Five Tips to Avoid Weight Gain when calling it quits on Smoking

By Beth Hoover | January 30, 2010 | Popularity: unranked (?)

One concern of many that try and quit smoking is the possibility of weight gain.
Honestly, it does happen. Not to everybody, but it does happen. On the other hand, some people actually lose pounds when they give up smoking and others stay the same. Additionally, those that do put on weight continually lose it again in a couple of months after giving up smoking. The reasons for weight gain after smoking cessation are varied. For some, smoking fundamentally decreases the appetite. For others, food essentially tastes better because their sense of taste has returned. Yet others are in the practice of smoking after a meal. Since they can not smoke, they choose a 2nd helping over a ciggie. For these folks eating more than they did while smoking is the reason behind the weight gain. There are physical changes that happen to the body from smoking. Smoking does increase a person’s rate of metabolism, which causes calories to burn faster. In addition, the body doesn’t digest food correctly and insulin levels are depressed, which can lose pounds gain. In actual fact a heavy smoker can burn up to 2 hundred calories each day from the increased rate of metabolism of smoking.

Make Smoking Your First Priority

Research into the linkage between weight gain and smoking suspension has demonstrated that it’s best to make smoking your first concern, then, once this is successfully managed, you can look at shedding weight if required. Making a plan to stop smoking could be a worry as it is, you do not wish to stress yourself out more by worrying about weight gain. Mixing both will only act to stress you more.

Monitor Your Food Intake

Since smoking does raise your metabolism rate, you may need to make some changes in your diet to compensate for the absence of metabolism. This could not necessarily be mandatory. In truth, you could be ready to continue your standard diet without gaining weight. If you are truly worried about the likelihood of gaining weight, you can cut back on some straightforward stuff like butter to reduce your caloric intake.

Some “food” for thought – eliminating the following foods from your diet will help you “make up” those extra 200 calories that may not be getting burned now that you have quit smoking:

* 1 hot dog and roll = 250 calories
* 2 frozen waffles = 240 calories
* 20 potato chips = 220 calories
* 2 light beers = 220 calories
* 2 oz of cheddar cheese = 220 calories
* 4 chocolate sandwich cookies = 213 calories
* 1 small order of McDonald’s fries = 210 calories
* cup of macaroni and cheese = 205 calories
* 2 tablespoons of butter = 200 calories

Increase Activity

Even a touch of added activity can help compensate for the calories that could be no longer burned off when giving up smoking. Now you have stop smoking, your energy levels should be higher, which should make it simpler for you to take part in exercise.As an example, a brisk forty 5 minute walk will burn two hundred calories, as will 30 minutes of swimming laps.

In addition, taking part in these activities can help in keeping your intelligence off longings by distracting you from smoking and helping lessen stress and strain. Honestly, your cortex releases endorphins when you exercise, which helps lead you to feel better, and jacks up your metabolism, which helps you burn energy quicker and more effectively.

Satisfy the Oral Fixation

For many smokers, the first gratification of smoking is to satisfy the oral fixation. Don’t substitute food for cigarettes to meet this need. Wait to eat till after the will to smoke subsides. For a start, eating each time you want a gasper can actually lead to weight gain! Second, you do not need to substitute food for cigarettes, and eating when you have a craving will train your body to rely on food the same way it probably did cigarettes. Instead, chew a little bit of gum.

Drink Fluids

Drinking lots of water has two benefits. First, it makes you feel full, which will make you less likely to overeat. Second, it helps flush out the toxins in your body – namely nicotine. If you absolutely must have something with flavor, try to avoid soft drinks. Instead, keep club soda and vegetable juices on hand.

Learn all there is to know about foods that constipate so you can make critical changes that will benefit everyone in your family. Learn the sugar facts to help you live a long, happy, and healthy life.

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