Smoking & Cycling

[sleazyvagabond]

If you go to the dentist and he xrays your teeth,you know he is going to drill and fill if there are cavitys. Likewise,your gp or specialist at some time will ask you to come into his office,and he will tell you your options if any for your cancerous lungs. Just as sure as the dentists drill the chemo will come. Or a group of med students will gather round and they will dissect you like a frog with no thought or hope of your recovery rather just to see where the blood flows or does'nt really.
Smokeless tobacco I guess is better because they won't have to open your chest to get to the tumors.
But really you are ahead of the game if you get cancer because most folks die of congestive heart failure first.
Percentage wise more 8th graders smoke than Ph.Ds.
Your children or grand children as they attend your premature funeral will realize tobacco was more important to you than seeing them grow up.
People who see you smoke will know you can be profoundly influenced by the likes of Joe Camel.
I can go on all day. Do all inantimate objects hold such control over you?
Do you lie awake at night and think was that last cigarette the one that started the process of death?
If you are a teacher instructor or leader do you really think people will see you as sincere with a cigarette hanging out of your mouth?
It took me 2 years,363 days of varying degree of torture after I quit drinking to quit smoking. What a fool I was. You have to write your own chapter.The sooner the better.

 

[tonphil1960]

OK Then you know what it's like, do not make it sound as simple as that.

I too quit drinking as it almost killed me, I said if I could do that I could do the same with the butts, didn't work, the difference I find is that you can smoke anywhere, it's illegal to drink and do many things. if we were at a point that it was illegal to smoke while driving, walking down the street, or doing anything else in life maybe it would be easier to quit. I don't know anymore... As you should know it's the most frustrating thing in the world to try and not succeed....... JMO

Tony

 

[Brunswick_kate]

OK Then you know what it's like, do not make it sound as simple as that.

I too quit drinking as it almost killed me, I said if I could do that I could do the same with the butts, didn't work, the difference I find is that you can smoke anywhere, it's illegal to drink and do many things. if we were at a point that it was illegal to smoke while driving, walking down the street, or doing anything else in life maybe it would be easier to quit. I don't know anymore... As you should know it's the most frustrating thing in the world to try and not succeed....... JMO

Tony

Yes Tony, it is frustrating. It's maddening to the point of tears. I quit and quit and quit and quit. And failed and failed and failed and failed.

But it can be done. It's an addiction but the physiological component of that addiction is just part of the battle..I suspect the small part of the battle. The big part, the hard part for me anyway, was re-wiring my brain so I could start thinking of myself as a non-smoker.

And a lot of that was just self-talking...literally reprogramming the "I can't" messages with "I can" messages.

 

[sleazyvagabond]

OK Then you know what it's like, do not make it sound as simple as that.

I could have said what you said verbatim. Quitting drinking was so easy I am ashamed of it quitting smoking was so hard I am almost proud of it as indeed it was a metaphysical fight for the soul and the triumph still resonates [all right I may be taking it a little far here] after 11 years.The effort will be rewarded this is one of the few things I can promise.

 

[sleazyvagabond]

OK Then you know what it's like, do not make it sound as simple as that.

I could have said what you said verbatim. Quitting drinking was so easy I am ashamed of it quitting smoking was so hard I am almost proud of it as indeed it was a metaphysical fight for the soul and the triumph still resonates [all right I may be taking it a little far here] after 11 years.The effort will be rewarded this is one of the few things I can promise.

I take back what I said about taking it too far.

 

[tonphil1960]

If I succeed to quit smoking I will tell everyone about it as I do with the drinking. What I did with the drink is a thing alot of people cannot or are not willing to do. When you end up in the hospital almost in a coma you wake up real fast, at least I did. As for the smoking, if I succeed in changing jobs as I plan, and can't smoke on the job anymore I think I'll do it finally. It's to the point now that I am acually embarrased to admit I smoke and don't really want to be seen smoking, as we all know it sucks.


