Smoking and exercise...UGH!
Replies
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Well I have never been a smoker but have been around them all my life!! When my mom would try to quite she would crush ice and snack on it!?!?!?
My boyfriend has been smoke free for over a year now and is still having a hard time with the snacking! He is still using the patches for extra help!!!0 -
I'm not a smoker but wish you luck and hope you succeed.
I have a good friend who smoked for ages, then decided she wanted to quit and had awesome success with hypnosis, believe it or not. She hasn't touched a cig since and now runs every day! 0 -
I stopped smoking over 8 years ago and I still get cravings every now and again but I always remember why I stopped in first place. I was pregnant and then I just stopped. My son is my motivation for not smoking because I know he would tell to either quit or that it smells horrible. In the UK there are many smoking cessation programmes and they are free so there isn't an excuse for people not to give up. I'm guessing you're in the US so they may have them there.
I think you need to find your own motivation stopping and when you do you will.0 -
i fought this exact same fight for years. It sux.
I quit smoking for good last february and managed to lose weight in the process.
I used a combination of weed and nicotine patches. Yes i'm series. I simple reduced the weed after the nicotine cravings were gone for good w/ no patches. No i only smoke weed before work outs. The weed helped me "forget" i wanted a cigarette and get lost in my running or whatever.
The only way this will work for you if you replace hunger w/ working out/positive activities. Its going to be hard and difficult. Not going to lie to you. You have to really really want it for it to happen.
I dont like using the advice of giving yourself a break on the food for a while till the cravings for cigs go away. You want to build GOOD habits if possible.0 -
i fought this exact same fight for years. It sux.
I quit smoking for good last february and managed to lose weight in the process.
I used a combination of weed and nicotine patches. Yes i'm series. I simple reduced the weed after the nicotine cravings were gone for good w/ no patches. No i only smoke weed before work outs. The weed helped me "forget" i wanted a cigarette and get lost in my running or whatever.
The only way this will work for you if you replace hunger w/ working out/positive activities. Its going to be hard and difficult. Not going to lie to you. You have to really really want it for it to happen.
I dont like using the advice of giving yourself a break on the food for a while till the cravings for cigs go away. You want to build GOOD habits if possible.
I have a good friend who used cannabis to break his tobacco habit. If I had enough money, that would be the easiest way to do it, I think. It has helped a lot of people break addictions.0 -
I highly recommend Become an Ex (www.becomeanex.org). This is not a group of "professionals" that have never dealt with the stresses of smoking or quitting - it is a peer group of other people who have gone through or are going through the same things you are. They have a great system where you change 1 habit related to smoking for a period of time, then change another, etc... (Think - wait 20 minutes after waking up before having your fist smoke of the day).
In addition - trade in your bad habit for a good one. I started exercising when I quit and, believe it or not, have lost weight since quitting in January!
Also, I am a firm believer in using a nicotine replacement such as the patch to get you through battling the habit. The addiction is easy to kick - the habit is much harder.
Lastly - don't beat yourself up if you slip. It happens to most of us....
Good luck to you :flowerforyou:0 -
I exercise like a beast daily and run 5K's and I represent the exercising smokers. Not saying it's right, just saying I do. I don't smoke ALOT but I DO smoke. Maybe a pack every 2 or 3 days (however, prolly alittle more during football season!). I figure I already gave up the crack and porn industry....a gal's gotta keep SOMETHING for herself...... :smokin:0
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I am a litle under a pack a day smoker. I HATE it, my fiance hates it (he just up and quit a year ago), and i know its holding me back on my exersise.
I have a horrible addiction problem, always have. It runs in the family. I've tried to quit, but have failed each time. It just scares me because i noticed every time i cut back i found myself snacking all the time trying to hold back the cravings. I just dont think i can handle trying to eat right and quit somking at the same time.
Has anyone eles been through this?????
