Smoking and running? Help!

So I've been smoking for about a year.. my question is: do I need to first quit smoking or I can do exercise (running, cardio etc.) while still smoking? I know it's stupid since we are all here to change habbits or maintain them as for healthy living. But I am interested.. what is your experience with tabacco and healthy living?

Replies

GottaBurnEmAll

The longer you smoke, the harder it is to quit. I smoked for 20 years and it was very hard to quit. I'm really glad I did, though.

The longer you smoke, the more you increase your chances of having lung cancer down the line, even after quitting.

My mother died of metastasized lung cancer, even after having quit 15 years prior to her cancer forming. The damage had been done.

Saying that, you can still run and smoke.

Smoking doesn't keep your weight down, even though it might suppress your appetite. You can find other ways to suppress your appetite. If you're aware that quitting might give you the urge to put something else in your mouth (food), you can counter that urge with non-caloric options like sugar-free gum and diet soda.

When I quit, I didn't put on any weight, which was shocking because I was a big eater at the time. I was watching for it to happen though, and developed a diet soda habit instead.

TARGET65K

I was a smoker for about 10 years and succeeded after my third attempt. I needed a stable moment in my life when everything was just right. I went cold turkey.

unknown

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WeepingAngel81

NARCISSISTIC_PUP wrote: »

WeepingAngel81 wrote: »

NARCISSISTIC_PUP wrote: »

LazyButHealthy wrote: »

NARCISSISTIC_PUP wrote: »

LazyButHealthy wrote: »

NARCISSISTIC_PUP wrote: »

I smoke and am healthy

Oxymoron.

Not a heavy smoker. Healthy balanced diet. Regular exercise. Don't drink, don't take any meds. Regular health checks through work, checking numerous health markers including bloods, and FEV1/FVC

My health is just fine

Oh, I believe it. My partner is a heavy smoker with a far greater lung capacity than me, and is in average, fine health.

But that doesn't equate healthy. Just means it hasn't caught up with you yet.

I'm in good health as per the regular checks i have

You are one person out of millions. It is unwise to believe that just because your numbers at your check ups show as healthy, that this is generally true for most smokers. Not only that, but I don't know a single physician out there that would say "Yep, your numbers are great, keep on smoking!" Quitting is hard, REALLY hard, and it sounds like you enjoy smoking, which is your choice. However, telling someone that your numbers on paper look good, so they are fine to continue smoking is not good. You have been lucky to not have a lowered immune system becusause of smoking. This doesn't mean it will be the same for everyone. I wa on the opposite end of that. My numbers showed fine one day, then 2 weeks later my right lung collapsed. It was a huge wake up call.

Where did I say 'keep on smoking' ?

I was talking about myself

You have continued to smoke, am I correct in reading your first comment? I know you are speaking about yourself, but your experience with smoking and still having good health is rare. It happens for some people, but in general, this is not common. If you or the OP were to go to a doctor and have your numbers checked, and everything was great, the doctor would still advise against smoking. The OP doesn't seem ready to quit, which is her choice. I wasn't ready until my lung collapsed. I have been down the road of making excuses to continue smoking, and a comment like yours was exactly what I would use. In my mind I would tell myself, "well, that guys says he's healthy, so I'll just do my thing".

unknown

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WeepingAngel81

NARCISSISTIC_PUP wrote: »

WeepingAngel81 wrote: »

NARCISSISTIC_PUP wrote: »

WeepingAngel81 wrote: »

NARCISSISTIC_PUP wrote: »

LazyButHealthy wrote: »

NARCISSISTIC_PUP wrote: »

LazyButHealthy wrote: »

NARCISSISTIC_PUP wrote: »

I smoke and am healthy

Oxymoron.

Not a heavy smoker. Healthy balanced diet. Regular exercise. Don't drink, don't take any meds. Regular health checks through work, checking numerous health markers including bloods, and FEV1/FVC

My health is just fine

Oh, I believe it. My partner is a heavy smoker with a far greater lung capacity than me, and is in average, fine health.

