Many people who quit smoking do gain some weight as a result, and while a just a few extra pounds may not be a big deal, you may want to take steps to avoid becoming too big. Excessive weight gain and being overweight, as we all know, are bad for us. You don't want to give up one unhealthy habit, only to replace it with another. So what can be done to curb this unwanted side effect ofquitting smoking, and why does weight gain occur in the first place?

Why The Weight Gain?

There are several factors that come into play when you quit smoking , which can result in you putting on weight. Firstly, nicotine speeds up your metabolism by burning calories. It is estimated that a heavy smoker will burn around 200 calories a day through cigarette use. With no change in your eating habits, this will amount to gaining an extra 5 to 10 pounds in the first couple of months.

This small gain can easily be countered with a brisk walk daily or some other light exercise. Unfortunately, the weight gain problem doesn't end there. The second reason you will gain weight is because nicotine is an appetite suppressant. It has this effect by tricking your brain into thinking you are not hungry. Also, your sense of taste and smell will improve when you give up the cigarettes. Your increased appetite, combined with a better sense of taste and smell, will make snacks and treats all the more tempting.

Another reason you may encounter weight gain is because when you quit smoking you will experience a drop in your blood sugar levels. This can cause you to crave sweet foods to raise your blood sugar again. Eating something can also help take your mind of no longer smoking, give you something to do with your hands and even become a substitute for cigarettes by providing the emotional comfort you once got from smoking.

Combating Weight Gain

Your main focus whenquitting smokingis that you don't relapse, and that you are able to remain smoke free forever. If the pay off for this is a little extra weight, then it is usually a small price to pay. Research has shown that, in the vast majority of ex-smokers who quit, the weight gain they experienced was temporary. Once you have learned to live without smoke, your body can return back to normal eating habits.

If you do feel that the weight gain is getting out of hand, there are some steps you can take to combat it. The most obvious of these is exercise. Not only will it counter the effects of the weight gain, but taking on a regular activity such as this will help take your mind off wanting a cigarette. And if joining a gym sounds a bit too much, why not invest in a Wii-fit console with the money you are saving from not smoking?

Preparing healthy snacks in advance is a good way to avoid snacking on something unhealthy when you get the urge. Removing unhealthy comfort foods from the home will also help you stop snacking on them. Some ex-smokers found that lollipops where a good way to deal with cravings. It gives you a replacement to placing a cigarette in your mouth, and by having it in your mouth you are less likely to eat something else.