Weight Control after Quitting

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Here's some information on weight control after your quit.

WEIGHT CONTROL

Some people who gain weight after quitting smoking lacked information about ways to deal with cravings, about the relationship between nicotine withdrawal and sugar craving, and about how easy it is to confuse cigarette cravings with hunger. If you choose eating as a coping strategy, you will gain weight.

Don't forget— smoking is a stimulant that alters the metabolic rate, and weight gain can occur without the person adjusting his or her intake. But this metabolic change will adjust back to normal over time. Obviously, healthy food choices have an impact, so if you are more conscious about what you eat, you'll be less likely to gain weight.

Cigarettes have been found to affect a person's sense of being full. Consequently, when you quit you may have trouble knowing when to stop eating during a meal.

Many people actually lose weight while quitting. You may feel more energetic, especially if you integrate exercise into the quitting process.


Coping Strategies For Controlling Weight:

Avoid refined sugar. The body does crave sugars during cigarette withdrawal, but fruits, vegetables and whole grains will release sugars into the system more gradually, preventing the highs and lows in blood sugar.

*Eat small well-balanced meals, dispersed through the day.
*Have enjoyable low calorie snacks available. Don't torture yourself with something you hate to eat if it only makes you binge on something less healthy later on.
*Get up from the table after a meal.
*Drink water. This has multiple benefits.

Be more active. Incorporate simple changes such as taking the stairs, parking further from your destination and walking for a few minutes after a meal. Get a physical; ask your doctor for advice on levels of exercise for you— for benefits beyond weight control:

*It's a good distraction.
*It promotes faster detoxification from nicotine, and better sleep.
*You'll notice the benefits of quitting that much sooner.
*It can be part of an overall lifestyle change that will help you stay quit.

Remember, the average weight gain is 10 pounds. It's easier to loose ten pounds later than to quit smoking. So, don't use that as an excuse to keep smoking! Smoking is FAR more dangerous than a few extra pounds! If you don't think so, check with your doctor yourself.

Now, what else do you do to help control your weight after you quit?

Shalom!