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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Quit Smoking. Put On Weight. Unable To Lose Weight Even After Excessive Workouts, Swimming. Suggestions?

Hello. I am a 56 year old very active female. I started smoking at age 15, and quit cold turkey at age 35. I remained totally smoke- free for for approximately 17 years, and resumed an extrememly active healthy lifestyle. I separated from and then divorced my husband of 20 years, and began smoking again- I actually thought i could just smoke casually. In no time, I began to smoke quite heavily, and feel the effects after 4 years. I knew i had to qwuit once and for all & NEVER pick up a cigarette again. The first time I quit wa nearly 20 years ago, and I exercised like crazy. I gained a good 15 lbs, maybe slightly more. It didn t matter what I ate, and how much i worked out- the weight just piled on. Without doing anything different- continuing to exercise and eat as I had, suddenly in 15 months aftger i stopped, the weight just literally fell off. It was amazing. Now- 20 years later, and having smoked again for a much shorter time, but nonetheless, still heavily, I am starting month 8 of being a non-smoker. I am running intervals atg 7.8 mph, I am swiming 1/2 miles, and doing very intensive water aerobics with weights, and also doing weight training. I have incredible stamina and exercise ability for my age- always have. But I am just so disgusted that I have put on 11 lbs thus far. Do I REALLY have to wait another 8 more months for my body to go back tgo a kind of homeostatic metabolism? It s SO unfair. I am killing myself with this exercise, and I am not stuffing my face or snacking . I don t think I can take another 7 or 8 mon ths of this! HELP!
Fri, 1 Mar 2013
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Psychiatrist 's  Response
Hello and welcome to Healthcare Magic. Thanks for your query.

Unexplained weight gain can be due to several causes - most commonly endocrine causes like hypothyroidism, etc. Often, smokers who quit experience some amount of weight gain in the firt 1 to 2 months after quitting.

It is good that you are exercising regularly and I hope you maintain a regular exercise regimen in the future also. However, I would advise you to have a detailed medical evaluation done in order to rule out any medical causes for the unexplained weight gain.

Wish you all the best.

Regards,
Dr. Jonas Sundarakumar
Consultant Psychiatrist
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Quit Smoking. Put On Weight. Unable To Lose Weight Even After Excessive Workouts, Swimming. Suggestions?

Hello and welcome to Healthcare Magic. Thanks for your query. Unexplained weight gain can be due to several causes - most commonly endocrine causes like hypothyroidism, etc. Often, smokers who quit experience some amount of weight gain in the firt 1 to 2 months after quitting. It is good that you are exercising regularly and I hope you maintain a regular exercise regimen in the future also. However, I would advise you to have a detailed medical evaluation done in order to rule out any medical causes for the unexplained weight gain. Wish you all the best. Regards, Dr. Jonas Sundarakumar Consultant Psychiatrist