March 3rd, 2010

If you’re ready in your mind to give up cigarettes, part of the mental struggle is overcoming the urge to nibble, and consume more in food overall. “Comfort food” is an easy reaction to understand when it comes to the torment your senses feel while you are purging your system of all the chemicals and poison from tobacco. Product solutions are everywhere, select wisely and look for a organic quit smoking product that also aids with weight gain.

Can you overcome gaining weight once you resolve to quit cigarette smoking?

It is feasible to burn up to 250 calories in one 24-hour interval when inhaling up to a pack of cigarettes a twenty-four hour period according to substance abuse professionals. Some people could gain up to 2 pounds after quitting for two weeks. With this happening many are inclined to restart cigarette smoking to maintain their weight, are there any sound quit smoking products to help with those worried about their weight? After all whats the priority, a little weight gain or the slow death of continuing smoking? The problem is that when you quit, your metabolic process slows causing calories to burn slower.

The best answer is to combine giving up smoking with a moderate but ever-increasing degree of work out with the addition of a quit smoking product which also helps to boost your vigor. Liquid Kelp has been known to be an excellent addition to your diet for it’s ability to increase your metabolism

As your decrease in smoking cigarettes goes forward combined with an increase in physical exercise, your metabolic process will eventually renormalize. Most new non-smokers add 5-7 pounds during the process of stopping. Whether you use a quit smoking product or not, the rewards of becoming healthy and smoke free are many, the troubles with dropping off a few pounds are few.

Vital organs like the lungs, heart and arteria will become more robust as they rid themselves of toxins, and will start to regenerate new cells after the nicotine is shed. Finally you will see good bodily changes.

Your skin will appear free from stress, cleaner and softer, marks on the fingers and fingernails will vanish, your breath will grow more enjoyable (really), your teeth will become whiter and the gingivae will grow sounder. Completely outstanding grounds to quit if you require a quit smoking product or not.

To shrink nicotine cravings and weight gain, drink more water ideally six or more 8oz glasses per day to keep you hydrous and to flush out toxins. Only choose organic solid food if you need some comfort, just don’t eat junk foods as the negatives can be as bad as smoking itself if you lose control. Treat yourself in moderation if you hunger for sugar rich and unhealthy solid foods. Focusing on learning everything about good eating habits is as useful as any quit smoking product.

March 1st, 2010

I do not smoke, never have, and admit to being one of those ‘pain in the butts’ (OK, bad pun!) that go on about the foul stench, and anti-social behaviour of smokers, especially in public places.

You can imagine my joy when one of my local pubs recently banned smoking. Shortly after the ban had come into force I spotted a guy poised with cigarette in hand, and was about to get huffy and even confrontational. Fortunately I held back and continued my beer – but was puzzled. The cigarette was unlit and yet he was putting it near his mouth, flicking the imaginary ash and generally acting as if he was smoking it. Curious about this I eventually enquired, only to find out this was his own rather unorthodox approach to keeping his hands busy and therefore, as he put it, keeping his weight down.

Although everyone knows that smoking is detrimental to health, it’s surprising how many smokers cite fear of putting on weight as a reason to not quit smoking.

The simple fact is that it is not quitting smoking that affects your weight, but the change of habit can result in you increasing your food intake.

But there are plenty of ways to ensure this does not happen to you.

There is no need for a special diet when you stop smoking, but you must use your common sense. If you eat chocolates instead of smoking then you are very likely to gain weight!

Monitor your diet for a fortnight before you stop smoking – write a food diary, noting everything you eat and when. You simply use this to make sure that what you eat post-quitting follows a similar pattern.

In a similar way, note how much exercise you can do as a smoker. When you stop smoking, you can begin to compare how much more exercise you can do with ease. This will inspire you to the possibility of becoming fitter in other ways, and will actually help you through the tough period of giving up the addiction.

Even moderate amounts of exercise can reduce tobacco cravings. A recent study found that women that maintained a rigorous exercise regime coupled with a stop-smoking programme were twice as likely to succeed as those who didn’t. Frankly, exercising is incompatible with smoking, and you are also more likely to be mixing with non-smokers.

Let’s face it, if you smoke 20 cigarettes daily, you are putting your hand to your mouth at least 200 times a day. When you quit, you need to keep your hands busy. How about peeling fruit for snacks, doing jigsaws or maybe even knitting.

Keep visualising yourself as a fit non-smoker, especially when your motivation starts to flag. You can always get help with this through the use of hypnotherapy. As in so many behavioural issues, it is simply a matter of re-programming our mind. Giving up smoking is tough, and self-hypnosis is a method that many are discovering as a simple way to help keep the mental attitude and motivation on course.

