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Quit Smoking for Good
with Exercise
Smoking is
the primary cause of lung cancer, it is responsible for approximately 30
percent of all cardiovascular diseases, and is attributed to more than
400,000 deaths a year. More than 50,000 people die each year as a result
of the affects of second hand smoke. Why would anyone smoke knowing that
smoking is dangerous and causes so many needless deaths? Cigarette and
tobacco product manufacturers add ingredients like nicotine which is
very addictive. Nicotine and other ingredients in cigarettes provide
smokers with a rush or a quick lift in their mood due to certain hormone
stimulation in the body. The stimulation of the hormones that make you
feel good can become quite addictive to a person. Cigarette addiction is
rampant here in the United States, as well as in other countries.
When
someone tries to stop smoking, they will experience withdrawal symptoms
similar to withdrawals from illegal narcotic drugs. Drug and alcohol
addiction specialists even compare the compulsion to smoke and the
withdrawal symptoms experienced when smoking is suddenly stopped, to an
addiction to cocaine and the withdrawal symptoms that cocaine addicts
experience when they suddenly stop using cocaine. Some of the unpleasant
withdrawal symptoms experienced by smokers attempting to stop smoking
include, but are not limited to, headaches, agitation, diarrhea,
shaking, nausea, vomiting, intense cravings, physical pain, and
depression. Overcoming a smoking addiction is not easy by any means, but
it can be done and removing the health and life dangers of smoking is
well worth it.
Some people
are able to stop smoking for good with the aid of nicotine replacement
products and prescription medications, such as "the patch" and nicotine
gums, but these do not work for everyone and they do carry some risk
with their use, that you should consider before using them to help you
stop smoking. You can stop smoking for good with exercise. Exercise can
also help to ease some of the withdrawal symptoms and even help to avoid
others associated with quitting smoking.
Many people
who want to stop smoking are concerned about possible weight gain that
is widely reported as a symptom of withdrawal from smoking. It is true
that some people can experience a weight gain when they stop smoking,
but this weight gain is as a result of substituting food for the
hormonal and emotional stimulation of smoking and choosing the wrong
foods as a substitute. As a smoker you have become accustomed to having
a cigarette in your hand and working your facial muscles as you puffed
on it, not having something in your hand and something to work the
facial muscles triggers you to crave smoking even more. It is great that
you have decided not to give in to the craving for a cigarette and eat
something instead, but making better food choices can still calm
cravings while not causing you to gain weight. Carrots, celery,
cucumbers, crackers, and other crunchy low fat foods are better choices.
Exercise can also help you to keep from gaining weight, even when you
occasionally choose not so good foods.
Exercise,
especially exercise that raises the heart rate such as weight training
will increase the amount of "feel good" hormones in your body and leave
you in a better mood to continue your fight with not smoking. Exercise
will also help the benefits of stopping smoking appear much sooner. Your
skin will regain its natural color and elasticity, your lung capacity
will grow, your immune system will be strong and healthy, your life will
be extended, and you will be happier for having taken the monkey of
smoking off your back. Exercise also creates a great new "obsession" to
focus on. Exercise is healthy for you and devoting your time to working
out to get your mind off of smoking will lead to a happier and healthier
you in no time at all.
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