How To Beat Weight When You Quit Smoking

A lot of smokers know that smoking stifles the appetite and may assist with weight loss or weight maintenance. It is precisely for this reason that a lot of image-conscious smokers carry on smoking, even though they do wish to quit. But, is it a given that if one quits smoking one would gain weight? Absolutely not. Not everyone who stops smoking will gain weight. Even those who have the propensity to bulge don't have to, either. There are ways to quit smoking and not gain weight.

Besides the fact that nicotine boosts the appetite, and therefore stopping it decreases the appetite, that's not the only reason why some ex-smokers put on a few pounds. When some people kick the habit they just substitute it eating for smoking. So, there you go. All is not as bad as it initially seems, at face value. There are things you can do to ensure successfully quitting and keeping your body.

Hydration

Drinking plenty of water has long been known to be one way to help keep your weight in check. For a start, water is calorie-free, and sips of water with meals may help fill you up quicker, and averts overeating. Hydration also helps re-condition the skin after all the damage from smoking.

Healthy eating

Eating healthy, not just for ex-smokers, is an excellent way of getting sufficient nutrients into your body, without piling on the unwanted ponds. If one watched one's snacking habits and chose healthier snack options over the sugary and fatty versions, half the battle is won. Fruits and vegetables make very good snacks, as they generally are nutrient rich, with few calories. One good tip is to have numerous smaller meals rather than, say three large meals. This is the mainstay of a lot of weight loss programs.

Increase physical activity

Physical activity will help to burn up the extra unneeded calories, thereby maintaining your weight, or even aiding weight loss. This goes hand in hand with healthy eating. After all, they do say that the most sure way to trim the fat is to eat less and move more. After quitting smoking your lung function and health will improve, further increasing your capacity for exercise. The more physical activity you do the more calories you burn. Increasing physical activity does not mean joining the gym. Simple activities like walking, jogging, swimming and dancing work wonders in controlling weight gain.

Avoid habits conducive to weight gain

Don't fall into the trap of getting rid of one bad habit and replacing it with another. One problem that ex-smokers may face is boredom and comfort eating, which often involves eating the wrong kinds of foods. For example, some people indulge in chocolate or junk food, which ultimately lead to weight gain. other habits to avoid include spending countless sedentary hours playing video games. Spend more time doing things conducive to good general well-being.

From the above discussion, it is quite obvious that it is not the lack of nicotine, per se, which leads to weight problems. Did you know that there are a lot of overweight, nicotine-inhaling smokers out there? I bet you know someone who smokes, but still struggles with their weight. Smoking is, therefore, not the answer to the bulge. Healthy living is. You can quit smoking and not pile on the pounds. Take action and stay smoke-free, with the many ways to quit smoking.

TAKING A BREAK FROM FITNESS

TAKING A BREAK

I am walking away from fitness!!!  Yes…you heard me… and I am going to enjoy every moment of this week off.  Just like anything else done day in and day out, stepping back and away for a short time and taking a break from what I do daily can rejuvenate my body, mind, and provide a fresh stronger ME when I return…like going on a little vacation from your job and coming back feeling like…YES…I can tackle the world. 

There are times that my body feels tired, burned out, and there are days that I, the trainer need to be pushed through a workout…thanks BABE for that!  I also listen to things like…why is my hamstring staying sore and not recovering well, my sleep not the best, and just mentally in need of a break.  YUCK…really…but you know being healthy is not only about how many days I can spend in the gym to push through that hour workout.  Life is truly a balance of the physical, mental, nutritional, and spiritual and if one is out of balance…there is no balance.  Taking a mental and spiritual break is what I am talking about for 7 days…fun active quiet time of doing whatever I feel, whenever I feel…even if that means hanging out under a tree and watching the leaves move through the breeze…you know the things that we all think about doing…but never do…I AM DOING IT!

Also, I am no longer that 20 something athlete who could leap over “small” buildings in a single bound and go go go it seemed without every really taking a break.  This “Older, Wiser, Better” fitness gal is really in tune to her body and I have put some thought into taking this break.  Am I going to throw all my philosophies out the window during this week…of course not!  What I am going to concentrate on is having fun, still being active but in a different way.  My nutrition will be maintained as I always have…that is a lifestyle that to me feels like breathing and I look forward to my healthy meals and enjoy how I feel overall when I eat healthy. 

I will tell you that YES…I will struggle and have withdrawals from my norm workouts…maybe even a little anxious about doing this...this is really stepping out of my comfort zone.  On the other hand, I am looking forward to a not so structured time of active rest, one that is not planned and methodically put together, but a spontaneous adventure of let’s say hiking, swimming, playing outside (I am a kid at heart), and things like that.  So, I am taking a break from my norm, but still planning to be a moving girl…I am not just going to sit on my tush, eating crap, and call that quality rest…NOT.  

