Have you quit smoking? Bravo! Now your skin will be radiant, your teeth will be snow-white, and there will be enough energy for three. But the flip side of the coin is the opportunity to get a couple of extra pounds as a “bonus”. Usually, people begin to gain weight two to three months after parting with an addiction. Moreover, more than the rest, those girls who were slim before they started smoking are predisposed to gaining excess weight. The fact is that one pack of cigarettes a day burns 200 kcal, and nicotine itself dulls the feeling of hunger. In addition, by stimulating the production of serotonin, nicotine provides the uneven bursts of energy that former smokers then yearn for. All these factors, of course, complicate the task several times. But fortunately, every problem has a solution. The main thing is to approach it comprehensively.
Don’t expect drastic changes
Introducing a rigid diet on the first day of quitting cigarettes is sheer madness. Combining two difficult tasks will inevitably lead to failure. If, instead of a strict diet, you simply change some of your eating habits, it will be easier to win. To begin with, give up any semi-finished products and canned food, make it a rule to eat a salad of fresh herbs every day and enrich your diet with seafood: iodine is considered a natural fat burner.
Balance tastes
Remember that nicotine dulls receptors and alters the instinctive need for food. In other words, smokers prefer dishes with a pronounced taste, lean on spicy, fatty ones and at the same time are indifferent to sweets. Unfortunately, after parting with a cigarette, these habits remain, and they must be closely monitored. While your receptors are replenishing, choose good quality foods that you truly love. And never eat on the run – enjoy the flavor of every bite that enters your mouth.
Prepare for Sugar Deficiency
As soon as the body is cleared of nicotine, you will inevitably be drawn to sweets. There is no need to force yourself: once a day at about five in the evening you can afford half a bar of good dark chocolate, and on weekends – a beautiful dessert in a coffee shop.
Take a look at the medicine cabinet
Smokers desperately need vitamin C, all of which your body has used up to combat the effects of nicotine stress. Therefore, take care of restoring the vitamin balance. Smoothies with the addition of fresh orange juice in the morning, a glass of rose hips at afternoon tea and before bed, as well as vitamin complexes will help to cope with the deficiency of this antioxidant. By the way, vitamin C also dulls the urge to smoke. Also, in the pharmacy, stock up on mineral water with a high content of magnesium or magnesium tablets – for stress relief and good sleep.
Don’t sit still
Half an hour of brisk walking, rollerblading or swimming burns the notorious 200 kcal, which suddenly turned out to be “extra”. Agree, it is quite possible to cope with them. The main thing is not to postpone all sports activities for the weekend, but to train evenly throughout the week and alternate loads. For those who feel nervous after parting with a cigarette, both yoga and taibo are ideal: the first will teach you how to relax and look at everything philosophically, and the second will allow you to let off steam and unnecessary aggression.
Do not lose your vigilance
The risk of gaining excess weight by quitting smoking lasts for two years. So if so far you have held out at least six months, it is too early to relax. Fortunately, the habit of eating right and exercising regularly is formed within 21 days, and becomes part of the lifestyle in three months. Then it will be easier.
