Tag: Weight Gain

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Weight Loss Exercise

Quit Smoking – Gain Weight – Still Better Off




I found this article about weight gain after you quit smoking over at the CBC Canada website and thought it was an interesting study. As I have written before, I smoked for many years and would actually put out my cigarette on my way into the gym but once I tackled my smoking habit over and over again I found that I finally quit smoking and have been more healthy now than ever.

I think that the excuse that you can gain weight after quitting smoking is a bit of a red herring but is always brought up. Tobacco is both an appetite suppressant and and a stimulant and so it can keep your weight down…But at a HUGE cost to your health.

The bold notes below are my comments on this article.

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Quit smoking leads to an average weight gain of up to five kilograms in the first year, significantly more than previously thought, according to a new study.

Most of the kilos are piled on in the first three months, a team of medical researchers write in the online journal British Medical Journal, as another group stresses that the health benefits of quit smoking far outweigh the risks of putting on weight.

Quit Smoking Leads to Weight Gain

For quitters who did not use nicotine replacement therapy, the average weight gain was 1.1 kilograms at one month, 2.3 at two, 2.9 at three, 4.2 at six months and 4.7 after a year, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation said.

*Notice that the weight gain is front loaded as people are trying to fight nicotine cravings with food? I bet almost every ex-smoker will agree this is the case

This was “substantially higher than the 2.9 kilograms often quoted in smoking cessation advice leaflets,” write the team from France and Britain.

“Moreover, this mean weight gain is greater than the 2.3 kilograms gain that female smokers report being willing to tolerate, on average, before embarking on a quit attempt.”

Quit Smoking Gain Weight Still Better OffEarlier research showed that nicotine is an appetite suppressant and may increase the metabolic rate.

For the latest paper, the researchers collated data from earlier studies conducted between 1989 and 2011 in the United States, Europe, Australia and east Asia to assess weight changes among successful smoking quitters.

The researchers stressed that changes in body weight varied greatly, with about 16 per cent of those that quit smoking losing weight and 13 per cent gaining more than 10 kilograms in the first year.

*You would expect that these ex-smokers that lost weight made bigger lifestyle changes and smoking was one of the changes. Exercise and diet changes will turn your whole lifestyle around and are tough, but on the other side you feel like a new person just a few months later

Smoking riskier than weight gain

In an editorial accompanying the paper, Associate Professor Esteve Fernández of the Universitat de Barcelona and Professor Simon Chapman of the University of Sydney say modest weight gain is far less life-threatening than smoking.

“Tobacco is the main cause of premature death worldwide, being responsible for 5.1 million deaths each year. Obesity, together with overweight, causes 2.8 million deaths,” they write.

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I am more than happy to me an ex-smoker. I did not personally gain weight, I proved to myself that it is possible, and I became more serious about my other health habits. So I can say personally that I would urge anyone to quit smoking even if they are worried about a bit of weight gain. This is a large part of your health issues that you have control over and then you can use your quitting to accelerate yourself to better health.

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Weight Loss Exercise

Smoking Withdrawal Symptoms: How To Handle Them


Smoking withdrawal symptoms can be difficult to live through, both for the quitting smoker and for anybody close to them. When we take the long term view, it is clear that quitting is a very positive thing to do, but the first few days or weeks can be a difficult time. In this article we will look at the different withdrawal symptoms that you may have, so that you know what you are up against and can assure yourself that it will pass.

Smoking Withdrawal Symptoms

When we have been smoking for anything more than a few months, quitting can give us smoking withdrawal symptoms including irritation and anger, overeating, depression, difficulty concentrating and anxiety as well as the craving for tobacco products which can be overwhelming at times. Let’s take these one by one.

Irritation and anger

Most people who quit smoking become irritable. They are not a lot of fun to be around for the first few days. Some people may even have violent mood swings. Nicotine replacement therapies such as patches or gum can be very helpful in reducing this symptom. They make it easier on the smoker and on his or her family and friends.

Depression and anxiety

Smoking withdrawal symptoms

Smoking withdrawal symptoms

Some people suffer from depression and anxiety as smoking withdrawal symptoms. These can be serious so if you have this problem, talk to your doctor about prescription meds including Zyban, an anti-depressant that also reduces the physical smoking withdrawal symptoms.

Overeating

There are two reasons why people often overeat when they quit smoking. The first is the habit of having something in your mouth. You can deal with this by using regular sugar-free gum. But it is also true that nicotine acts as an appetite suppressant.

If you are a slim person without a tendency to overeat, you do not need to be concerned. Any weight gain that you have will almost certainly be temporary. If your weight has not begun to reduce again six months after quitting, you can probably lose the excess very easily by adopting healthier eating habits for a while.

If you are already overweight, on the other hand, the fear of gaining more weight may be enough to prevent you from quitting. If you do quit, you will be tempted to light a cigarette if you gain a single pound. In this case nicotine replacement gum can be an excellent aid. It gives you something to chew on and also delivers appetite-reducing nicotine.

