Smokers concerned about weight gain if they stop smoking

It annoys me when I hear a client tell of how they had stopped smoking in the past but they started smoking again because they were putting on weight. Surely the most sensible thing to have done at that time was to tackle the weight problem, whether by hypnotherapy or other means, rather than take the "easy" way out of starting to smoke again. After all, there is more chance they will die from a smoking related illness than from overeating!

So why is it that so many smokers see smoking as the way to keep off weight?

Well many smokers who use willpower to stop smoking find that they substitute the cigarette with a bar of chocolate or other snack. Of course this would potentially lead to weight gain.

You see, not only have some people got into the habit of smoking but they think they enjoy it. Take away their enjoyment, and what have they got left? Certain foods are known for helping change our moods, eg chocolate. So by having a sugary snack, say, instead of the cigarette they are satisfying their need.

However as I explain to my hypnotherapy clients, what we do in hypnosis is to replace the old habit of smoking with something that’s better for the client, which may be, for example, drinking more water, or doing deep-breathing exercises, or just feeling happy about being a non-smoker.

If you’re one of those smokers concerned about weight gain then have a look around next time you walk down the street and notice how many oversize people are smoking. And now think about those people you know who are thin or of normal weight and who are non-smokers. Smoking doesn’t have to be related to weight gain, provided you have the right attitude of mind.