Quitting Smoking Weight Gain: quit smoking without gaining weight

February 22, 2010

Health & Motivation

Weight gain is the main fear of most people, especially when they decide to quite smoking. Generally, people who smoke more or that did for a very long period of time have a good chance to gain in a few pounds, but this does not necessarily have to be the case. Quitting smoking without gaining weight is possible.

Weight gain can be avoided by eating less and by exercising after quitting smoking. And if the diet was not one of the best, simply improving it may solve the problem.

Here would be some of the reasons for weight gain when you quit smoking:
-smoking increases the metabolism, the rate at which calories are burned – when you give up smoking your metabolism will drop slightly, returning normal;
-those who quit tend to eat more, because they tend to crunch something to replace cigarettes;
-by quitting smoking food tastes better and hence a natural tendency to eat more.

All you have to do to avoid weight gain after quitting smoking is to eat moderately. If you don’t exercise you should consider starting working out. That way you will for sure avoid weight gain.

The reality is that quitting smoking is a difficult process, even without further adding the idea of a possible weight gain. The main reason for this weight gain after quitting smoking is still related to the quantity of food you consume, but this can be controlled. If you can stay away from the phenomenon that simply replaces cigarettes with food, and if you improve your food habits, you will not deal with any weight gain.

It is also interesting to remember the other health benefits that occur in the body after you stop smoking:
-After 20 minutes the blood pressure will drop, the pulse will drop and the temperature of your hands and feet will increase.
-After 8 hours the carbon monoxide levels in the blood will drop to normal rates and blood oxygen levels will grow too normal.
-After 24 hours the chances of a heart attack decreases dramatically.
-After 48 hours nerve endings will return to normal and the ability to smell and taste will improve.
-After 2 weeks to 3 months, the circulation and lung functions will improve.
-After 1 to 9 months issues like cough, sinus congestion or fatigue will decrease.
-After 1 year the risk of coronary heart disease will drop to half compared to the risk associated to a smoker.
-After 10 years the risk of lung cancer will drop to half compared to a smoker and the risk of mouth, throat, esophagus and kidney cancer will diminish.
-After 15 years the risk of coronary heart disease will drop to the level of people that never smoked.

Each and every one of us must balance these benefits with the danger of maybe gaining some weight. One thing is certain: it is not necessarily to gain weight when you stop smoking, but the certain thing is that you will feel healthier, you will have more friends, more money and you will breathe a little easier.

For more information on quitting smoking and weight loss check out:

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