Weight gain is more likely when someone has smoked for 10 to 20 years or smokes a pack or more a day Replace smoking with other activities that occupy your hands and your mouth. Beginning to increase your physical activity before you quit smoking may remind you how much smoking slows you down, when you have trouble breathing or start to cough during exercise.
Not everyone gains weight when they stop smoking, but the average weight gain is about 10 pounds. Keep your hands busy with doodling, crossword puzzles, knitting, or twirling a straw, pen, or pencil. The most important components of preventing weight gain when you quit smoking are: Physical activity To prevent weight gain at this time, you need to become more physically active. This can cause extra stress that can lead to extra snacking, especially over the holidays when more food is around, or relapsing back into smoking to cope with the stress. – never let yourself get too Hungry, Angry, Lonely or Tired. Healthy eating Improving your eating habits gradually can help prevent weight gain, as well as help you feel better as you quit smoking. Beginning to increase your physical activity before you quit smoking may remind you how much smoking slows you down, when you have trouble breathing or start to cough during exercise. If you can distract yourself for 5 minutes, the craving will usually pass.
Snack on fruit or chewing gum to satisfy any sweet cravings. If you are struggling or anxious about trying to quit smoking, talk to your doctor about nicotine replacement such as nicotine gum or a nicotine patch. Becoming physically active will not only help you control your weight, but will also give you more energy, improve your health, take your mind off smoking, and help relieve the stress and moodiness that may occur as a result of withdrawal from nicotine.
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To prevent extra snacking as a result of quitting smoking, do not try to quit smoking during a stressful period. Get enough sleep; when you are tired, you are more likely to crave cigarettes and food.
Article Source: How to Stop Smoking
