That is the hardest addiction to give up, it stays in your mind, and smells so good that its easy to slip up. No one can take a few puffs, or smoke one and thats it. The addiction I think stays in your body. That is why at 10yrs or so some goes right back to smoking. You know the danger signs, and what happens. You stand a better chance now you found out how it goes. Good luck, you can do it

So you want to be skinny and die of cancer? I think you need to rethink your priorities.

GET OUT THERE AN EXERCISE AND YOU WON'T GAIN WEIGHT. GOOD LUCK

lov, thanks for the thoughts and positive perspective. i haven't put somoking into the typical addiction category...like alcoholism, it's known that one can't take that first sip again...and i do need to see it as an addiction like any other, not a simple bad habit.

leoclark, when overcoming an addiction EVERYONE negotiates with themselves and often what a person is weighing shouldn't be taken or 'judged' so seriously. it is a real fear, for me, it is something real to overcome. Overcoming or recovering is progress and not perfection. so thanks so much for offering up your judgment and telling me what i 'should' do.

Hi Maia Just because I quit drinking 30 years ago, and quit smoking. I don't look down on anyone for smoking or drinking.I was there and done that. I also don't tell them what to do. I plan on keep my friend I had before I quit, I will never feel I am any better then them. So sure you will quit when the time is right.

leoclark you are wise beyond your years...thank you for shouting what it is i alredy know, and too, what exactly about my original post has you 'knowing' i don't already get out there and exercise?
full of assumptions and judgments...is the purpose of these group pages missed by you by any chance?

Woa!! Maia2976, I'm not sure of what you are looking for here. You put up a lengthy original post with quite a bit of contradictory information in it. You told us that you are committed to quitting smoking, but that you continue to smoke. You told us that you hate the dependence, hate the cost, are aware that you are making yourself sick (or will eventually), but that concerns about weight gain will likely make you forgo your long term health. Then you asked for our thoughts, support, and advice. Well, somebody gave you some thoughts and some advice, and didn't mince words. That happens sometimes on this board, and some of us appreciate it when others cut to the chase and give us some straight talk. It wakes us up and gets us to focus on our priorities.

That said, here's some input on your post. Everybody here has struggled with the contradictions and inconsistencies in our own thinking and behavior around smoking, just as you are now. And it is a hard struggle. Here's how it gets resolved: at the point when your desire to stop smoking becomes your top priority, over and above any of the other desires and concerns that are causing you to continue to smoke, you will quit. In my opinion, until that time, you are probably not ready to quit - even if you think that you are. I say that to you respectfully and with a lot of empathy. I recommend doing some reflection or meditation or journal writing on the question of, "Am I really ready to quit smoking?" It can help you start to sort out your competing desires and concerns.

I second that emotion.
Whatever you decide you should do it for yourself and your health, but I have to agree that there is a lot of thinking you are going to need to do about this. I have put on about 5 pounds in two months. It is causing me slight concern and annoyance, but I am SOOOO happy I quit, I don't even care, I am even beginning to own the weight like a badge of honor!
Take care of yourself.

I just wanted to give my support to you and let you know that i think your doing really well and should incredibley proud of yourself. The slips, no most quitters are inevitable, but you didn't slip back into days, and even if you did, whatever, look at your determination, you are truly on your way, that is obvious. I lobve the strength you have, today you have inspired me to be easier on myself, so thanks for the post.

Right on Beesley, I so agree. It is tough to quit, no doubt, the suggestion to journal and to be really sure makes sense. Best wishes and gaining weight is a scary thing, but heh, a few pounds is better than the things you read about on whyquit.com Leoclark is a very straight forward to the point woman and her encouragement and sincerity is truly valuable here, I'm sure she meant no offense. I hope you make it Maia, it is awesome on this side of the nicodemon, yet a struggle even 51 days later, easier but still a struggle at times.

Smiles to everyone...
I'm in the beginning, but have made the decision to quit that won't come without struggle for me, as many know and understand. I am still negotiating this addiction in my head and being honest about my "teeter-totter" thoughts, and wrote about them. It is my place now.

Hard truth, honesty and experience can be shared easily and straight forward without judgment or assumption, most of whom responded did just that...
And I would respond in kind to any postings that weren't supportive but assumed judgments. Thanks!

At my re-read of that is reads as if I meant all have responded in assumption and judgement...I'll clarify that mis-phrase by writing, only one responded in assumption and judgment, all others did not.

It seems all of the negatives of smoking definately outway the one negative of weight gain. Maybe you could find some info. on the internet about how the chemicals work in our bodies and if that weight gain will eventually return to normal. Don't let it hold you back though, and don't beat yourself up for slipping, you're doing great in my eyes!!

Hey! I just remembered this book that I read while I was gearing up to quit that may be of some help. It's by the American Lung Association and it's called How To Quit Smoking Without Gaining Weight, or something along those lines. It's just a little paperback, but it talks about techniques and it has plans, activities, surveys, all kinds of stuff to fill out and help you create the best plan possible to help you stay quit and stay the weight you are now, or even lose some.
I would highly suggest picking it up!

Thank you for the information...I'll seek out what that book actually is and check it out definately!