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. Keep your hands busy with doodling, crossword puzzles, knitting, or twirling a straw, pen, or pencil. 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. Eating a variety of foods each day is a good start, and eating regularly so you never get too hungry. Managing cravings Once you stop smoking, it is important to learn how to reduce your cravings for both cigarettes and food. Be confident that you are making a healthy choice! Your whole body will thank you!. L.
But changing too much too quickly can increase the stress you feel as you try to quit smoking Get enough sleep; when you are tired, you are more likely to crave cigarettes and food. Managing cravings Once you stop smoking, it is important to learn how to reduce your cravings for both cigarettes and food.
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. Not everyone gains weight when they stop smoking, but the average weight gain is about 10 pounds. 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. Find something that will replace smoking as a way to relax and do it consistently.
Healthy eating Improving your eating habits gradually can help prevent weight gain, as well as help you feel better as you quit smoking. Replace smoking with other activities that occupy your hands and your mouth. Snack on fruit or chewing gum to satisfy any sweet cravings. A. Get support and encouragement; talk to a friend when you get the urge to smoke; talk about something other than smoking. 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. 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. Weight gain is more likely when someone has smoked for 10 to 20 years or smokes a pack or more a day.
Article Source: How to Stop Smoking