I need HELP!!!!!

[Temple]

I quit smoking just over a month ago. My diet has not changed overly much 1800-2000 cals 40/40/20 give or take and I do cycle the carbs a bit, not as stringently as Spatts does but if I am not going to train that day I do reduce them especially late in the day.
Using 30mg deca every 7 days.
Have not trained much in the last two weeks due to back injury. I have just started back although not quite as heavy as before as I still have some tenderness.
The problem is I have gained 14 pounds in the last two and a half weeks and it is NOT muscle. If anything I feel like I am losing muscle. There is some water from the deca but I am getting FAT.
Do I need to add cardio? Obviously I need to reduce the cals but by how much???
Is this a permanent metabolic change or will it improve over time?

 

[Temple]

Yes, I can. Actually, I think I am ready to start training again. I did a ME bench Thurs although it wasn't exactly max effort and my back was fine. I plan to try some squats tonight and some really light deadlifts.

 

[VeggieLifterChick]

wow, 14 pounds in 2.5 weeks is a lot. it cant all be fat. its gotta be a lot of water. dont aas often cause bloat? It'd be so nice if it were possible to lose 14 pounds in 2.5 weeks, wouldnt it?

 

[Latamier]

Even though your diet has not changed, your body chemistry has since you quit smoking. I dont know how much you smoked, but even a little is bad enough. O.K. I'm done lecturing now. The nicotine that your body was used to is a stimulant that helped to speed things up, like your metabolism. Gaining weight after you stop is the #1 reason why people start again. Besides that, most people just feel like plain ole shit without it and enter a sort of depression or feeling of general fatigue, as you have. This is the reason you should quit slowly. Not by smoking, but by the means of patches or gum as well. In more severe cases where smoking has been a part of your life for a substantial ammount of time, Drs. will often perscribe Welbutrin 75mg. This is a type of anti depression drug but helps in this case significantly. They will often start you at 75mg once a day for 2 weeks and then move to 2 tablets a day for the rest of the time. I hope this helps you. I've tried to explain it in a non medical fassion so people can understand. P.M. me if you need any help.