Smoker

Goldline

Goldline

New member
Hello

Yes I smoke. I have been smoking since I was 18 and I am now 35. I have quit several times and fell back in it each time.

I do want to quit smoking for good. I don't like the way I lose my breath easily, the way I look with a cigarette in my hand, etc ... Let me add that I'm hoping they strengthen the law regarding the regulation of the cigarette product.

Anyway, due to a lot of stress in the past 8 months I also gained weight. I don't dare stepping on the scale, I would say 30 pounds.


Now let me throw in a bit of positive:

I have started to bike again, bought a brand new bicycle and I am going to work on it, back and forth. Sometimes just on the way back (I work retail, when the sun is up, I can't show up at work all sweaty lol).
I used to bike about two hours everyday, unless i was off. I'd bike for fun on my days off.
Biking also reduces my stress, it's fun for me.

Not sure why I'm posting, maybe I'd like to know a few tips to reduce my stress, or get a few encouragements.


Thanks for reading :)
 
Good luck finally kicking that addiction to the curb. Whether you're addicted to the social aspect, the smoking or the nicotine I think the patch will help you. I had a client use it to quit after over 20 years. He 2 was a bicyclist (also a doctor, go figure) and he entered in a couple long distance charity rides across Canada and California.

The point is, if you get into something enough and cigarettes are bringing you down, you'll quit to get better at something positive...
 
Totally Agree...

with ask the trainer. I also still smoke. Yes, I know bad girl! I workout almost religiously and although I still need the psychological stress relief of a cigarette, I smoke less now because it decreases my endurance and I annoy myself when I can't complete my workout. I am my own toughest competitor.

Yoga is excellent for stress relief if you want to consider that, but each time I get stressed, angry, or feel particularly down, I just get physical about it and hit the gym. Kickboxing has been awesome at stress relief as well.

I just hit the 40 mark and went for the routine ECG yesterday expecting bad news because I also have smoked from very young. I started at 14 and the long-term effects were weighing on me, but the doctor said my heart was doing great so far.

I wish you luck in quitting.
 
Thank you for your replies.

Part of my stress comes from lack of activities. I know it sounds weird coming from someone stuffing her lugs with nicotine but I was raised in the country and when I'm on my bike I feel free again. I'll add that I smoke alone, I am not a partier at all.

I would LOVE to be a runner ( I dream I'm running ..).

The minor aspects of my stress I can manage (yoga I could try, kickboxing I am not sure that's for me, I'm 35, out of shape.. I'd love to try though!).

The big thing at the moment is finding another apartment, I live with loud roommates and it takes my stress up the ROOF! I am a very quiet and calm person at home. It is to the point where I get stomach pain and itchy scalp ( I know, yuck :) )

Today I am off so I am going to take my dog and go for a bike ride. I can update you on my progress if you want.
 
Yesterday I had to ride to work and it wasn't that hard on me. It was in the morning so it was cool, probably why. There is a lot of going up hill (in which case I walk, I'm not up for a heart attack haha).

I am not too concerned about my weight though, the way I see it I will lose weight through exercising. I do like eating healthy, but I really don't like the diets that make you starve all day, for me it's a waste of time and energy.

It's not like I hate my body, I just realize that I gained too much weight and I'd like to grow old looking decent and feeling good. I like myself.
That makes me think that one of my customers is 84 and she looks barely 70ish. So I asked her "what's the secret?!" and she replied "you have to keep moving". And that's so right.

As for my family, I am alone here, they live in my country of origin. That's another reason why I gained weight, I am not used to the food here and the portions are way larger (I'm french). Yesterday I wanted to buy avocados and I was horrified by the price of healthy food.. 2.50 for ONE :ack2:. What's up with that?? So instead people go to mac donald and buy 2 cheese burgers for 2 dollars... I didn't, I bought something else, but I am just wondering, why so expensive??

Anyway, cheers, I'm off :)
 
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