Smoking..Healthy or Not?

shadoewz

Clearly smoking is not a healthy habit, but you don't really need anyone to tell you that. If you kicked drugs, you can kick butts, but it has to be a time when you want to. I wish I had tackled my food addiction before I got so heavy, and I wish I had tackled my smoking addiction before I let it get me so out of shape and winded.

Congrats on all you've achieved thus far, it's hard enough to change ourselves one thing at a time, it can be way too much to try and give up everything/ change everything all at once.

malayabee

My grandpa was a smoker... At 63, he was playing tennis 4 times a week, swimming daily, and riding his bicycle everywhere he went. He bowled and played basketball in his "free time." He could run circles around guys that were half his age.

He died of small cell lung cancer as a result of his lifelong smoking habit.

Yes he was "healthy"... But smoking still killed him. Smoking is not a "healthy" habit.

danasings

For the record, I do plan on quitting smoking once I reach one year of sobriety. So I will smoke my last cigarette (hopefully) 4/21/2013.

Best of luck to you. And congrats on the sobriety.

^^This!

trophywife24

Cograts on your sobriety, that's awesome!
Smoking is one of those... long term health destroyer things. You can be healthy now and smoke (minus coughing like an old dude when you get up in the morning) but in 10, 20, 30 years? Not so much. I'm an ex-smoker (I like to smoke once in a blue moon though, just one cigarette to feel naughty) so I try not to get judgy. I know how strong of an addiction it is.

OK_Girl

ahem....I am just gonna put this here

http://www.hellohaveyouheard.com/blog/bid/51849/Top-10-Lung-Cancer-Myths-Your-Health-in-2012

tlc12078

Honestly I think we make too much of a big deal with smoking, there are far more worse things. My bf smoked for awhile now. I smoked also but quit almost 4 yrs now, n to tell ya the truth its eating healthy n exercise that made me more healthier not kicking the habit. When I kicked the habit my breathing got far worse n I ended up with more problems, I started to exercise n eat healthy, thats what did it, not kicking the habit. My bf works a demanding job n has been smoking cigarettes for awhile n hes in way more better shape then me. He even has asthma. Last time he had an asthma attack was when he was a teenager, hes 30 now. So bs is all I gotta say.

GiddyupTim

You are not healthy. I can say that as a former smoker who ran a marathon and played soccer while I smoked.
Regular running is thought to cut your lung cancer risk by about half. But, that said, you still have lung cancer risk, and non-smokers do not. They almost never get lung cancer. And, even though the cancer won't get you, you will get COPD eventually -- the disease that used to be known as emphysema. Nothing grosser. Nothing worse. You cannot breathe. You carry around an oxygen tank and have to ride in a wheel chair to cover any great distance because you are so weak, always.
Do whatever you have to do to quit. And, don't quit trying.
Heroin, actually, is fairly benign as abused substances go. The problem is the needle injections and the infections users get. That is what causes the health problems.
We're just now coming to realize how prevalent hepatitis C infection is. It takes a long time -- 20 years or so -- for the hepatitis C-related liver damage to appear. So, we weren't really sure how common it is. But, now it seems like perhaps the majority of intravenous drug users become infected.
It is important not to drink if you think you may have been infected with the hepatitis C virus. Alcohol abuse really speeds the liver damage.

areufnkiddingme

Former smoker of 16 years here and I was one of those people who smoked on my way to and from the gym. From experience I will tell you that all the other things you do will not negate the damage to your lungs- even though running ten miles is amazing, and good for you! I will guarantee that you are capable of so much more when you don't smoke.

Also, my sister is a former heroin addict as well and can't shake the cigarettes either, but at least she's honest about it and doesn't act like they're easier to quit and she could do it any time. Don't lie to yourself friend, just admit you still have addictions you're not ready to give up yet.

OK_Girl

If I had reason to believe I only had 20 years to live, I would stop smoking immediately.

But then again there is my mother who was diagnosed at stage 5 with head and neck cancer. She smoked all through her treatment, and is cancer free, for now- and still smoking. Her cancer will come back and kill her, no doubt about that, in less than 5 years.

Are you hearing me?

pg3ibew

<<<<<<<<<<< Professional Smoker here. When I was 27, I use to run 4 miles a day with a 40 pound weight vest on, and smoke immediately before and after.
Smoking will catch up with you.
@ing years and went back. I am currently trying to quit now. 2 packs a day, down to 1/2 pack. Right now, smoking seems to be beating me.

Good luck to you on quitting your other addiction. But, alot of people say quitting smoking may be the hardest of all the addictions to kick.

tlc12078

Nothing you smoke is healthy, tobacco, crack, opium, heroin, banana skins, weed.

Personally I stay away from anything you can put it a pipe.

I do agree with this

PittShkr

I smoke on the way to and from the gym. Clearly it's not healthy. I hope to quit. But I don't kid myself that it's a good habit or anything.

It just keeps me from killing large groups of people is all.

+1

kimberly2122

How many pounds is a stone?

Awkward30

Healthy isn't binary. A person is not either healthy or not. I don't honestly know whether being sedentary is worse than smoking, so my healthy scale would be: works out, non-smoker > works out and smokes or doesn't work out and doesn't smoke > doesn't workout and smokes.

