How to avoid gaining weight when you quit smoking

Nicotine also stimulates the release of neurotransmitters in the brain that have a relaxing, mood-elevating effect. In the absence of nicotine, your body craves other sources that help to stimulate these neurotransmitters- sugars and carbohydrates. One of these neurotransmitters - serotonin- also acts as an appetite suppressant. Without the regular release of serotonin that the brain has grown accustomed to, an ex-smokers appetite can increase.

This physiological reason is not the only reason that many ex-smokers gain weight after quitting. Another reason is that people begin to eat more food.

One explanation is that most smokers smoke immediately after finishing a meal. The longer a person has done this, the more firmly the habit has been rooted in their mentality. Hence, when a person quits smoking, they tend to keep picking on foods after the meal is over. It is a Pavlovian response in reverse - without the "signal" that the meal is over, the person continues to eat.

Another explanation is that the habit of holding something and putting it up to your mouth is hard to break. A cigarette acts as a pacifier; in its absence, a person looks to replace it with something. Most commonly, that something is food.

AVOIDING A WEIGHT GAIN

While there are a lot of sound reasons why your body may gain some weight after you quit smoking, there are measures you can take to avoid it. When you are planning to quit smoking, plan some things you can do to avoid the pitfalls of weight gain.

One healthy option is to begin engaging in some additional physical activities. Even just a brisk walk every day for a half hour can help keep up your metabolism and burn any extra calories you may take in. If you feel a craving coming on, get up and stretch a bit, and do a few light calisthenics.

When you know you'll be quitting, rid the house of junk food. Fill your fridge and pantry with nutritious snacks: fruit, nuts, seeds, carrot sticks, celery, air popped pop corn, and sugarless candy and gum. That way, if you do get the munchies, you can indulge in them guilt-free. Always have some snacks, such as sugarless gum and candies, on hand when you leave the house, and try to stay away from convenience stores and fast food places that sell quick, inexpensive junk food to avoid the temptation.

Try to find another "pacifier" to sooth you. When you find yourself craving a cigarette, or sit down for an activity that you are used to smoking during, try chewing on a straw, chewing sugarless gum, or munching on low-fat pretzel sticks.

Take up a hobby that will keep your hands occupied. Take up knitting, scrapbooking, or model making. These things will keep your mind busy during your free time and channel that fidgeting nervous energy from nicotine withdrawal into something you can do with your hands.

CONCLUSION

Even though there is a possibility you will gain a few pounds if you quit smoking, it is not a guarantee. The benefits of quitting the smoking habit far outweigh the possible risk of a few pounds. With some understanding of what you are up against, and planning ahead to avoid pitfalls, there is a good chance you can be both fit and smoke free in the near future.