Hunger

So, smoking does 2 things to the body, first it acts as a mild stimulant, increasing heart rate and breathing. This is a small part of what makes it addictive. That tiny little rush, when magnified over 20 - 30 cigarettes a day (for pack+ a day smoker) equals upwards of 300 - 400 extra calories burned. But Nicotine is also has a natural appetite suppressant side effect. So when you are smoking you are burning extra calories and wanting to eat less.

But it gets worse. Often times instead of a between meal snack, smokers will switch that hunger craving off with a smoke. So that is more natural calories that were not taken in. But linking those 2 feelings together, hunger and a smoke is bad... because all mental links are a two way street. If your mom left out a pouch of potpourri all the time when you were a kid, when you grow up if you smell potpourri then you will think of home... but if you walk into your house and DONT smell that potpourri then your brain will not feel the same about your house.

scary house

So what do we have all put together?
Every time you have a small craving for a smoke your body and brain can easily mistake that as a hunger cue from all the training you did as a smoker. Also you have lost the natural appetite suppressant effects of the nicotine so you are really hungry more often during the day. AND you have stopped burning the extra 300 ish calories a day.

All put together I think I better get my ass to the gym!!!


Maybe this will help replace that little rush...

Mariah Carey