I thank everyone for the replies thus far.
And nice catch on the never dipped again. I should have said until that day at the little league game.
And as far as the doctor goes, I did question that theory a bit but I know why he urged me not to quit at this time. I have been dam near bed ridden for 4 years now with a blown out back. My mental state is in the whole so bad I wanted to step out in front of a freight train ...... if I could have got up off the bed long enough to do it. Now I get spinal injections and am in physical therapy and staring to loose the weight required before a surgeon will reconstruct my spine. Simply enough, he don't want any weight to become and issue for me at this point in time. I have 35 more lbs to go before they will even consider doing anything for me.
I weighed out my options and decided to go for it last night without talking to my wife. Talk about a fight from hell! She STRONGLY urges me to listen to the doctor. I strongly urge my self to listen to y'all instead.
They can toss out all the excuses they want! Mental, weight, snow, to sunny, I really don't care. It's that time.
Thanks gain everyone for being here and all the replies.
With more information provided I would actually go with your doctors advise. While I am here on this site and do not condone the use of smokeless tobacco, your potential debilitating back problem should be rectified first and foremost.
You will gain weight. That is not a question, that is a fact. The question is just how much. In your case especially, weight gain can be a huge problem. I have enjoyed getting out more and getting more exercise. Without it, I probably would be heavier. They say (and I don't have a source, but it is not too hard to believe) that nicotine alone in a heavy smoker/dipper can burn an additional 200-300 calories a day. Put on top the fact that as a former dipper I would rather have a dip in instead of food, we all know I was probably 10-15lbs lighter then I should have been.
Just to give you my experience at day 33. I started my quit day after a 3 months prep to get "better". Including getting some additional exercise and changing what I ate. I had lost 15lbs at that point. Day 20 of my quit, and I was up 20 lbs. I feel as if alot of it was water weight from a diet heavy in sodium. I was eating crap, and I know I have a sensitivity to sodium. I have since switched over to a diet of nothing processed. I can eat whatever it is I desire as long as it has not been processed. All the veges, fruits, meat. The only carb I take in is oatmeal (steel cut) for breakfast. It holds me over like a dip would until late lunch. That is unlike alot of other breakfast foods that would leave me chomping for a snack. Since switching I have lost 8 lbs in the 13 days. I feel amazing although still heavier, and I plan on continuing.
If you think you can do this, go for it. I applaud your commitment so far and hope to see you quit.
My only worry is your back. I would not do anything to sacrifice your back. Even if that meant switching to NRT (Nicotine replacement therapy) such as the gum/patch/lozenge of the herbal snuff with nicotine added, for a short period of time. I know this opinion might not be popular on this site as this is a cold turkey group, but being bed ridden or essentially paralyzed is not the answer either.
