
Smoking Addiction & Recovery Support Group
The CDC claims that nicotine is a "very addictive drug" that can be "as addictive as heroin or cocaine." Nicotine is typically eliminated from the body within 2 to 3 days, however, physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms may last for much longer depending on the individual. If you are trying to kick the habit, this community is dedicated to giving smokers the...
Good luck, you really have made a great decision for yourself!
Go to the gym everyday. It may help you not to smoke and you might develope a "new" habit that is good!!!
Nicotine suppresses the appetite and causes the liver to release glycogen, which raises the blood sugar level slightly. With nicotine out of your system, you may feel hungry more often. Smoking artificially elevates heart rate and increases metabolism. When you stop smoking, your body has to readjust to a lower metabolic rate. If you eat the same as you did when you were smoking, your body will end up using less and storing more (as fat) of the food. Smoking dulls the taste buds. Food begins to taste better to new nonsmokers; this can increase food intake. And then there's oral fixation -- some ex-smokers may want something to fill the void of cigarettes.
Following a well-balanced, healthy diet will help you maintain your weight while quitting smoking. Obviously, if you substitute a candy bar each time you crave a cigarette, you will gain weight. Eating a low-calorie diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and increasing your activity level, will probably prove effective in maintaining your weight.
If you think this won't be enough, you can figure out your current average daily caloric intake and use this as a guideline for weight maintenance after you quit. Plan meals and shop ahead at first. Stock your kitchen and office with healthy, low-calorie snack foods, such as carrot and celery sticks, air-popped popcorn, dry cereals, or crackers. Don't give yourself carte blanche with snack foods, however. View them as aids to getting beyond the craving to smoke. Other things that you can use to put in your mouth include toothpicks, plastic straws, gum, and hard candy.
Think about when you normally smoke and decide what you'll do instead. For instance, if you always have a cigarette with your coffee, plan to have something else on hand. If you find that the nonsmoking causes you to want to eat more at meals, drink a glass of water before and during the meal. Chew your food well, eat slowly, and concentrate on how much better food tastes now. After a meal is a great time for a cigarette, right? Well, then get up and moving right away wash the dishes, go for a walk, brush your teeth...
Nicotine addiction can be monumentally difficult to overcome. Whatever your reasons for wanting to quit, know that there are many source of assistance. Elsewhere in the United States, take a look at the government site Healthfinder to locate resources near you.
The American Cancer Society has lots of good information and helpful pamphlets for people who wish to quit smoking, and they will be happy to answer your questions and send you this information. Their number is (800)-ACS-2345 / -227-2345. The American Lung Association also has an excellent program and very good materials. They can be reached at (800) 586-4872 or (212) 315-8700. There's also the National Cancer Institute at (800)-4-CANCER / -422-6237.
Best of luck to you and congratulations on wanting to quit!
Which I didn't want to lose. I started getting my weight back about one month after I quit. Been over 4months, all is well
www.mypyramid.gov
up smoking, now don't anyone
tell me to give up SEX or I am going to throw this computer at
them, anyone feel BRAVE????HA ROFL
Bee
Good luck.