smoking and running - Beginners

lady

07/10/2002 at 15:01

Wonder if anyone can help me, I'm trying to start running again, and trying to give up smoking. Unfortunately the two don't seem to go as if I have a cigarette I decide that I can't then run!! Has anyone sucessfully managed to stop smoking - and if so how!?!?!?

Nessie

07/10/2002 at 15:16

My approach to stopping was to use what I called "delaying tactics". My first cig of the day was with my 10am coffee, so I would go to the canteen and get my coffee, but take it back to my desk in the non-smoking office, telling myself that if I still REALLY wanted one when I had finished my coffee, I would go back to the smoking room. Usually, by that time the craving had passed. When the next craving came on, I would tell myself that if I still wanted one in half an hour, I would have one. This went on all day - it was the one after my evening meal that was the last to go.

You could try something similar - go for a run, and if you still feel like a cig when you return, then you can have one......but if you do still want one, tell yourself that you can wait till you have showered.......but then you will be nice and fresh, so you don't want to get all smelly again, so wait until after you have eaten.......oh, you can last half an hour more.....and so on.

There's nothing to stop you running after smoking, in fact it might help clear the smoke out of your lungs. Try a run having just smoked, and next time don't smoke before you go. The difference may encourage you to stop!

Others on the forum have used patches, gum, hypnosis etc. Try them all if you need to. Stopping smoking is the best thing you will ever do for yourself. Starting running is the second best.

running bare

07/10/2002 at 15:25

Lady,

I'm sure you've heard a thousand stories about how to do it, the most important things are that you decide you DEFINITELY WILL DO IT, and that you DON'T GIVE UP!

My running partner has almost completely stopped since she started running. As Nessie says, you start to notice the difference it makes to how you run and how you feel, and that in itself motivates you to keep cutting down.

You've already made a great start on both running and quitting smoking just by deciding you want to do it. So keep going! Good luck!

weeble

07/10/2002 at 16:22

Go for a run after you've had a couple of cigarettes. Your throat will feel terrible
a couple of hours afterwards, and hopefully you will suffer from a really bad throat
infection for a few week or two afterwards,during which time the last thing you will want
to do is smoke.
By the time it gets better the craving should have gone away, and you should be in
a bit more of a routine of going running.
Worked for me but there are probably more pleasant ways of giving up.

lady

07/10/2002 at 16:28

thanks, I think I'm going to give all of these a try, I think the main thing is the more running I manage do do the less the cravings should be! Thanks for all your help and advice

Running Jen

07/10/2002 at 16:32

For me there were two things I had to do to give up. Give up alcohol and keep occupied!

Occupied means doing someting every day after work to avoid "socialising" down the pub or going straight home to a glass of wine and a cig, so that after the gym or a run (or whatever else you choose to do after work) by the time you get in, shower, change, eat, etc it's time for bed and you haven't had time to smoke.

I always smoked a lot more when I drank so alcohol was the key. You don't have to give it up forever - just until your will power is a litle stronger! :-)

Oh and hang out with lots of non-smokers!

Wicked Witch

07/10/2002 at 16:36

Stop smoking - start running = chances of getting lung cancer are less so hopefully you live longer, food tastes better, you smell nicer, how many more reasons do you need.

Ex smoker cold turkey

Nessie

07/10/2002 at 16:57

Jen,

I'd forgotten the keeping occupied one. My after evening meal ciggie was one of my worst craving times, so rather than light up, I'd tell myself I would have one after I'd done the dishes, then I would put on a washing, then offer myself one as a reward for doing some ironing. Then the clothes would have to be put away, etc. etc. etc.

I've never had a tidier house - before or since!

07/10/2002 at 17:54

Hang out with loads of ex-smokers too. They're even worse than non smokers for giving you reasons to quit. but, hey anything that helps right?

garry bateman

07/10/2002 at 20:00

I was a 30-40 a day smoker but saw the light. I could not run 50 meters but hard work and will power got me through and now i love my running and class myself as a good club runner. So give it up and you will be running sub 3-15 hr marthons like me.

Muttley

08/10/2002 at 08:21

The nicotine patches worked for me. Plus the other tips, like staying away from smokers' haunts like pubs and keeping occupied at crucial times.

Mind you, sitting by my dad's hospital bed and holding his hand as he expired from a smoking-induced cancer also helped with the motivation. Anyone who's been with someone in the very final stages of cancer will understand.

