What Happens When You Quit Smoking For 6 Weeks

There may be occasional cravings but in general it feels kind of good not to smoke. How did you get to this point?

You're ready to dial down your Nicorette dosage. Your body is ready to transition to even less nicotine.

You might gain some weight after you quit even if you're more active and don't eat more. Here's why and here's what to do.

How Nicorette stop smoking products can help:

By now you're much better at outlasting cravings than you were when you started your quit. And you know it's important to have an ongoing supply of Nicorette^®. Triggers can be persistently challenging though. Maybe the toughest triggers to overcome occur when you're with smokers, at a party or at a bar. Nicorette can help you get through it by calming your cravings, but you can do a few things to make these situations easier. Tell people you don't smoke. Remember that drinking alcohol often makes it harder to evaluate the serious consequences of lighting up or even taking just one puff.

There may be occasional cravings but in general it feels kind of good not to smoke. How did you get to this point?
It's time to assess what has worked for you and keep going with all the positives you've created for yourself. You have found that cravings only last a few minutes and you have used ways to ignore them or put them in the background in order to get through them. You are working around your triggers so that you can talk on the phone, ride in a car and get through parties without smoking. At 6 weeks, you might begin to stop thinking "it's cigarette time" as you find yourself in these familiar situations. It's a little like learning a new language. And you are starting to think like a nonsmoker.

You're ready to dial down your dosage. Your body is ready to transition to even less nicotine.
Get ready to dial down your dosage. Begin following the dosage schedule for Weeks 7 to 9. It's important to continue your nicotine replacement therapy for a full 12 weeks. That way you can make sure you're ending your daily smoking associations with those situations that "call" for a cigarette, like after meals and at parties.

You might gain some weight after you quit even if you're more active and don't eat more. Here's why and here's what to do.
Smokers often avoid between-meal snacking by lighting up. And research shows smoking is also linked to increased metabolism. That could explain some weight gain when you quit. Here are a few ways to minimize weight gain — usually to just 5 or 10 pounds:

It's okay to snack if you choose healthy foods like fruit and vegetables.
Choose a variety of tastes and textures so you can feel satisfied even though your usual favorites may be high in saturated fats and processed sugars.
Eat smaller portions to minimize the caloric damage.
Try more whole grains like wheat, oats, barley and corn. These nutritious foods can help reduce your calorie consumption and satisfy your appetite.

Print out a handy, helpful guide to eating healthy and exercising. (PDF: Eating healthy and exercising while quitting.)

Must download Adobe Flash Player to play.

Tips for tackling triggers

There are certain times when you want a cigarette because it just seems to go with what you are doing. Drinking coffee in the morning is just one of the many cigarette-connected situations we call "triggers." We can help you approach these situations with alternate plans of attack. Here they are.
Stress

Try a short break, close your eyes, visualize a peaceful scene like a beach. Breathe slowly and deeply 10 times and relax the muscles around your mouth, in your jaw, neck, shoulders and even your hands.
With coffee

Change as much of this daily cigarette-linked habit as possible. Drink your coffee in a different room. Switch your mug. Or try switching to tea until you're totally smoke-free.
Boredom

Now's a good time to get into online games or crossword puzzles. Find a subject you want to know more about and read about it online. Try breaking out of your inertia by taking a walk or calling a friend.
On a drive

Before you quit smoking, clean out your car's interior and ashtrays. Play a different radio station or try audiobooks. Carrots or celery sticks can help keep your mouth and smoking hand occupied.
On the phone

Breaking habits means shaking things up. Talk on a different phone or move to a different place. Stand up when you talk instead of sitting. Keep straws or swizzle sticks handy to play with.
After meals

Don't linger at the table. Go where smoking isn't allowed like a mall or movie theater. It helps to know that foods like yogurt, milk, fruit and juices make cigarettes taste funny. End your meal with one of them.
Anger

Run, swim, walk or bike to let it out. Smokers sometimes light up instead of expressing themselves. Practice saying how you feel in a non-argumentative way so you'll be ready to say something the next time.
Parties or social events

If people are smoking, cut down or avoid alcohol so it doesn't affect your judgment. Ask for a straw or swizzle stick to play with. Practice saying, "No thanks; I don't smoke," if offered a cigarette.
To relax or unwind

It's important to find new ways to kick back. Pursue an interest online. Read and listen to music. Get better at a sport. Or find other ways to get out and active with friends.
Feeling blue

Getting up and going somewhere—a movie, a mall, a park, downtown—can help lift your mood. Or call someone you haven't talked to in a while. Share your good news about quitting.
Need a break

Get out for a little while, just don't do it with smokers. Go for a short walk or stand up and stretch. Surf online or pick up a book you enjoy.
I want to celebrate

Give yourself some play time or call a friend. For a big reward, window-shop online for the reward you could earn by staying smoke-free for the rest of the week.
After sex

Let your partner know you're quitting and why. If the cravings don't subside get up and brush your teeth. Smoking has been linked to impotence and loss of libido. So quitting smoking is good news for your sex life.
Anxiety

Breathe deeply, close your eyes and picture a serene setting. Notice if your facial, jaw and neck muscles are tense so you can consciously release them. Call a friend and talk about your fear.
Hunger

Hunger is often thirst disguised so drink some water. Keep healthy foods around to snack on. And remember that it takes about 20 minutes after a meal to feel full. Brush your teeth after eating.
Inability to focus

Take a break to stretch and walk around. Make a simple list of what you need to do. It will clear your mind so you can get back to work. Arrange tasks so that you can concentrate on one thing at a time.