Yes~!! Going thru it right now! I threw my smokes away on Tuesday. So I am going on day 4 of not smoking. The first THREE days really, really, really SUCKS. The cravings are the worst for the first three days, it does get better. I quit once before, and started back up. I'm going to say this. If YOU REALLY want to quit... YOU can do it. Don't quit because your bf, husband, fiancee or monkey's uncle wants you to or doesn't like it, or because your doctor wants you to. You MUST quit for yourself, and truly want it. Otherwise, your not ready and you probably won't succeed. You will find out what works for you. My biggest helper has been keeping busy! The busier I am and the less I think about it. The first two days everytime I either got a craving I would go brush my teeth or go for a walk, or do something. By the time I was done with those things, the craving usually had passed. I am the type of person that has very addictive personalities, I go all in, or i don't go at all. This is related to anything and everything. So I can relate. But if you find yourself saying, oh i dunno if i can handle eating right and quitting smoking... etc etc etc. you are not there yet. that is you coming up with ANOTHER excuse why you can't quit. Trust me, been there- done that~!0 -
Addictions are mostly mental. There is a small amount of physical, but it's bullsh*t. The mind is so powerful that the physical part doesn't matter. Some people are more predispositioned for addiction than others.
The only way is to just stop. You have to change habits. Smoking is mostly a ritual. You form all these little rituals. You have to break all of them. Just do other things. It's only hard for the first few weeks. After that it's easy.
A couple things to try if you don't feel like you can do it on your own:
I saw a guy quit completely after some hypnosis therapy. It works.
Try AA. The concepts you learn work for smoking too.
Smoking is highly physically addictive, and there are significant physiological changes in the brain and neurotransmitters that can happen after even one cigarette. Kids exposed to secondhand smoke have evidence of this, and can have a desire to smoke without ever having a cigarette. I still have moments, 25 years after quitting and after doing research on how bad smoke is, where I crave a cigarette. You are correct that there are differences in predisposition to addition to cigarettes, probably based in genetics. Some people can quit cold turkey, some need help. Most need multiple quit attempts. The triggers are really important, and probably are based in physiology as much as psychology.
For the OP, http://www.smokefree.gov/ has great resources and can connect you with your state's quitline- this is a program that has be studied and shown to help people quit. Many of them offer free nicotine replacement therapy and telephone counseling sessions. Lots of good suggestions on this thread about other ways to quit/reduce, and how to keep the food intake and weight gain in check.0 -
I gave up in 2001...I put on 40lbs which I never lost and it formed the base of my now considerable problem LOL
You can give up and even if you put a little on you can lose it again.
There is notthing better you can do for yourself than give up smoking.
I had a very bad cold and just could not smoke for a couple of days so I got the patch and did not go back.0 -
Addictions are mostly mental. There is a small amount of physical, but it's bullsh*t. The mind is so powerful that the physical part doesn't matter. Some people are more predispositioned for addiction than others.
The only way is to just stop. You have to change habits. Smoking is mostly a ritual. You form all these little rituals. You have to break all of them. Just do other things. It's only hard for the first few weeks. After that it's easy.
A couple things to try if you don't feel like you can do it on your own:
I saw a guy quit completely after some hypnosis therapy. It works.
Try AA. The concepts you learn work for smoking too.
You speak complete and utter Bull$!ht0 -
It's not going to b easy, but if u want to quit you can... You just have to REALLY want to!
This.^^
It is a tough decision to "really" want to quit. The mind keeps going back to the "pleasure" of smoking.
I quit in January after smoking since I was 15 (nearly fifteen years). I thought about quitting and wanted to quit a few years before, but in January I ended up getting bronchitis. When hearing that I just said, "That's it. I'm done." I gave my opened pack away, and I know I won’t touch them again. I have no desire to. I did have strong cravings at first, but I kept asking myself, "Who is in charge- the addiction or YOU?" It really is a mind thing. Any thoughts I had regarding how much I felt I needed it, how much it would relieve stress, or how much I would enjoy the taste I chalked up to the addiction trying to trick me into lighting back up. I knew they were lies, and I pushed them out of my mind. As time went by these thoughts became less fierce and eventually subsided.