Lady, gradually you'll go from a smoker who does a bit of running, to a runner who does a bit of smoking, to a pure runner. You'll feel so much better in yourself when you get to the final stage. Go for it!

Linca

08/10/2002 at 08:37

This topic was discussed recently in the health and injury section of the forum, the thread name is simply "Smoking". You might want to check it out to save lots of people from having to repeat themselves. Last post was on 28/9/2002 (by me).

Will Power

11/10/2002 at 14:10

My advice would be to buy this book:

Allen Carr "The Easy Way To Stop Smoking"

It was recommended to me by a friend who has been of them for over a year. Ive been of the tabs for 3 months now and rarely even think about them. Its a popular book and he even encourages you to smoke while you are reading it!

Try it you might like it

marathonpaulrunning

01/10/2003 at 20:38

I have 2 cigs left in my pack,I shall have one when I have finished on the p/c and the last one at bed time.
Please keep badgering me as to how I`m doing with "been off the fags and on the jog/walking"

steve badgery

01/10/2003 at 22:49

I used zyban which was on perscription, you can have some side affects such as imsomnia and lack of taste but i was
lucky enough not to suffer any.
I gave up easily four months ago and do not
even fancy one now or when I am out,
this is after smoking for 15 years.
you can only get this on perscription and
most GP's think it is too expensive.
I joined a smoking group and they gave me a letter to give to my GP.

But it worked for me
Which ever way you choose good luck

roger laidlow

01/10/2003 at 23:11

lady

i stopped smoking 2 years ago after many many attepts.

i found that using an alternetive method of taking nicotine ie gum or nasal spray helped me.

i thought of it as changing my method of taking nicotine rather than giving up. i still see myself as a nicotine addict but i just chew some gum every now and then.(which isnt harmfull) it is all in the way you think about the addiction.

i also gave my self a date 3 weeks before i gave up and prepared mentally for the big day. at the time my wife was pregnant and the midwife used to bring a machine that measured levels of smoke realted toxins in my body every week. i found that this was a real help as i aimed every week to get a low score.

there are smoking cessation groups all over where you can get a similar test every week. try your local doctors.

most of all keep trying! it took me 5 years of attempts before i finally did it.

good luck

roger

Tubby Tucker

01/10/2003 at 23:22

I stopped smoking 22 months ago, and it was the best thing I ever did. I was strong willed enough to just say F&*k it!, and just stopped from 20/day to a big fat zero.

A friend of mine at the office is currently trying to stop. Having free reign on internet access I told him to do as much research on lung cancer as he could find. Yup, scared the shit out of him, and he's now in his 3rd week. I've got a feeling after reading some of the literature, at his own pace, without having it thrown in his face, he's going to keep it up.

Bugger me, it scared the pooh out of me too just being an ex-smoker.

Tim

LFV

01/10/2003 at 23:27

Like Wheezer, I found that Allen Carr's book was the best way. He sneaks up on you, and before you know it you are hooked (on giving up). I smoked for thirty years and was on twenty five a day when I gave up. I have now been clear for over three years and intend to start running again as a beginner when we have moved house(and when my other thyroid problem has stabilised).

Go for it - my sister in law and two friends have "used" the book. Allen Carr - The Easy Way to Stop Smoking - it's addictive. It can change your life.

Turbodicky

01/10/2003 at 23:33

I can heartily endorse the previous remarks about the Allen Carr book. I gave up the day I read it, over two years ago, and have honestly not felt the urge for a cigarette since.

It's a myth, that the tobacco industry is happy to perpetuate, that 'giving up' smoking requires willpower (isn't that a loaded phrase in itself... what are you 'giving up' exactly??).

It'll cost you less that two packets of cigs, and since buying it I've saved thousands of pounds, my asthma has substantially reduced and best of all I no longer have that kind of 'self loathing' that you can feel on those occasions when you REALLY don't want to be lighting up yet another fag but don't know how NOT to.

Stylemaster.

02/10/2003 at 10:02

I gave up in June smoking in June this year around 1 year after I took up running. I had tried patches and gum etc but to no avail. A previous thread on this forum mentioned the Allen Carr book - its only £3.99 or something so I bought it immediately. Its a fairly boring read and its tempting to give up....but at the end of the book when you are instructed to smoke your last cigarette while reading the last page I suddenly thought "I can do this" and have never wanted a cigarette since. One years running as a smoker and I could run 5 miles with difficulty. Three months running as a non-smoker and I have already reached 10 miles....