Stopped smoking, started living

ceefin
ceefin Posts: 16
in Introduce Yourself
Hi all,

I'm glad I found this site, it's brilliant!
I'm a 50 year old, graphic artist/web developer with a strange habit of playing the banjo every now and then.
I gave up smoking on Good Friday this year. I've now decided to get fitter and shed the extra pounds that I've put on since quitting the rollups and going through the menopause. As a long distance power walker (sub 13min miles) I thought I was reasonably fit until I started a couch to 5k running programme a few weeks ago, but it's kept my focus on never wanting to smoke again because there is no way I could continue with the running if I smoked. I feel like I am not getting much support from hubby and sons (21 and 24 still living at home) because they still smoke in the house and think I'm a bit mad for starting a running programme at my age. But I'm detemined to show them that I can do it by completing a 5k in October and a 10k next May.
I'm really looking forward to getting to grips with the food and exercise diary and reading about other peoples' experiences.

CF x

Replies

  • MissMormie
    MissMormie Posts: 359 Member
    Good for you!

    Starting a running programme at your age is actually excellent, not crazy. Especially since your bones normally weaken a bit after the menopause. Frequent impact exercises such as running strengthen your bones. Which means you'll be less likely to break something. Also, it increases your balances as your legs get stronger. By starting this now you'll be in the best possible spot to grow older and remain healthy.
    The one thing to look out for is starting to fast. You're muscles and bones need time to develop, as does your stamina, and that's somewhat slower for a 50 year old than a 30 year old. So pick a programme and if you can't make it one week, just repeat the next week.
  • RotterdamNL
    RotterdamNL Posts: 509 Member
    I stopped smoking august 6 after 16 yrs as well as drinking :) I don't run cause i hate running and i nearly sweat as much as i do with insanity and my other workouts.
  • Miss_dannii
    Miss_dannii Posts: 1,351 Member
    Good for you! You should be really proud of yourself. I gave up from January til April after having hypnosis. I will definitely try again soon x
  • ceefin
    ceefin Posts: 16
    Thanks for your encouragement. Yes I'm sticking to a good running plan and am keeping the speed down to round about my power walking pace, after learning the hard way - doing too much, too fast, too soon the first time :)
  • RotterdamNL
    RotterdamNL Posts: 509 Member
    Why not doing a 60 day insanity?
  • Cait_Sidhe
    Cait_Sidhe Posts: 3,150 Member
    I quit smoking 12.5 months ago after smoking since I was 12 years old. It's pretty much the biggest accomplishment of my life. I literally did not think I was capable of quitting. I acheived the impossible. Congratulations to all the quitters in this thread!
  • carlene7937
    carlene7937 Posts: 3
    thats great well done you, i gave up close on 2 years ago now and have slowly gained weight a couple of extra stones i'm now wanting to shift i hope i keep the determination you have well done again :)
  • dutchk
    dutchk Posts: 121 Member
    One of the best things I ever did for me was quitting smoking. After 13 years of up to 2 packs a day, I have been a non smoker for 27 years!! And I'm still damn proud of it. Why? Because I still clearly remember how hard it was to quit after so many false starts.

    So....Congratulations!! And friend me if you like, I'll give what support I can.
  • waquin
    waquin Posts: 1
    I quit cigarettes in March 2011 after 52 years of 1 1/2 packs a day. My lungs feel great, but, I've gained 35 pounds :(
    I went from 130# to 165#! I believe I switched my addiction from cigarettes to food. I'm hungry ALL THE TIME!
    I hope and pray this website can help me get back on track:)
    waquin:sad:
  • MrsSWW
    MrsSWW Posts: 1,585 Member
    Well done and good luck with the running! I gave up the Golden Virginia in 2007 and even when I was at my fattest I still felt better for it!
  • faengel
    faengel Posts: 14
    Congrats!! I also quit smoking and would like to start a running program. I am 44 years old. Starting out slow. Friend me and we can support each other.
  • reshapinrose
    reshapinrose Posts: 31
    Hi I sort of quit smoking for 3mnths, I still miss it thats my problem, I started having just one now Im back up to 4 a day!!!! But I havent given up hope on myself, I put on a few kilos but I wasnt to worried about it.....I started doing jillian micheals 30 day shred it's pretty amazing workout....and about to start michelle bridges 12wbt on the 27th of august,Im hoping to completely kick the habit at this time as I will need as much lung capacity as I can get....Ive been smoking since I was 9 I'm about to turn 44......You's make me feel that there is hope!! Thankyou.
  • ceefin
    ceefin Posts: 16
    Hi rosebett,

    you're welcome :)

    I was a smoker for 35 years too and since I quit there have been a couple of times where I have missed it, but I find the cravings have been quite easy to deal with this time, they only last a couple of minutes so I breathe nice and deep during them and be thankful that I'm only breathing in fresh air now :)
  • kylejh
    kylejh Posts: 221 Member
    I decided at the beginning of the year that I needed to lose a lot of weight, and then quit smoking.

