Weight Control For Quitters

Gaining weight is common in many people after they quit smoking. But that doesn’t mean you have to follow that path. Nor should this discourage you from quitting since the health benefits of a smoke- free life far outweigh the problems associated with a little weight gain. This article will show you how to keep fit when you’ve succeeded in saying goodbye to smoking.

Why do people put on pounds when they stop smoking anyway? That’s because smoking suppresses the appetite and speeds up your metabolism. Heavy smokers burn up to 200 calories a day. When you stop smoking, your appetite and metabolism return to normal. This causes many people to gain a lot of extra pounds.

Furthermore, food tastes a lot better after you quit smoking. Your taste buds and sense of smell that have long been dulled by smoking awaken and this makes people eat more. People who quit also look for something to put in their mouth. Because of this, they end up eating more to ease the pain of withdrawal. If you substitute snacking for smoking, weight gain naturally follows.

It’s normal to gain between 5 and 10 pounds during the first few months when you quit smoking. If your eating habits remain the same, you can get rid of this extra weight by walking for 30 minutes a day. Aside from this, here are some practical tips to maintain a healthy weight as you recover from nicotine addiction.

Move your body. Make exercise a part of your quit smoking program. You don’t have to spend big bucks for this purpose or train for the Olympic team. Many exercises like walking, jogging and biking can be done at home or in your neighborhood. Exercise daily for about half an hour 5 days a week. By including physical activity in your daily routine, you can fight withdrawal symptoms and stay fit.

Eat sensibly. Don’t be a glutton after you stop smoking. Eat a variety of foods and include plenty of fruits and vegetables in your meals. Limit food portions and sweets so you won’t become obese. Drink lots of water.

Go for healthy snacks. If you eat between meals, choose fresh fruits or canned fruit packed in its own juices. Read labels to find food that’s good for you without making you fat. Good food choices include vegetable sticks, fat-free popcorn, sugar-free hard candies, fat-free yogurt, hot cocoa and sunflower seeds.

To lessen your chances of gaining weight, remove tempting, high-fat foods from your home. Don’t keep chocolate cake, ice cream or pies in your fridge. Control your weight by resisting food temptations. Don’t fool yourself into thinking that a little overeating won’t harm you. In most cases, it will.

Lastly, stay away from alcohol. Remember that the more you drink, the heavier you get. Alcohol is rich in calories and can trigger your desire to smoke. Drinking and smoking go together so avoid this deadly combination. Stay sober if you’re serious about quitting.