Saturday, April 18, 2009

Quit smoking magnets

Becoming physically active will not only help you control your weight, but will also give you more energy, improve your health, take your mind off smoking, and help relieve the stress and moodiness that may occur as a result of withdrawal from nicotine.

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. Snack on fruit or chewing gum to satisfy any sweet cravings. 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. Healthy eating Improving your eating habits gradually can help prevent weight gain, as well as help you feel better as you quit smoking. 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. Drink less caffeine; although you may think it will make you feel better, caffeine can worsen the jittery nervous feeling that may accompany nicotine withdrawal

To prevent extra snacking as a result of quitting smoking, do not try to quit smoking during a stressful period. Get support and encouragement; talk to a friend when you get the urge to smoke; talk about something other than smoking. Not everyone gains weight when they stop smoking, but the average weight gain is about 10 pounds. 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. Find something that will replace smoking as a way to relax and do it consistently. Eating a variety of foods each day is a good start, and eating regularly so you never get too hungry. A craving only lasts about 5 minutes. Keep your hands busy with doodling, crossword puzzles, knitting, or twirling a straw, pen, or pencil. But changing too much too quickly can increase the stress you feel as you try to quit smoking. Healthy eating Improving your eating habits gradually can help prevent weight gain, as well as help you feel better as you quit smoking.

If you need more guidance, talk to your doctor or dietitian.

These can help prevent a relapse, and nicotine gum has been shown to reduce weight gain. 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.

Article Source: Best way to stop smoking now

0 comments: