Four out of every five people who quit smoking gain weight, reports SmokeFree.gov. The fear of gaining weight can keep some people from giving up smoking, even though the benefits of quitting cigarettes outweigh the risks of gaining weight. Knowing the facts about weight gain and smoking could help you make the right decision about quitting.
Smoking and Weight
Nicotine in cigarettes increases your metabolism slightly, causing you to burn more calories. In addition, smoking suppresses your appetite, so it's easier to eat less. According to SmokeFree.gov, the average smoker weighs 4 to 10 lbs. less than the average nonsmoker of the same age, sex and build.
Weight Gain After Quitting
The Institute for Women's Health Research reports that the average weight gained after quitting smoking is 6 to 10 lbs. While this is an average, SmokeFree.gov reports that about one out of 10 people who quit smoking gains 25 or even 30 lbs. But SmokeFree.gov offers the encouraging news that six months after quitting, most people have shed at least some of that initial weight gain.
Reasons for Weight Gain
As your metabolism slows with the withdrawal of nicotine, a stimulant, your body burns fewer calories. This can lead to weight gain. Also, you may find yourself eating more after you quit smoking. Consuming more calories than your body burns leads to weight gain. You eat more for several reasons. Nicotine depresses appetite; once your body is free of nicotine, your appetite naturally increases. Smoking also dulls the taste buds and your sense of smell. When you quit smoking, food may taste and smell better, and you may find you enjoy it more. SmokeFree.gov reports that many people increase their alcohol consumption when they quit smoking. Alcohol contains extra calories that can lead to weight gain. And many people reach for food to replace the oral gratification they once found in cigarettes.
Avoiding Weight Gain
Step up your exercise program to help rev up your metabolism and burn more calories. Instead of reaching for a snack when you would formerly have smoked a cigarette, go for a walk or do some yoga. Eat healthy, low-calorie foods. Try chewing gum or sucking on sugar-free mints if you feel the need to have something in your mouth. Watch your alcohol intake. And keep your weight gain in perspective. If you gain only a few lbs., SmokeFree.gov points out, then you will weigh what you would have if you'd never smoked. Such a small amount of weight is unlikely to impact your health, and most people around you won't even notice. The benefits to your health from giving up cigarettes will far outweigh any negatives of putting on a few lbs.
