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May 1, 2008, 6:44 pm
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I've never been a smoker but a woman that works in my department has begun the process of quiting. She is concerned about gaining weight. Anyone have any suggestions as to how she might avoid this? Gaining weight when quitting smoking is a very common problem.

I'm a smoker and I've attempted giving up at least a dozen times.

The main reason for weight gain is that the metabolism changes when the body isn't receiving nicotine. It slows down.

Another reason is the compulsive habit of putting a cigarette to your mouth isn't broken yet, so it's often replaced by food.

Combine both slower metabolism plus increased food intake = increased weight gain.

The only way to stop this is to carry a water bottle around with you. Drink it when you feel the mad urge to put something to your mouth. Weird huh?

Quitting smoking is an easy process, in my opinion. The problem that many people face is the replacement of nicotine that they grew an addiction to; instead of smoking when they'd normally do it, instead they're going to try binging on something to eat, as both food and smoking typically makes one "calmer" or feel less stressed out.

I'd suggest just watching what you eat, drinking a lot of water, and start the healing process for your lungs by daily exercise - very important.

If you can have control over smoking, you can control your diet. Both are hard to do, but can be done.

Quitting smoking can be hard for some people who have smoked most of their lives. My boyfriend has tried to quit several times but he just can't. For me I quit cold turkey and never looked back. I do want my boyfriend to quit but he has to want to do it I can't force him into it.