Managing Weight
How are quitting smoking and weight related? Smoking can reduce your appetite, so when you quit smoking you may feel hungrier.
Your senses improve when you quit smoking too – so food tastes better and you may be tempted to eat more.
Food & Drink
Plan ahead. Eat healthy, but be sure to eat. Feeling hungry can trigger cigarette cravings. You may feel sugar cravings; satisfy the craving with low calorie treats like fruit, fruit sorbet or plain yogurt with fresh fruit. Be sure to drink a lot of water and non-sugary drinks and avoid caffeinated drinks that can make you jittery and trigger a craving.Be sure you are not using food to substitute for cigarettes. Avoid alcohol, as it lowers your defenses against smoking and may increase your likelihood of overeating and making unhealthy food choices.
Talk to your doctor about medications such as bupropion or the nicotine patch, gum or lozenge to help you quit, as some have been shown to delay or limit weight gain after quitting.
Getting Active
Being active doesn’t mean you need to hit the gym or run a marathon. Try something like a brisk walk in an area you find especially relaxing. Take a slow jog, bike, or swim. Even doing chores can help keep you busy.Regular exercise and activities are a great way to...
Improve
Improve your self-esteem, mood, and sleep (sleep may be temporarily disrupted when you quit).Distract
It’s also a great distraction from cravings.
Be sure to talk to your doctor before starting a new exercise or activity.
Remember, gaining a few pounds is not nearly as dangerous as continuing to smoke.
Concentrate on becoming a confident nonsmoker and do the best you can to manage your weight and improve your health.
Having a tough time quitting?
Worried about weight gain?
Quitting smoking means a healthier you. Maintain your weight while quitting.
Slip-ups are normal
The most important thing to do? Learn from them and keep trying.
Chronic conditions, quitting helps
If you have heart disease, high blood pressure, emphysema, or other ailments, learn more about how quitting smoking can make a difference.