You can do it when you make the decision that you really want to.0 -
Sadly smoking does not affect my workouts. I smoke one before the gym and one almost right after. I've become better at running. I wish it would affect my workouts and then it would maybe give me more incentive to quit. Right now I simply do not want to quit badly enough.0
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After having smoked for over 33 years (last few years have been a pack and a half daily) I have been 30 days nicotine free today. I have tried quitting on many occasions but without success. Recently I started using the electronic cig and it's working for me!! I still had the urge for real cigs during the first two weeks using it but now it's easier. (Not to mention the $$$$ I'm saving) I would totally recommend it if nothing else seems to be working...
Awesome! Good for you! I've been smoking for over 20 - I may try the electronic cig-what brand do you use?0 -
Sadly smoking does not affect my workouts. I smoke one before the gym and one almost right after. I've become better at running. I wish it would affect my workouts and then it would maybe give me more incentive to quit. Right now I simply do not want to quit badly enough.
You wont realize how much it effects you till you quit. You may not be pushing yourself hard enough if at all...0 -
Addictions are mostly mental. There is a small amount of physical, but it's bullsh*t. The mind is so powerful that the physical part doesn't matter. Some people are more predispositioned for addiction than others.
The only way is to just stop. You have to change habits. Smoking is mostly a ritual. You form all these little rituals. You have to break all of them. Just do other things. It's only hard for the first few weeks. After that it's easy.
A couple things to try if you don't feel like you can do it on your own:
I saw a guy quit completely after some hypnosis therapy. It works.
Try AA. The concepts you learn work for smoking too.
You speak complete and utter Bull$!ht
Agreed! and i really hope if someone has never been a smoker then they have NO IDEA how horrible a physical, mental, and emotional addiction it truly is - WORSE THAN HEROINE!!0 -
Addictions are mostly mental. There is a small amount of physical, but it's bullsh*t. The mind is so powerful that the physical part doesn't matter. Some people are more predispositioned for addiction than others.
The only way is to just stop. You have to change habits. Smoking is mostly a ritual. You form all these little rituals. You have to break all of them. Just do other things. It's only hard for the first few weeks. After that it's easy.
A couple things to try if you don't feel like you can do it on your own:
I saw a guy quit completely after some hypnosis therapy. It works.
Try AA. The concepts you learn work for smoking too.
I'd agree that the 12 steps could probably help with smoking, but have to disagree with the idea that the physical piece to addiction is bull****. I've watched a family member detox twice from narcotic painkillers. The second time required a pretty intense med. intervention. He says it was comparable to quitting nicotine, but nicotine was slightly less acute, and a longer process.
I quit with pregnancy, but made many quasi-attempts before that.0 -
Sadly smoking does not affect my workouts. I smoke one before the gym and one almost right after. I've become better at running. I wish it would affect my workouts and then it would maybe give me more incentive to quit. Right now I simply do not want to quit badly enough.
You wont realize how much it effects you till you quit. You may not be pushing yourself hard enough if at all...
That is a good point, but right now I am pushing as hard as it will allow. I certainly did not come in here to have someone tell me I may not be pushing hard enough.0 -
I smoked over a pack a day for over 20 years and I quit by reading the book The Easyway to Stop Smoking by Allen Carr. I is basically a de- brainwashing to get your mindset different and you will quit if you do what it says. It lets you smoke while you read it and I found as I got farther along, I was actually smoking less and then didn't want any more at all when I finished it.. I highly recommend it!!0
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I exercise like a beast daily and run 5K's and I represent the exercising smokers. Not saying it's right, just saying I do. I don't smoke ALOT but I DO smoke. Maybe a pack every 2 or 3 days (however, prolly alittle more during football season!). I figure I already gave up the crack and porn industry....a gal's gotta keep SOMETHING for herself...... :smokin:
I'm in that club! (Though I haven't *completely* given up porn.
:laugh: ) :smokin: 0 -
I am a litle under a pack a day smoker. I HATE it, my fiance hates it (he just up and quit a year ago), and i know its holding me back on my exersise.
I have a horrible addiction problem, always have. It runs in the family. I've tried to quit, but have failed each time. It just scares me because i noticed every time i cut back i found myself snacking all the time trying to hold back the cravings. I just dont think i can handle trying to eat right and quit somking at the same time.
