Quit smoking? Great, now watch your weight
So you've quit smoking. Good for you! You're one step closer to a healthier, longer life -- unless you pack on the pounds, in which case you'll compromise your health in other ways.To help you manage your weight while you resist the urge to smoke, Dr. Cindy Pomerleau, Director of the Nicotine Research Laboratory at the University of Michigan, offers these seven tips:
- Start the day with breakfast, not a cigarette. A satisfying breakfast can help deflect the urge to smoke. Avoiding the meal might sound like a good way to avoid unwanted calories, but it's not a sound weight-management strategy.
- Start the day with exercise too. It's a great alternative to grabbing a cigarette. It also might spark your desire to eat -- strenuous workouts sometimes lead to eating, often times aggravated by the effects of stopping smoking -- so stay on course with healthy snack items.
- Miss your after-dinner smoke so much you grab a calorie-laden treat to fill the void? This can add up when it comes to weight gain, so try a cup of herbal tea or some fresh fruit instead.
- Break the coffee-cigarette link. Change when and where you drink coffee to switch up your patterns. And steer clear of your pals who still mix smoking and drinking coffee.
- Break the alcohol-cigarette link. Alcohol breaks down inhibitions, including your commitment to quit smoking. It's also a source of empty calories, so cut way back or swear off alcohol altogether.
- Don't use food for gratification. It's hard because you're trying to cut calories at a time when you're experiencing an increased appetite. Find some low-calories snacks -- carrot sticks, fresh fruit, even gum -- and try to keep your eye on the prize.
- Try a mini-workout when the urge hits. Distract yourself from smoking and food by doing a few stretches, lifting a few weights, taking a walk.
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