Fit Smokers?

Yeah, this thread has now devolved into snarky crap. I was actually interested in reading people's answers, since I was pretty sure I am not the only runner around who is still working on quitting smoking.

The original poster, in asking for certain types of people to respond, was trying to avoid all the captain obvious types who just can't seem to resist acting like they have some fantastic new medical revelation to share.....that there are no health benefits to smoking. Well damn. Don't know what I would've done without that knowledge, thank you.........

As a smoker of 30+ years, I do agree that you can be fitter than alot of non-smokers, especially if you train more than them. I do, however, believe that over the years the smoking does catch up on you. I have returned to weight training after an absence of 15yrs, and find my chest / lungs burn like hell when seriously stressed on those last couple of reps. Something that never used to happen when I was younger. This may just be an age thing anyway ... but in my mind I'm convinced its the smokes. Of course I would prefer to be a non-smoker, but after so many attempts over the years, I've given up giving up! lol. So I will continue to smoke and pump (not at same time, you understand) and just have to work that bit harder to overcome the poison I'm inhaling. One day I will stub out my last ciggie ... who knows ... I might even still be alive afterwards! ;o)

I am a couple of years older than you and I can say it is the smokes. When I started back up running while still smoking it hurt and was nearly impossible. The discomfort went away quickly when I quit smoking.

I smoked on and off from 14 to 51. I quit a few times, several for a year or more, but always restarted. This time I quit using an ecig and was able to stop immediately and have stayed quit for over 2 years. You still get the nicotine without all the other bad stuff. Google "Volcano ecig" if interested.

Now THIS is an actual useful post. Thanks guys!

bump for later :smokin: :laugh:

this thread

My husband is former Army, and had a drill instructor that would chain smoke, including while on 10 mile runs. I suppose it's possible to condition yourself to be fit and be a smoker, but that doesn't make it healthy.

:sick: Woah! Drill instructor sounds like a hardass!

I remember being in the military, after our runs I would do my traditional "I'll never smoke again" speech, but fire up about 10 minutes later.
:laugh:

I used to smoke up to 40 a day - I was running then and didn't feel that it impeded my performance at all - until I quit... All I can say is what a revelation! After I had been quit for a couple of weeks I realised that I was breathing so much deeper than before and finding it so much easier. All I can compare it to is that my lungs suddenly were filling fully, whereas before I'd been working with them only able to fill halfway (I know that's not a biological fact - that's what it FELT like)

I think its perfectly possible to be fit and smoke - I was on my feet all day, much slimmer and more toned than I am now, I could run a few miles, swim for hours, lift weights, run around after kids, you name it. The difference is that now it feels much easier to do, I'm not so tired, I'm breathing deeper, it feels like having lost a couple of stone. The irony is that I put on a couple of stone lol! I'm still trying to get rid of it again :-) I'd still FAR prefer to be non-smoking though, simply because of my lung capacity and my skin is so different too. Fit yes, healthy, maybe not so much!

The harshest criticizers of smokers are former smokers....just as the harshest criticizers of drinkers are recovering alcoholics.
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HAHA-no doubt! The one's who glare at me when I'm outside must be former smokers-sigh.

I'm still trying to get "fit" 40 or so pounds to lose - have smoked for 22 years less one pregnancy. My husband and I often talk about qutting. Its really hard when only one of us is ready. So...either way I hope to be fit and one day I hope to be a fit non-smoker Being in my mid-30s, I see how its starting to cause wrinkles-ahhh! I've enjoyed reading everyone's posts.

The harshest criticizers of smokers are former smokers....just as the harshest criticizers of drinkers are recovering alcoholics.

HAHA-no doubt! The one's who glare at me when I'm outside must be former smokers-sigh.

I'm still trying to get "fit" 40 or so pounds to lose - have smoked for 22 years less one pregnancy. My husband and I often talk about qutting. Its really hard when only one of us is ready. So...either way I hope to be fit and one day I hope to be a fit non-smoker Being in my mid-30s, I see how its starting to cause wrinkles-ahhh! I've enjoyed reading everyone's posts.