Has anyone eles been through this?????
going through the exact same thing, except no one is down on me about my smoking. i havent found that its held me back, but when i started off a month ago i was so out of shape...ive been increasing my run times gradually but i do find myself out of breath easier then others.0 -
Sadly smoking does not affect my workouts. I smoke one before the gym and one almost right after. I've become better at running. I wish it would affect my workouts and then it would maybe give me more incentive to quit. Right now I simply do not want to quit badly enough.
You wont realize how much it effects you till you quit. You may not be pushing yourself hard enough if at all...
That is a good point, but right now I am pushing as hard as it will allow. I certainly did not come in here to have someone tell me I may not be pushing hard enough.
amen. im still taking my workouts to a new level on a weekly basis. my smoking hasnt hindered it at all. i push myself hard, and am dripping with sweat at the end of my 800 cal gym sessions. how is going to the gym 2 hours each day and working straight through not pushing myself, especially since ive only been working out for only a month??0 -
Ive been an off and on smoker for 23 years...thats right 23 YEARS !!! I have never felt better or gotten myself in better shape than when I put the butts down. Its a will power thing 100%. I havent had a ciggarette since Sept 5th and my endurance, stamina and overall energy levels have gone through the roof since. You got to want to do it for yourself. I walk around with a pocket full of almonds, everytime I feel that urge I eat one, after awhile the urge is gone. YOU CAN DO IT !! It starts with the desire to want to quit !0
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Sadly smoking does not affect my workouts. I smoke one before the gym and one almost right after. I've become better at running. I wish it would affect my workouts and then it would maybe give me more incentive to quit. Right now I simply do not want to quit badly enough.
You wont realize how much it effects you till you quit. You may not be pushing yourself hard enough if at all...
That is a good point, but right now I am pushing as hard as it will allow. I certainly did not come in here to have someone tell me I may not be pushing hard enough.
amen. im still taking my workouts to a new level on a weekly basis. my smoking hasnt hindered it at all. i push myself hard, and am dripping with sweat at the end of my 800 cal gym sessions. how is going to the gym 2 hours each day and working straight through not pushing myself, especially since ive only been working out for only a month??
Arent we being a little sensitive. Didnt mean to bruise anyones fragile "im a workout god even though i smoke" ego. Anywho, the point was that your body has no idea how far it can acutally go because your smoking self can do about 30% of what your non smoking self can do.
FROM EXPERIENCE! the same workout that made me sweat before only now feels like a little warm up. that was my point.
sensitive much?
I certainly didnt come here to make you cry :sad:0 -
Sadly smoking does not affect my workouts. I smoke one before the gym and one almost right after. I've become better at running. I wish it would affect my workouts and then it would maybe give me more incentive to quit. Right now I simply do not want to quit badly enough.
You wont realize how much it effects you till you quit. You may not be pushing yourself hard enough if at all...
That is a good point, but right now I am pushing as hard as it will allow. I certainly did not come in here to have someone tell me I may not be pushing hard enough.
amen. im still taking my workouts to a new level on a weekly basis. my smoking hasnt hindered it at all. i push myself hard, and am dripping with sweat at the end of my 800 cal gym sessions. how is going to the gym 2 hours each day and working straight through not pushing myself, especially since ive only been working out for only a month??
For the record i wasnt talking to Leah...anything she does is a ok with me!0 -
The same thing happened to me. What I did was sit down and think about the risk of smoking and the benefits of not smoking. I quit but did gain a few pounds. The good thing about putting a couple pounds on is you can easily lose it. You can't just get rid of cancer...0
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Don't substitute - simple.
If you feel like you have to.... eat a carrot instead of smoking a cigarette, or drink some water, suck on an ice cube.
You don't need to resort to eating sh*te food which is full of sugar, fat and the bad things.
Smoking holds back your fitness and your ability to lose weight.
Those that want to concentrate on 'losing weight' before 'quitting the smokes' don't REALLY want to quit. If you did would you really want to live shorter but be a bit thinner? Or how about live longer and then you'll spend more time being thinner and fitter anyway.