Like the chap in the pub, you may find your own method of coping with your quit smoking challenge, and well.. if it works – great!

March 1st, 2010

We all know that smoking tobacco and cigarettes is not very healthy habit. But …. “I do workout and smoke not so much… it is not so big thing… why should I be so fanatical and quit when I really like smoking? Off course I want best results from my workouts but I take care about all other things so I will advance for sure …. I can go on smoking, build muscles and lose fat; you will see…smoking has no effects on me”! Sounds familiar…?


People tend thinking in this way. But deep in side us, there is a fight and uncertainty which is really annoying sometimes. How can I know is smoking really going to harm my muscle gains or not? If you are about to start going regularly to your gym or you want to accelerate your workout results this may help you very much. How do I know that? Well it is simple – I’ve been there so I know how it feels. If you are trying your best to get in good shape but you are a smoker this is painful subject therefore I’ll try to really give you helpful points:


Imagine driving sports car with gas pedal pushed to floor and hand brake pulled! Makes not much sense, isn’t it? This is exactly what you do to your “sports car” with regular nicotine intake. But I’m quite sure you know this already. Everybody knows that smoking cause cancer, heart attacks and strokes. But, did you heard of newest research results that clearly show why smokers lose more muscle mass.


In case you did not, here is a quick overview. Michael Rennie and Dr. Philip Atherton, with colleagues in Denmark and the United States, discovered that smoking impairs the day-to-day upkeep of muscle. .”From our tests, we can conclude that smoking slows the muscle protein synthesis machinery — probably impairing day-to-day upkeep of muscle,” Atherton said in a statement.


The researchers discovered that the amounts of myostatin, a muscle growth inhibitor, and MAFbx enzyme, which break down muscle protein, were higher in smokers than non-smokers. Smoking severely damages muscle-building in the body – both stunting its growth and breaking it down, a groundbreaking study shows.


Professor Rennie warned young, body-obsessed gym lovers who think they can carry on smoking because they are active the habit severely decreases muscle-forming processes. He said: “This is an entirely new finding of another damaging side effect to the body caused by smoking, it has never been found before. This is a new reason for people to give up smoking completely, especially as they get older. Is it enough…?


Problem I faced in my numerous attempts to quit was of more practical nature. Theoretically I knew all this but I lacked something to fill my day in way that I do not feel that urge of desire for smoking the cigarette. I struggled on both fields. I wanted to quit but I could not do it. Therefore I had hard times looking how boys in the gym pack on muscles like mad! When I almost gave up (not smoking habit but my workouts and muscle building attempts) fortunately I had decided to try out one last thing out.


A friend who gained more muscles in 5 months time than I did in 2 years recommended me complete muscle gain system which changed quite some things in my life. In first 2 months I packed 17 lbs of lean muscle but I finally started gaining muscle despite my hardcore smoking. After long time of disappointment this was just incredible feeling.


And here comes the best part. As much I advanced by applying the principals of this system that much my desire and taste for smoking got weaker. I steel remember that it was on 12th week of my new program when I finally stopped smoking. This was enough – believe me. I was hooked on new addiction – muscle building. But this addiction is great one.

February 27th, 2010

One of the greatest concerns smokers cite about quitting is the fear of gaining weight. As such understanding how to quit smoking without weight gain is an important message to understand for any would be quitter. Luckily, there are several ways you improve your chances to quit smoking without weight gain.

Quit smoking without weight gain tip #1: Is it a craving?

Separate the feeling of hunger from a craving for a cigarette. The increased appetite associated with quitting smoking is often actually a craving for a cigarette. When you get a craving to eat, think very consciously about that feeling and make sure it is not the craving for a cigarette. You should have already come up with several strategies for dealing with cravings in order to get you through your quit attempt.

Quit smoking without weight gain tip #2: Stick to your normal meal routine

Quitting smoking can be a little hectic on the mind as your emotions are shredded with cravings and a desire to smoke. It’s as if the only thing you can think about is a cigarette. A common result of this is that smokers turn to food as both a comforter and as a substitute. The end result is that biscuits, chocolates and other sugary or salty or fatty snack foods fill your day. Be strong and keep to the 3 square meals with a small snack between each meal of a piece of fruit.

Quit smoking without weight gain tip #3: Keep busy

Keeping busy is an excellent way to help take your mind off quitting smoking. To keep your mouth busy, drink water frequently or chew gum (not nicotine replacement gum though!). Drinking water will mean you will need the bathroom more often but it will help ‘cleanse your system’.

