Until you are ready to make a firm commitment, things will probably stay the same.
It is your choice and when you are really ready to make the changes, it will happen.
Good luck on your journey.......

springer - Honestly, speaking from experience, I would quit smoking first. You WILL gain weight from quitting. So why regain what you work hard to lose? (that's my opinion).

I quit once in 1996 for ten years and like an idiot, I started again and smoked for 3 years. I quit last November and it's now been 10 months. I'd smoke again in a heartbeat if it weren't for the health effects, the cost and the STENCH!

It helps me lose weight and that's the only reason I'd want to smoke again. I personally, would worry about that more than the weight right now. One thing at a time!

springer mom, I hope that you can find the willpower. I agree - stop smoking first. Then the weight. For weight loss, am I assuming correctly from your name that you own a dog, a Springer Spaniel? If so, do you walk your dog or just put him/her in the yard? How about making a daily walk with your dog part of your routine? You could gradually build up the distance, and once you start to feel better and see a bit of an improvement I'll bet your motivation will increase, too.

Actually, that may even help with quitting smoking. Rather than pick up a cigarette, pick up the dog's leash and go out. Worth a try.

Start very, very small. Baby steps.

If you truly want to make changes, you can.

I'll write more later, but the first step I took was to drink water. Lots of water. Lots of water and then more water.

You cannot drink too much water, and after the first week your body will adjust and you won't be "going" every 20 minutes.

I drink at least a three quarts, and usually a gallon, of water daily.

It took me nearly a year to "quit" salt. At first I thought I'd die. I was a salt-a-holic! Food was so bland. Now, I love my food again; it's full of flavors I'd never noticed, and I can't stand using salt at all.

So many foods I used to love now taste vile...because they're processed with salt.

It can be done.

For me, it wasn't just WHAT I was eating, it was the huge portions I was eating, as well as not exercising. I lost weight on Weight Watchers, but anyone can lose weight IF you get to the point that you are willing to do whatever it takes. You sound like you may be at that point now.
There were a few things that really helped me to stick to it:

The determination that I was NOT going to live like that any more... being ashamed of the way I looked, feeling unhealthy, etc.
Not bringing high-fat and high-sugar foods into the house in the first place was a must for me, I cannot resist them when I am hungry.
Mid-afternoon is my worst time to crave sweets, so I try to always have some kind of fresh fruit that I really love, then drink lots of water.
It will probably always be a struggle for me not to gain it all back, and I now realize I'll never be one of those people who can eat anything, anytime they want to and not gain weight. Believe me, if I can do it, anyone can do it!
Wishing you success.

Go to the diet forum. That has helped me althugh it isn't very active right now, If you weigh in each week and report it to all the forum, you aren't too happy if you have to report that you gained throught the week. I have a very sweet tooth and want all the wrong things too. I also am on meds that keep the wieght on. My grand daughter was quite heavy and lost a great deal. That made me really ashamed of myself and I have lost 44 pounds. I'm so happy about that. I eat everything except cut way back on the sweets. I also use a smaller plate so it doesn't look so empty.

I feel so much better too.

All the best with the dieting but with the smoking take small steps too. My son cut himself back to one cig an hour, and then one every two hours. That helped him achieve his goal.

All the best

Start walking, anyone can do it. If you don't want people to see you at first walk at night (if it's safe, of course).

I am of the differing opinion that you should quit smoking and start dieting together. I know for myself I feel so much better when not smoking, and the nicotine cravings can be replaced by patches or lozenges or whatever. Or try Chantix.

Since it doesn't sound like you know anything about nutrition, join weight watchers. They will teach you how to eat correctly, and won't make you eat chicken if you don't want to.

I know how depressed you are feeling right now, but trust me that it will only take a short time of sticking to a nutritious food plan with light physical activity and no smoking before you will start to feel better. Good luck!

What foods do you really like to eat? What meats? What veggies and fruits? Plan a healthy menu around those.
I became a non smoker 3 years ago? I gained 15 lbs. I am now 5 away from my goal.
Make a choice. That's all it is. Don't quit anything. Choose not to smoke or choose to eat healthy foods.
I would first work on the smokes. Get some help. The patch worked for me, but maybe you'll do better with something else.
Once you decide that it is up to you and no one else it will be easier. And don't beat yourself up so much. You are not the only person out there wishing they were skinny or could choose not to smoke. I'm sure there are many here who would like an email friend to vent or to talk to.
Just take one day at a time. Try not to look pounds ahead or days without smokes. One day at a time. Soon you'll see results! You can do this. If I can, anyone can!

Thanks for all your suggestions and support. I talked to my brother on the phone earlier. He gave me the big brother lecture on smoking. I will be seeing him on Thursday. I am going to do my best to leave my cigs at home. Since I have retired I smoke more. I am busy all the time,but still smoke.
Yes my dog is a springer and a big ole baby. he doesn't like to walk, he likes to run. I wouldn't make it to the next corner. Out of breath from smoking and being overweight.
Maybe Dh the dog and I can walk a little every evening.
thanks. i will keep you updated. I am ready.

I agree with the others, quit smoking first but try to control your eating at the same time to some extent. I feel about the same way you do as I am overweight and have always been thin my whole life. I had lost about 35 pounds after I quit smoking and was doing really good but the lung cancer came along and they actually gave me steriods and drugs to stimulate my appetite and I ate and I ate and I ate and it didn't help that my friends brought cookies and cake and goodies. My doctor told me to eat all day and whatever I wanted so when I could eat, I ate junk and now I am in your position.....

Check out weight watchers, I think it is a wonderful plan. I know I can lose the weight because I have done it before but like you, I'm struggling with willpower.

You certainly have gotten a lot of good advice here! There are many people who face your challenges. Lucky for you, smoking and overweight are problems which CAN be defeated! To ensure success, definitely check with your doctor about what approach to take.

If you don't start with the weight loss right away, just begin eating a little less and eliminate junk foods. Do not buy them at the grocery store.

I got help from the dietician at my local hospital and lost weight by counting calories.

Springer, it will be tough in the beginning, but after you get going with a plan, your success will provide the willpower to keep going. And remember, this will all take time, you cannot rush it, because you are making major lifestyle changes. Very, very best wishes.

You could start by purchasing Kellogg's protein drink. It's actually a little package that you add to a bottle of water. It provides enough protein to cut your hunger in half if you drink 3 a day one hour before a meal. I got mine at walmart. Then eliminate all high sugar, high fat food in your home and stock up on healthier food. There are a ton of good plans on line that you can follow. The South beach is easy and you get fast results. Next, get out and walk. If you can't do that, stand in place and do a marching step while watching a one hour t.v. show. You can rest during commercials. Works great for speeding up your metabolism. Baby steps and before you know it, the scale numbers will drop and you'll feel sooooo much better.