Everything to Gain

Some people would like to quit smoking but are afraid. They are afraid of what it might do to their figure. For most of us women, this deep seeded fear comes from the fashion magazines splashed across the checkout counter picturing waif-like creatures that have nothing but success, fame and money.

While most of these people have less than spectacular love lives, their fame is enough to drive some to thoughts of inadequacy. This may even make some desperate women want to smoke just to lose weight. I know that sounds insane, but I know at least one woman who did it.

That just goes to show you how strong the drive for the “perfect” body really is. While most of us have been self-conscious about our weight at some point in our lives, the actual detriment to our health the weight causes is negligible compared to the damaged caused by smoking. Some doctors say you can gain as much as 10 percent of your body weight when you quit and still have overall health improvement.

If in the worst case scenario you gain 20 pounds while quitting, you can then lose the weight after you attain solid non-smoker status. Talk to your doctor about possible weight gain during your stop smoking plan. He or she can help you develop an eating and exercise plan specifically for your needs. When you quit smoking you do literally have “everything to gain.”