One of the most common excuses smokers use to avoid quitting is the fear of gaining weight. This is a valid fear, because it does seem like many people who quit smoking put on a few pounds (and some put on a lot more than a few!). Why is that? And does it have to happen to everyone who quits smoking?
First, understand that nicotine is a stimulant, and as such it does increase your metabolism a wee bit. Naturally, when you quit smoking and no longer ingest nicotine on a regular basis, your metabolism will slow down slightly. However, when I say “slightly,” I really mean SLIGHTLY. Not enough to make you balloon up to the size of a blimp.
Even better, the effect is temporary and there are simple steps you can take to help keep your weight in balance.
- Drink plenty of water.
Smokers are often dehydrated as it is, which makes your body hold tighter to the water it does have. One good way to get your body to release excess water is to drink plenty of water! As contradictory as it may sound, your body will easily let go of retained water when you keep yourself well-hydrated. The general recommendation is 64 ounces per day, and more if you are overweight already.
- Clean up your diet.
The temptation to snack on sweet and salty foods when you quit smoking may be strong, but try to avoid doing so. Instead lean more toward plenty of fruit and vegetables, lean protein and healthy fats. Instead of chips, try snacking on small amounts of nuts and seeds (because they are so packed with protein and fat, you don’t need more than an ounce or two at a time – way less than the entire bag of chips you would have gobbled). Rather than candy, try some fresh or dried fruit. Also avoid caffeine, alcohol and sugary soda pops.
- Start an exercise regimen.
Check with your doctor first to be sure you can safely withstand physical activity, and then get moving! You’ll probably want to keep it moderate to begin with, like brisk walking or swimming. Don’t be surprised if your lung capacity has greatly diminished if you’ve been smoking for a long time – but it will usually come back the longer you remain a non-smoker and continue to exercise regularly. As you get stronger, gravitate toward more strenuous forms of exercise, like weight training, dancing, or running. The better you feel physically, the less tempted you’ll be to abuse your body with junk food or cigarettes.
- Don’t replace one addiction with another.
Sometimes when people quit smoking they pick up another bad habit to replace it, like eating pounds of chocolate or gulping down those mega-double-whipped-chocolate-caramel-1000-calorie lattes. Your primary objective in quitting smoking is to look and feel better while adopting more healthful habits. Replace cigarettes with carrot or celery sticks, salads, fresh water, and deep breathing. You’ll feel much better than you would by giving in to the temporary buzz lattes and chocolate provide.
- Don’t sweat a few pounds.
If you DO see the scale go up a few notches, don’t let it get you down! Remember that it’s temporary. The more you focus on getting your body healthy and strong, the more quickly those pounds are going to drop back off again. Better yet, don’t even step on the scale while you’re working through the withdrawal from quitting smoking. Who needs the pressure? Instead, keep affirming that you are doing something wonderful for yourself, and you’ll be in much better health in the long run.
Filed under Quit Smoking by on Feb 1st, 2010. Comment. 
Smoking is much dangerous for a pregnant woman than any other person. Smoking affects your unborn child. If you are going to plan your family or are already pregnant, then you need to concentrate on facts related to smoking. A Mother always wants to give a healthy and fit life to her baby. But continuing with your smoking are you really fulfilling your wish?
When you take a puff then the smoke that you inhale goes into your baby’s body. It affects his weight resulting into less resistant body. Smoking affects his height too. Such babies whose mothers had smoked during their pregnancies are generally short in height. This possibility is much less in case of the women who smoke a full pack during pregnancy. At this stage even no physician suggests to continue this habit. Baby’s body needs more supply of oxygen to survive in mother’s womb. Supply of nicotine deprives a baby to consume his share of oxygen. Such children are not able to adjust socially than children of non smoking mothers.
Studies show that possibility of infant morality is 50 percent higher when the mother smokes than in case of non -smoking mothers. Children of many smokers die of sudden infant death syndrome, or crib death. If pregnant women stop smoking by their fourth month of pregnancy then still they are out of danger zone.
Parenting is a tough job. If you do not sound well in your health then how will you be able to take care of your child? Most women suffer from lung cancer that is a deadly disease. A child always seeks for his mother’s shelter. If you want to be there all time for your child, then you need to stop smoking at once.
Passive smokers are more prone to the diseases than chain smokers are. This applies on children also. As a matter of fact, they are too sensitive to problems raised by the passive smoking.
