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BENEFITS OUTWEIGH THE WEIGHT GAIN
The possibility of gaining weight is not a valid health reason (nor excuse) to continue smoking, if you've made the decision to become a nonsmoker. (Be sure to consult with your health care provider or midwife, if you are pregnant)
The benefits of giving up cigarettes far outweigh the drawbacks of adding an extra few pounds. You'd have to gain a lot of weight to offset the many substantial health benefits that a normal smoker gains by quitting.
Ex-smokers who gain weight do so because they eat more once they quit smoking. If you're concerned about gaining weight (and are using your concern as an excuse for continuing to smoke), you may find the following tips helpful in maintaining normal weight:
1. Make sure you eat a well-balanced diet, with the proper amounts of protein, carbohydrates, and fat. Take nutritional supplements such as your Stress-B Vitamins to help you balance your diet nutritionally. See other Smoking and Nutrition Links below for more information
2. Do not set a target quit date during a holiday, when the temptation of high calorie food and drinks may be too hard to resist. Holidays can also be stressful. Reduce your stress levels.
3. Drink a glass of water before your meals. Keep a glass of water available to sip on between meals.
4. Weigh yourself weekly.
5. Chew sugarless gum if you crave sweet foods (I actually prefer those sugarless hard candies - cinnamon candies are my favorite).
6. Plan menus carefully, and count calories. If you need help, consider Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig or some other dietary program that will help you with your nutritional plans. Consult with a nutritionist, if needed.
7. Keep low-calorie, nutritious foods on hand for nibbling (fresh fruits and vegetables, fruit and vegetable juices, low-fat cottage cheese, air-popped popcorn without butter).
8. Take time for daily exercise, or join an organized exercise group. If possible, a daily brisk walk is helpful and provides fresh air and aerobic exercise benefits.
9. Decrease or stop drinking alcoholic beverages. Avoid bars or social gatherings where alcohol is served and smoking is allowed. Alcohol has a lot of calories and increases the likelihood of starting to smoke again. If you go out in public or a social gathering, take care around second-hand smoke. Either it will bother you or you may crave a smoke. Second hand smoke is not good for you any more than smoking a cigarette.
For graphic lung pictures of smokers and non-smokers, visit this website:
Quit Smoking Pictures by www.cigarette.com
Animated skull graphic above obtained from www.cigarette.com.
HELPFUL RELATED MOONDRAGON LINKS
SMOKING RELATED LINKS
THERAPY LINKS
DISORDER LINKS
NUTRITION LINKS
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HELPFUL PRODUCTS & FURTHER EDUCATION
Prescription for Nutritional Healing: The A-To-Z Guide To Supplements
-- by Phyllis A. Balch, James F. Balch - 2nd Edition
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Prescription for Herbal Healing: The A-To-Z Reference To Common Disorders
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