Weight Gain Tied to Emotional Issues when Quitting Smoking

Many people will gain weight when they quit smoking (see previous blog for 7 Reasons Why Quitters gain weight on August 1, 2008). The reason why people will gain a large amount of weight is because they are eating more, it is not because of the small change in metabolism. Why the increase in food? For emotional reasons. We smoke when we are sad, happy, lonely, afraid, angry, stressed and for many other emotions because smoking enhances our emotional state. It enhances positive emotions and lessens negative emotions, we can either stop from feeling bad or feel a little bit better. when we stop smoking, strong emotions tend to overwhelm the quitter and we reach for food--comfort food, we eat when we are sad, happy, lonely, afraid, angry, stressed and for many other emotions because eating enhances our emotional state. sound familiar? quitters will often replace food as a source of comfort just like they had been using their cigarettes. With each emotion is an emotional need that needs to be addressed instead of covering it up with a substance. Learning how to handle our emotions is just another step to successful living smoke free