Thanks Tony

 

[sleazyvagabond]

My ex wife mother of my child managed to die at age 41 from drink drugs and tobacco my best friend died at 48 from the same causes really.My mother is 91 never drank or smoked,lived longer than them put together.Have to go with the odds. You want have to say much when you quit people who care will notice.My circle of friends sure got smaller when I quit drinking. I have fewer better friends none of whom need me to buy them a drink or loan them money.The money you save is a plus,but thetime freed up is more important,cause no body could pay me to start back either one.




I was the pimps main prophet

 

[SteveJC]

I gave up last year for a couple of months when I went on a bike trip accross Canada, it was SO easy after a few days I just couldent belive it, my only concern when touring is calories and kilometers.

Unfortunatly I was dying for a damm good drink when I got back into civilisation, and thats when it all goes wrong.......

Still I fly back to Calgary again in early september, Im gonna take the same approach as before, nicotene patches for a week, ride for a few months,, just gotta stay out of the bars!

What pisses me off is the fact that I love life to bits, I really am a big fan and I dont see why that will be any different when Im 40 50 60 etc, so long as Im not screwed up from smoking. And the other thing that grits me is the 'dealer' and tax man damm hipocrites... (swears lots)

 

[kbs23]

Ahh, this is a tough one...I never understood addiction until I started to smoke. When I went to the police academy no one smoked and I figured it was time to quit. My mistake was to take up dipping 'cause some of the other recruits did that. I thought it would wean me off the cigs and at least keep my lungs smoke-free. Big mistake! It's worse than cigarettes! More nicotine for a longer time, worse breath than eating garbage, nasty teeth...and how about lip cancer? Having a missing jaw looks real nice (sarcasm).

This is my first post and I have a dip in my mouth as I type, 'cuz I can't smoke here (at home). Now I've got two means of nictotine to be addicted to (the psychological addiction is as hard or harder than the physical).

I'm not a happy person right now and being depressed doesn't help breaking an addiction, but I am getting some help for that. One step at a time-- toss the dip, stop smoking...it will come. Exercise is the best thing to be addicted to (is you must be addicted to something-- don't overtrain!) and I have found that it really is true. Nothing boosts your seratonin levels and pleasure centers better!

Whatever you do: please don't dip as a substitute for smoking! It won't work and the risks are too great. Be smart and learn from other's mistakes as well as your own

Cheers~~

****, yea I forgot to mention in my first post I had a 2 to 3 tin a week dip habit as well. I loved my skoal mint. To anyone thinking of quiting smokes...Do not start this stuff, it is a whole other beast, anyone who packs a dip knows what I'm talking about. I miss dip more than smokes. I loved packing a chew while fishing or at the movies, driving in my car on long road trips..whoa..memories. The nic fits are 3 times as bad. Unbearable pain. (we're talking trainspoting bad)
Quiting or reducing tobacco addiction is tough, real tough. There is no one shot solution for everyone. My sister is on wellburton and the patch. I just found out the other day she is still sneaking smokes. Were talking about a grown adult hiding their smoking habit. So even with all that medical help,she is still smoking. Each person has to find their own way. It's a phyiscal and mental addiction. People smoke for all different reasons, the same reasons fat people overeat, drunks alway drink, etc. It's not as easy as just saying this is dumb, time to give it up. I wish it was. So lets keep the posts positive for the guys trying to give up the leaf.

 

[Brunswick_kate]

It's not as easy as just saying this is dumb, time to give it up. I wish it was. So lets keep the posts positive for the guys trying to give up the leaf.

You want to know the wicked part of it all....it is as easy as saying "time to give it up." but you have to take the time to reprogram your head. I think the problem I always had quitting was the sense of loss and mourning that I had about my "sacrifice" I was making, so I'd start self-sabotaging before I quit smoking.

I did a couple of things different in my last quit than I did in any other which I think had a big impact on my success...and I really am confident that it is my last quit -- I have absolutely no desire to start smoking again. Part of it was learning "rejoice in my liberation" from cigarettes, rather than "mourning the loss of it".

The quit aids, Zyban or patches or inhalers or whatever, are just things to buy you time. It calms and comforts you while you concentrate on getting your head straight. Until you get your head straight, it's a struggle but as soon as that "click" happens, the addiction is gone.

