What was harder? Losing weight or stopping smoking?

[Sheree Bobbins]

I have been on a revised diet plan all fall and I've lost 23 pounds. Whew! I wonder if this is the hardest thing to reduce eating amounts or is smoking cessation tougher yet?

 

[CapeCodTenor]

I don't smoke, but I would assume that quitting smoking would be the harder of the two. About 8 years ago when I started to work out and loosing weight, I found it hard to alter what I ate. Eventually I had the idea that I would continue to eat what I normally eat, I would just eat less of it. So, after a year of working out and doing this kind of diet I dropped 60 pounds. Of course after getting back in to college I gained most of it back...took 7 years to gain it back, but I did.

 

[vivilasvegas]

Quitting smoking is harder. At least when dieting, you can still eat...you know? When you quit smoking, you can never have even one cigarette again. Ever!!

 

[kc73]

I quit smoking 12 years ago & lost 80 lbs after my 1st son was born 7 years ago. I remember the pain and agony of quitting smoking much more vividly.

I also remember thinking during my dieting that "if I could quit smoking, I could lose the weight."

Smoking gets my vote.

 

[Keli]

I'm kinda leaning towards losing weight. It takes so long and it's a continual thing, you can't just not eat anymore. It's easier for me to go cold turkey when I'm trying to change a habit and I can't do that with food.

 

[inaminute]

Smoking was not easy. I tried many times and finally succeeded. But, I think losing weight is more difficult. I've tried even more times and still haven't found permanent success.

When you quit smoking you can choose not to ever smoke another cigarette. You can't do that with eating. While you can give up specific foods you still have to eat in order to survive. It's really difficult, especially if you're an emotional eater. I know I was. I got a handle on that part of it, but have ended up with some major bad food habits that are really tough to break.

I have given gastric bypass surgery serious consideration. I decided to give it one last try before going that route. I've decided to "act as if" I've had the surgery. I try not to eat sweets and I seriously watch portions. I eat what I want, concentrating more on proteins and vegetables. The trick has been that I have really small portions. I eat only when I'm hungry, but I must have a minimum of three meals a day. I'm amazed at the fact that I can feel really satisfied on significantly less food!

I started in either September or October and have lost 37 pounds. It was 39 but I put on two pounds due to excessive portions of some really yummy treats (sometimes, I'm a really good cook!).

 

[airhead]

...and I quit,and that was it. I've been on/off diets my whole life! I say losing weight is the hardest for me by far.

 

[Skywalker]

I found losing weight much harder. And I was a pack-a-day smoker before I quit cold turkey. Yes, that was painful. But to me, losing weight was harder - I consider that more of a victory than the smoking.

 

[Chicago526]

Both are tough. I'd say that short term, quiting smoking is harder, but long term, loseing weight/keeping it off is harder. But I've never been a smoker, so what do I know!

 

[coliebird]

I found losing weight much harder. And I was a pack-a-day smoker before I quit cold turkey. Yes, that was painful. But to me, losing weight was harder - I consider that more of a victory than the smoking.

I totally agree and it was even harder to keep the weight off.

With the smoking, once I got past the withdrawals, I was fine. I still crave them now and then, but basically once I was done that was it. It has been almost 6 years for me. With the weight loss, it is a lifetime of maintenance so I think that is harder.

Of course, I put on my weight when I quit smoking lol

 

[MoniqueU]

I quit smoking and gained weight. I would say losing weight is harder for me. To me I just don't want to smoke any more. I am not a born again smoker either I just personally don't have the urge because it was damaging my gums and teeth and I have a huge fear of the dentist so that was enough to make me want to give up smoking for good. Anyway sticking to eating healthy is so hard for me. I wish I could just "get" that.

 

[Chicago526]

I quit smoking and gained weight. I would say losing weight is harder for me. To me I just don't want to smoke any more. I am not a born again smoker either I just personally don't have the urge because it was damaging my gums and teeth and I have a huge fear of the dentist so that was enough to make me want to give up smoking for good. Anyway sticking to eating healthy is so hard for me. I wish I could just "get" that.

Well, good nutrition is also vital to healthy gums and teeth. Think about that before eating that eclair!

 

[pjlla]

I've done both and by FAR I believe that dieting is harder. I quit "cold turkey" (sort of), so it was all or nothing.... but you HAVE to eat... it's just knowing when to STOP eating that can be hard!......................P

 

[tiggerlover]

I stopped smoking 12 years ago this coming New Years day. I also have been a lifelong dieter having lost 62 pounds almost 3 years ago (gaining back 14 of those pounds). I can honestly say it was a heck of a lot harder (and continues to be harder) to diet in my humble opinion.

 

[froglady]

I've done both and by FAR I believe that dieting is harder. I quit "cold turkey" (sort of), so it was all or nothing.... but you HAVE to eat... it's just knowing when to STOP eating that can be hard!......................P

I agree! I've done both, and keeping weight off is much, much, harder. DH NEVER encouraged me to smoke again (he is a never smoked nonsmoker), but he has certainly sabotaged (even if unintentionally) my efforts to lose weight.

"Oh honey, you've GOT to try this foccacia I just baked." "Look, Dear, I brought these cookies home from the office. I know you love them."

 

[crz4mm2]

Stopping smoking was much harder. It has been over 20 years ago and I know if I picked up a cigarette today I would be right back to a pack a day.....
I have lost weight many times, but usually gain it back. sigh. It is a struggle, but not as painful a struggle as the smoking was...

 

[pearlieq]

I'm kinda leaning towards losing weight. It takes so long and it's a continual thing, you can't just not eat anymore. It's easier for me to go cold turkey when I'm trying to change a habit and I can't do that with food.

Agreed! There's a clear breaking point between smoking/not smoking that doesn't exist for food.

Equating losing weight to quitting smoking would be more like asking someone to cut down to 2, and only 2, cigarettes a day for the rest of their lives. It's harder where there is a gray area.

 

[Bojo]

IMHO, they're both easy; quit smoking and lost many, many pounds (the same ones multiple times!!) the hardest thing is to keep the weight off!!!

Good Luck whatever you need to do

 

[Kahana-ri]

I quit smoking. It wasn't easy, but I have been smoke-free for about seven years. I have had a harder struggle with weight. I have been overweight for about seven years. Coincidence?

 

[Sheree Bobbins]

These are thought-provoking replies. Notice I said a revised diet plan. I realize I will have to adhere to my new style of eating if I am going to keep the weight off. But, I am surprised to find that many find dieting worse! It makes me feel proud of my weight loss. But, I would have thought quitting smoking was harder. Interesting.