Stop smoking article

Even if you do gain weight when you quit smoking, the health risks of smoking are far greater…you would have to gain over 150 pounds to make your health risks as high as when you smoked. L.

But changing too much too quickly can increase the stress you feel as you try to quit smoking. A. Try not to do things that tempt you to smoke, such as drinking or socializing in a bar, or tempt you to eat when you're not hungry, such as bringing a bag of chips in front of the television. Eating a variety of foods each day is a good start, and eating regularly so you never get too hungry. 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. Try to stay positive, and try not to panic about modest weight gain; if you do gain weight, your healthy habits will help you lose the weight once your body gets back to normal. Physical activity does not have to be planned exercise; it may include taking the stairs, mowing the lawn, or playing with children. T Be confident that you are making a healthy choice! Your whole body will thank you!. Keep your hands busy with doodling, crossword puzzles, knitting, or twirling a straw, pen, or pencil. Healthy eating Improving your eating habits gradually can help prevent weight gain, as well as help you feel better as you quit smoking. When you quit smoking, you can breathe and get around more easily, and nutritious foods such as fruits and vegetables taste better when you are not smoking. Water retention may cause a deceptive weight gain of up to 5 pounds in the week after quitting smoking, but this is not a real weight gain, and your body will go back to normal. 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. Managing cravings Once you stop smoking, it is important to learn how to reduce your cravings for both cigarettes and food. 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.

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. If you can distract yourself for 5 minutes, the craving will usually pass.

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