Monday, May 9, 2011

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 

15 comments:

  1. I was planning to start to smoke. Caffeine doesnt help to get break for sometme.

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  2. just start eating the cigarettes when you get a craving and can't tell if you're hungry

    it'll solve the problem either way

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  3. Back away from the munchies and nobody gets hurt.

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  4. That has to be tough! Stay strong :D

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  5. Put all that new energy and clean lungs on busting out some reps.

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  6. The gym is a nice idea and that picture is a good motivation :D

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  7. It's a pain in the arse my friend, keep going.

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  8. Diddnt know smoking burnt calories, but the stuff you said about appetite supressent is definatly right ;D

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  9. Ouch, that is a tricky situation, more hunger and less calories burned. I would say you should do some working out then but I can imagine you don't really want to do that if your hungry! Good luck for today!

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  10. You are totally right, i am so thin because of smoking :(

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  11. Awesome post man! Great find! Keep up the good blogging!

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  12. i decided to quit yesterday.. so far i manage to smoke 4-5 ciggies a day nax.. cos b4 that i was smoking like half a bog "10 ciggies" sometimes more.. but i will make it!

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  13. I smoke a pipe and I don't plan on quitting!

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Don't screw with a guy that is in the middle of quitting smoking.