So when us non-smokers are telling you that "you just need to stop smoking", we're not being unsympathetic. We're trying to convey hugely important information. The seat of your addiction is your conscious brain and what you need to do is learn how to liberate yourself from this slavery. And the constant self-talk messages of "it's so hard; I can't quit. I'm not strong enough. The smokes are bigger than I am. No one understands the pain of this" are You forging the links of your own bondage.

I know I must sound unsympathetic to those still in the depths of nicotine addiction. I'm not trying to be deliberately cruel. What I am telling you is that you can find a way out of this. I quit smoking after 25+ yrs of a pack plus a day. I was to the point where I was waking up at night to smoke...I couldn't sleep the night through without smoking. I know all about the shame of being a smoker. I know all about the guilt. I also know that quitting is possible and you can do it too.

 

[MountainPro]

i dont smoke but i have a friend who does...its strange coz it doesnt really seem to affect his cycling, he's been smoking and cycling for many years, i spose his body is just used to it..

 

[adrenomonkey]

I used to smoke. Never very heavily though. Up to ten or more a day at the most.

I actually used cycling to give up, because the fitness improvement just from cycling to work and back is quite big. I felt/feel better and so don't want to undermine that by smoking.

Although I'm sure I'll partake of the odd 'social' puff or two every so often.

The rush and relaxation gained from a hard ride is a far more satisfactory feeling than smoking, I find.

 

[Borg]

Man...I do not recommend the use of any anti--depressants (whether they are touted as quit aids like Zyban which was originally an anti--depressant) to give up smoking. I have had my doctor throwing all sorts of anti--depressants at me for two years or so trying to fix endogenous depression; Zoloft, Prozac, Paxil, Effexor etc etc...different mixes and doses. The only time my depression really started to lift was when I started doing 500+kms a week on my bike. However, the urge to smoke remained the whole time but I cut down seriously (only upon cessation of the drugs which is a hell worse than missing nicotine!). Now I smoke about 3 a day. Anti--depressants are definitely not worth the side effects. Picture this: you walk into your doc's saying that you are depressed, have lost your libido, have suicidal thoughts, can't get out of bed in the morning, get headaches, are forgetful, feel anxious and your mood swings with the drop of a coin and guess what, he gives you a drug with a side--effect spectrum (possible effects) that encompasses all of those symptoms. WTF? Do the reading about class actions in the US against the manufacturers. Read the warnings on the packets, i.e. "this drug is not recommended for persons under 18 and may trigger suicidal inclination". What?? Am I missing something here. There is too much money in depression to trust the research of companies like Wyeth, Roche, Pfizer etc. Putting faith into research conducted and funded BY THE SAME COMPANY smells fishy. All I got from SSRIs and SNRIs was "Electric shock syndrome" (You get odd tingling sensations in your head and body) and dizzyness (not good for a biker). There was no relief from feelings of anxiety or depression and I only feel "normal" three months after cessation of these "miracle" drugs...two years in a pharmaceutical limbo. Stick to good diet, meditation, excercise...stay off the booze and you'll kick the habit somehow...just don't become a beta--tester for anyone (look at Valium...they said that was safe and non--addicive), especially not a drug company looking to maximise share holder profit for this financial year (by the time everyone comes back to sue, old CEO has left the building with a 5 million dollar golden handshake). If I sound like I have an axe to grind I sort of do but I do not recommend letting anyone screw with your head chemistry......Borg.

 

[closesupport]

>>>

All RIGHT! Hey if you want, email me I can give you some good ideas that work for quitting. It involves positive thinking taken to an extreme, and it worked for me in my life in some really difficult situations involving bad habits. It worked for a friend who quit smoking 6 years ago after I told her what to do.

i could do with some tips on stopping smoking, i started again some 6yrs ago cause i had pretty much nothing else to do, but i have tryed patches (failed) gum (failed) losengers (failed). i thin it is so hard since most my friends and my partner smoke. Doesn't really affect me since i don't smoke and ride nor do i crave cigerettes when i'm cycling, but since i have been diagnosed as having an hiatus hernia one of the recommendations is that i quit.

