How To Avoid Weight Gain From Quitting Smoking
A lot of smokers go through periods of wanting to quit, but they fear the possible weight gain
from quitting. Gaining weight can lead to a whole other set of health problems. Those who worry about gaining weight abandon their thoughts of quitting their smoking habit.
They feel it’s easier for them to continue smoking than to lose unwanted pounds. In order to look at ways to lose weight after quitting smoking we need to evaluate the reasons why people gain the extra pounds when they quit smoking in the first place.
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Why Do You Gain Weight When You Stop Smoking?
First and foremost, nicotine is an appetite suppressant and a stimulant. Your metabolism increases slightly when you smoke. Your metabolism after quitting smoking decreases and your hunger increases. Also, when stress levels are high for smokers, lighting up a cigarette to calm one’s nerves is typical. For those who quit smoking, they find other ways to relieve the stress, such as eating.
When a smoker decides to quit, cravings are a common occurrence. To pacify these cravings, food is usually the substitute. High calorie, high sugar foods such as chocolate bars are most often the replacement as they are quick to get, quick to eat and quick to give you that little buzz. However, the calories add up, the metabolism is slowed and, sadly, the weight gain from quitting smoking starts.
Keep Yourself Busy
You can prevent weight gain from quitting by counteracting the behaviors that cause you to put on weight in the first place. If a craving comes on, go for a long walk or listen to relaxing music. Read a book or start a low stress project to keep your mind occupied. Whatever you do, keep busy.
When an overactive appetite becomes a problem after you quit smoking then consider snacking on healthier foods. Have carrot sticks instead of potato chips or dried fruit instead of cookies. Low calorie/sugar free snacks have come a long way and, in some cases, are just as good as their junk food counterparts. Healthier choices for snacks will help prevent too much weight gain from quitting smoking.
How To Control Weight Gain
Sometimes weight gain becomes inevitable for a smoker who recently quit. If you start an exercise regimen right away, you can avoid gaining more weight and it can help lose the few pounds that have crept up since you quit smoking.
Drink lots of water in between meals to help fill you up so you won’t feel too much of an urge to eat tempting foods. Smoking can be a habit of the past without replacing it with tons of food. Eating sensibly, keeping busy and exercise will help you to lose weight after quitting smoking.
LOSE WEIGHT AFTER QUITTING SMOKING
Quitting at any age can give back years of life that would be lost by continuing to smoke. Making a resolution, a promise to ourselves that we are going to do something different than we have done in the past, can be a challenge.
Statistics show that by the end of the first week, 25% of people have given up and gone back to their pre-resolution ways. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Download my free report, How To Stick With Your Fitness Resolutions to see how sticking to your promise doesn’t have to be like a prison sentence.