But that doesn't equate healthy. Just means it hasn't caught up with you yet.

I'm in good health as per the regular checks i have

You are one person out of millions. It is unwise to believe that just because your numbers at your check ups show as healthy, that this is generally true for most smokers. Not only that, but I don't know a single physician out there that would say "Yep, your numbers are great, keep on smoking!" Quitting is hard, REALLY hard, and it sounds like you enjoy smoking, which is your choice. However, telling someone that your numbers on paper look good, so they are fine to continue smoking is not good. You have been lucky to not have a lowered immune system becusause of smoking. This doesn't mean it will be the same for everyone. I wa on the opposite end of that. My numbers showed fine one day, then 2 weeks later my right lung collapsed. It was a huge wake up call.

Where did I say 'keep on smoking' ?

I was talking about myself

You have continued to smoke, am I correct in reading your first comment? I know you are speaking about yourself, but your experience with smoking and still having good health is rare. It happens for some people, but in general, this is not common. If you or the OP were to go to a doctor and have your numbers checked, and everything was great, the doctor would still advise against smoking. The OP doesn't seem ready to quit, which is her choice. I wasn't ready until my lung collapsed. I have been down the road of making excuses to continue smoking, and a comment like yours was exactly what I would use. In my mind I would tell myself, "well, that guys says he's healthy, so I'll just do my thing".

I think you are reading too much into what i said.

What i said was, i smoke (not heavy) and all my health markers come back just fine. Nowhere did i suggest the OP should continue to smoke

The nurse who did my last health check was surprised at my FEV1/FVC results given that i smoke. But, i havent anywhere, nor do i, suggest that OP (or anyone else) uses me as a reason to continue to smoke

Let's not make this thread all about me

But you're narcissistic, so it should be about you

(kidding!!!) Perhaps I did read too much into it, but I have been in the OP's shoes, and I know I would have latched onto what you said. After going through what I went through, it was scary and painful, and all of that comes flooding back when I remember all of the excuses I would make. I know people shouldn't use other people's positive smoking experiences as a reason to continue smoking, but it happens.

unknown

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jonsmithkidd

TavistockToad wrote: »

kristinajakavonyte wrote: »

Oh! And the reason why I do not quit now, is because I don't want to gain weight... and I know cigarettes help even to lose some.. so..

Yeah when you get cancer it'll definitely help you lose :laugh:

No need for this comment whatsoever. I am a non smoker myself, but imagine going up to a drinker and saying 'That whiskey will give you cancer' or someone with a big mac and saying 'You'll lose all the fat off that once you have cancer.'...as both of those things have only a slight less percentage chance of causing cancer, and yet the people who drink or overeat still have that superiority complex over smokers.

This comment is, at best, thoughtless to those currently going through, or helping someone go through cancer who is losing weight involuntarily and by making a joke of it with that pathetic laughing emoji shows complete ignorance of the agony of seeing someone wasting away. At worst, it's horrifically malicious.

Please, for the sake of people reading your comments, think before posting.

LazyButHealthy

cookma423 wrote: »

Not trying to be rude, but it sounds like you aren't really ready to quit. When you really want to quit, you make it happen and deal with any side effects (weight gain, moodiness, etc).

Completely true.

I talked about not smoking for years 'by THIS time' or 'by THAT milestone'. But I didn't want to.

You have to want it, and then you'll find you can.

stealthq

If you're seriously thinking about quitting, then do it now. As a bonus, perhaps the new exercise habits you want to establish can be a tool to help you (want to smoke? go for a run/walk). Think how much better you could feel - lose weight, quit smoking, and picked up some exercise? Quite the trifecta.

RachaelIsLosingIt

TavistockToad wrote: »

kristinajakavonyte wrote: »

Oh! And the reason why I do not quit now, is because I don't want to gain weight... and I know cigarettes help even to lose some.. so..

