Boosting Metabolism When We Quit Smoking
Cigarette smoking increases a person's metabolic rate in part by forcing the heart to beat faster. When a cigarette is inhaled, the smoker's heart may beat 10 to 20 times more per minute for a period of time. This causes extra stress on the heart and plays a role in heart disease, the most common cause of smoking-related death.
Think about this: A smoking habit of 20 cigarettes a day puts approximately the same amount of stress on the heart as 90 pounds of extra weight would. When we stop smoking, heart rate slows down somewhat, causing metabolism to dip a bit as well.
While shifts in metabolism, along with dietary changes, can signal a slight weight gain, we can take steps to build our metabolic rate back up in ways that benefit our health rather than destroy it, as smoking does.
If weight gain due to smoking cessation is something you fear or is a reality you're struggling with, use the tips in the articles linked below to help you keep your weight stable as you recover from nicotine addiction.
Tips to Help You Avoid Weight Gain When You Quit Smoking
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Take The Quit Smoking Monday Pledge
Healthy Monday encourages us to think of for ourselves. If you're still smoking, put your cigarettes down and get started on your quit program today.
We all have the ability to quit smoking successfully, and we all deserve a life that is free of addiction. Honor your life by choosing Monday as the day to start and reinforce your quit program.
You can quit smoking ... and we're here to help you, one simple Monday at a time.
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