How to Quit Smoking Without Gaining Weight

One activity that poses a danger to our human health is smoking. The attitude of smoking has long been condemned by various health bodies and organizations, but still there is an adherent attitude towards this subject, even though it has been discovered that smoking causes serious health problems. There is really no reason for us to say that smokers are not aware of the inherent dangers of smoking, even when health organizations, well-spirited individuals and companies make public awareness of the dangers of smoking. It has been discovered that quite a large number of smokers are not willing to quit, because they believe that when they quit smoking, they will begin to gain weight. In good conscience, even if this is true, it can't be compared to the adverse effect smoking will have on the health of smokers.

DO SMOKERS WHO QUIT GAIN WEIGHT?

Do smokers who quit smoking really gain weight? This is a question of thought for everyone. There have been various views to this subject but contrary to the belief that smokers who quit smoking gain weight afterwards, research has shown that smokers who quit do not actually gain weight. The reason for this phenomenon is not far fetched:

a. Smoking increases the body metabolism rate and heartbeat. In order words, it burns the calories present in the body. Smoking burns about 100 calories a day and when a smoker quits smoking, it takes a few weeks for the body to fall back to its normal metabolism rate.

b. The primary component in cigarettes: NICOTINE is actively responsible for the suppression of appetite. Nicotine does this by making the liver release as much glycogen which results in an increase in the blood sugar content. When the body metabolism falls back to its normal rate, this will change but not until this happens you are expected to gain around a pound a week.

c. Still on Nicotine, there is a chemical that is closely associated with pleasure and it works side by side with the brain's activities. Nicotine increases the level of this chemical. The chemical is DOPAMINE. Foods containing high calorie contents such as candies also provide the same function as dopamine. It is therefore believed that when a smoker quits smoking, he or she will definitely want to replace cigarettes with these foods. These reasons may sound genuine but the fact still remains that smoking does more harm than good and you can actually quit smoking without gaining weight. Taking this step to quit smoking arises from your determination to become healthy and live a healthier life.

RESPONDING TO WEIGHT GAIN

Quitting the habit of smoking is a much better decision but responding to weight gain is yet another task. Your response to your weight gain is solely dependent on the time you quit smoking. In other words, the sooner you quit smoking, the least amount of weight you will gain and the least amount of cigarettes you will consume. Here are some things to do when there is weight gain after quitting smoking:

a. Make protein and high fiber meals apart of your regular diet. These meals tend to fill up your stomach, but try to eat smaller portions and more frequently to increase your body metabolism; thus avoid getting hungry so you don't overeat.

b. Avoid some smoking triggers, such as smoking after meals instead replace it with a tooth brushing.

This will help a lot.

c. Exercise can go a long way in checkmating that weight gain. Try a few exercises or better still visit the gym often. Moderate exercises such as having a walk during your lunch will help to decrease your appetite. This is achieved as you exercise, the fat in your body is broken down and the muscles gained from the exercise will help to increase your metabolism.

d. Avoid beverages that contain high calorie content to prevent weight gain.

Finally, never rely on drugs targeted at smoking cessation or nicotine replacement therapy to stop weight gain as this is only temporary after you first quit smoking.