I've been through it, in the last year I've quit the smokes, I've saved over 2,000 pounds, and lost a decent amount of weight too.
If you REALLY want to quit, you will do it, if you don't you won't its simple.
If you can't get motivated to spend more time with your other half (i.e. live longer together) then what motivates you?
ICE CUBES! I used that and chewing gum as my tactics and if I got really ansy, I would throw in an exercise dvd and do that, go for a walk, empty my closet and start cleaning and organizing that. The key is to keep your mind off of it until the urge passes. Good Luck!0 -
Sadly smoking does not affect my workouts. I smoke one before the gym and one almost right after. I've become better at running. I wish it would affect my workouts and then it would maybe give me more incentive to quit. Right now I simply do not want to quit badly enough.
You wont realize how much it effects you till you quit. You may not be pushing yourself hard enough if at all...
That is a good point, but right now I am pushing as hard as it will allow. I certainly did not come in here to have someone tell me I may not be pushing hard enough.
amen. im still taking my workouts to a new level on a weekly basis. my smoking hasnt hindered it at all. i push myself hard, and am dripping with sweat at the end of my 800 cal gym sessions. how is going to the gym 2 hours each day and working straight through not pushing myself, especially since ive only been working out for only a month??
Arent we being a little sensitive. Didnt mean to bruise anyones fragile "im a workout god even though i smoke" ego. Anywho, the point was that your body has no idea how far it can acutally go because your smoking self can do about 30% of what your non smoking self can do.
FROM EXPERIENCE! the same workout that made me sweat before only now feels like a little warm up. that was my point.
sensitive much?
I certainly didnt come here to make you cry :sad:
I completely agree with you. When I smoked, it was so much harder to work out. NTM my heart rate was going up to 170 BPM. Now the same workout has my heart running at 137 BPM.0 -
You CAN do it and not gain a lot of weight! I quit almost two years ago, and gained 20 pounds in 6 months. Then I joined MFP and started working out with a personal trainer. I went over a year not smoking, and started again this past March. I was terrified to try to quit again because it took me over a year to lose the 20 pounds I gained in 6 months.
I just quit again 12 days ago, and I am using the patch. I have had almost ZERO cravings. I'm a little afraid of what will happen after I am off the patch, but I'm taking it one day at a time. Initially, I gained 3 pounds in the first week after quitting last Monday. But now I am only at +1 pound.
I think the patch is essential because since I am NOT having cravings, I am not reaching for food. If you have never tried the patch, I highly recommend it. I have quit at least 10 times before (many times for over a year) but never had used the patch until this time. I'm extremely pleased with the effects of it. GOOD LUCK, you can do it!0 -
Sadly smoking does not affect my workouts. I smoke one before the gym and one almost right after. I've become better at running. I wish it would affect my workouts and then it would maybe give me more incentive to quit. Right now I simply do not want to quit badly enough.
You wont realize how much it effects you till you quit. You may not be pushing yourself hard enough if at all...
That is a good point, but right now I am pushing as hard as it will allow. I certainly did not come in here to have someone tell me I may not be pushing hard enough.
amen. im still taking my workouts to a new level on a weekly basis. my smoking hasnt hindered it at all. i push myself hard, and am dripping with sweat at the end of my 800 cal gym sessions. how is going to the gym 2 hours each day and working straight through not pushing myself, especially since ive only been working out for only a month??
Arent we being a little sensitive. Didnt mean to bruise anyones fragile "im a workout god even though i smoke" ego. Anywho, the point was that your body has no idea how far it can acutally go because your smoking self can do about 30% of what your non smoking self can do.
FROM EXPERIENCE! the same workout that made me sweat before only now feels like a little warm up. that was my point.
sensitive much?
I certainly didnt come here to make you cry :sad:
I completely agree with you. When I smoked, it was so much harder to work out. NTM my heart rate was going up to 170 BPM. Now the same workout has my heart running at 137 BPM.
thank you for actual data to support what i said! that was my point...again, didnt mean to hurn any ones "feelings"....ugh...feelings0
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