By quitting the smoking you are rendering a new life to your child. You and your child both will enjoy a healthy lifestyle. Quitting smoking is not an easy thing to do for the usual smokers. But alternatives will certainly work for you. There are many support centers that can help you out. Just enroll yourself in them. You can see your health care provider for solutions and suggestions. Your one step to quitting the smoking will lead your unborn to the path of a safe child.
Filed under Quit Smoking by on Feb 3rd, 2010. Comment.
You may have heard that smoking is one of the most difficult addictions to overcome, and the majority of people who have successfully done it would probably agree. In fact, it has been said that quitting smoking is even more difficult than overcoming addictions to illegal drugs like heroin and cocaine. Why is that?
One of the reasons may be that smoking is for the most part a socially acceptable habit (though this is acceptance level is declining steadily), but there are also other reasons why smoking is such a powerfully addictive habit.
1) Physical addiction.
Nicotine is a powerful drug that acts directly upon receptors in your brain. These receptors are stimulated by nicotine, resulting in several different physiological responses such as elevated heart rate, blood pressure and respiration, and increased mental alertness, among others. The longer you ingest nicotine, the more of these receptors you develop. Over time, these receptors become less sensitive to nicotine and begin to require increased doses to achieve the same level of stimulation. When you try to stop smoking, feelings of intense discomfort (known as withdrawal) will occur.
People have described nicotine withdrawal symptoms as “demons” or “torture” because they are so strong. Most people report feelings of intense restlessness, irritability, fatigue, dizziness, and even flu-like symptoms or chest pain.
Physical withdrawal symptoms can often be eased with the use of nicotine replacement products like gum, patches and lozenges, but many people feel that these products only delay the inevitable by keeping the ex-smoker hooked on nicotine. Still other people claim that using nicotine replacement products helped them conquer one aspect of quitting at a time – for example, the psychological or emotional repercussions, before tackling the physical addiction.
2) Emotional addiction.
The emotional connection to smoking can easily be as strong as physical dependence upon nicotine. There are a variety of reasons why people smoke, but one of the most common reasons that develops over time is an emotional “crutch” or “cover”.
Many smokers report using smoking as a coping mechanism for feelings like anger, frustration, boredom, stress and sadness that they don’t know how to deal with otherwise. Rather than processing their emotions, they reach for a cigarette (or cigar, pipe, etc.) and distract themselves from it.
Of course, this doesn’t really help them deal with unpleasant feelings, but they believe it does. When the smoker tries to quit smoking, they suddenly find themselves overwhelmed with difficult emotions and no way to handle them.
One of the most effective ways to handle these errant emotions is to find alternative ways to process them when they come up. Journaling, venting to a friend, exercise, meditation and affirmations are often helpful. The important thing is not to bottle up your emotions and avoid them, because they just keep coming back until they are fully processed and released.
3) Psychological addiction.
Still another powerful connection to smoking results from the physical act itself: psychological dependence. Since most smokers smoke many times in a day for years at a time, they get very comfortable with the act of smoking, always having a cigarette, cigar or pipe in their hand and mouth. Even if a person is successful in reducing physical cravings and dealing with their emotions, they still may struggle with a sense of loss or aimlessness. The activity that used to occupy so much of their time and attention every day is now gone and they don’t quite know what to do with themselves.
One good way to conquer this type of dependence is to change your smoking routine in the weeks leading up to your quit date. For example, if you tend to smoke while driving, talking on the phone or watching television, gradually reduce your smoking habit during those activities. Smoke in locations where you normally wouldn’t, like standing outside. When you finally do quit for good, you’ll have an easier time engaging in your normal activities without missing the act of smoking so much.
Filed under Quit Smoking by on Feb 5th, 2010. Comment.
Do you want to quit smoking?
There is a very powerful quit smoking tip that can literally change your life – because it would ensure your 100% success. Do you want to know what this is?
Read on and find out all about it.What You Need To Quit Smoking Once For All
I read once a quip that made me smile – ‘Who says quitting smoking is difficult? I have quit it five times and there is nothing to it.’
Yes, usually this is what happens. You think you left smoking for good and the habit is behind you. Then, you just smoke once with your friends – for the sake of old times – and that is it.
In your mind, this is just a one-time-smoke bit; nothing to worry about. This would be like an occasional chocolate cake slice when you diet. However, in no time, you find yourself ‘treating’ yourself on a regular basis, and supposedly out of the blue you will back smoking regularly again.
You need to know and keep in mind that getting back to smoking is extremely easy. You also need to know what you would encounter when you attempt to stop smoking. The withdrawal symptoms can be very unpleasant and painful. Are you ready to tackle this problem head on?
