends how tough it is to quit, but it can be done. 🙂 Belief in yourself is the first step.

Best advice I can give is don't beat yourself up. You're taking a lot on here and it's not going to be easy. You need to appreciate yourself when you're doing well, but also not to beat yourself up if things don't go to plan.
Bear in mind I've never done Slimming World so I can't offer any advice on that but my best advice about the weight loss would be to get rid of your bathroom scales and concentrate on inches lost, rather than weight.

You didn't mention any exercise, but if you do decide to work out as well as do Slimming World, chances are you may gain weight (or appear to not lose weight). This may also be a side effect from giving up smoking too. Getting rid of your scales will help motivate you, because health isn't just about a weight. I'm the same weight I was three years ago, but I'm slimmer and fitter than I've ever been in my life. A few little changes in your day to day life will make such a difference to your general health and wellbeing. Exercise is a great way to swap one habit (such as smoking) for another habit (like going for a walk every day) and it doesn't have to be strenuous to make a difference. 😉

And if you feel like you're slipping back into bad habits, talk to someone. Don't be afraid to admit you're struggling, people will help you. They want to see you succeed just as much as you do. 🙂

 

[Ethan Reigns]

Keep hydrated - drink much more water than usual and only water. Stop and think about it for a minute. Weight coming off means molecules are leaving your body. The only way out is through your kidneys (after your intestines get down to a normal load) and this requires water.

 

[ILLYRIAN]

Good luck at stopping smoking, I gonna be doing the same in a day or two. I've been on medication to stop the side effects of stopping smoking. The best way I know of testing the success of that procedure is to go cold turkey.
I'm not sure about losing weight though as when you cut out smoking you eat more. One way to help would be to eat foods that are good for you. Boiled slices of apple, dried fig, dried apricot. Another way of helping yourself is to eat better quality food.
How many times has a person lost weight when they have become successful? It is not by intending to eat less, it comes from eating better quality food.
Drinking water might be good for you but that depends on the crap that goes into the water.
I'll keep in touch.

 

[cryptwarmer]

Best to you! Won't say luck because that's not what gets the job done. You can do it and you will never regret it.

 

[brinkster130]

Good luck! You have our support 🙂 and if you ever need to vent we'll listen!

 

[Anyanka Bunny Slayer]

Here's a few suggestions that might help:

Picture in your mind how you want to eventually look. Visualization is quite powerful. If you can see it, you can be it! Grab ahold of that image and never let it go...because in a relatively short amount of time, you will BE that which you wish for.

The word "diet" implies an eventual end to your eating less; stay diligent and realize that if you want to drop weight AND keep it off, this must become your lifestyle.

Excercise is extraordinarily important. Not just for toning and and shaping your body, but for the wonderful boost in your mental state. Endorphins (nature's happy pill!) are released when a person exercises. And you don't have to join a gym; find some music you like, and when you're home, dance! It's a full body workout, it's fun, and you don't have to be surrounded by people. Also, long walls are a plus as well.

I can't stress enough how important visualization is. Our brains are far more powerful than many realise. Never lose sight of who you want to be!

Have you considered non-nicotine e-cigarettes? I'm a smoker, and I can only imagine how tiresome it would be to stop smoking and changing my lifestyle at the same time! I absolutely salute your strength of will in this matter. However, as I mentioned above, electronic cigs/vape pens might ease your journey.

I wish you all the best!! 🙂

 

[GoSpuffy]

Good luck!

 

[thetopher]

Good luck. 🙂

Some advice:

Drink plenty of fluids. You might find yourself drinking more coffee because that can be a good appetite suppresser but also iced water and fruit juice- especially in the mornings to help you through that first part of the day.

Cook for yourself: If at all possible- time permitting- cook and prepare your own meals. You end up appreciating them more and it helps you moderate your portions.

Exercise: Don't go all out at first try something gentle and slowly build up. Find something you enjoy or can fit into your day. Gardening, walking the dog, aerobics in the home, etc.

Snacks: This can help if your giving up smoking as well. Dried fruit, nuts, sucking candies- all these can 'fool' your mind/stomach into thinking your eating more than you are throughout the day- which leads to smaller meals.

 

[Mr Trick]

You have a tough road ahead, but I know you can do it. The very best of luck🙂

 

[nightshade]

Drink plenty of fluids. You might find yourself drinking more coffee because that can be a good appetite suppresser but also iced water and fruit juice- especially in the mornings to help you through that first part of the day.

Hahahahahaha more coffee! that'll be one every 5 minutes then, instead of every 10! 😛

 

[Bluebird]

Good vibes! 😀

I recently got fit and lost quite a bit of weight. Because I have a very petite frame it was hard to outwardly notice excess weight but I lost about 35 pounds over a year, and really I'm the only one who can notice it and feel the difference. And that's it. You're the one you're doing it for and you will appreciate what you've done for yourself when you're there. 🙂

 

[Nix]

Thanks everyone 😀

A small update...

My first weigh in at Slimming World is this Wednesday evening so fingers crossed..even if its 1 lb i'll be happy..

I have not had a cigarette for a whole week now 😀

 

[Skanky Vamp]

That's awesome. A week will turn into a month before you know it. Then you will think, shit, it's been a year already not too long after that.

 

[Athena]

Great work! Keep it up 🙂 and let us know what happens on Wednesday.

 

[Priceless]

So impressed that you haven't had a cigarette for a week. You should be really proud of yourself, and I know it's not easy giving up smoking. Well done, and good luck for the weigh in 🙂

 

[Mr Trick]

Just through seeing it with my Mum and other people I know how tough it can be. Well done. Keep it up.🙂

 

[bespangeled]

You can do it - I agree on the hydration and plenty of exercise. One thing I can add is look into the Diabetes 2 diet - no white bread, white potatoes, white rice. My husband and I both lost weight by making some fairly minor changes - mostly to complex carbs. Find a food you love that's also healthy for snacking. It's a lifestyle change unless you want to yoyo, so it's important that you have food you like to replace your other treats.

If you really want something sweet get a bag of hard candy - 10 calories each and it can take care of that occasional craving.

 

[GwenRaiden]

Wow! Congrats on the smoking, long may it continue! Are you vaping or using gum or anything like that? Or just cold turkey?

I've been smoking for 16 years, non-stop, other than the whole 9 months I was pregnant. That was purely psychological for me - I was petrified of having a miscarriage due to suffering one previously so I became a total health freak when I got pregnant again. So I know I CAN quit, since I have done it, but it's a mind frame thing. Smoking is my one and only and last vice that I have and I'm having a hard time letting go of the smokes.

Good luck for your weigh in too. 🙂