You Can Control Your Weight As You Quit SmokingMany people gain weight when they quit smoking. Even so, the best action you can take to improve your health is to quit smoking. Focus on stopping smoking first. Then you can continue to improve your health in other ways. These may include reaching and staying at a healthy weight for life. Will I gain weight if I stop smoking?Not everyone gains weight when they stop smoking. Among people who do, the average weight gain is between 6 and 8 pounds. Roughly 10 percent of people who stop smoking gain a large amount of weight30 pounds or more. What causes weight gain after quitting?When smokers quit, they may gain weight for a number of reasons. These include:
Can I avoid weight gain?To help yourself gain only a small amount or no weight when you stop smoking, try to:
Accept yourselfDo not worry about gaining a few pounds. Instead, feel proud that you are helping your health by quitting smoking. Stopping smoking may make you feel better about yourself in many ways.
Get regular moderate-intensity physical activityRegular physical activity may help you avoid large weight gains when you quit smoking. It may help you look and feel good, and fit into your clothes better. You will likely find that you can breathe easier during physical activity after you quit smoking. Try to get 30 minutes or more of moderate-intensity physical activity on most days of the week, preferably every day. The ideas below may help you to be active every day. Ideas for being active every day
Limit snacking and alcoholHaving more high-fat, high-sugar snacks and alcoholic drinks may lead to large weight gains when you quit smoking. The ideas below may help you make healthy eating and drinking choices as you quit smoking.
Consider using medication to help you quitTalk to your health care provider about medications that may help you quit smoking. Some people gain less weight when they use a medication to help them stop smoking. Medications that may help you quit smoking:
Antidepressant medication | The patch and gum are available without a prescription from your health care provider. Will weight gain hurt my health?A smallor even largeweight gain will not hurt your health as much as continuing to smoke will. The health risks of smoking are dramatic. Health risks of smoking
By quitting smoking, you are taking a big step to improve your health. Instead of worrying about weight gain, focus on quitting. Once you are tobacco-free, you can work toward having a healthy weight for life by becoming more physically active and choosing healthier foods. For more information on quitting smoking, contact:
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