My early years of experience as a nutritionist have introduced me to many women who claimed and complained that they started packing the pounds when they quit smoking.
I understand where their frustration is coming from: because of the weight gain, they feel that quitting a negative habit just caused unhealthy calorie consumption.
If you are experiencing this dilemma, here are some insights that you must know.
The food craving you feel when you quit smoking can be attributed to a lot of reasons.
Remember that nicotine helps boost your metabolism which then causes you to shed calories faster.
If you quit smoking, your metabolism slows down, resulting to decrease in your body's ability to burn fats quickly.
Aside from this, when you stop smoking, your body's serotonin level drops, making you feel less calm and relaxed, and more prone to food cravings.
Your body feels the need to increase your serotonin levels hence you start craving for carbohydrates and starchy food.
If you have been a smoker for years, smoking has surely been a part of your routine.
You may have had smoked during office breaks or while watching TV.
When you quit the habit, you start losing an important and constant part of your routine.
It is typical for you then to look for other activities to replace smoking, which for most people, commonly include going on a fast food galore or attacking the nearest vendor for some cola.
So are you prepared to kick the habit of smoking for good? Without a doubt, your decision to kick the habit for good is one of the best decisions you have ever made in your life.
If you see that you are packing the pounds and feel that this is what you get for quitting the habit, do not worry.
I have here some ways and suggestions to help you avoid gaining weight after you have quit the habit.
I understand where their frustration is coming from: because of the weight gain, they feel that quitting a negative habit just caused unhealthy calorie consumption.
If you are experiencing this dilemma, here are some insights that you must know.
The food craving you feel when you quit smoking can be attributed to a lot of reasons.
Remember that nicotine helps boost your metabolism which then causes you to shed calories faster.
If you quit smoking, your metabolism slows down, resulting to decrease in your body's ability to burn fats quickly.
Aside from this, when you stop smoking, your body's serotonin level drops, making you feel less calm and relaxed, and more prone to food cravings.
Your body feels the need to increase your serotonin levels hence you start craving for carbohydrates and starchy food.
If you have been a smoker for years, smoking has surely been a part of your routine.
You may have had smoked during office breaks or while watching TV.
When you quit the habit, you start losing an important and constant part of your routine.
It is typical for you then to look for other activities to replace smoking, which for most people, commonly include going on a fast food galore or attacking the nearest vendor for some cola.
So are you prepared to kick the habit of smoking for good? Without a doubt, your decision to kick the habit for good is one of the best decisions you have ever made in your life.
If you see that you are packing the pounds and feel that this is what you get for quitting the habit, do not worry.
I have here some ways and suggestions to help you avoid gaining weight after you have quit the habit.
- Put your muscles to work.
Remember that nothing beats exercising in boosting your metabolism.
Aside from this, exercising will also help you burn stubborn calories, and raise your energy level so your body won't crave for sweets and starchy food.
- Make sure that you have activities to replace the habit of smoking.
Make a planner and fill in the gap that was once occupied by smoking.
Replace it with more worthwhile activities like jogging, walking, having conversations with friends, or going to a spa. - Make sure that your hands are always tied with activities to prevent you from smoking.
Try to do some knitting, type some emails, paint your nails, or do a nightly pedicure. - Always bring a bottle of water with you.
Not only will this help you keep your hands busy, it will also help you maintain a good weight.
When you feel like puffing some smoke, you can just drink water. - To prevent yourself from eating food that packs in the pounds, always bring healthy snacks.
These can be dried nuts, fruits, cheese, and energy bars. - Mouthwash and sugarless gum and mints can really help you during those times when you start craving for sweets.
To avoid nightly cravings, brush your teeth after supper.