Combat Smoking withdrawal symptoms

Smoking withdrawal symptoms can sound scary. However, the first thing to remember if you are bothered by the idea of smoking withdrawal symptoms is that in fact, these symptoms are caused by the nicotine itself. It’s not because you are not smoking now that you begin snapping at all of your family and friends – it’s because you began smoking all those years ago. If you had never smoked you would not experience these symptoms.


Imagine if you could easily use the same method that allowed Paul Peyton, a heavy smoker for more than 14 years, ? to permanently quit overnight… Wouldn’t that be wonderful?Well, guess what – you can. In fact, ANYONE can do it.But first, you need to understand where you’ve gone wrong in the past… Treating just the physical addiction to smoking. But it can only be removed completely by using targeted psychotherapeutic techniques. NOT by ignoring it and hoping it will go away. And CERTAINLY NOT by throwing even more nicotine at it, in the form of patches or gum. You MUST deal with BOTH parts of your addiction the right way, or you will keep getting those cravings forever…

Specific, step by step instructions ? we show you exactly what to do, so nothing is left to chance. You choose the timeframe ? implement the method at your own pace, as you feel comfortable. Tried and tested method ? this cutting-edge method has been successfully used to cure thousands of happy ex-smokers. Permanently removes your mental dependence at the subconscious level ? resulting in a permanent end to mental cravings.
Check out PermaQuit now.

So how long does it take before smoking withdrawal symptoms end? The answer is that if you quit cold turkey, you can expect them to become much less acute in just a few days. You may continue to feel them in a less intense form for 1-3 weeks, and they may continue to trouble you in a mild form for longer, but the worst of them will be over in 5-7 days. Isn’t it worth holding out against smoking withdrawal symptoms for that short time, in order to be free of addiction for the rest of your life?


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General Weight Loss Tips

Can Vegetarianism Help People Lose Weight?

The number of obese people in the United States (and around the world) has increased dramatically in the past few decades. And as just about all overweight people know it’s not too  easy to lose that excess fat once you’ve got it. Many frustrated people turn to drastic measures such as going on a crash diet or getting liposuction and a tummy tuck.

However, there is no need for one to do anything so drastic. A much better choice for most people is to go on a vegetarian diet as it’s one of the simplest and safest things that a person can do to lose weight. Below are explanations on how a vegetarian diet can help with weight loss:

Fruits and vegetables are high in fiber

The average adult needs between 25-30 grams of fiber per day. Most overweight people are only getting 10 or 11 grams. Fruits and vegetables are rich in this nutrient. That is why people who follow a vegetarian diet usually have no problem getting the recommended amount of fiber.

Fiber helps promote a feeling of fullness. Studies have shown that people who eat plenty of fruits and vegetables actually consume less food throughout the day. Additionally, fiber also helps prevent blood sugar spikes. Blood sugar spikes often lead to food cravings and overeating.

Fruits and vegetables are low in calories

The key to losing weight is to burn off more calories than one consumes. Studies have shown that vegetarians consume fewer calories than non-vegetarians. Animal-based foods are typically very high in fat and calories. Eliminating meat, eggs and dairy will help one reduce his caloric intake naturally.

A vegetarian diet is low in sugar

Sugar is one of the main culprits behind weight gain. Studies have shown that sugar causes the body to store more fat. Vegetarians consume less sugar than the general population.

A vegetarian diet can help raise your metabolism

Metabolism is the rate at which the body burns calories. People who have a high metabolism will not only have an easier time losing weight, but they will also be more likely to keep it off for the rest of their life. Fruits and vegetables have been shown to have a fat-burning effect.

A vegetarian diet does not cost thousands of dollars!

Tummy tucks can cost anywhere from $5000 to $14,000. However, people who follow a vegetarian diet will lose weight naturally and will not have to worry about having to spend thousands of dollars on such a procedure.

Additional benefits

There are also a number of other benefits that can be reaped from following a vegetarian diet. Below are some of those benefits:

Live longer – Excess red meat consumption has been linked to heart disease, type 2 diabetes and cancer. Because vegetarians do not eat meat, they can greatly reduce their risk of developing those conditions. In fact, studies have shown that male vegetarians can reduce their risk of dying prematurely by up to 50 percent. The mortality rate is 30 percent lower in female vegetarians. Researchers have also found that vegetarians live about three to six years longer than meat eaters.

Have more energy – People who eat a diet that is filled with animal-based products often complain about feeling tired and sluggish. Those who follow a vegetarian diet will notice that their energy level has increased. Plant-based foods contain the vitamins and minerals that the body needs to sustain energy.

Healthier skin and hair – Feeding the body the right nutrients is one of the keys to healthy skin. Fruits and vegetables contain the antioxidants that the body needs to reduce free radical damage. Many people who have become vegetarians have noticed that their skin is clearer and healthier. Additionally, plant-based foods also contain the nutrients that help promote hair growth.

Talk to your doctor

People who are trying to lose weight should talk with their doctor about going on a vegetarian diet. Eliminating animal-based foods will allow a person to lose weight safely and naturally. A vegetarian diet will also help increase energy, promote healthier skin and hair as well as help a person live longer.

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