    My quit date is scheduled for the day after Labor Day (going to a cottage for the long weekend, and it'll be my last hurrah with cigarettes).

    I'm afraid of giving them up after 25 years, but I know that if I had the mental discipline to change my lifestyle and lose weight, I can be strong and give up smoking for good.
  • traceyjgrey
    traceyjgrey Posts: 1
    Been smoke free for 6 days and counting and find myself snacking. Have swapped my cigarettes for a water bottle and MOST of the time that seems to work, or chew gum like a cow hahah! Nice to start here today and to meet you all.
  • pittskaa
    pittskaa Posts: 319 Member
    congrats on turning your life around!!!! keep it up!
  • iLoveMyPitbull1225
    iLoveMyPitbull1225 Posts: 1,690 Member
    congratulations. The best thing for me about not smoking is the ability to smell.Especially being able to smell people smoking/that just smoked and think to myself UGH thats nasty!
  • alfie1313
    alfie1313 Posts: 51 Member
    Hey there :-)))

    Im an ex-smoker, gave up 4 years ago! This time last year i decided to sort the weight out that i gained! Im now 40lbs lighter and have fallen in love with running :-)))
    If i can me any use to anyone on here please feel free to add me! :-)))

    Lynn x
  • zooathome
    zooathome Posts: 20
    In 10 days it will be my 2 year anniversary since I quit smoking!
    Congratulations to you for doing it with so much temptation in your life!
    You are a strong woman!!
  • zooathome
    zooathome Posts: 20
    I decided at the beginning of the year that I needed to lose a lot of weight, and then quit smoking.

    My quit date is scheduled for the day after Labor Day (going to a cottage for the long weekend, and it'll be my last hurrah with cigarettes).

    I'm afraid of giving them up after 25 years, but I know that if I had the mental discipline to change my lifestyle and lose weight, I can be strong and give up smoking for good.



    I also recomend the nicotine patches. They make you feel horible but its so much better then the withdrawls. Im almost at 2 years smoke free! Good luck to you!
  • ndblades
    ndblades Posts: 233 Member
    GREAT FOR YOU! I have been around many people who have quit, and would liken the addiction to my (former) food addiction!

    Running at your age is awesome! I did a triathalon last year - and of course the ages are written on your calf... you wouldn't beleive how many 50+ were on very nice fit Calves! I was even passed in the biking portion by a lady with 72 on her leg! And she wasn't the only one!

    Men just don't always understand our motives or ambitions, that is ok, you do this for YOU anyway - you'll find a ton of us to support you here on MFP!
  • zigeuner62
    zigeuner62 Posts: 88 Member
    Congratulations on quitting and good luck with your running. I quit 22 years ago after a three pack a day habit and it was one of the best things I've done. Hubby finally quit Jan 1st this year. Now it's time to get healthy. I wish you much success.
  • ceefin
    ceefin Posts: 16
    Just wanted to say thanks to all who have posted support here, it's fantastic and will keep me motivated for weeks to come :) xxx
  • Hodgie12345
    Hodgie12345 Posts: 51 Member
    Hi All - I stopped smoking and drinkng on 21st December 2011 after a staff party in which I nearly died from the hangover ! I dealt with the smoking first and now am sorting the weight out. All I can say is that for me I have been lucky - the stopping smoking was easy; I had to stop cofffee and booze too as they were triggers but it is the best thing I have done. I never crave cigarettes and I actually never think about smoking. My friendly advice would be to stop cold-turkey - you need the mental resolve to say 'no' and not a patch or a stick of gum. Good luck x
  • Amryfal
    Amryfal Posts: 225
    congrats! i'm working on quitting right now. i've quit several times before, but always started back up, because i never really *wanted* to quit. i still considered myself a smoker.

    this week, my uncle lost his battle with lung cancer. it just...clicked in my head. i don't want to be a smoker any more. not just that i want to quit, but that i really, really don't want to smoke. that's making all the difference. i can't go cold-turkey - i'm all in favor of whatever aids it takes.

    this site is great for being aware of your eating habits, too. it's the only thing that has ever made a difference for me, not only in shedding the pounds, but changing my lifestyle and habits.

    good luck!

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