Yeah when you get cancer it'll definitely help you lose :laugh:

As a person who has lost family to cancer and seen the pain it causes, I find this comment deeply upsetting. I hope you never have to go through it. Unbelievable.

LazyButHealthy

stealthq wrote: »

If you're seriously thinking about quitting, then do it now. As a bonus, perhaps the new exercise habits you want to establish can be a tool to help you (want to smoke? go for a run/walk). Think how much better you could feel - lose weight, quit smoking, and picked up some exercise? Quite the trifecta.

This is how i did it.

Before, i wanted to be slim. I kept on smoking, and kinda did some small diet changes, but nothing much really.

When I wanted to get fit, that's when it all changed. I didn't (and don't) want to be a certain size, I want to do and achieve certain things. To do that i need to be fitter and stronger. To do that, I need to be healthier, drink less and stop smoking.

It also helps that having that focus - nutrition and exercise - is replacing your spare time when not smoking!

ARGriffy

There is a lot to troll on this thread, a fair amount to of sarcastic comments I could make but no. Here's some words from a 27 year old who started smoking at 14 and has "quit" and re started many many times.

Each time I quit (longer than 2 months or so) I feel the benefits. I realise I don't get sick. No colds. No cough. I don't get anywhere near as stressed. I can exercise better. I smell better. I taste things more. Generally it's SO much better.

Whilst I'm smoking, i don't notice the change. I don't notice all those positives doing a U-turn. I "think" I feel great, it's not in till I quit that I realise the damage is was doing. (I'm currently quitting, have not smoked since new years as trying for baby). Also, obviously it's cheaper.

Now what I would take from my brief words are this. LOOK HOW LONG I'VE BEEN SMOKING AND TRYING TO QUIT! Please get out when you can, it's really hard once it's in your life for years. Also you won't feel the damage or limitations right now. Once you stop you WILL feel the difference though.

Good luck xxx

Alisonswim46

Ahhhhh! You've only been smoking for a year! Stop now! It's not cool, it's not fun, it's certainly not sexy and it *kitten* reeks!

It's hysterical that a pp said their health markers come back fine!! Yeah, now! What about in two years, 5, 30? They won't then. Look, you can't effectively be healthy and smoke. Stop before it becomes too difficult to quit.

broseidonkingofbrocean

It's one of the hardest addictions to kick. A good thing to try if you haven't could be vaping as it has been proven to be 90% safer than cigs(not saying its healthy btw). It worked for me and if you have more questions about it feel free to msg me.

Now onto smoking there are actually benefits to running or doing cardiovascular activity while your smoker. Use some googlefu should be some research on it.

FoxyMars25

broseidonkingofbrocean wrote: »

It's one of the hardest addictions to kick. A good thing to try if you haven't could be vaping as it has been proven to be 90% safer than cigs(not saying its healthy btw). It worked for me and if you have more questions about it feel free to msg me.

Now onto smoking there are actually benefits to running or doing cardiovascular activity while your smoker. Use some googlefu should be some research on it.

I second this. I was a smoker for about 5 years and lost about 65 lbs while I was a smoker. I did cardio, ran intervals/sprints, and lifted weights and lost all that weight while smoking. I tried all kinds of things to quit smoking (because I wanted to be healthier not just lose weight) and then I tried vaping and it worked for me. I started vaping and quit smoking in November 2015 and although I am still vaping (at a very low nicotine level), I do plan to quit that soon as well but it really has helped me a lot. Although I could do cardio/run/HITT while smoking, it is a lot easier now. I can work out harder and longer and my lungs do not burn.

djwar9858

Been Vaping for 8 years. Can now run with no problems.

robs_ready

kristinajakavonyte wrote: »

Oh! And the reason why I do not quit now, is because I don't want to gain weight... and I know cigarettes help even to lose some.. so..

