Attempting to quit smoking is, according to a lot of people, one of the hardest things you’ll ever attempt to do in your entire life. Once you’re hooked, kicking the habit is harder than quitting most hardcore narcotics. Of course, this depends on the individual, though I think it’s going to be difficult for anyone who is looking to make an improvement in their health and their lifestyle. However, like most endeavors in life, giving up cigarettes may come with some unwanted side effects.
Although literature encouraging smokers to kick the habit claim that most people will gain around six pounds following their life-altering decision, a recent study published in the British Medical Journal states that you can expect to acquire around eight to eleven pounds for your efforts. The study also revealed this weight gain is around five pounds more than most women are willing to tolerate. Lung cancer or belly fat: the decision is yours.
The study, which involved the review of 62 different studies involving those who have tried to quit smoking using a variety of different methods, found that 37 percent of participants gain less than 11 pounds over the course of one year. 34 percent, meanwhile, packed on between 11 and 22 pounds. On the more extreme end of the spectrum, 13 percent of those who participated in these studies gained more than 22 pounds. Here’s the silver lining: 16 percent of participants actually lost weight after quitting. Again, individual results are going to vary.
If you’re seriously concerned about gaining weight after giving up your smokes, it’s worth noting that extra pounds can be lost over time; getting rid of cancer is a far more grueling affair to contend with. Something to consider if you’re thinking about saying goodbye to your cigarettes.