Questions posted in the The Addiction Forum have been answered by Steven Adelman, M.D. and by Richard C. Bozian M.D. F.A.C.P. of Harvard Vanguard Medical Group.

Question Title: Smoking and weight

Forum: The Addiction Forum
Topic: Misc

I am a healthy 39 year old female that quit smoking 8 weeks ago. I haev gained 16 lbs since I have quit smoking. My nicotine cravings are now under control, (I quit cold turkey so there is no nicotine substitute), so I have gone on a low fat, low calorie diet and I am participating in an exercise program of low impact aerobics. My problem is I am not losing weight. I have read that nicotine withdrawal slows your metabolism. Is this true and will I ever be able to lose this weight? Will my metabolism return to normal?
Thanks,

G.C.

Dear G.C.,

Many smokers gain some weight when they quit; it probably has to do with nicotine's ability to suppress appetite. Without nicotine you're hungrier so you eat more, take in more calories, and gain some weight. Those who gain usuually put on between 5 and 15 pounds. This needs to be put in perspective: To do as much damage to your body with weight gain as you were doing with smoking, you'd have to gain 400 pounds. So you're clearly better off not smoking!

In order to lose weight, you need to use up more calories in a day than you are taking in. So you're on the right track with your diet and exercise programs. Many of my patients have found Michael Eades' Protein Power diet very useful. I personally took off 25 pounds with it when I found that my pants were getting too tight. You can read more about this book and about smoking and weight gain on my Ask DrSteve web site, conveniently hyperlinked below. Good luck!

Steve Adelman, M.D. (a.k.a. DrSteve)

This information is provided for general medical education purposes only. Please consult your physician for diagnostic and treatment options pertaining to your specific medical condition.

Keywords: smoking cessation, weight gain


[The Addiction Forum]      [The Addiction Forum Archives]