As others have said, congrats on your accomplishments and best of luck quitting cigarettes on your schedule.

PetulantOne

This says heroin does not damage the liver. Would it be from something like hepatitis?

http://www.heroinhelper.com/user/health/disease.shtml#liver

One year of sobriety...didn't you say you planned on dying of liver failure? I'm confused. Sober from just heroine or in general. This is the curiosity in me, sorry

Almost always heroin addicts end up with liver damage that can not, um, be repaired.

That's what the um was about. It was a general answer. It's not the heroin itself that causes the liver issue. Usually the delivery method.

ebonie101

smoking causes several different cancers and disease so while youre lifting weights and getting muscles you are killing your insides. so id say not as healthy as you can be no...health is about longevity not just the here and now.

ironanimal

One step at a time.

PetulantOne

This says heroin does not damage the liver. Would it be from something like hepatitis?

http://www.heroinhelper.com/user/health/disease.shtml#liver

One year of sobriety...didn't you say you planned on dying of liver failure? I'm confused. Sober from just heroine or in general. This is the curiosity in me, sorry

Almost always heroin addicts end up with liver damage that can not, um, be repaired.

yes the disease is called hepatitus, which i got from using needles to shoot heroin

nevermind, the OP said it himself. I was trying to say it without saying it, if that makes any sense.

Healthydiner65

As a smoker for 45 years I can tell you it took a stay in the ICU with blood clots in my heart and legs to get me to quit. I quit Jan 26, 2012 and I can do so much more than I ever could. Just think what you could do if you didn't smoke.Don't wait until it's to late and you can't undo the damage done to your wonderful body! Love yourself totally! Good Luck!

Cliffslosinit

One step at a time.

+1

sjeagle30

People are going to die when they are going to die. When the big guy says its time its time. Clearly smoking is not good for anyone but he is doing several things that are right. An old neighbor of mine smoked 3 packs a day and at 98 years old he died by getting hit by a car walking his dog. On the other end of the spectrum my ex husbands brother died at 33 years old of a heart attack and was NOT a smoker and very light drinker. To each their own.

HayleyAT

I used to smoke, and all i can tell you is that you cannot quit until YOU are ready. Therefore, it doesn't matter what anyone else says. It won't work until you are ready to do it for yourself.

That being said, I do feel much better now that I've been a non-smoker for 4 or so years. You will, too, when it's your time.

Good luck!

AquaFitQueen

How many pounds is a stone?

14 pounds is 1 stone

RAWBMEOW

i know this type

jamers3111

You must be kidding? As I'm so proud of you for kicking your other addictions, AND can understand why you wouldn't want to quick smoking at this time... The fact that you think you are still healthy must be a joke. You are killing yourself a little faster... you might as well eat fast food.

1shauna1

When I smoked (more than 11 years ago) and went to the gym, I would always light up after. I don't think it's the greatest time, because your lungs are working more & your body needing more oxygen after working hard. However, I would say that you are healthy & improving! Sometimes it's best to do one thing at a time so you can succeed at them all. Good luck!

joecollins9385

You must be kidding? As I'm so proud of you for kicking your other addictions, AND can understand why you wouldn't want to quick smoking at this time... The fact that you think you are still healthy must be a joke. You are killing yourself a little faster... you might as well eat fast food.

i DO eat fast food lol chick fil a and subway are 2 of my fav places to eat

Missmissy0003

This

For the record, I do plan on quitting smoking once I reach one year of sobriety. So I will smoke my last cigarette (hopefully) 4/21/2013.

Congrats on your success with sobriety so far! You are accomplishing an extremely difficult thing to do. And kudos to you for turning to exercise and healthy eating to see you through this difficult phase in your life. I 100% agree with you that you should not attempt to quit smoking until you are on more stable ground with your sobriety.

Although I have not personally dealt with addictions to drugs or alcohol, I AM a smoker. And I am currently in the process of trying to kick that habit now. I made several failed attempts using a variety of different methods. It's not easy. AT ALL. I was smoking about 3/4 a pack a day. Then over the summer I dealt with some difficulties at home and my stress level and anxiety was through the roof. I soon realized that my smoking habits drastically increased...I was smoking a pack and a half a day. So I decided to cut back. My first step was only allowing myself to smoke once an hour. Then every week I pushed it 15 minutes further. Right now, I smoke once every two hours and 15 minutes, or about 7 cigarettes a day. Next week it will be 6 cigarettes a day, etc. It certainly help kick the "habit" cigarettes...on the way to work, after dinner, etc.

Take one addiction at a time, baby steps. With proper motivation, you can succeed. Best of luck to you! :flowerforyou:

nxd10

You'd be healthier if you stopped smoking!

Well done on beating your past addictions, though.

You are healthy now. Smoking means you may not be healthy in the future. And you know all the reasons why so I won't repeat them for you.

bcattoes

Healthy isn't binary. A person is not either healthy or not.

Actually a person is either healthy or not. Many people confuse increased risk of disease with being unhealthy. Healthy simply means free of disease, ailment or injury. Smoking, more so than most other things, increases the risk for disease. But increasing the risk for future disease does not make you less healthy now. It just means you are less likely to remain healthy.