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Quitting smoking – My one month fitness challenge
dancing_daisy
Posts: 162 Member
SUGGESTIONS / CRITIQUES / COMMENTS – ALL WELCOME!!
I’ve lost two thirds of the weight I intended since starting LCHF and calorie counting in March this year. I was amazed to find that despite being a smoker of 15 years I was able to attend aerobics classes, I never believed I would be able to do exercise more strenuous than walking or swimming. Now I want to take it a step further and get off the cigarettes….for me that means giving up alcohol (at least temporarily) and I’ve decided to replace them both with exercise.
The plan is buy a one month pass to my local sports centre. I’ve identified one fitness class for each week day evening and aim to swim on the weekends. This means 6 important things:
1. I will out of the house and busy doing things where I can’t smoke
2. I will be able to release my frustration through exercise
3. I will be able to focus on something other than the desire to smoke
4. It will give me and my partner (who is joining the challenge) time apart to ease tension
5. I will be able to eat as much as I need (keto friendly) hopefully without gaining huge amounts of weight
I am also hoping that the exercise will help rid my body of toxins quicker, elevate an expected drop in mood as well as help relieve the other symptoms that come with quitting smoking. I’ve included a range of cardio, toning and a class that helps to relax. For each week I complete I plan to treat us both with something like a massage, foot treatments and perhaps end it with a Spa day. As the month progresses I will use my new experience in exercise to devise an ongoing plan.
I’m not sure if this sounds crazy but this feels like the most promising plan I’ve come up with.
Am I crazy?
I’ve lost two thirds of the weight I intended since starting LCHF and calorie counting in March this year. I was amazed to find that despite being a smoker of 15 years I was able to attend aerobics classes, I never believed I would be able to do exercise more strenuous than walking or swimming. Now I want to take it a step further and get off the cigarettes….for me that means giving up alcohol (at least temporarily) and I’ve decided to replace them both with exercise.
The plan is buy a one month pass to my local sports centre. I’ve identified one fitness class for each week day evening and aim to swim on the weekends. This means 6 important things:
1. I will out of the house and busy doing things where I can’t smoke
2. I will be able to release my frustration through exercise
3. I will be able to focus on something other than the desire to smoke
4. It will give me and my partner (who is joining the challenge) time apart to ease tension
5. I will be able to eat as much as I need (keto friendly) hopefully without gaining huge amounts of weight
I am also hoping that the exercise will help rid my body of toxins quicker, elevate an expected drop in mood as well as help relieve the other symptoms that come with quitting smoking. I’ve included a range of cardio, toning and a class that helps to relax. For each week I complete I plan to treat us both with something like a massage, foot treatments and perhaps end it with a Spa day. As the month progresses I will use my new experience in exercise to devise an ongoing plan.
I’m not sure if this sounds crazy but this feels like the most promising plan I’ve come up with.
Am I crazy?
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Replies
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Heck no, you're amazing! Good luck and I'll be eagerly watching for updates.2
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MimiOfTheLusciousLawn wrote: »Heck no, you're amazing! Good luck and I'll be eagerly watching for updates.
Thank you! That's really pushed me in the right direction! Thank you for the motivation!3 -
Read Easy Way to Stop Smoking, by Allan Carr. And before you just dismiss it out of hand, at least read some of the reviews in Amazon. The book worked for me and for every single family member and friend who has bothered to take my word for it. It's an amazing approach to the process of leaving smoking behind and truly becoming a non-smoker.3
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PamamaJane wrote: »Read Easy Way to Stop Smoking, by Allan Carr. And before you just dismiss it out of hand, at least read some of the reviews in Amazon. The book worked for me and for every single family member and friend who has bothered to take my word for it. It's an amazing approach to the process of leaving smoking behind and truly becoming a non-smoker.
I'll look into this, I plan to start on the first of next month so ordering and doing some preparation reading it a good idea! Thank you
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Best of luck. And don't forget the magic of getting to come vent here to others who've traveled this path before you... I'm not a smoker, former or otherwise, but I know how freeing it can be just to come and VENT. Add that to your toolbox, too! (hugs)3
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KnitOrMiss wrote: »Best of luck. And don't forget the magic of getting to come vent here to others who've traveled this path before you... I'm not a smoker, former or otherwise, but I know how freeing it can be just to come and VENT. Add that to your toolbox, too! (hugs)
Thank you so much This community is really awesome! 1 -
No....you are not crazy. I am an ex-smoker. I quit 4 years ago and I was ready. That is the key...you have to be ready and want it! And it sounds like you are! You can do this....planning all your days is wonderful because you do have to stay busy so you don't think about it. I had to use the Nicorette gum for a few weeks...that helped me a lot! Good luck...you can do this
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Thank you! That I should ready is really good to hear!esaucier17 wrote: »...you have to be ready and want it! And it sounds like you are! You can do this....planning all your days is wonderful because you do have to stay busy so you don't think about it.
If MFP has taught me anything its that preparation is key! I’m banking on filling my evenings with exercise to wear me out and have early nights. Any spare time will be spent having my evening meal.
I’ve even planned some activities for the weekend like going to the cinema (no smoking there) and a trip to a bird sanctuary (too engrossed to think about smoking!).
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This discussion has been closed.