Smoking is not only a dangerous
habit but is also your enemy for reaching steady weight
loss. Generally smokers who quit smoking find that they
have gained a few pounds which is completely normal.
To reach the same health risk as smoking just one pack
of cigarettes per day; the average smoker would have to
gain roughly 100 pounds. About 80% of quitters initially
gain 5 to 10 pounds. The key lies in keeping your priorities
in order!
Allow yourself the time necessary to become totally comfortable
in your healing body before getting preoccupied with those
few extra pounds. The self discipline skills you master
while quitting can be applied to all life's challenges.
Most quitters can expect almost a one-third increase in
lung function by day 90. When such new found endurance and
stamina are combined with a moderate increase in physical
activities, those few pounds can quickly disappear. Be patient
with your healing!
Are you afraid to quit smoking for you might gain weight?
It has been observed that people who quit smoking, put up
some weight afterwards. People who want to quit smoking
are often fearful of weight gain, especially those who already
are overweight. It is important to, however, know that not
everyone gains weight when they quit smoking. You are more
likely to gain weight when you stop smoking if you have
smoked for 10 to 20 years or smoked one or more packs of
cigarettes a day.
Why do you gain weight when you quit smoking?
Cigarettes smoke contain a chemical called Nicotine. When
nicotine leaves your body, you may experience short term
weight gain. The reasons may be:
- Nicotine kept your body weight low, and when you quit
smoking, your body returns to the weight it would have
has if you never smoked.
- You might gain 3 to 5 pounds due to water retention
during the first week after you smoking.
- After you stop smoking, you may use fewer calories than
when you were smoking. This need for fewer calories can
make you gain weight.
Smoking Vs Weight Gain: Which is more harmful?
The fear of weight gain however shouldn't be an encumbrance
in your endeavor to quit smoking. Smoking is much more harmful
to your health than gaining a few pounds. Smoking causes
more than 400,000 deaths each year in the United States.
You need to gain about 100 to 150 pounds after quitting
to make your health risks as high as when you smoked. Making
some simple changes, like developing healthier eating and
physical activity habits, should help you control your weight
gain when you quit smoking.
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