can you lose weight by quitting smoking? or do you gain?

Question

i've thought about quitting smoking because i know it's bad for me. i have a bad weight problem though that i'm working my way to getting better at...but i dont want to gain anymore weight by quitting. any suggestions?

Answer 1

Nicotine is an appetite suppressant, but you probably already knew that. People often gain weight when quitting cigarettes because they are eating more. Try exercising. It will make it much easier to quit because your body will naturally be averted to cigarettes when you are working out. It will also offset the extra eating you will be doing.

Answer 2

FROM A FELLOW QUITTER:

I quit over a year ago, and it's true, you DO want to eat more. The trick it that you have to fill up your time. Every time you stop moving you start thinking about smoking. The reason you eat (I am convinced) is that it is a really convenient thing to fit into to any open time.

What you need is twofold:

1- Lots of exercise:
The effect being that you have more energy (you will anyway as you start to lose the CO in your blood, from quitting), less desire for a cigarette, and exercise helps reduce you appetite. Check out one of the health sites below

2- A new hobby
Is there anything you always thought was really cool, but you never new how to do it (like twriling a pencil around your finger), or somehting you know how to do but don't practice much (hello, Mozart)? Well, now is the time. I got way better at the guitar when quit.


HOW TO QUIT:

This is completely oiriginal idea from me. I tried to quit 3 times before I got the secret recipe, and here it is:

1 part: the patch (exactly as the directions suggest)

1 part: Quest Step 3 (nicotine free cigarettes)

Smoke a cigarette whenever you want one. That's right, WHENEVER YOU WANT ONE! Eventually you just won't want one anymore. It took me about to months, every week I smoked fewer cigarettes/day. I didn't count, it just happened because I didn't want one.

There is no nicotine in the cigarettes (you get your 'fix' from the patch), therefore your body is learning not to associate he pleasurable feelings of nicotine with actually taking a drag.
That's why it's so hard to quit. Most people can't be around other people smoking because they look at the smokers and think about how good it would feel (read about smoking addiction below). But if you quit my way, you won't be bothered by it because you'll know that it's not fun. The last cigarette I put out I thought was really gross.

Trust me. Any questions, drop me a line.

Answer 3

It's definitely healthier to stay smoke free. I quit smoking a couple of years ago and did gain a few pounds initially, but I found that I had more energy and was able to do more physical activities. I started working out more and running and lost all of the weight that I gained and then some. My blood pressure is now lower than it was when I was a smoker and I just in general feel better. Hang in there with the few extra pounds and try to start adding physical activity to your daily routine. It's a great stress reducer. Congrats on making healthier choices :-)

Answer 4

I stopped smoking three years ago and didn't gain weight. I only eat one meal a day and it's usually later at night which is bad. I am over weight but stopping smoking didn't do it. I'd suggest walking. Try hard candy or suckers for that hand to mouth fixation and have faith in yourself. You will feel so much better after about six weeks or so that you won't want to pick them up again. If you go through a stressful situation, you will be tempted, but don't give in. Once you can smell and taste again, you'll know you've kicked it and wow what a feeling a accomplishment! Go you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 5

I could never gain a pound when i smoked. Then I quit in January. Hello 25 lb's. Cigarette's are a stimulant and they do actually speed up your metabolism, so when you quit your met. takes a nose dive. Especially for the first 6 months. Plan on getting into a very regular exercise regimen the moment you quit. You will need something to take your mind off of it. By all means Do Quit! I am so happy I did, I will never go back to it. And in all honesty I needed to probably gain a few lb's anyways

Answer 6

Most people gain weight because they often will substitute food for there cravings.. or use food as a stress reliever in place of smoking.. But if you keep that in mind you don't have to be one of the people that gain weight when quitting smoking..

If you still think it will be an issue.. Weight watchers has a great program.. I have been overweight most of my life and have not really been able to loose weight, until I started the weight watchers program.. If you interested in low calorie (or low point) diets or meals there are lots of recipes listed on www.MaxOtter.com in the forums under recipes..

Answer 7

You could either gain or lose weight by quitting smoking as that question is similar to asking will I get involved in an auto accident if I decide to wear blue shoes. It's irrelevant as to lose weight you must eat properly and exercise. Consult your physician first, and then think about the key to weight loses being: 30 min per week of adequate exercise coupled with eliminating poor food choices (trans fats, high cholesterol foods, 2nds, cheese, snack foods, sweats, processed foods and rather select 4 to 5 servings of fruits per day, veggies, fish, and high fiber foods)...eating foods high on fiber is very important as it getting things moving which is so important.

Good luck and let me know if you want my help as I enjoy helping others meet their fitness goals.

PS
Regarding smoking, I forgot to mention that you could loss weight as a result of lung cancer which medical studies have shown smoking can cause, don’t think you want that though so you know the smartest choice there, not being a smarty-pants, rather just stating the truth as truth is a good thing!

Answer 8

Most people gain weight when they quit smoking, because they use food as a sustitute. It's hard not to. But instead of eating a bunch of junk, try fruit. Once you quit smoking, you'll be amazed at how much more energy you have, as long as your not loading yourself down with lots of junk foods and pop. When I was quiting I ate alot of apples and carrots, for my snacks. And if you like yogurt, it's good too. You can always add more strawberries or whatever you want to it. So as long as you eat right, you'll probably lose weight, because you'll have more energy to be more active. Good Luck!

Answer 9

Quitting smoking probably makes you gain beause you are so used to that motion, you may feel the need to replace it by eating.

Starting smoking makes you lose alittle weight for the opposite reason so its a catch 22.

Answer 10

When I've quit in the past, I've always gained weight, then got real self concious about it and started back to lose it. It's a never ending trap. Nah, I shouldn't say that. I've seen a lot of people quit successfully. I wish you luck sweetie.