Why smokers gain weight when they quit smoking [article]

SadFaerie
SadFaerie Posts: 243 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Just stumbled upon this one, posting cause I've seen a lot of people asking whether they're going to gain weight if they quit smoking.

Most smokers put on a couple of kilos when they quit smoking. This is not due to an increased calorie intake, but to a change in the composition of the intestinal flora after quitting smoking, as a study supported by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) suggests.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/08/130829093032.htm

Replies

  • thisismeraw
    thisismeraw Posts: 1,264 Member
    Gaining weight comes down to calories in vs calories out.

    I've seen a lot of smokers wonder why they are gaining weight when they quit but they are eating more to compensate for the smoking. They stop exercising as much sometimes as well. People seem to assume you will for sure gain weight when you quit but that's not the case.

    I have quit before and lost weight. I tracked my calories, I made sure I was extra careful about what I tracked and I worked out often. You don't have to gain weight when you quit.
  • Thomasm198
    Thomasm198 Posts: 3,189 Member
    Gaining weight comes down to calories in vs calories out.

    I've seen a lot of smokers wonder why they are gaining weight when they quit but they are eating more to compensate for the smoking. They stop exercising as much sometimes as well. People seem to assume you will for sure gain weight when you quit but that's not the case.

    I have quit before and lost weight. I tracked my calories, I made sure I was extra careful about what I tracked and I worked out often. You don't have to gain weight when you quit.
    That was you.

    When I quit smoking; I started exercising more, I still tracked every calorie. I still put up weight.
  • rassha01
    rassha01 Posts: 534 Member
    Pretty sure my 25#s were from increased calorie intake but I was not tracking at the time so who knows!!
  • gabbygirl78
    gabbygirl78 Posts: 936 Member
    I quit smoking in March , on Easter Sunday to be exact and I have not only NOT gained weight. I actually lost 10 lbs. I started MFP 10 lbs down from my heaviest.. I think it depends on the person.
  • sillygoosie
    sillygoosie Posts: 1,109 Member
    When I quit smoking 6 years ago, I gained 60lbs. I was also laid off, in a new relationship and ate and drank more than usual. I just quit again after falling off the wagon for the last year and I have only gained a couple of lbs this time. Mainly because I already have good eating and exercise habits in place. I am having to fight very hard not to gain right now.

    I poop more regularly as a smoker....
  • TitaniaEcks
    TitaniaEcks Posts: 351 Member
    Is nobody considering the fact that nicotine is a stimulant, so it slightly raises your metabolism? It's true... just like caffeine.

    And the fact that smokers develop an oral fixation so that when they quit smoking they're compelled to substitute by putting other things in their mouth, usually food or gum.

    I'm a smoker and a drinker. I had to cut down almost entirely on drinking (I only drink on Saturday afternoons now) because that's what made me gain 20 pounds. (1.5 stone, or 9 kg.) I used to live with a beer in my hand, morning to night, always sipping on one. Now I find I have to replace that compulsion with diet soda and sparkling water... I pretty much have a beverage in my hand all day.

    I'm betting those two factors are a large part of why people gain weight when they quit smoking. The metabolism drop and the oral fixation replacement.
    I poop more regularly as a smoker....
    Me too... My bowels won't move without my morning cig. Why does nicotine do that?
  • SezxyStef
    SezxyStef Posts: 15,267 Member
    Yup and I can quote a mayo clinic article that says "It's fairly common to gain weight after you stop smoking, especially in the first few months — but it isn't inevitable. "

    And goes on to say "Smoking acts as an appetite suppressant and may also increase your metabolism--both functions that can help keep your weight under control."

    Another article says " Some studies have found that smoking can burn about 200 calories a day. When you stop smoking, your appetite returns to normal and your metabolism may slow down. You may feel driven to eat more, while your body is less efficient at burning off those extra calories."

    But in reality it is calories in vs Calories out regardless of why you are taking more in and/or burning less

    And for those who feel it's not the case with them....do you weigh your food or "guesstimate" or use cups and spoons to measure.



    http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/quit-smoking/AN01437

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