quit smoking - weight gain
Although most smokers are well aware of the dangers of inhaling nicotine all day long for years and years, they are still hesitant to quit for fear of gaining a few pounds! That rationale hardly makes sense but as an ex-smoker I can understand this train of thought. Some smokers use this reasoning as an excuse not to quit. They are the ones who are not ready for the challenge. However, if you are one of the committed ones and are ready to meet your nicotine addiction head on, I can give you a few tips on how to avoid the stop smoking weight gain.
The simple fact is smokers who finally succeed in quitting average a weight gain of ten pounds. The reasons for this gain are also simple.
If you are accustomed to having a cigarette in hand and in your mouth, you are going to try to find a substitute. Also, since you are able to smell and taste better without the cigarettes, food will be your first, handiest and tastiest resort. In addition, nicotine increases the metabolic rate so when you stop smoking your metabolic rate goes down. Ending result? The additional ten pounds!
Recognizing the facts about weight gain is the first step. Now let us look at how to avoid it.
Studies have proven that people who exercise while quitting smoking have a much lower weight gain and are twice as likely to stick with their stop smoking program than those who do not. After you quit smoking, you will feel better and will probably look forward to adding exercise to your daily routine.
Eat a healthy diet with plenty of fiber. Include whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables in your daily diet. Keep a food journal.
Keep your mouth busy with hard sugar-free candies or gum. Carrot sticks are a great way to occupy your hands and your mouth.
Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. It will help your cravings to smoke as well as boost your metabolism.
Allow time for a food craving to pass just as you would a cigarette craving.
The whole process of quitting smoking is a challenge. Being aware of all the obstacles ahead of you will make the going easier. You can quit without the weight gain. Stay focused and determined. Recognize the obstacles and prepare yourself to overcome them! You can do! I'm betting on you!
However, weight gain should not be the reason that you do not want to kick this habit. You can keep your weight under control really easily. The main reason that certain ex smokers gain weight is due to the fact that the smoking activity burns up to 200 calories a day for medium to heavy smoking activity.
Since a large amount of calories is burnt, the metabolism within the smoker is boosted to a large extent. Another important factor is that nicotine works as an appetite suppressant that brings down the urge to eat food items. All these things tend to keep the weight constant for a person.
However, I've noticed overweight smokers in my life as well as thin ones. "But I'll gain weight if I stop smoking."... this is a weak excuse. In the long run through smoking, there is a possibility that the person looses weight and the body's strength of immunity. Once the side effects of smoking are visible in you, it becomes difficult to repair the damage if not prevented in the early stages.
Weight gained after you quit smoking can be easily lost... I repeat EASILY LOST. However, the negative effects of smoking cannot be reduced within a week or two if they cause maximum damage.
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