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Smoking Weight Gain

Need advice on Smoking Weight Gain. As per my friend after quitting smoking, I will gain weight? Is that right?
(April 23, 2008)

Weight Gain after Quitting Smoking

One of the side effects of quitting smoking in smokers is gaining excess weight. Smokers worry about the rapid gain weight that occurs with the cessation of smoking. People thus tend to take up smoking again to avoid weight gain. In the initial period of quitting smoking, the person may gain 5 to 10 pounds. However this can be reduced by proper exercise and healthy foods.

Smoking tends to burn up certain calories everyday, thus increasing the metabolism of the body.


Apart from this the nicotine present is an appetite suppressant. When a person quit smoking, he may suffer from increased appetite. When he used to smoke, he may tend to avoid in between snacks. The nicotine present can interfere with the release of insulin, a hormone that regulates the blood glucose levels. This leads to hyperglycemia thus slowing down the signals and hormones that triggers hunger. Quitting smoking can led to discomfort in people. Thus the individual may be relieved by over eating that can fill the void left by smoking. Eating thus provides emotional support to the individual.

Exercise can be helpful in enhancing the metabolism. A brisk walk can be useful to avoid the cravings that can occur due to quitting. A healthy snack in between is helpful. Have more of carrot sticks, drink lots of water, Have fresh fruits, hard candies, herbal tea, hot chocolate. Avoid consumption of alcohol as it can trigger the urge for smoking. Willpower and patience is essential for quitting smoking. Just be sure that whatever that you are doing you are doing for your own good.
Submitted by A V on April 23, 2008 at 06:52

 

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