Smokers

I was just wondering ,does anyone smoke and still manage to do cardio and maintain /lose weight?

Replies

  • Christine_72
    Christine_72 Posts: 16,049 Member
    healthy491 wrote: »
    I was just wondering ,does anyone smoke and still manage to do cardio and maintain /lose weight?

    I did cardio when I was a smoker. Yes I got puffed out super quick in the beginning, but i got fitter as time went by. I used to light up a smoke in the parking lot straight after my class, bad bad girl!
  • Owlie45
    Owlie45 Posts: 806 Member
    My brother smoked and biked and he did fine. But he quit about 6 months ago and he said there's a noticeable difference.
  • ogtmama
    ogtmama Posts: 1,403 Member
    Allen Carr's "Easy way to quit"...it's easy, affordable, and you never have to do it again :D
  • 54caligirl
    54caligirl Posts: 4 Member
    You can I know o did but seriously quitting is your very best option once you do your energy will go through the roof.
  • SezxyStef
    SezxyStef Posts: 15,267 Member
    I did a lot of cardio while I smoked...but it was a hard bike ride that at the end my chest was burning that made me decide to quit.

    I started vaping on Dec 7 2014...I haven't had a puff since...

    I can run now...8 min mile...easy peasy.

    Bike rides only hurt my butt....and I didn't gain when I quit cause of the vape...gave me something to do.

    I still vape but my nicotine levels are down to 1mg...so basically nothing.
  • Christine_72
    Christine_72 Posts: 16,049 Member
    ^^ Yes to the vaping. It makes quitting smoking dead easy, i felt like i was cheating somehow because I didn't crave a cigarette at all. I tried patches,pills, gum, everything!! And I never managed to quit.
    Yes, it's replacing one habit with another one, but vaping is definitely the lesser of the 2 evils. You also need to get over people asking if you're smoking a crack pipe in public lol
  • evesmom2
    evesmom2 Posts: 231 Member
    I smoke, do some cardio on a bike and lost 37 lbs since April. I'm looking into vaping but I promised myself I would quit smoking when I get to goal. I can't do both at once
  • scoii
    scoii Posts: 160 Member
    I went the vaping route. Lung capacity is massively improved after a month.

    I got into crazy levels of vaping though, 18mg and constantly at it and panicking if my batteries were running low. Have managed to get of the ecigs as well now. 5 years smoke free and lungs feel so much better.

    You can do cardio when you smoke but just not very well
  • Christine_72
    Christine_72 Posts: 16,049 Member
    evesmom2 wrote: »
    I smoke, do some cardio on a bike and lost 37 lbs since April. I'm looking into vaping but I promised myself I would quit smoking when I get to goal. I can't do both at once

    Eve the earlier you quit smoking the better, let go of the excuses.I'm Not having a go, but you're post is very familiar, because i did the same. I don't want to be an annoying ex smoker, but just do it, do it now :lol:
  • dhimaan
    dhimaan Posts: 774 Member
    I bike or do elliptical for an hour 4-5 days a week along with lifting (on an active week). It is more challenging but nothing that can't be done. Almost a pack a day smoker.
  • ogtmama
    ogtmama Posts: 1,403 Member
    edited June 2016
    evesmom2 wrote: »
    I smoke, do some cardio on a bike and lost 37 lbs since April. I'm looking into vaping but I promised myself I would quit smoking when I get to goal. I can't do both at once

    Hi other Eve's mom ;)

    I wasn't joking about the book. Quitting isn't hard, it isn't painful, you smoke while you read the book and when you're done, you don't smoke anymore. It's shockingly simple and effective.
  • lauraesh0384
    lauraesh0384 Posts: 463 Member
    I'm currently a smoker and I don't have any problems with cardio. I started at 185 and I'm 158 now. I'm sure cardio would be easier if I didn't smoke, but I haven't been able to have much luck with a vaporizer. It burns my throat when I use it, which is worse than smoking a traditional cigarette. I've played with the nicotine levels. The last bottle of liquid I bought was 12mg nicotine and it was still rather harsh. I was told that the higher nicotine strengths can burn more. Not sure if it was the flavor or not, since it was Sweet Tart equivalent. I might try and go down to the next lowest nicotine % (which is the lowest until you get zero nicotine) and see if it's any better. I've also used two different vaporizers with the same result.
  • Christine_72
    Christine_72 Posts: 16,049 Member
    I'm currently a smoker and I don't have any problems with cardio. I started at 185 and I'm 158 now. I'm sure cardio would be easier if I didn't smoke, but I haven't been able to have much luck with a vaporizer. It burns my throat when I use it, which is worse than smoking a traditional cigarette. I've played with the nicotine levels. The last bottle of liquid I bought was 12mg nicotine and it was still rather harsh. I was told that the higher nicotine strengths can burn more. Not sure if it was the flavor or not, since it was Sweet Tart equivalent. I might try and go down to the next lowest nicotine % (which is the lowest until you get zero nicotine) and see if it's any better. I've also used two different vaporizers with the same result.

