Gaining weight when stopping smoking

[Dr_Hurt]

Many people are concerned about gaining weight when stopping smoking, and most people do gain weight after stopping. The amount varies for individuals, but the average is just about 10 lb. People gain weight for the most part because smoking suppresses the appetite, and when a person stops smoking the appetite increases.

Because stopping smoking is so vitally important to health, we recommend that people focus on that and not try to combine efforts to stop smoking with extensive efforts to lose weight. People who start a restrictive diet or are overly concerned about weight have less success stopping smoking. That does not mean that you should not pay attention to what you eat and how much you exercise. Eating healthier foods in smaller portions is a good idea. Increasing your exercise not only will help to minimize your weight gain but exercise can help you deal with withdrawal and cravings. So, don’t be overly concerned with weight until you feel stable in being smoke-free. Just try to keep the weight gain to a minimum. Envision how good you will look and feel once you are smoke-free.

Bupropion (also called Zyban or Wellbutrin) is a medication that helps people stop smoking and helps to lessen weight gain. Talk to your healthcare provider to see if this is a good option for you. You can also talk with a counselor who can help you stop smoking and can help you to address concerns about weight gain.

At www.becomeanex.org under the tab ‘Do the EX Plan’ and ‘Staying an EX’ you can find additional help to address weight gain.

Dr. Richard D. Hurt is an internationally recognized expert on tobacco dependence. A native of Murray, Kentucky, he joined Mayo Clinic in 1976 and is now a Professor of Medicine at its College of Medicine. In 1988, he founded the Mayo Clinic Nicotine Dependence Center and since then its staff has treated over 33,000 patients for tobacco dependence. Send your questions directly to Dr. Hurt at AskTheExpert@becomeanex.org

[fiveblessings]

Thanks for this. I have not gained any weight yet...but it's been less than 2 weeks! What I HAVE noticed, though, is that my sense of taste is much improved. Which could mean trouble for my waist! I am very happy about not smoking. I figure I will have time to worry about weight gain "later." I can always lose weight, I can't reverse most tobacco induced health issues.

[thistime4sure]

I quit smoking once before for several years. I did gain weight... about 20 lbs and had a horrible time trying to lose it. I excercised more, ate less, but nothing seemed to work. When I fell off the wagon and started smoking again, I lost weight.... and have since become afraid of gaining it again. Thanks for posting this, as it is a major concern and I am going to make sure to talk to my doctor and come up with a plan before my actual quit date.

[claudia6]

I did not gain weight...I lost weight!! For me...I didnt want to medicate....not that Im knocking anyones choices but I just chose to change my lifestyle habits.

I first started working out....then the other thing I was nervous about was having any big meals or wine because thats when I really wanted a cigerette the most....so I avoided those two triggers and was a constant light snacker and I didnt drink for months. Yes, it can be tough but worth it. 🙂

[brenda6]

I go sometimes hours and hours without a cig. This morning I am sick to my stomach and have a headache...is this normal quit symptoms? If it is how long does it last? It will be rough to work outside in the blazing summer heat feeling this way.

[claudia6]

If youre quitting smoking to be healthy and so you dont get lung disease...what good will it be if you get heart disease and diabetes?

Sorry...there is no easy way out....dont eat junk!! Replace your bad habit (smoking) with a good habit (excersize...or just walking).

Do a 360....love your body again.

[manofsteele]

I'd cut that in half so you wouldn't be in same place ... how bout a 180... < smile>

Dr. I got laughed at in a Sugar addiction thread because I attempted to offer the advice to cut as much sugar out of your diet as possible and not use as a replacement for the loss of cigarettes.

I also try to tell others to avoid any an all sodas because of the high acidity and the body is healthier at a more alkaline level.

Am I just outside medical recomendations or would the advice I saw in that thread where they seemed to glamorize sugar as an alternative because it would take more time to die of "tootsie pop" cancer they proper advice I should switch to udating my thinking.

I see people turning towards sugar products, gaining 20-50 lbs and then returning to smoking because of weight gain and then they have more weight and still are smoking.

Should I change and tell people have all the sugar you want because at least you quit smoking or do my claims of avoidance at all cost make more sense for long term quits?

thanks in advance !

[sherri10]

I'm so relieved to report that I have not gained any weight in the 28 days I've been quit. I did a lot of the things talks about here. The biggest reason I always started again was because of the weight I gained everytime I quit. Being a recovering anorexic-bulimic, weight gain is a HUGE trigger for me. This time quitting, I paid particular attention to my habit of smoking after meals. It was as if smoking was my signal to stop eating. I have effectively replaced plain old chewing gum as my after dinner habit. Now, all the times I would typically reach for a cigarette, I find myself reaching for bubble gum, sugarless of course. I also did the exercise thing to deal with the depression/anxiety feelings. I also went to a health food store for advice about the best vitamens/ herbs to take while I quit smoking. All the antioxidants, B-complex and Co Q10. I feel really good physically and have even lost weight this quit!


I have been quit for 4 Weeks, 17 hours, 18 minutes and 42 seconds (28 days). I have saved $344.64 by not smoking 1,723 cigarettes. I have saved 5 Days, 23 hours and 35 minutes of my life. My Quit Date: 5/7/2008 1:15 AM

[jen-x]

For many this is very good advice. Ten or twenty pounds is no big deal and once you get a handle on the nicotine addiction you can work the weight off.
However, there are those smokers who are food addicts you've given them very little hope on how to manage both.
Food is a necessity. Alchohol and nicotine don't sustain life. Before totally discounting food as an addiction there must be some helpful advice for those struggling with both - other than get some drugs. I, also, am not able to take wellbutrin. Herbal supplements are a great option, but it should be noted some can be toxic if taken in excess.
Thanks.

[Amy11]

I too am concerned about gaining weight. I feel like I've gained weight the last several months of heavy smoking because of the lack of exercise I am doing. Does that sound possible? I had to start exercising because my body was feeling really out of wack! I love food as much as smoking so I am worried about over eating. I tried Chantix but this made me feel terrible. Do these others have this effect on people? The out of body experience? The fatigue and draining feeling? I didn't like this and don't want this again!

[cindy25]

I agree with you, people should not focus on weight issues until they feel secure enough in their quit. If they gain more than 10 pounds, then they need to look at their diet and exercise routines. In addition to increased appetite, I think improved taste and smell is another reason why people gain weight- and also the temporary sugar cravings that most addicts experience in the first several weeks of a withdrawal! Improving your health is a long term project - quitting is a first step toward improved health...one thing at a time!