This is a silly argument, your replacing a very dangerous habit with the potential for weight gain.

Think about how much more you can run If you didn't smoke?

Alisonswim46

djwar9858 wrote: »

Been Vaping for 8 years. Can now run with no problems.

Sure. Vaping sof also disgusting, not cool, not sexy. And it's still not good for you.

DopeItUp

If you want the weight loss benefits of nicotine just use gum or patches. It won't help with the addiction but at least you won't be destroying your health so badly.

Just a compromise solution until you figure out how to kick your addiction.

BeeerRunner

There are so many more reasons to quit, and yes, the sooner the better. If your worried about weight gain now, what do you think your metabolism will be like in 10 or 20 years?!?

I'm an ex smoker and wish I quit long before I did. I definitely feel like it aged my skin.

I used the patch when I quit and actually lost weight when I did quit. Having a kid and not eating healthy afterwards is what caused me to gain weight.

BrianSharpe

kristinajakavonyte wrote: »

Oh! And the reason why I do not quit now, is because I don't want to gain weight... and I know cigarettes help even to lose some.. so..

I seem to recall reading somewhere that to equal the harm to your health caused by smoking you'd have to put on about 45kg so that's a pretty flimsy excuse especially if you've only been smoking for a year.

I quit about 25 years ago after my mother (a life long smoker) died of lung cancer. My father quit years before that as his doctor told he could quit or he could die (heart disease related).

Having said that I've had soccer teammates who light up at half time (and get kicked off the bench to take their filthy habit elsewhere) and i know runners who smoke. I'd be inclined to suggest that regular exercise will help mitigate some of the damage caused by smoking (again, having smoked for only a year I doubt you've done irreparable harm yet) but I would urge you to quit for your own sake. If you're not ready to quit yet don't let that stop you from engaging on other healthy habits.

greeder1

Berating someone who smokes is pretty much a surefire way to make sure they don't quit. Ask yourself how much people berating you about your weight made you make long term changes. It may work for a few weeks, but it doesn't make a person want to change for their own benefit. Having smoked many years and been smoke free for more than a year now, the things that really helped me quit were:
1) Wellbutrin.
2) Meditation and restoritive yoga (because when you smoke, that's the only time you really take deep breaths. The yoga helped me like breathing again).
3) The doctor calling me and telling me my biopsy came back and I have cancer (probably not caused by smoking - but I am sure it didn't help any).
I hope you find the way to quit before #3 because looking back on it now from a healthier place, it kinda sucked!

markrgeary1

Halftime of Super Bowl I Lenny Dawson(Chiefs QB) had a smoke during the intermission.

As a former smoker, quit now.

cwolfman13

I'm a former long time smoker...I actually quit smoking cigarettes about the same time I started all of this other good livin' stuff. I smoked for about 20 years and was up to 2-3 PAD. I had a lot of health concerns at the time that were attributable to my smoking and also my diet and lack of exercise.

I had a friend who was in the same boat and I went over to see him one afternoon to have a couple beers...I popped my top and lit up and was surprised to see that he didn't fire one up with me...turns out he had been quit for over a month using a vaporizer. I figured if his chain smoking *kitten* could do it, so could I and I ordered my vaporizer.

I quit cigarettes in September 2012...I slowly reduced the nicotine in my e-juice and ultimately quit vaping about 9 months later. Unfortunately, I back slid a bit this past fall...lots of stress at work and home...injury preventing me from doing my fitness stuff...too much idle time on my hands, etc and started to slip back into smoking again...I nipped it in the bud and went out and bought another vaporizer. I'm slowly working my way back down nicotine wise...it's a *kitten*, you haven't been at it long so I'd suggest to quit while it's still relatively easy.

As far as putting on weight goes, that's largely due to people's oral fixation and resorting to people putting food in their mouth rather than a cig...I lost weight at the same time I quit smoking.