    The flavours and ratios can take a bit of tweaking. I use cappuccino and blackberry flavours, i mix them together. I have no idea what the % of nicotine we use is, but it's equivalent to a 12g cigarette (12%??), so my hubby informs me.. We only add 2mg per mix these days, and will stopping the nicotine altogether after this bottle is finished, and just sticking with the flavours.
  • healthy491
    healthy491 Posts: 384 Member
    Thanks for your replies :) I quit smoking about a year ago but I am smoking again
    Hope it wont affect my cardio
  • chalaivy
    chalaivy Posts: 101 Member
    Wow, how did you feel when you started smoking again? Just asking because I'm about 6 or 7 weeks smoke free and yesterday I had one and it felt so normal but I also felt like I couldn't breath during and after... haha.

    I did smoke when I was doing heavy cardio before though, I was able to do them, but like everyone else says, I think my cardio is better since I quit :)
  • SezxyStef
    SezxyStef Posts: 15,267 Member
    healthy491 wrote: »
    Thanks for your replies :) I quit smoking about a year ago but I am smoking again
    Hope it wont affect my cardio

    it will.
  • Gallowmere1984
    Gallowmere1984 Posts: 6,626 Member
    I'm currently a smoker and I don't have any problems with cardio. I started at 185 and I'm 158 now. I'm sure cardio would be easier if I didn't smoke, but I haven't been able to have much luck with a vaporizer. It burns my throat when I use it, which is worse than smoking a traditional cigarette. I've played with the nicotine levels. The last bottle of liquid I bought was 12mg nicotine and it was still rather harsh. I was told that the higher nicotine strengths can burn more. Not sure if it was the flavor or not, since it was Sweet Tart equivalent. I might try and go down to the next lowest nicotine % (which is the lowest until you get zero nicotine) and see if it's any better. I've also used two different vaporizers with the same result.

    Just so you know, the throat hit has little to do with the nicotine level. It's derived from the PG to VG ratio, but can also be slightly influnced by the artificial flavoring used. Menthols and more sour flavors are more likely to affect it, but it's still not that much. The PG/VG is the biggest part. This is nigh impossible to control when buying pre-bottled, unless you find the rare manufacturer who is willing to divulge the info. Most keep it secret to avoid their liquids being easily cloned, because seriously, the markup on liquid is insane. When I batch my own, it costs me $2.638 to make a 30ml bottle, including the dropper and glass bottle. For my stronger hit liquids, I'll use 70% PG, 30% VG. The vapor output it lower, but it hits harder in the throat. I typically use that for my menthol/cinnamon blend. For something more bakery/coffee like, I'll run 40% PG, 60% VG. More vapor, lower throat hit, and slightly better flavor output since the bakery ones can be too subtle.
  • healthy491
    healthy491 Posts: 384 Member
    chalaivy wrote: »
    Wow, how did you feel when you started smoking again? Just asking because I'm about 6 or 7 weeks smoke free and yesterday I had one and it felt so normal but I also felt like I couldn't breath during and after... haha.

    I did smoke when I was doing heavy cardio before though, I was able to do them, but like everyone else says, I think my cardio is better since I quit :)

    Haha i missed them so much and was dying for a cigarette .. I only smoke on weekends though
  • RoxieDawn
    RoxieDawn Posts: 15,488 Member
    I smoked and trained for a half marathon and finished it! So being fit and being able to do large loads or cardio while smoking is doable.

    I vape now some during the day, not much. I still run 4 days a week and lift 5 days.
  • SezxyStef
    SezxyStef Posts: 15,267 Member
    I'm currently a smoker and I don't have any problems with cardio. I started at 185 and I'm 158 now. I'm sure cardio would be easier if I didn't smoke, but I haven't been able to have much luck with a vaporizer. It burns my throat when I use it, which is worse than smoking a traditional cigarette. I've played with the nicotine levels. The last bottle of liquid I bought was 12mg nicotine and it was still rather harsh. I was told that the higher nicotine strengths can burn more. Not sure if it was the flavor or not, since it was Sweet Tart equivalent. I might try and go down to the next lowest nicotine % (which is the lowest until you get zero nicotine) and see if it's any better. I've also used two different vaporizers with the same result.