You should also try to keep your hands occupied as not smoking, particularly at social occasions where you normally would, can be difficult. Keep a pen or pencil to hand, or have some ‘worry beads’ or a coin to thumb. Another alternative is a wrist expander or stress ball. When time permits, do crossword puzzles to keep you mind occupied with something other than smoking.

Quit smoking without weight gain tip #4: Confidence statements

The pressure of quitting smoking can be very difficult and this explains why so many fail to quit smoking so many times. A useful method for helping you with your quit and taking your mind of cigarettes and food is to write as many positive statements concerning why you want to quit smoking as you can. Keep your list with you at all times and keep copies where you will see them regularly like on the fridge or at your workplace. Examples of statements you could use include:

· I have stopped smoking for good, not started eating instead

· I quit smoking for all the right reasons and eating wasn’t one of them

· I promised myself I would never smoke again – I didn’t agree to eat instead

· I am not going to die young for cigarettes or get fat either

· I am in control of my cravings, not the other way round

· I swat cravings like I can swat flies and I only eat when I am hungry

· My life is too important to smoke or get fat

· I love myself too much to quit my quit

· Only losers quit and I’m no loser

· Quitting is for winners, smoking is for losers

Quit smoking without weight gain tip #5: Exercise

Finally, exercise is an obvious way to quit smoking without weight gain after you quit. It goes without saying that exercise is part of a healthy lifestyle so rather than taking the elevator, take the stairs. Do some gardening; take up swimming or jogging or the gym. Use the money you save from smoking to pay for your gym membership.

Exercising gives you the opportunity to take your mind off your cravings and from food. It rewards you with greater energy levels and better sleep. You will improve confidence and commitment by continuing to keep a plan going that includes quitting and exercise.

Another health benefit of more exercise is that it will also improve blood flow and help towards de-clogging arteries. Just remember to start off easy and then build up but always stay safe. If you have not exercised for a long time, it is advisable to seek advice from your doctor before starting on a program of exercise.

Pete Howells has written the EasyQuit System that will help any smoker quit tobacco. The EasyQuit System works by giving smokers the instructions they need to follow to achieve their ambition to quit rather than just telling them smoking is bad for them. Visit http://easyquitsystem.com/ to find out more about his incredible process for quitting smoking that boasts 96% customer satisfaction.

February 26th, 2010

Ask a hundred people, ‘Will you gain weight when you stop smoking?’, and virtually all will say, ‘Yes’. 

And yet…..virtually all ARE wrong.

If I asked you the question now, what would you say?

But before you answer, please read this article…….AND find out the real truth about smoking and weight gain……..and THEN answer.

The Old Willpower Method

This is important. Get this clear in your mind.

When you stop smoking, it does not mean that you HAVE TO gain weight.

There are two parts to this problem and it is important that you understand BOTH of them.

First, I need to be honest with you…… 

Yes, in the past, people DID tend to gain weight when they gave up smoking. 

But this was BECAUSE most people tried to give up smoking using the old Will-Power Method alone.

These people believed that when they gave up, they would feel terrible. 

They were then told that the ONLY way to deal with these cravings was to endure them………and hope that, with time and persistence, they would go away.

They were advised above all…… to use their Willpower and FORCE themselves not to smoke. 

And……finally, they were told…. to eat snacks or nibble this or that - ANYTHING, in fact to keep them busy and their minds OFF smoking.

Why eat? 

Because the feeling or the ‘hunger’ for a cigarette is very similar to the feeling you get when you are hungry.

And so, in the past, people ate in the terrible mistaken belief that by eating, they could satisfy their craving for a cigarette and that it would help them keep their minds off smoking.

But of course it didn’t work…..

….And the MORE the feeling came back….. the MORE they ate in the belief it could help them.

 
‘Your present is NOT dependent on your past’

So we all have to accept that there was some validity for people gaining weight in the past when they tried to quit.

But that need not be the cause today.

Remember the CAUSE was not giving up smoking but HOW these people went about the process of giving up smoking.

If you look closely at how they went about it, you’ll see that….People ate TO NUMB their cravings

Remember, when you give up smoking, you too will get these selfsame feeling/craving – ‘I want a cigarette.’ 

And you will experience similar feelings when you realize that you cannot have one.

But unlike the old Willpower Method, you will not eat extra in order to ESCAPE or NUMB these feelings.

Why?

Because, as we explain in our course you will want to WELCOME and ACCEPT these feelings. You will WANT to transmute them. 

These FEELINGS/CRAVINGS are NOW the KEY to your success.