I AM GOING TO HAVE FUN!  Life is about balance and listening to the call of rest, relaxation, and just being in the moment of who I am outside the gym.  I have reprogrammed my thinking to know that this will be good for my body and the rejuvenation fabulous for strength and muscle gains.  I am not going to freak out or feel guilty as the “old” Darla did for living life outside my normal day to day…I mean really.  Thank goodness, I am no longer that chickie. I know that my body will not turn into a marshmallow, become cellulite ridden, and my muscle disappear into nothing…really…come on now…NO WAY.  It would take me at least 3 weeks of inactivity as an extremely fit exerciser to start a decline in my fitness level, and muscle memory lasts for months…so this chick is covered and “Good to Go” for this 7 day rest adventure. 

I do know that I will appreciate being in the moment as I frolic about in the water, being outdoors around beautiful scenery and just laying on my back under the stars taking in the wonders of everything that is life…FABULOUS!  I will feel my body resting, recharging so to speak, and know that when I return to my programmed workouts, it will be with even a stronger and more positive MENTAL and PHYSICAL game.  Guilt Free Fun…HERE I COME!!! 

IN YOUR FACE MOTIVATIONS

My Nutrition of the Day plus 2 more snacks

Newly Added to My Stay Healthy Kitchen Recipes

LOVE THIS WORKOUT

Thanks for stopping by my Blog, hope you enjoy the content, and if you have not become a follower yet, I would love to see your face on my friend's list.  If you are inspired, LIKE my entry, leave a comment and I look forward to responding!

Have a Fabulous Week!

Stay Healthy!

Darla:)

Top 10 Things You Need to Do to Quit Smoking

Is giving up smoking as easy as throwing your cigarette in the trash? Or is smoking cessation necessarily involve a long, agonizing and stressful process which a smoker needs to endure to fully free himself from nicotine addiction? Or, does quitting require a series of physical, psychological, and emotional preparations to ensure a successful transition from nicotine dependence to nicotine free living? Regardless of what you believe, quitting smoking is a lot easier with a little preparation.

Anybody, even you can benefit from a little bit of preparation. Below are the 10 things you need to do before finally deciding to kick smoking out of your life. It should be noted that these things done all together as a whole do enhance your chances of successfully quitting.

1. Don't just cut it down.

Quitting cold turkey isn't the best remedy for your smoking addiction problems. Sometimes, it even forces you to want more. There are two reasons for this. One is the unwanted symptoms cause by withdrawal, and the second one refers to the psychological factors. It would be great if you can start eliminating the psychological factors that bring you into the habit. As this happens, you'll go a long way.

2. Determine why exactly you want to quit.

People who don't smoke would tell a thousand reasons why you should quit. You might have heard them plenty of times already until they no longer mean anything to you. The internet, TV commercials, radio campaigns and posters all say the same thing. But in identifying the reason to quit, you need to focus on something that really means to you. Write such reason/reasons and stick to them.

3. Do it for yourself, not for anyone else.

While you can get inspiration and deep sense of motivation to quit smoking today from your family and friends, you need to quit not because you want to please them or you're tired of hearing them saying 'quit now'. Do it for yourself. When you do this, you'll have the willpower you need to successfully stop lighting up.

4. Calculate how much you spend on smoking.

Did you ever try to compute how much you spend for your cigarette? If you're like most smokers, you won't. Or else, it'll just disappoint you. But try this and you'll have another driving force to stop smoking now. Studies reveal that an average smoker spends around 2,000 dollars!

5. Imagine the things you would have spent that money on.

What could you have purchased with your 2,000 dollars? Maybe you could have bought new sets of furniture at home or you could have traveled and spend quality time with your family. What if you've been smoking for 5 or 10 years now? You could have bought a new car or have settled a huge down payment for your home loan. Well, it isn't too late. You can start saving money if you quit smoking now.

6. Think of how many days you spent on smoking

It's like counting money you could have saved but this is a more significant thing because it talks about your health. Perhaps, the most compelling reason why you should stop smoking today is to live longer. Did you know that you lose five minutes of your life every time you light up one cigarette?

7. Think of the positive things smoking do for you.

If you find it hard to acknowledge the positive effects of quitting smoking, maybe you can do it the other way around. Think of what smoking does for you. Does it make you happy? Research says it doesn't. In fact, it makes you depressed sooner or later. At the end of the day, you'll realize that you'll get nothing out of it.

8. Imagine yourself as a non-smoker.

It's the same as imagining yourself to be a healthy, happy, and good-looking person, someone who is adored by many people, and someone who would live longer.

9. Set a quit date.

When do you wish to stop smoking? The sooner, the better it is. But don't push yourself too much. Be realistic. Seek professional help if you think you need to.

10. BELIEVE you can DO IT.

You need no miracles to quit smoking today. As long as you believe in yourself, you can absolutely get through it and beat the odds.

Cheers to a smoke-free life!