About Gaining Weight
Many people who are considering quitting are very concerned about gaining weight. If you are concerned about weight gain, keep these points in mind:
-Quitting doesn't mean you'll automatically gain weight. When people gain, it's because they often eat more once they quit.
-The benefits of giving up cigarettes far outweigh the drawbacks of adding a few pounds. You'd have to gain a very large amount of weight to offset the many substantial health benefits that a normal smoker gains by quitting.
-Watch what you eat, and if you are concerned about gaining weight, consider the Tips To Help You Avoid Weight Gain that follow:
-Make sure you have a well balanced diet, with the proper amounts of protein, carbohydrates, and fat.
-Don't set a target date for a holiday, when the temptation of high- calorie food and drinks may be too hard to resist.
-Drink a glass of water before your meals.
-Weigh yourself weekly.
-Chew sugarless gum when you want sweet foods.
-Plan menus carefully and count calories.
Don't try to lose weight; just try to maintain your pre-quitting weight.
-Have low-calorie foods on hand for nibbling.
-Use the Snack Calorie Chart to choose foods that are both nutritious and low in calories. Some good choices are fresh fruits and vegetables, fruit and vegetables juices, low-fat cottage cheese, and air-popped popcorn without butter.
-Take time for daily exercise or join an organized exercise group.
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