    Just so you know, the throat hit has little to do with the nicotine level. It's derived from the PG to VG ratio, but can also be slightly influnced by the artificial flavoring used. Menthols and more sour flavors are more likely to affect it, but it's still not that much. The PG/VG is the biggest part. This is nigh impossible to control when buying pre-bottled, unless you find the rare manufacturer who is willing to divulge the info. Most keep it secret to avoid their liquids being easily cloned, because seriously, the markup on liquid is insane. When I batch my own, it costs me $2.638 to make a 30ml bottle, including the dropper and glass bottle. For my stronger hit liquids, I'll use 70% PG, 30% VG. The vapor output it lower, but it hits harder in the throat. I typically use that for my menthol/cinnamon blend. For something more bakery/coffee like, I'll run 40% PG, 60% VG. More vapor, lower throat hit, and slightly better flavor output since the bakery ones can be too subtle.

    exactly mine are a 50/50 mix and custom created when I go to the store...no issues ever and even those who have used other stuff use mine and have no issues as well.
  • healthy491
    healthy491 Posts: 384 Member
    RoxieDawn wrote: »
    I smoked and trained for a half marathon and finished it! So being fit and being able to do large loads or cardio while smoking is doable.

    I vape now some during the day, not much. I still run 4 days a week and lift 5 days.

    Wow thats awesome ! When did you quit?
  • tlflag1620
    tlflag1620 Posts: 1,358 Member
    evesmom2 wrote: »
    I smoke, do some cardio on a bike and lost 37 lbs since April. I'm looking into vaping but I promised myself I would quit smoking when I get to goal. I can't do both at once

    Hi other Eve's mom ;)

    I wasn't joking about the book. Quitting isn't hard, it isn't painful, you smoke while you read the book and when you're done, you don't smoke anymore. It's shockingly simple and effective.

    I own that book. Read it many times. Still smoking :(. I'm sure it works for some people, I'm just not one of them (maybe because I already knew and believed most of what he says in there).

    OP - you can lose weight while smoking (heck, it gives you a metabolic advantage and decreases appetite - it is a stimulant). I went from 195lbs to 145lbs as a smoker. You can still do cardio (you'll get winded faster and at a lower intensity than a non smoker, but you'll see improvement over time). The best thing to do would be to quit, obviously, but you can make improvements to diet and exercise even as a smoker. If you aren't ready/able to quit just yet, you can still lose weight!

  • SezxyStef
    SezxyStef Posts: 15,267 Member
    tlflag1620 wrote: »
    evesmom2 wrote: »
    I smoke, do some cardio on a bike and lost 37 lbs since April. I'm looking into vaping but I promised myself I would quit smoking when I get to goal. I can't do both at once

    Hi other Eve's mom ;)

    I wasn't joking about the book. Quitting isn't hard, it isn't painful, you smoke while you read the book and when you're done, you don't smoke anymore. It's shockingly simple and effective.

    I own that book. Read it many times. Still smoking :(. I'm sure it works for some people, I'm just not one of them (maybe because I already knew and believed most of what he says in there).

    OP - you can lose weight while smoking (heck, it gives you a metabolic advantage and decreases appetite - it is a stimulant). I went from 195lbs to 145lbs as a smoker. You can still do cardio (you'll get winded faster and at a lower intensity than a non smoker, but you'll see improvement over time). The best thing to do would be to quit, obviously, but you can make improvements to diet and exercise even as a smoker. If you aren't ready/able to quit just yet, you can still lose weight!

    agreed I lost my weight smoking...only quit for fitness reasons...nice thing was I didn't put any back on from quitting...I credit MFP and the daily logging of my food during maintenance with that and my vape of course....
  • Spliner1969
    Spliner1969 Posts: 3,233 Member
    I smoked for 22 years. It's probably one of the biggest contributing factors to the fact that I didn't exercise much at all for those 22 years and ended up severely overweight. I quit using e-cigarettes. After being on c-cigs for a year or so I could breathe 10x easier. After quitting e-cigs about 1.5 years ago I can say I noticed no real difference in my lung capacity, but I had already been on them for almost 3 years and I think my lungs had already recovered because of it (I noticed a huge difference in lung capacity within six months of changing to e-cigs). I only quit e-cigs because exercise became more important to me than being chained down to nicotine so I lost interest.

