When you’re a smoker, every piece of food seems more delicious, and every activity more fun. It’s not hard to understand why so many people keep smoking despite the health risks. But, once you make the decision to quit, you’ll wonder how you didn’t see the obvious signs of health problems. Thankfully, there are ways to shed those extra pounds once you quit smoking. Here’s how.
The Answer Lies Within You
As a person who has quit smoking, I can tell you that the answer to “Can you lose weight after quitting smoking?” doesn’t lie within you. You’ve decided to make a change, and change is something that takes time. It doesn’t happen overnight. However, if you’re committed to losing weight, and you’re ready to make some changes, you can achieve it. The question is: are you ready to make the necessary changes?
If you’re curious about how you’ll react to changes in your life after quitting smoking, you can take a look back at how you handled things before you made the decision. Think about all of the times when you felt frustrated about not being able to fit in your desired body type. Remember how you felt about yourself when you were smoking? There’s a good chance that your feelings aren’t going to change just because you quit. This is why it’s important to take your time before you decide to commit to quitting. Look at all of the possible outcomes of quitting, and make a well-thought-out decision. Believe it or not, the decision to quit is not always an easy one.
Get Inspired
If you’ve decided to quit, the first thing you should do is take a step back and get inspired. Looking at other people’s photos and videos of food and workouts can help you get the motivation you need to get started. Even looking at stories of other patients who have successfully quit can inspire you. Remember: you’re not alone in this!
I recommend finding inspiration in multiple sources, so that you don’t get too discouraged if you don’t see immediate results. For example, if you look at Chris Pratt’s Instagram, you’ll see a mix of photos of Chris himself as well as his wife, Anna Faris. Although Chris’ photos are somewhat inspirational, it’s his wife’s captions that really inspire me. In one Instagram caption, Anna writes: “I’ve decided I’m going to live my best life now. No fattening up for this wife. No regrets.” Even just that one sentence, filled with attitude and determination, inspires me to keep going.
If you can find the will to change, it would be a bonus if you can also find the willpower to maintain those changes. It’s easy for me to say that, but when I think about all of the things I’ve gone through to get here, I realize how much harder it is for other people. We’re all human, and we all need help sometimes. That’s why I recommend finding support in these situations, because it can make all the difference. If you think that you can’t go on, support systems come in many different forms, and there’s someone, somewhere, who can help you. That’s what makes this world a nice place to live in, knowing that we’re all here to support each other.
Change Your Mindset
A major reason why people find it hard to lose weight after quitting smoking is because they haven’t changed their mindset about food and exercise. When you’re thinking about food and exercise in a positive light, it can be easy to shed those extra pounds. Unfortunately, most people who try to lose weight quickly after quitting fail because they don’t understand this. When you’re quitting, it’s easy to think about all of the bad things you’ll be losing, and how terrible you’ll feel without cigarettes. This is why it’s important to take your time before you make a decision to quit. During that time away, you’ll have the opportunity to change your mindset about food and exercise, and decide that these are healthy habits you want to continue to develop.
If you’re worried that your weight is a major concern (which, of course, it is), then you should probably be doing whatever you can to lose weight. But, if you’re looking at weight loss as a healthy choice, and you want to maintain a positive attitude, there are things you can do. Start by considering what makes you happy, and develop a plan for how you’ll achieve that. Don’t get so disheartened about your weight if you’re trying to do something healthy and positive for your body. If nothing else helps, try weighing yourself daily, and see how much you’re actually losing. This is a good way to keep your mind in the right place. Consider what’s important to you, and make the necessary changes to live a better life. You’ll be happier in the end, and you’ll have the tools to achieve your desired body.
Doing what’s best for your body means more than just going on a diet or trying to exercise it. It means understanding what foods provide your body with the nutrients it needs to function optimally, and it means developing good habits that support your body in the right way. This is why it’s so important to take your time before you make the decision to quit. You’ll have the opportunity to develop the habits that will make you feel better, both physically and mentally. And, who knows? Maybe you’ll even enjoy the process, and look forward to living a healthier lifestyle.