Hi, I want to start a cardio program along with my current weight lifting (1.5weeks now), but I am hesitating as to how much I will be able to run with my lungs clogged up. What are the effects of smoking on cardio? and would doing things like no cigs an hour b4 a run or so help ? thanks

lol no not at all ... it will take around 6 weeks for your cilia to be clear from the bad stuff you breathe in when u smoke.... even if you only do one cig in that period of time

good luck


quit smoking!!

Smoking can also make it more difficult for oxygen to get to exercising muscles because the oxygen will bind to the carbon monoxide instead of binding with hemoglobin.

Hey mayb,

I don't want to be rude but your post almost reads like a comedy! You want to start running, but need to keep smoking.

I can't think of any reason why anyone would keep smoking. Drop them, start running.

i totally support the quit. BUT-- my experience shows that if yuou wait to stop smoking in order to start running, you may never start running! ha!

I ran a marathon in 4:32 in 93 and i still smoked at the time.

better to smoke and run, than to just smoke. As you get in shape and feel better, you may even catch the runners reward, and it will give you that "want" to quit.

I always found it best to have a smoke fairly close to rnning time- it will numb your lungs and you won't feel that stretching cracking, grossness. this is sickening that i did it!!!

BUT- you will not get the "reward" of running until you clean up your lungs. It's only a 3 day detox,,, all the rest is mental... but like poste here already-- the recovery is about 2-3 months, just to start getting lung performance back.

FF

I thought the same thing...kinda like "effects of Double Whoppers with extra cheese and large fries effect on weight loss."

No offense bro! The thread title just reads funny.

Seriously though, try this for a while. Quit smoking. Then every time you get the urge to smoke do 3-5 sprints instead!

BTW, to help clear your lungs out you may want to consider some Mucinex (plain two tablets 2X per day), maybe some Primatene tablets (be careful some people are ultra-sensitive to the ingredients) and LOTS of H2O and citrus fruits. Apples too!

Deep breath in a steam sauna too.

Good luck!!!

I know it's a heck of a lot easier said than done, really I know.

When it comes down to it, smoking can put a damper on how you feel about your accomplishments.

On the one hand, it feels great to conquer laziness and get up, exercise, and start a new, healthier, more fit life. On the other hand, there is that feeling of not being able to conquer smoking despite that new fit life that can bring that "high" down, you know?

Deschain that was right on target. Gotta give you rep for understanding where i'm coming from! Because I have tried to quit and lost motivation in all 3 aspects.
Trying to gain muscle, lose weight, quit smoking, and not to mention the stress from work/ uni.. all at the same time ..

and thanks guys for all the criticism .. Keep 'em coming!

Another point to consider is what effect will smoking have on EPOC if you smoke and are engaged in some form of HIIT cardio. EPOC is the driving force behind fat loss with regard to HIIT Training. I'm sure that smoking has some effect on this but not sure what it may be. If anyone has some insight, I'd be curious to know.

ACTUALLY . . . .
my husband smoked when he started working out.

Thing is, after he worked out the LAST thing he wanted was a cigarette. The more he exercised, the less he wanted to smoke.

SO, yes smoking will effect your ability to to run, but instead of waiting to run in order to quit, see if running will help you to quit.
My husband quit.

great posts. good points.
thanks

Actually, CO has a much greater affinity in binding to haemoglobin, hence it may prevent oxygen binding to it. Not sure how much smoking has this effect though :s

Why arnt you quiting buddy. I know its hard but getting cancer and dying is a lot harder...

Why arnt you quiting buddy. I know its hard but getting cancer and dying is a lot harder...[/QUOTE]

Totally agree with you on that , hopefully a cardio routine will help me quit, i just don't want to delay cardio until i quit smoking.. in which neither will ever happen

just dont smoke. its bad for your lungs and you will get worse the longer you wait. Your lungs will keep building up more and more. quit the smoking - do the cardio. You do not need cigs. If you did not know, the tobacco company just wants your money, so thats why they make it addictive. Do not let them take your money away!

If you quit smoking and do not buy or pick up another cig, you will defiantly be happy. It's all mental. Your mental mind may tell you "I need a smoke", but you do not really need it.

The amount of 'just quit' posts is funny; no doubt coming from people who've never been addicted

Mayb - I gave up about 6 months ago now, and it's f***ing hard but possible. It's rarely just a case of 'stopping' one day, you need to mentally prepare yourself and make sure your will/reason to stop is greater than your desire to smoke.
A lot of people find that cutting down first helps and as a couple of people have mentioned already, running may well highten your resolve to quit for good. It will certainly make you realise the damage smoking is doing to you.

It sounds like you made this post in the hope that the responses would give you inspiration

Good luck