Vegan walk on the Beach

[Cambie]

Greetings fellow Beachers! I'm still here and struggling since quitting smoking a month ago. Of course I have gained weight already and freaking out! (Not enough to take up smoking again though). I thought I was being careful with my eating portions and schedule. Only new addition to my eating is sunflower seeds to satisfy that "hand to mouth" thing. But still have gained 5 pounds in one month!!!! I'm scared seeing the numbers moving up after all this time. The patch has my cravings to smoke under control so that's not an issue. I will begin daily food tracking again and cut calories where needed. I'm open to any suggestions of help with the weigh gain!

I hope everyone is doing well and and making good healthy choices!

I've missed you all even though my posting has fallen off. I vow to show up and be accountable like I've done in the past.

Life IS Beautiful
Tammy

[Beaching It]

Hey Tammy, I remember quitting smoking many years ago and my weight going up. It was scary but it will level off and then you will lose that extra weight and be a non-smoker!! That's is much healthier than smoking for sure. Congrats on quitting!!!!

Hope things are going well now that a few weeks has passed. I just got back from a 2 week Mexico vacation. heaven!!!

[Cambie]

Thanks for visiting Lisa.

My weight is really becoming an issue. Feeling a few of the old discomforts of weighing too much. Almost at 6 weeks, no smoking, no cheating. Cool, that's not an issue. Here's the kicker....thought I was eating just as before, no real changes. But I had also stopped tracking my daily food several months ago. So tonight I plugged in what I've eaten the last few days and guess what....I'm getting too many calories per day, not enough nutritional balance (low on protiens, curse of being vegan some days). Have NOT stepped on the scale for over a week. Since I started tracking again I'll start with new weight and measurements. How easily I had myself fooled that my eating was Beachy! Oh and was sick with a wicked nasty cold for over a week, feed that cold very well!!

Plan of action: Start applying what I know works and get moving. Bought some new walking shoes and a forcast for a very warm weekend!

Have a beachy weekend to all.

Life IS Beautiful
Tammy

[Chris55]

First, major major congratulations on kicking the smoking. That's huge! You're not the only one struggling with the food issues. I'm right there with you.

I've finally broken through this week and the scale is moving down for a change after months of going in the wrong direction. I've actually been concentrating on eating more vegetarian meals, but I know that even vegetarian does not necessarily translate to healthy if I'm having full fat cheese and too much fat. So I've cut back on cheese a lot, like we're supposed to - only 2 servings a day recommended now. Eating more legumes is helping, but with cutting out the grains for P1, I'm not sure I'm balancing my meals as well as they should be. But I've been trying, even at carnivore meals, to have legumes instead of rice. Even brown rice sets me off munching so I usually confine that to my evening meal, but this time I'm stalling adding back grains and just including starchy veggies when I start P2. I had my chicken curry over lentils last night while my family had rice. It was actually pretty good that way and I'm thinking I might start eating more lentils. Never had them except in soup, but they do make a very nice side dish with some interesting texture. I cooked them in my pressure cooker, like I do all my beans. I don't like messing with cans

Hang in there! Where do you track your calories? I've been looking a bit at livestrong and sparkpeople, not sure which one is better.

[Beaching It]

Hey Tammy, so glad to hear you're hanging in there with the quitting. Good for you. I know it's tough!!! It's amazing how the calories sneak up when you stop tracking. Glad you are aware. Keep up the good work.

[Cambie]

I am 2 months non-smoking and 1 jean size larger...sigh. The food tracking has helped me to stop the weight increase this past week. Talk about a reality check! Sheesh.
I use sparkpeople to track food because it's so easy. That's really all I use the site for, when I'm being good and being in control of what I eat. Hard to not be accountable when you get real numbers. So, I'm back to as basic as a vegan can go, better nutritional balance. Still have not worn the new walking shoes. After a six day week, I just don't want to be on my feet much on my one day off. Slug is my term for that day...lol. I'm open for tips from anyone on keeping weight under control after quitting smoking.

Thanks for the visits and encouragement, I so appreciate it! Hope is your journey is going well with numbers going down on clothes & scales and up on confidence.

Life IS Beautiful
Tammy

[Chris55]

Congrats on the 2-month mark!! Don't have any words of wisdom about not replacing the cigs with food. A couple of people I know have told me that food actually tastes better once you start smoking Not necessarily helpful.

Are you having trouble with snacking or with meals? If you're gravitating to more snacking when you normally would have smoked, then you probably need something really low calorie to snack on and then make sure you have very satisfying meals. I've been hooked on snap peas lately - got a huge bag at Sam's Club and take a baggie of them with me when I leave the house. Many fewer calories than if you overdo nuts or cheese. One of my main issues is with cheese - could easily eat 5 or 6 servings a day and that would spell trouble.

[SharleyBloom]

I want you to all go to the South Beach Diet Success stories... etc tab (Its right under the Phase 2 discussion tab) and Check out the entry labeled Started at 579, but now weighing in at 235 after 1 yr.... THIS, boys and girls, is WHY we are all here.

[Cambie]

Lost my almost fied post so here is the short version:

I am a NON SMOKER for real now, been over three months and don't think about smoking any more. Gained 20 pounds in just over 3 months. Had some dental issues that caused me to be bloated for a week, that hurt a lot but that has all be resolved now too. I'll keep fighting to get this new weight off as quick as possible.

Hope ya'll are doing well and getting outside to dance in the sunshine when possible!

Life IS Beautiful
Tammy

[happymo4]

That is so awesome that you quit smoking! You should feel so strong and so proud of yourself! The weight will come off with time and you are going to feel sooooo good. Stay strong and drink lots of water. My friend quit smoking and whenever she craved a cigarette, she would get on her bike and ride until the craving went away. She is very thin now! Have a great week!
Maureen

[mrsgjr]

Hi Tammy!!! SO Awesome to see people I know and doing well. Stopping by to sprinkle a Lil' Love so ... *sprinkle-sprinkle*!! Life Is Beautiful

[Cambie]

Wow, how the summer has flown by!

I quite smoking for 4 months then started again in June while visiting friends on the West coast. They both smoke in their house (yuck) and I couldn't get away from it so I caved. ALso couldn't get the 20 pounds off till I started smoking again. What a vicious cycle. I'm now on meds to help me stop again.

I re-discovered Wraps this summer filled with healthy veggies and spicy boca patties. They are filling and easy to take to work. The other cool thing is I have zero cravings for sweets any more. Hubby brough chocolate from Europe in the Spring and it's untouched! Never thought that would happen.

My weight is still a yo-yo which I attribute to menopause. Fun fun. Still maintaining clothing size so it's not the worst.

Will make an effort to check in more often now that's it's not over 100 degrees here.

Wishing everyone a happy, beachy day!

Life IS Beautiful
Tammy

[Chris55]

You're back We missed you!

Sorry you're hormones are making things more challenging. Most of my weight gain happened in my early 40's. It was like my metabolism just ground to a halt. But keeping stable in the same size is an accomplishment! It gets more difficult as we get older, but it's possible to lose it. Hang in there!

[Cambie]

Thanks for the encouragement Chris. I can't give up, have come to far and I know how bad I felt at my heaviest. Hope you are doing well too!

Life IS Beautiful
Tammy

[Cambie]

After almost two weeks with pneumonia, I have lost 12 pounds! I feel better and even look better! Also learned that I can survive on less food than I was eating so I am sticking to the way I have been eating while sick and see if I can drop even more. Ahhh, the silver lining....giggle. Also cut back drinking a lot which was a big calorie savings.

Hope everyone else is doing well and staying well.

Life IS Beautiful
Tammmy