 

[closesupport]

Man...I do not recommend the use of any anti--depressants (whether they are touted as quit aids like Zyban which was originally an anti--depressant) to give up smoking. I have had my doctor throwing all sorts of anti--depressants at me for two years or so trying to fix endogenous depression; Zoloft, Prozac, Paxil, Effexor etc etc...different mixes and doses. The only time my depression really started to lift was when I started doing 500+kms a week on my bike. However, the urge to smoke remained the whole time but I cut down seriously (only upon cessation of the drugs which is a hell worse than missing nicotine!). Now I smoke about 3 a day. Anti--depressants are definitely not worth the side effects. Picture this: you walk into your doc's saying that you are depressed, have lost your libido, have suicidal thoughts, can't get out of bed in the morning, get headaches, are forgetful, feel anxious and your mood swings with the drop of a coin and guess what, he gives you a drug with a side--effect spectrum (possible effects) that encompasses all of those symptoms. WTF? Do the reading about class actions in the US against the manufacturers. Read the warnings on the packets, i.e. "this drug is not recommended for persons under 18 and may trigger suicidal inclination". What?? Am I missing something here. There is too much money in depression to trust the research of companies like Wyeth, Roche, Pfizer etc. Putting faith into research conducted and funded BY THE SAME COMPANY smells fishy. All I got from SSRIs and SNRIs was "Electric shock syndrome" (You get odd tingling sensations in your head and body) and dizzyness (not good for a biker). There was no relief from feelings of anxiety or depression and I only feel "normal" three months after cessation of these "miracle" drugs...two years in a pharmaceutical limbo. Stick to good diet, meditation, excercise...stay off the booze and you'll kick the habit somehow...just don't become a beta--tester for anyone (look at Valium...they said that was safe and non--addicive), especially not a drug company looking to maximise share holder profit for this financial year (by the time everyone comes back to sue, old CEO has left the building with a 5 million dollar golden handshake). If I sound like I have an axe to grind I sort of do but I do not recommend letting anyone screw with your head chemistry......Borg.

i also don't agree with anti depressents, but i do find at times that an increase in B vitamins helps, weather it is from food sources high in B vits or from supplements. My grandma suffered from Depression and all they did was get her so spaced out that she didn't recognize anyone, plus really they didn't help since she committed suicide.
Plus it is an awful habit to break, i find that Vit B suppplements (vit B 30 Strong, 3 times a day is better than any valium, prozac or anti depressants)

its vitamin B complex (strong) with Iron and it is a real mood lifter.

 

[dsnapp]

i could do with some tips on stopping smoking, i started again some 6yrs ago cause i had pretty much nothing else to do, but i have tryed patches (failed) gum (failed) losengers (failed). i thin it is so hard since most my friends and my partner smoke. Doesn't really affect me since i don't smoke and ride nor do i crave cigerettes when i'm cycling, but since i have been diagnosed as having an hiatus hernia one of the recommendations is that i quit.

Here are a few tips:
1. Realize that smoking is an addiction, not just a habit
2. Educate yourself about the addiction and how it controls you and your body. The web is a great tool for this. sites like www.whyquit.com are quite good.
3. Develop a plan to quit. Write down all the reasons to quit. Write down all of your known back doors and a strategy to close them (bars and drinking, stress, that first cup of coffee, etc.). I know it sounds corny to actually write this down, but it means you are committed.
4. Set a quit date and stick to it. and finally

Never take another puff.......

You have to realize you are an addict and one puff will lead you back to your current consumption rate or more. I know this makes it sound simple and I know that it is not. After 14yrs of smoking and many attempts to quit, this is what finally worked. Education and commitment (with the support of friends and a great on-line community) is what has made it successful for me. I'm almost at my 2yr point of being a non-smoker again.

You can do it if you want.