    Nicotine also constricts blood vessels which is counter intuitive for your body when you want increased blood flow during exercise. If you are still smoking and have adopted an exercise routine for your diet journey, it's a great time to quit. Find whatever works for you and quit soon. That way the cravings won't drive you to over-eat as much since you are already dieting. If the cravings get to you simply exercise more to get through it. In this way you can avoid weight gain from quitting, and increase your natural levels of endorphin from exercising which can help to negate the cravings. Just a suggestion.

    I don't know about anyone else, but after a really intense workout I feel great for hours afterward. I may be tired but it's almost euphoric. During these times I wouldn't even want to pick up an e-ciig so that's why I eventually forgot all about them.
  • zacksnana
    zacksnana Posts: 3,230 Member
    edited June 2016
    I'm currently a smoker and I don't have any problems with cardio. I started at 185 and I'm 158 now. I'm sure cardio would be easier if I didn't smoke, but I haven't been able to have much luck with a vaporizer. It burns my throat when I use it, which is worse than smoking a traditional cigarette. I've played with the nicotine levels. The last bottle of liquid I bought was 12mg nicotine and it was still rather harsh. I was told that the higher nicotine strengths can burn more. Not sure if it was the flavor or not, since it was Sweet Tart equivalent. I might try and go down to the next lowest nicotine % (which is the lowest until you get zero nicotine) and see if it's any better. I've also used two different vaporizers with the same result.

    I buy 2 bottles of liquid - one is 0mg and the second is 12mg. I mix it to my preference - it probably ends up being around 6 mg. it doesn't cost any more over the long run and I can adjust as I want. Some days I'm probably 2mg.

    I fill the ecig tank with the 0mg first and just top off a little with the 12mg.
  • Christine_72
    Christine_72 Posts: 16,049 Member
    Does anyone know if vaping reduces lung capacity? I've read conflicting reports on the Google. I know you're not inhaling all the smoke and chemicals like from a cigarette, but our lungs are still dealing with a foreign substance. Mine hardly ever leaves my hand, I puff on it too much!
  • Spliner1969
    Spliner1969 Posts: 3,233 Member
    I do not believe it does. I had a doctor monitor my oxygen level one time before and after taking a drag from an e-cig and there was no difference. I noticed increased lung capacity (much much more) within six months after switching from cigarettes to e-cigs. I smoked for 22 years and tried everything to quit, then one day I picked up a menthol e-cig and within one week never touched another cigarette. Vaping was my miracle stop smoking aid. Only thing I can tell you is that if e-cigs seem like they are going to work for you, do it now, the FDA is trying to ban them as quick as they can because it takes money out of the cigarette company pockets and puts it into small businesses. It makes no sense since it's something like 99% less harmful to the user and even the public around them, but that's our government for you. The FDA is now being sued for attempting the ban, but you won't have a choice soon to try e-cigs if you don't try now. Just do your own research, don't listen to the propaganda being spewed by anti-vaping entities. Vaping saved my life and was 10000x easier to quit than smoking when I finally decided I wanted to quit all together.
  • Christine_72
    Christine_72 Posts: 16,049 Member
    Yeah the government here in Australia are talking about banning vapourisers under the guise of " we don't know enough about them or if they are doing harm", pppffft what a load of crap!! We already have to order our nicotine from OS because it is not available here, it could even be banned for production in Aus, but not too sure on that one..
  • tomteboda
    tomteboda Posts: 2,171 Member
    Yeah the government here in Australia are talking about banning vapourisers under the guise of " we don't know enough about them or if they are doing harm", pppffft what a load of crap!! We already have to order our nicotine from OS because it is not available here, it could even be banned for production in Aus, but not too sure on that one..

    To be fair, tobacco is a water-intensive crop. Geographic considerations may figure heavily in the lack of domestic tobacco farming.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    Does anyone know if vaping reduces lung capacity? I've read conflicting reports on the Google. I know you're not inhaling all the smoke and chemicals like from a cigarette, but our lungs are still dealing with a foreign substance. Mine hardly ever leaves my hand, I puff on it too much!

    In my experience, no. I was a 2-3 PAD smoker and quit using the e-cig. I eventually quit the e-cig as well and didn't really notice a difference in my lung capacity. I am back on the e-cig now after two years of being everything free because I had a bit of a melt down last fall and almost started smoking cigs again...figure lesser of two evils and I haven't noticed any diminished lung capacity either.