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How to Stop Smoking without Gaining Weight?

Some people don't put on any weight when they stop smoking, but the majority will put on an average 5-7 pounds in the months after quitting. The reason for this is that the nicotine in cigarettes speeds up the metabolism, burning an extra 250 calories per day in an average smoker. When a person quits smoking they are left with these extra calories to burn.

The best way of giving up smoking without gaining weight is to plan ahead. Make arrangements to increase the level of aerobic exercise you have each week incorporating at least three sessions lasting half an hour. Or change your lifestyle to incorporate more activity in general; walk to work, take the stairs rather than the lift, or swap the car for a bicycle.

Make sure the hands are occupied. Smoking means that the hands are busy and when you quit there is a sense of not knowing what to do with them; the result is that people tend to occupy their hands by reaching for snacks. Find an activity which keeps hands busy such as crossword puzzles, knitting, doing jigsaws, or even playing video games.

Nicotine also suppresses the appetite due to its effect on serotonin levels in the brain, so giving up smoking also has the additional effect of increasing the appetite. This is another area where planning ahead is essential: prepare healthy snacks such as chopped fruit and vegetables, or buy low calorie bars and make them available for times when food is craved.

Keep a food diary and pinpoint the times when you are most likely to want to snack. Alter routines to avoid these danger points.

Rather than trying to restrict food, make sure the diet is healthy overall and drink lots of water – at least 8 glasses a day to help flush out toxins.