Do you know what medication can help you with the withdrawal symptoms? Do you know how long it takes to get rid of the habit? You need to have nerves of steel and a high level of commitment to get yourself rid of this toxic habit.
The Difference Between Success And Failure – A Great Quit Smoking Tip
When you decide to quit smoking, take another decision in your mind. Decide never to smoke a cigarette that is bought with your money, and never carry a pack on you. How this quit smoking tip helps you stay off cigarettes? Read on.
1. The first part of the quit smoking tip – never buy your own cigarettes means that if you smoke you would need someone to offer you one. Most people do not like to share their cigarettes on a regular basis and if you are identified as one who is out for freebies, you would very soon be a loner.
2. The second part of the quit smoking tip – never carry a pack of cigarettes with you. This means that you cannot depend on having a cigarette when you need one – behavior change – and hence, you would outgrow the dependency on it over time.
For more information visit: SmokeDeter
Filed under Quit Smoking by on Feb 7th, 2010. Comment.
Do you know that around 1000 Americans are dying everyday because of smoking?
One out of every six men is dying in United States because of smoking. It is quite clear now that smoking is one of the major causes of death. If you smoke then you are also enhancing the chances of diseases that will end up in death. The major diseases due to smoking are the coronary heart disease, lung cancer, mouth cancer and severe problems regarding throat, bladder, kidney and pancreas. Most of the diseases are so severe that there are no treatments available for them. The severe gangrene problem has been found in the Diabetic patients, who smoke a lot.
Now, this is the high time and you must quit smoking immediately. Do not think that it is impossible for you to quit it, as there are many chain smokers, who have quit smoking. The only thing one needs is the determination and once you achieve your destination then you will feel happy and contented.
Follow these rules and see the results:
Firstly, you need a firm determination of quitting this bad habit. When you have determined firmly, and then decide a date. Now, from this particular date, you will not touch the cigarette determine it firmly.
For a smoker, smoking is one of the essentials. Now you have decided to quit it and to attain the quitting, try some other work at the time of smoking.
As the date of quitting is approaching, try to minimize the intake of cigarettes and the conditions when you smoke. Take a glass jar, fill it with water and drop all the butts of cigarette into it.
Try to concentrate on the advantages after quitting cigarette, in your free time. You will find that quitting smoking have much more advantages than smoking. If one quit smoking then there will be considerable minimization in the risk involved due to heart disease, cancer and other deadly diseases. Earlier you use to get tired up easily, but now you have more power. You will also gain resistance from cough, cold and flu.
Quitting cigarette will also save the money, which you were burning to destroy your health. Put all the money you spend on your cigarette in the glass jar and in one month see your savings.
In the initial phases, nicotine will show its effects. It would be almost impossible for you to handle this temptation. However, try to divert your mind. You will also have to face a lot of problems like headache, irritation and coughing. All these are positive signs. To avoid them drink water, make your hands and mouth busy. Do not bother about them, as they will reduce with the time. During the initial phases of quitting smoking, you may feel anxiety. To get rid of anxiety does not take caffeine drinks, inhale deep breaths and go for walk. The best way to handle the problem is start-doing exercises.
Moreover, quantity of carbon monoxide in your blood will minimize and a considerable increment of oxygen. There will be glow at your face and your skin will turn pink. Your heartbeat will be normal and lungs become clearer.
Your risk to heart attack gradually decreases, if you are not smoking for a year or two.
To make it more interesting, look out for a friend interested in getting rid of it. Both of you can do wonders. Always try to avoid places that encourage smoking. After quitting, many people usually put on a lot of weight. To avoid this, go for an exercise program, eat healthy food and improve your way of living.
Some drugs can replace the harmful nicotine. But, it should not be taken without the advice of Doctor. For instance, Nicotine gum, Bupropion, Nicotine inhaler and Nicotine nasal spray. These drugs will surely helpful in quitting smoking.
Now, you have acquired your destination. It is the time to reward you for your achievement. Get that glass jar and you will be wondered to find the amount you have saved.
Many times, even after quitting people smoke. Do not think that your efforts have gone wasted. You should only consider the advantages of not smoking and start following the path of not smoking. The best thing one can do for quitting smoking is the faith in oneself. Have faith in yourself and you will attain the unachievable.
Filed under Quit Smoking by on Feb 9th, 2010. Comment.
Hi, my name is Karen and I am a non-smoker. Having kicked my addiction to nicotine and cigarettes I am living a healthier no smoking lifestyle. If you would like to be a non-smoker, too, join me on your quest to find the best solution to help you stop smoking.