Can I just say, I gave up waiting for my husband, he still smokes (outside) - every time we tried together one of us would lapse then we both would end up starting again. When you're ready just go for it and NEVER rely on anyone else :-)

fit smoker = oxymoron

I dunno, I reckon you can still be fit and smoke.

Sure, it's not optimal but there are degrees.

I also reckon you can be 'fat' and fit.

I used to smoke, am I fitter now? No idea.

Well, maybe. But my perspective on fit does not include smoking or overeating. I am not fit now. I am better because I quit smoking a year ago this month. I am better because I now lift weights and make healthy food choices. But I am not FIT in my opinion. So - when I said oxymoron it was because that was the word that came to mind while browsing through the forum on a Sunday morning.

fit smoker = oxymoron

I dunno, I reckon you can still be fit and smoke.

Sure, it's not optimal but there are degrees.

I also reckon you can be 'fat' and fit.

I used to smoke, am I fitter now? No idea.

Well, maybe. But my perspective on fit does not include smoking or overeating. I am not fit now. I am better because I quit smoking a year ago this month. I am better because I now lift weights and make healthy food choices. But I am not FIT in my opinion. So - when I said oxymoron it was because that was the word that came to mind while browsing through the forum on a Sunday morning.

It sounds like you are getting your definitions confused then.

I smoke 1 1/2 packs of marlboro menthol 100's a day. I lift, do occasional cardio, and smoking hasn't caused me any noticeable problems. That being said, I'd love to quit because I know it's not good for me long term, but it hasn't affected my fitness.

You're only 20-just wait. I didn't start to notice anything noticable until I entered my 30s - physically - dryer skin, more wrinkles, especially around my mouth - and coughing in the morning. You got some ways to go though!

I smoked a pack a day for as long as I can remember. I'm sure there were times when I smoked more in a day but I can't remember a day without opening a pack. Started in 1992 and quit Jan 7th this year, 3 days after I found out I was pregnant. Yes it took 3 days, I'm sure there are people who would and wouldn't understand that.

I always said if I could go one day without smoking, I could quit and sure enough, that was the case. I am intrigued by those who can smoke socially, I will never try because that first cigarette in 1992 was the true beginning of my addiction.

How smoking affected my fitness:
I never noticed anything the entire time until 2007. My husband bought me a bike and I only rode it twice because my lungs SCREAMED. I decided I would just skip riding the bike.

I tested good/average on lung capacity as compared to my exact age every year at the doctor at my annual physical.

I played sports the past two years and didn't have any problems.

In Feb 2012 I attempted cardio at the new gym I joined and my lungs SCREAMED. The way I fixed this: I would try and not have a cigarette around 30 minutes to an hour before I got there. I would get cranky because of it.

I always lit up the second I left any gym or any sports park, but never smoked at the park or during sports activity.

I was able to become "physically fit" as a smoker and have not yet been quit long enough to notice any impact or difference as I have not tried an intense cardio session or tried to ride a bike yet. I assume I will notice a big change in about a year.

fit smoker = oxymoron

I dunno, I reckon you can still be fit and smoke.

Sure, it's not optimal but there are degrees.

I also reckon you can be 'fat' and fit.

I used to smoke, am I fitter now? No idea.

Well, maybe. But my perspective on fit does not include smoking or overeating. I am not fit now. I am better because I quit smoking a year ago this month. I am better because I now lift weights and make healthy food choices. But I am not FIT in my opinion. So - when I said oxymoron it was because that was the word that came to mind while browsing through the forum on a Sunday morning.

It sounds like you are getting your definitions confused then.

Really? How so?
"expression with contradictory words: a phrase in which two words of contradictory meaning are used together for special effect"

No, it's the word "fit" that seems to be baffling you. I'm interesting in how you are defining "fit" such that it would be contradictory when applied to a smoker.

in high school i was a varsity athlete in four sports and smoked every day. as an adult, i have run a dozen marathons smoking about half a pack a day most of the last 20 years or so. i dont think it has slowed me down on the playing field but when i quit smoking for 6 months or so last year i noticed i had more energy which of course has an affect on my abilty to and motivation to workout and be fit so i wasnt missing or cutting short work outs as often. that didnt happen a lot before but when i quit it was happening far less often. i noticed it when i sprinted as well and i also didnt realize that i had a daily cough until i quit and it went away.