Please underline this: The Old Way (Willpower method) was to hate and fear these cravings to smoke. 

You were told you had a big fight on your hands, that these feelings would be unpleasant and overpowering. 

And because the feeling you get when you want a cigarette is similar to how you feel when you are hungry, of course, you believed that by eating, you could satisfy these feelings or at least alleviate them.

But all you did was to temporarily block off these feelings.

By eating, you give yourself an excuse not to have to deal with and really feel these feelings. 

You put off the evil day……..and started to put on the pounds!
 
Never forget that when you give up smoking, you will CONTINUE to have these empty, restless, insecure cravings for the first two or three weeks….. 

But now, for the first time in your life, LET yourself have these feelings, these empty sensations in your body. Actually feel them, moment-by-moment in your body. 

CALL THEIR BLUFF!.

Sure, you will get the temptation to eat extra – to compensate – to ‘fill’ in the feelings you believe you are now lacking.

These desires are natural, normal. 

They are not bad in themselves. And they are ONLY TEMPORARY.

Just feel them! Yes, it takes courage not to run away and try to escape by eating extra. 

If you will just have patience and stay with these feelings, you will discover your moment of truth – that these cravings are no big deal and that you can easily handle them. 

You don’t have to eat to escape from them.

Please underline: 

The belief that you will automatically gain weight if you stop smoking is a myth. 

However, there is one other issue we must deal with in regard to weight gain before we proceed. 

This is the second part of the problem we mentioned earlier…….. 

Increased metabolism? 

Again and again, get this clear in your mind: Giving up smoking does not automatically  have to lead to weight gain. And even the latest studies seem to confirm this.

In a large study in the UK involving over a thousand women quitting up smoking – no clear picture emerged.

Some women gained weight, others experienced no change whatsoever while other women actually LOST weight!

However, in regard to the women who gained weight – the average gain of between 5 to 10 pounds over a number of months was generally attributed to metabolic alterations i.e. the change in their metabolic rate.

Let’s look at this carefully as a lot of people, especially women STILL use this as an excuse not to give up smoking. 

 

The effects of smoking 

To help us, let’s try to understand the effects of smoking on your weight…….. 

First of all, smoking DOES burn calories. Up to 200 a day if you are a heavy smoker. Thus smoking can increase your energy expenditure or metabolism. 

What does this mean? 

It means that when you quit smoking it can cause slight weight gain for certain individuals (unless we take appropriate action!) because their body begins to work more efficiently and their body’s metabolism slows and food is digested more efficiently. 

Is this bad news if it applies to you? No. it’s not. 

Please consider this…..

An average candy bar contains 300 calories. If you were to stick to your regular eating habits but eat just six fewer candy bars (or equivalent calories found in some other food item) per month, you could easily prevent yourself from gaining even a single pound. 
It’s that easy!  

All it means is that you’ll have to learn how to , as Kristy Farley points out  ……..outsmart the pounds!

But first, get this clear in your mind again and again. 

When you give up smoking and do not RUN AWAY FROM or try to NUMB your cravings by EATING, YOU WILL NOT GAIN WEIGHT when you stop smoking.

The only weight gain some of our readers should be aware of is a slight weight gain of up to 5 pounds due to the change in their metabolic rate. 

However, you can EASILY even avoid that by taking the FOLLOWING SIMPLE ACTION…….  


……Outsmart the Pounds!

To ward off gaining ANY extra pounds when you quit, follow these simple steps and improve your general health at the same time.

Remember, if you are a heavy smoker, smoking will burn up 200 calories a day so……

To burn an estimated 200 calories used by smoking, for example, walk briskly for 45 minutes or swim laps for 30 minutes each day. 

Or eliminate 200 calories of food intake, and you’ve used up the extra calories from not smoking. What does that translate to?

2 lite beers (220 calories) 

20 regular potato chips (220 calories).

4 chocolate sandwich cookies (213 calories).

2 tablespoon of butter (200 calories) 

2 oz. of cheddar cheese (220 calories). 

1 small order of McDonalds fries (210 calories). 

1 hot dog and roll (250 calories). 

2 frozen waffles (240 calories).

1/2 cup macaroni and cheese (205 calories).  

 

One benefit of quitting, however is that as your body realizes the benefits of not smoking, your energy levels will increase, and you will begin to feel better physically. 
A moderate increase in physical activity can keep weight gain to a minimum so…..Exercise daily. 

A daily moderate workout not only distracts you from smoking, but also helps reduce tension and stress. Endorphins released in the brain during exercise actually make you feel better. Exercise also increases metabolism, helping you burn more calories. 