Cheers,
Dave

 

[Brunswick_kate]

I just wanted to say I'm now over six months smoke free. Actually the anniversary was on the 4th but I forgot about it. I guess I really am an non-smoker now. I don't think about the ciggies anymore.

Happy to be free!

 

[Postie]

I just wanted to say I'm now over six months smoke free. Actually the anniversary was on the 4th but I forgot about it. I guess I really am an non-smoker now. I don't think about the ciggies anymore.

Happy to be free!

Congrats Kate!

That's a huge accomplishment. I was a light smoker for several years so I know what it's like to put it behind you.

It's the best training step you could do for your body.

 

[closesupport]

I just wanted to say I'm now over six months smoke free. Actually the anniversary was on the 4th but I forgot about it. I guess I really am an non-smoker now. I don't think about the ciggies anymore.

Happy to be free!

I WISH I COULD SAY THE SAME, I HAVE TRYED BUT FAILED ON MANY OCCASSIONS BUT IF I COULD RIDE 14HRS, EAT FOR 2HRS OF THE DAY AND SLEEP THE NEXT 8 THEN I WOULD BEABLE TO QUIT.

I FIND THAT WHEN I GO OUT TO RIDE, NOT ONCE DOES THE THOUGHT OF A CIGERETTE CROSS MY MIND AFTER THE FIRST 30MINUTES OF CYCLING. AFTER THAT I'M FOCUSED ON THE TASK AHEAD, ITS JUST WHEN I GET OFF THE BIKE THEN I GET BORED THEN THE URGE TAKES OVER.

BUT WHEN IT COMES TO QUITING, I FEEL ILL, LATHARGIC WITH FLU LIKE SYMTOMS, THIS USUALLY LEADS TO IRRETABILITY AND AGRESSION, DOESN'T HELP WITH MY CYCLING SO WITHIN THE FIRST 7 DAYS, I'VE USUALLY STARTED AGAIN AND FEEL ALOT BETTER, AND EVERYONE ELSE SEEMS HAPPIER THAT I HAVE STARTED AGAIN.

I'VE TRYED NICORETTE GUM
" " PATCHES
" " LOSENGERS

I FIND THAT SMOKING ONLY AFFECTS MY CYCLING, WHEN I TRY TO SPRINT, HILL CLIMB OR CORNER WITH A LIT CIGGY.

 

[Postie]

I WISH I COULD SAY THE SAME, I HAVE TRYED BUT FAILED ON MANY OCCASSIONS BUT IF I COULD RIDE 14HRS, EAT FOR 2HRS OF THE DAY AND SLEEP THE NEXT 8 THEN I WOULD BEABLE TO QUIT.

I FIND THAT WHEN I GO OUT TO RIDE, NOT ONCE DOES THE THOUGHT OF A CIGERETTE CROSS MY MIND AFTER THE FIRST 30MINUTES OF CYCLING. AFTER THAT I'M FOCUSED ON THE TASK AHEAD, ITS JUST WHEN I GET OFF THE BIKE THEN I GET BORED THEN THE URGE TAKES OVER.

BUT WHEN IT COMES TO QUITING, I FEEL ILL, LATHARGIC WITH FLU LIKE SYMTOMS, THIS USUALLY LEADS TO IRRETABILITY AND AGRESSION, DOESN'T HELP WITH MY CYCLING SO WITHIN THE FIRST 7 DAYS, I'VE USUALLY STARTED AGAIN AND FEEL ALOT BETTER, AND EVERYONE ELSE SEEMS HAPPIER THAT I HAVE STARTED AGAIN.

I'VE TRYED NICORETTE GUM
" " PATCHES
" " LOSENGERS

I FIND THAT SMOKING ONLY AFFECTS MY CYCLING, WHEN I TRY TO SPRINT, HILL CLIMB OR CORNER WITH A LIT CIGGY.

I don't believe it.... Mr. Fitness Obsession smokes?!?

Just apply the self-discipline you've shown with exercise and you should lick this thing like nothing. I'm sure you already know how important it is be smoke-free so I'm sure you, out of anyone, can beat this thing if you truly acknowledge how important it is.

Good Luck.