Many people resist quitting smoking because they believe they will gain weight. They figure why give up one bad habit only to pick up another. Although it is true that weight gain often follows giving butts the boot, it is possible to both control your weight and be smoke free.
Smoking cigarettes suppresses your appetite as well as increases your metabolism temporarily. When feeling hungry people often smoke a cigarette in place of a snack or have a cigarette at the end of a meal instead of dessert. A caramel mochaccino with whipped cream will burst your energy, but smokers are just as satisfied with a cigarette. Walking up a flight of stairs burns just about as many calories as smoking a cigarette, so a smoker may be just as happy to sit on a bench and light up. If you take the cigarette out of this picture, it is possible that the pounds could creep up on you! However, with a little planning and a little exercise, it is possible to eliminate both the cigarette and the weight gain.
When trying to keep your weight in check, it is important to incorporate simple changes in your eating and exercise habits as you quit smoking. Every time you want a cigarette, try to think about what you can do that is good for you instead. Instead of smoking a cigarette when you want a snack, grab an apple and a slice of cheese. Instead of having a cigarette to replace dessert, have a cup of herbal tea to finish off the meal. Instead of a caramel mochaccino or a cigarette for a boost, try a big glass of ice cold water and a brisk walk around the block. Incorporating these changes right away will help you focus on something positive instead of on what you are missing. Your body and mind will feel good which will encourage you to continue on this healthy path.
There are too many benefits of quitting smoking to list them all. But in addition to breathing better and coughing less, decreasing your risks of heart disease, lung disease, multiple types of cancer, and stroke, and looking, feeling and smelling better, your sense of taste and smell will come back! What a perfect time to reintroduce your taste buds to all of the fabulous foods nature has to offer. Now that it is spring, the fruits and vegetables are plentiful and delicious. What a refreshing substitute they could be for a cigarette! When cooking, use lean meats and small amounts of powerful cheeses like blue, goat, and feta to really make things tasty. Try and experiment with seasonings instead of butter and cream because now you will be able to enjoy the smallest of flavors! Your appetite will most likely increase when you quit smoking, so being prepared to feed it with low-calorie, healthy, but tasty foods will be your best weapon against weight gain.
Please try and remember that you are improving your health immensely by just quitting smoking. If you do gain weight, try not to go back to smoking to lose the weight. Most people would have to gain between 100 and 150 pounds to take on the same health risks as smoking. Instead, take a breath, realize how fresh it is, and then move forward. Try taking a few more walks, drinking more water, and snacking less frequently and on foods low in fat and sugar and high in nutrients. It is also a great idea to enlist a partner in crime or someone you have to be accountable to, such as a health professional or just a friend. Start now and remember not to compromise yourself because you are all you’ve got and this is your one chance in this body, so treat it right.