Once again, it's a miracle I'm under 180. Yesterday I was 182. I omitted carbs and drank tons of water in the hopes I would be back to 179 for today's weekly weigh-in, which I accomplished. It's so hard to get my eating back under control once I slip off my diet. I thought I could control it, but it's been 3-4 weeks now that I can't get control of my hunger and cravings and motivation to say no. Thankfully I've continued exercising, I'm certain that has helped slow the gain. Unrelated - today is day #4 without cigarettes. I don't feel much pride yet because it's only been 4 days. Most times it's easy, I don't think about it and I take deep breaths. Sometimes I almost give in. Apparently after 3 days your body rids itself of all nicotine, and after 4 weeks the brain nicotine receptors decrease. I read a lot online last night about quitting and that weight gain will happen, 1 pound per week on average, due to slower metabolism from not smoking plus cravings for sugar. The website pretty much said that if you try to diet & quit smoking at the same time, you'll fail at both because it's too much restriction. I am trying anyway. Another website detailed the relationship of nicotine addiction/dependence to heroin and how the Rule of Addiction is "not one puff" just as alcoholism's slogan is "not one drink". One more puff will re-activate all of the nicotine receptors and the dependency will restart, and it could be years before I attempt to quit again. I've been thinking about that theory in relation to dieting, specifically to sugar and processed foods (chips, fast food, etc.). "Not one bite" should be my slogan too, because as I explained above, it's so hard for me to get back in check after a day or more of eating whatever I want. I've read before how addiction to food/sweets/processed foods have been compared to heroin addiction. I believe it.
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