How do I quit without gaining weight?

[LouLou1]

I quit for six months a few years ago and gained two dress sizes. I didn't replace cigarettes with food but the weight piled on and I can't shift it. When I visited the nurse at my doctors and asked for advice, she really did not want o tackle the link with weight gain at all and I just need some honest advice.

[EmJay Partner]

Hi LouLou1, this could all be down to a change in your metabolic rate.

Cigarette smoking increases a person's metabolic rate in part by forcing the heart to beat faster. When a cigarette is inhaled, the smoker's heart may beat 10 to 20 times more per minute for a period of time. This causes extra stress on the heart and plays a role in heart disease, the most common smoking-related death. So, if you think about it like this; somebody who smokes about 20 a day puts about the same amount of stress on the heart as 90 pounds (over 5 stone) of extra weight would. When a person stops smoking, the heart rate slows down causing the metabolism to dip a bit as well.

The best ways to boost metabolism and minimise weight gain would be to take up some form of exercie of possible. Exercise burns calories and boosts metabolism for up to 24 hours after working out. Exercise breaks down fat and releases it into the bloodstream. This works to curb feelings of hnger.

Most smokers who quit will experience an increased appetite because smoking can act as an appetite-suppressant, food will also tase better. Your body will also be able to absorb more of the energy in food once you stop smoking.

You may expect some moderate weight gain, but the benefits of giving up far outweigh the risks of putting on a little weight.