How long after giving up smoking will I start to gain weight?

Question

I understand that most people seem to put on weight after giving up smoking which isn't a problem for me, I just wondered if I will as well...

Answer 1

Only if you start eating a lot to quench your craving for cigarrettes. The weight gain isn't as much metabolical as it is a compulsive thing, my husband tried quitting and after 2 months he put on close to 20 pounds since he just kept eating snacks and sweets and microwaving hot dog after another to put something in his hand and in his mouth OTHER than a cigarrette. The craving and the mental addiction got him and he started up again.

If you can find a healthy way to occupy your hands and mouth and time, like start a hobby or play video games or something, then go for it.

Just remember that you can't lose or gain weight because of cigarrettes. Cigarrettes can stop someone's appetite and so they can aid in losing weight, like a diet pill - its not the item itself, its the side effect of loss of appetite. You'll just regain your appetite and possibly your metabolism will slug down a bit for a while.

Answer 2

Giving up smoking, means you can now walk without getting winded.

If you have a regiment of eating the way you should, then do not start snacking.

Get more sleep.

Some people can gain 10 lbs., but it doesn't mean that you will !!

Answer 3

Most people gain weight after they quit smoking because they don't have something to do with their hands, and replace the smoke with some type of high calorie snack to keep their hands busy. Keep a bowl of cut up fruit handy to ease the urge, or a glass of water or fruit juice.

Answer 4

I gave up smoking, joined a gym, went on a healthy diet and still put on 10lbs in two months. Smoking speeds up your metabolism, so regardless of how much you watch what you eat, you're still going to put on weight. But I guess once your body adjusts to being without nicotine you'll be able to drop the weight again. I can't guarantee it though, I started smoking again...

Answer 5

A lot of the fixation with smoking is an innate desire to put something in your mouth.
Food is typically the next thing that most ex-smokers use to placate that oral fixation.

Try chewing gum, if you find a need for oral gratification.

Otherwise, consult your doctor and get him/her to recommend a good dietitian who can recommend a healthily plan to maintain weight.

When I quit some 20+ years ago, I took up running.
Never got over-weight...with the exception of a couple of pounds around the waist due to age, and that is normal.

Answer 6

To answer your question in the most simple terms, you will gain weight as soon as, and if, you start eating more...unless you make wise choices. You should start thinking about activities that will be healthier and keep you busy, so you don't have too much time to think about wanting a cigarette or eating...good luck

Answer 7

it's only because we start eating in the time where we would normally smoke
but if you choose something to do for the 2-3 minutes you would normally smoke - you won't put on weight

like - my hypnosist said squeeze my fingers together for 2 minutes - this take your mind off wanting a smoke and you won't eat so you won't put on weight

good luck

Answer 8

Nicotine has an appetite suppressant in it. So when it starts to leave your body you may feel more hungry than normal. Some people pick up the habit of snacking to replace the habit of smoking. This is usually an uncontentious decision. Watch what you eat, and you should be fine.

Answer 9

It doesn't always happen automatically. It's just that you'll probably try to substitute the cigarette in your mouth by something else and you'll most likely end up eating. But this does not always happen. So you'll gain weight only if quitting the habit affects your eating habits.

Answer 10

You wont as long as you still commit yourself to the same diet and fitness regime. Cigarettes contain calories and everyone you smoke adds to your calorie intake, Smoking is a great way of losing weight (provided you dont substitute it with other things.