Snack on fruit or chewing gum to satisfy any sweet cravings. If you are struggling or anxious about trying to quit smoking, talk to your doctor about nicotine replacement such as nicotine gum or a nicotine patch. Try not to do things that tempt you to smoke, such as drinking or socializing in a bar, or tempt you to eat when you're not hungry, such as bringing a bag of chips in front of the television.
Find something that will replace smoking as a way to relax and do it consistently. Get enough sleep; when you are tired, you are more likely to crave cigarettes and food. Managing cravings Once you stop smoking, it is important to learn how to reduce your cravings for both cigarettes and food.
Healthy eating Improving your eating habits gradually can help prevent weight gain, as well as help you feel better as you quit smoking. Beginning to increase your physical activity before you quit smoking may remind you how much smoking slows you down, when you have trouble breathing or start to cough during exercise. Eating a variety of foods each day is a good start, and eating regularly so you never get too hungry.
Remember H. Beginning to increase your physical activity before you quit smoking may remind you how much smoking slows you down, when you have trouble breathing or start to cough during exercise.
Try to stay positive, and try not to panic about modest weight gain; if you do gain weight, your healthy habits will help you lose the weight once your body gets back to normal. Find something that will replace smoking as a way to relax and do it consistently.
But changing too much too quickly can increase the stress you feel as you try to quit smoking.
This can cause extra stress that can lead to extra snacking, especially over the holidays when more food is around, or relapsing back into smoking to cope with the stress. Weight gain is more likely when someone has smoked for 10 to 20 years or smokes a pack or more a day. Get enough sleep; when you are tired, you are more likely to crave cigarettes and food.
But changing too much too quickly can increase the stress you feel as you try to quit smoking. Try to do at least 30 minutes of physical activities on most days, even if it is in a few shorter increments. Even if you do gain weight when you quit smoking, the health risks of smoking are far greater…you would have to gain over 150 pounds to make your health risks as high as when you smoked. If you are struggling or anxious about trying to quit smoking, talk to your doctor about nicotine replacement such as nicotine gum or a nicotine patch.
Reduce tension by meditating, taking a walk or a bath, or taking deep breaths. If you can distract yourself for 5 minutes, the craving will usually pass. Drink less caffeine; although you may think it will make you feel better, caffeine can worsen the jittery nervous feeling that may accompany nicotine withdrawal.
Article Source: Stop Smoking Program
