hi guys,
I smoked while losing weight and ended up at target weight, yet a heavier smoker than ever before!
I managed to stabilise my major weight loss for three years before even trying to quit smoking, fearing what might happen to my weight if I took away my (last remaining!) crutch. Without it, I wobbled. I held out for a while, but inevitably lost the plot and regained two stone.
I caught myself in time, followed a strict diet (not a VLCD), and am now lighter than before quitting... but now facing maintenance and stabilisation again...
Wish me luck!
Doing both together is definitely doable... but you'll probably need a "substitute" (like the gym, swimming or some REAL incentive to see you through). There again, you might be stronger than I was! Good luck whatever you decide. When I quit, I did it for financial rather than health reasons. Although we all know the health dangers of smoking, they never quite stopped me from buying cigarettes and smoking them. Counting the pennies saved, however, putting them aside for a holiday/new car/whatever... now that works!