Your body uses food
more slowly when you first stop smoking. You may eat more
when you quit too. There is a good chance you will gain
weight. But not everyone does. Are you worried about gaining
weight? Think about this: What you get from quitting far
outweighs the drawbacks of adding a few pounds. Youd have
to gain a lot of weight to offset the health rewards
of quitting. Here are some tips to keep from gaining too
much weight.
Get in shape
Make time to exercise every day. Or join a fitness group.
Even walking will improve your health. And all exercise burns
calories, which helps you gain less weight.
Exercising can distract you from smoking. It lowers the
stress
that makes you crave a cigarette.
Are you starting a new exercise program? Begin with as
little
as 10 minutes. Slowly build up to longer periods of time. In
fact, its a good idea to talk to your doctor before you start.
Your doctor can suggest what will keep you safe and
get you healthy.
Get plenty of rest.
As you get in shape, you will build muscle. Muscle weighs
more than fat. So you may find that clothes become looser
even if you weigh more.
Eating tips for the new non-smoker
Stay away from sweets and high-calorie foods. But dont
cut
back on eating to lose weight. Craving both food and
cigarettes is tough to handle.
Have healthy, low-calorie foods on hand if you like to
snack.
Try fresh fruits and vegetables, juices, yogurt, or air-popped
popcorn without butter.
Drink water before your meals and between meals. Drinking
plenty of water is healthy for everyone. It can also give you
something to do instead of smoking a cigarette.
Chew sugarfree gum or suck on sugarfree candy if you crave
sweets.
All information is taken from: Smokefree.gov and
National Cancer Institute, NCI |
