Sorry this is so long -
I've posted several times in various discussions about my problems with weight gain and drastic loss of energy since quitting smoking and vaping only for the last 3 years. I've not changed my diet, my meds, my sleep habits, nor anything else that could've caused it!
I do have hyperthyroidism (take Synthroid for the last 18+ years) and had seen an endo. (he's also my PCP) every 4 months. Metabolism was regulated and weight and energy were always great. Have discussed with him at every visit in the last 3 years...about my ongoing weight gain and further loss of energy since quitting the smokes. I'd maintained nearly my same weight since I was in high school more than 45 years ago! It never wavered more than 3 lbs. up or down. Had always had enough energy for me and several others, too.
Doctor said my smoking delivered not only the nicotine my body craved, but also all those other chemicals that rode along with it into my body. Not getting those chemicals now, and less nic while vaping 6mg eliquid (compared to smoking 1-1 1/2 PAD)...had messed up my metabolism that was regulated for many many years! He still gives me a thumbs up on vaping instead of smoking, and has also given me an additional RX to hopefully help me. It didn't though. In fact, it caused other problems, so I quit taking it.
So, I've been doing something on my own to see if it might change things back to MY normal. Since another ECF member posted (I think it was in August)...about his own weight gain when quitting smoking, I'd been thinking about what he's been doing since then to lose it. The last time he posted about it, I think he said he'd lost all but about 5 pounds of the 18 he'd gained. He was going to continue what he was doing to get rid of them, too.
So, I've also been gradually upping my nic mg in my DIY, too. I'm increasing it from my usual 6mg to 1/2 mg higher each month. I've only been doing it for 2 months now, so only a 1mg increase. I've lost 5 pounds I'd gained and have a noticeably increased energy level, too. It's not up to where it was yet, and I've got more pounds to go. So March 1st...I'll raise it another 1/2mg and see how it goes. By the way, my doctor does know I'm doing this, and has no problem with me trying it.
So, based on my doctor's training, experience, qualifications, etc., his conclusion is that even if your eating habits don't change, you don't substitute snacking for smoking, etc...you will likely gain weight when you quit smoking, because your metabolism IS changed! That might be helpful info. for others, too, if they're having some of the same problems since quitting.
I've posted several times in various discussions about my problems with weight gain and drastic loss of energy since quitting smoking and vaping only for the last 3 years. I've not changed my diet, my meds, my sleep habits, nor anything else that could've caused it!
I do have hyperthyroidism (take Synthroid for the last 18+ years) and had seen an endo. (he's also my PCP) every 4 months. Metabolism was regulated and weight and energy were always great. Have discussed with him at every visit in the last 3 years...about my ongoing weight gain and further loss of energy since quitting the smokes. I'd maintained nearly my same weight since I was in high school more than 45 years ago! It never wavered more than 3 lbs. up or down. Had always had enough energy for me and several others, too.
Doctor said my smoking delivered not only the nicotine my body craved, but also all those other chemicals that rode along with it into my body. Not getting those chemicals now, and less nic while vaping 6mg eliquid (compared to smoking 1-1 1/2 PAD)...had messed up my metabolism that was regulated for many many years! He still gives me a thumbs up on vaping instead of smoking, and has also given me an additional RX to hopefully help me. It didn't though. In fact, it caused other problems, so I quit taking it.
So, I've been doing something on my own to see if it might change things back to MY normal. Since another ECF member posted (I think it was in August)...about his own weight gain when quitting smoking, I'd been thinking about what he's been doing since then to lose it. The last time he posted about it, I think he said he'd lost all but about 5 pounds of the 18 he'd gained. He was going to continue what he was doing to get rid of them, too.
So, I've also been gradually upping my nic mg in my DIY, too. I'm increasing it from my usual 6mg to 1/2 mg higher each month. I've only been doing it for 2 months now, so only a 1mg increase. I've lost 5 pounds I'd gained and have a noticeably increased energy level, too. It's not up to where it was yet, and I've got more pounds to go. So March 1st...I'll raise it another 1/2mg and see how it goes. By the way, my doctor does know I'm doing this, and has no problem with me trying it.
So, based on my doctor's training, experience, qualifications, etc., his conclusion is that even if your eating habits don't change, you don't substitute snacking for smoking, etc...you will likely gain weight when you quit smoking, because your metabolism IS changed! That might be helpful info. for others, too, if they're having some of the same problems since quitting.
Last edited:
