Overcoming Smoking and Obesity
Smoking and obesity are two of the most common preventable causes of death in American adults. Individually, smoking and being overweight can each take 8-10 years off a person’s life expectancy. Smoking and being overweight creates a dual problem and is more harmful to your health than just one or the other. The good news is that if you act now and implement lifestyle changes, you can address both problems and see major health benefits.
Smoking and Being Overweight have similar health Risks
Both smoking and being overweight put the individual at risk of disease. Each has their own dangers, and some issues overlap between smoking and being overweight, which can make the risk of having these health problems skyrocket. Smoking health statistics are grim and so are the stats for obesity.
Smoking increases your risk of stroke, lung and liver Cancer, COPD, and erectile dysfunction in males. Obesity puts you at risk of high blood Pressure, cancer, arthritis, and breathing problems such as sleep apnea. They both increase your risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes, and can create a multitude of pregnancy problems for women as well.
Health Benefits of Losing Weight
Even moderate weight loss is incredibly helpful when you are obese. Losing just 5% of your body weight can ease the stress on your joints, making it easier to exercise. It can also improve your mood and your sleep, reduce inflammation, and decrease your risk factors for diabetes, cancer, and heart disease.
Health Benefits of Quitting Smoking
Quitting smoking and tobacco cessation can have a number of benefits for your health. You will greatly lower the risk of contracting smoking diseases over time and even experience immediate benefits when you quit smoking. Within 20 minutes of quitting your heart rate and blood pressure will drop and within 12-hours your carbon monoxide levels will go back to normal. Also, in the first 9-months coughing and shortness of breath will decrease dramatically.
Tips to Lose Weight While Quitting Smoking
There are plenty of reasons to quit smoking and to lose weight. In fact, quitting smoking can help you lose weight by making it easier to breathe when you exercise. However, making these two major lifestyle changes together can be difficult. Here are 3 tips to help quit smoking and lose weight:
1. Prioritize
It is difficult to make multiple lifestyle changes at once. Whichever issue is creating more problems for you at the current time, address that one first. If you are very obese, losing weight should be your priority before quitting smoking, and vice versa. Handling the biggest issue first will give you the momentum and confidence to tackle the other problem.
2. Focus
Concentrate on having an overall healthy lifestyle. The less you think about it as what you are “quitting” and the more you think about what you are gaining, the easier it will be. Better nutrition will help you lose weight and improve your quality of life, and quitting smoking will help by making food taste better!
3. Move
Regular exercise like walking, swimming, or cycling will help you lose weight, keep the weight off, and improve your respiratory function and metabolism. It can also help you battle cravings and start to form more positive habits instead of smoking.
Conclusion
Quitting smoking combined with weight loss are two difficult things to do, but they are probably the most rewarding things you can do for your body and your health. If you need help to quit smoking or to lose weight, remember the tips above and you will be well on your way to a healthier, slimmer body.
– 12 Diseases Caused by Smoking
https://www.unitypoint.org/livewell/article.aspx?id=17ace3fc-fb01-45c3-8617-1beb81404fc4
– Health Risks of Being Overweight
https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/weight-management/health-risks-overweight
– What a 5% Weight Loss Can Do for Your Health
https://www.webmd.com/diet/ss/slideshow-five-percent-weight-loss
– Benefits of Quitting Smoking Over Time
https://www.cancer.org/healthy/stay-away-from-tobacco/benefits-of-quitting-smoking-over-time.html
Overcoming Smoking and Obesity
Smoking and obesity are two of the most common preventable causes of death in American adults. Individually, smoking and being overweight can each take 8-10 years off a person’s life expectancy. Smoking and being overweight creates a dual problem and is more harmful to your health than just one or the other. The good news is that if you act now and implement lifestyle changes, you can address both problems and see major health benefits.
Both smoking and being overweight put the individual at risk of disease. Each has their own dangers, and some issues overlap between smoking and being overweight, which can