And …..here’s a great fact from the New York Times:

‘The good news is that the very fear of gaining weight is also the #1 deterrent to avoiding weight gain.

The great news is that studies show that at least 25% of all former smokers so fear weight-gain they actually LOSE weight once they’ve quit!’  


Essential  Summary

If you do not RUN AWAY FROM or try to NUMB your cravings to smoke by EATING, YOU WILL NOT GAIN WEIGHT when you quit smoking. FACT.

And even if you are one of those who may experience a slight weight gain of up to 5 pounds, due to metabolic changes- that is the easiest thing to remedy! FACT

Follow our simple advice – and you will not gain even an extra pound! 

But the important thing to remember here is this: 

It was the Old Way of giving up smoking that caused people to gain weight in the past. 

It was the terrible idea that you must use Willpower to FORCE yourself not to smoke. 

And the idea that you could use substitutes like food to BLOCK or to ESCAPE from these cravings.

But our approach to giving up smoking is the exact opposite.

We want you to FACE and WELCOME ALL the cravings you get when you stop.

 We want you to transform them. You now know that by allowing and opening to every feeling and desire WITHOUT judgment or resistance you can MAGICALLY transform how these feelings FEEL, moment-by-moment in your body. 

They can actually be experienced as enjoyable sensations – and thus you will feel no compulsion to use food to escape from these cravings. 

 
So why continue EVERY DAY to….CONGEST your lungs with cancerous tars. To CLUTTER up and POISON your blood vessels. And to SENTENCE yourself to a lifetime of…..

* Filth* Bad breath* Stained teeth* Burnt clothes* Filthy ashtrays* And the foul smell of stale tobacco….
 
 ……all because of the mistaken BELIEF that if you stop smoking, you must gain weight.

Go on….show the world by your own PERSONAL EXAMPLE that it is a LIE!

Because it is!

And as you show them, ENJOY fully all the great immediate benefits you’ll experience when you stop….. 

You’ll feel stronger, younger, healthier

Your complexion will be better. 

Your teeth and fingers will no longer be yellow.
 

Your eyes will look healthier, more alive and vibrant.

And your clothes and breath will no longer stink of stale smoke.  

You’ll feel f-r-a-n-t-a-s-t-i-c !! 

Now……what is your answer to that Question, ‘Will you gain weight when you stop smoking?’

To quit smoking naturally and to learn how to enjoy it – go to our free 10 day online course at www.quitsmokingonline.com  

 

February 20th, 2010

People are on the look out for different ways and methods to help them quit smoking. The primary thing is that a smoker needs to find one or two new aspects or things to focus on in order to distract one from the very thought of smoking cigarettes. One should turn to something that will take oneâ??s mind off smoking and it should have the potential to help replace the pleasure one gets from smoking cigarettes. Also, it must give you something constructive that you can look forward to in the future life also.

For instance, a new hobby may take care of these things perfectly. It is good if you are able to find something or several things that can fulfil all these needs. Otherwise, you will find yourself thinking about having a fag. If persistent with your efforts, you will really be able to make a marked difference in your lifestyle. So try to get involved in your hobbies as part of weaning away from this dangerous habit. In addition to this, with the money youâ??ve saved, which otherwise would have gone into buying this stuff, you would be in a position to spend a little extra cash on other priorities. If you are really comfortable with your new found hobby, you can show others that you too can enjoy a lifestyle devoid of cigarettes.

Prepare yourself and plan on how to tackle and manage the two aspects of withdrawal symptoms and weight gain. These are the main reasons for one getting into a relapse. The easiest and most practical way to prevent take care of these problems is to eat well, but only the right kind of food stuffs. Withdrawal symptoms begin to appear when your body realises that the blood sugar level is staying at an extremely low level. Nicotine contained in the smoke blocks the release of insulin into your system that controls the sugar in the blood. As nicotine gains a foothold in your system, the sugar and body fats stored in the body get released into the blood. This way, the body is tricked into believing that you have taken your quota of food.

Now, when you go on a no-smoking spree, insulin is set free, and this will prevent the release of your stores of body sugars and fats. In normally cases, this happens only when one is starving. The body then comes to realise that it has not had enough food. As a result, you tend to feel irritable and cranky which happen to be the withdrawal symptoms that the body exhibits. This is the reason behind you eating quite a lot when you quit smoking. Eating something will make you feel good. It is really comforting as it gives a sort of relief from the unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. But the problem starts again when you over eat; and this leads to weight gain. So be moderate in everything you do.