How to Avoid Gaining Weight When You Quit Smoking

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This is Part 2 of a 2-Part Series.

In Part 1 of this series, you learned some reasons why people often put on some extra pounds right after they quit smoking.  Just being aware of the specific problems can be enough for you to make some common-sense adjustments when it comes to eating (such as making better food choices) and not experience the weight gain while your body is getting used to being free of nicotine.

Chances are that one of your major motivations to quit smoking is because you want to improve your health.  Therefore, paying attention to the quality and quantity of food you eat, from the very beginning of your new smoke-free life, is a good idea anyway.

But how can you increase your metabolism more quickly so you’ll burn more calories all day?  Here are some easy tips.

  1. Beginning with breakfast first thing in the morning, eat 5-6 small meals throughout the day instead of three larger meals.  This will not only give your metabolism a boost, it will help keep you from getting so hungry that you overeat and make bad food choices.  It will also keep your fingers and mouth busy, which is what your cigarettes used to do.  [NOTE: Don’t skip breakfast.  If you do, it will actually slow your metabolism down, even once your body is balanced.]
  2. Eating high-fiber high-protein foods will help keep you feeling full and therefore suppress your appetite to a certain extent.  Plus they’re good for you!
  3. Exercising (even if it’s just a brisk 20-30 minute walk each day) not only increases your metabolism, it will decrease your appetite and help you alleviate tension and stress.  If you can do even 10-15 minutes of exercise first thing in the morning you will have already kick-started your metabolism.  If you can start the day with 15-30 minutes of exercise, all the better.  Just listen to your favorite CD and dance!  Going to the gym is great, but not essential.

You might want to spend your first smoke-free week just being happy with your success, and eating whatever and whenever you want to as a reward.  If you put on a few pounds at first but stay smoke-free, you will have accomplished your first VERY-important goal.  Once you implement a healthy eating plan and lifestyle, those few additional pounds will go away and stay away.

Best of luck!

If you missed Part 1, go to 5 Reasons People Gain Weight When They Quit Smoking.

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Comments

One Comment on How to Avoid Gaining Weight When You Quit Smoking

  1. 5 Reasons People Gain Weight When They Quit Smoking and How to Avoid It | Best Way To Quit Smoking .com on Thu, 10th Jun 2010 7:08 pm

    2. [...] In Part 2, you’ll find out How to Avoid Gaining Weight When You Stop Smoking. [...]

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