Quitting smoking and weight

Tox

So I recently got a new job that has me sitting at a desk working on a computer for about ~7 hours a day.

Since at home I know that +90% of my smoking is caused by just sitting at my computer and having an urge to smoke, I've decided to work on quitting smoking.

I got an e-cigarette kit (friend just straight up gave it to me), and I'm going to work on at least reducing my smoking habits, and eventually outright quitting.

HOWEVER

I am also trying to lose weight. Hopefully, eventually, a lot.

I know quitting smoking generally can result in a mild weight gain.

So I was wondering if there were any good supplements/vitamins/other type of thing that people have had success with helping to prevent that weight loss.

Some studies suggest that quitting smoking causes seratonin levels to decrease, which can create a craving for starches/sweets, which can cause the weight gain. Other studies apparently link it to just smoking raises metabolism.

Does anybody have any insight that a quick google search won't reveal?

I'm not overly worried. 5-10 pounds of weight gain will hopefully be more than accounted for with my diet/exercise regimen, but I figured it couldn't hurt to ask.

Radiation

Usually for me it was a...boredom snack. Instead of "fuck yeah lets go smoke", now I'm looking at the snack fund we had at work. I started having grapes to bring to work to munch on those. Or other fruit/vegetables. And I'm pretty sure true story on the slowed metabolism.

CourtOfOwls

I would assume that the weight gain might be (at least in part) due to quitting, and the how people may compensate by eating more. You can knock out both while jogging outside (don't use treadmills unless you up the incline or you're just simulating running downhill). The extra exercise will increase the cravings you have, but you're running it off anyway. For me, if I haven't run in awhile, the first week back is always the worst in terms of pain for gain. I imagine that it will be worse for someone who is quitting smoking. However, once you sweat all the bad JuJu away the gain will be greater when you do commit, and you do continue after that first week.

Basically I am trying to convince you to take up running as a passion in order to replace smoking. I treat everything as a give and take, even mentally. So if you decide to not take up something running, I would hope you take up something else to focus on instead of smoking. I just chose something physical because I think it would be ideal to have a goal that makes smoking counter-intuitive. I hope this kind of mentality helps.

Thundyrkatz

When I quit smoking a loooong time ago, the first week was the worst. After that it was breaking the association with smoking that was hardest. Ultimately it was just a matter of time. Its easy to attempt to assuage your need to do something with your hand and mouth by eating more, that will do you in more then any hormone imbalance which will correct itself within a few weeks. The e-cig will probably help with that a lot.

For weight loss, This year I have lost 45lbs so far. I had never been a huge junk food eater, never drink soda and don't eat chips and stuff. Cutting those if you eat them is definitely something that will show results. But for me, the key was portion size. Turns out i was really eating enough food for 3 people, even when its not junk food that adds up. I can still eat what I want, just less of it. Again, tough at first then easier as you get used to it. Also, when making meals... Lots of low starch veggies, a good helping of lean protein and the rest you can do as a starch like 50%, 40%, 10% respectively. I am hardly reinventing the wheel here, but it worked for me, and without having much time to exercise.

Lastly, I have heard a lot of people say that you should attack one vice at a time. Don't quit smoking and start a restrictive diet on the same day. No reason to put yourself through that much suffering.

grouch993

Maybe look into a standing desk at work? I have heard that trying to avoid the conditions where you would normally smoke should help with the psychological urge.