Managing cravings Once you stop smoking, it is important to learn how to reduce your cravings for both cigarettes and food
Beginning to increase your physical activity before you quit smoking may remind you how much smoking slows you down, when you have trouble breathing or start to cough during exercise. Replace smoking with other activities that occupy your hands and your mouth. Keep your hands busy with doodling, crossword puzzles, knitting, or twirling a straw, pen, or pencil. Physical activity does not have to be planned exercise; it may include taking the stairs, mowing the lawn, or playing with children.
Even if you do gain weight when you quit smoking, the health risks of smoking are far greater…you would have to gain over 150 pounds to make your health risks as high as when you smoked If you need more guidance, talk to your doctor or dietitian. These can help prevent a relapse, and nicotine gum has been shown to reduce weight gain. Water retention may cause a deceptive weight gain of up to 5 pounds in the week after quitting smoking, but this is not a real weight gain, and your body will go back to normal. But changing too much too quickly can increase the stress you feel as you try to quit smoking. Make a list of when and where you are most tempted to smoke, and list healthy activities you can substitute when you have the urge. Replace smoking with other activities that occupy your hands and your mouth.
This can cause extra stress that can lead to extra snacking, especially over the holidays when more food is around, or relapsing back into smoking to cope with the stress.
To prevent extra snacking as a result of quitting smoking, do not try to quit smoking during a stressful period. A craving only lasts about 5 minutes. Try not to do things that tempt you to smoke, such as drinking or socializing in a bar, or tempt you to eat when you're not hungry, such as bringing a bag of chips in front of the television. When you quit smoking, you can breathe and get around more easily, and nutritious foods such as fruits and vegetables taste better when you are not smoking. These can help prevent a relapse, and nicotine gum has been shown to reduce weight gain.
T. Find something that will replace smoking as a way to relax and do it consistently.
Article Source: How to Stop Smoking