Smoking and working out

[Mr.Hash wid da Stash]

Hi all,
I joined up with a gym to get BIG but I smoke a pack of cigarettes a day. I know smoking fukks up your cardio work at the gym but will it prevent me from getting big?

 

[mateo_g]

Stop smoking immediately. Not only for endurance and cardio, but because you will feel 1000% better in a few months in every part of your life.

I'm no expert in how much smoking will inhibit muscle growth, but your appetite is important to eating enough carbs/protien to maximize bulking. Nicotine lets off chemicals in your brain that will inhibit your desire to eat, and eating is the key to getting big. Not enough food - you won't get very big.

So, I strongly suggest that you kick the habit. I smoked for 10 years (started as a teen) and have been smoke free for over a year now. I feel so much better its not even funny.

 

[FitnessGuy]

Originally posted by mateo_g
I smoked for 10 years (started as a teen) and have been smoke free for over a year now. I feel so much better its not even funny.

Same here.


I also think you should quit.

 

[HypeR]

You can breathe way better if you dont smoke, wich helps a great deal when weightlifting.

 

[Skel]

IM about to use the smoke away program. I plan to start it sunday night(after this weekend)and start not smoking on Monday. I hope all goes well for me. I really dont feel motivated to go to the gym until i stop smoking.

 

[Francisco d'Anconia]

I've yet to come across a viable reason to smoke, the reasons not to smoke outweighs any reason to stick with the habit. It a nutshell, it screws up your body chemistry.

 

[Skel]

Francisco you are right but if you dont smoke you could never understand.... Most of us that now smoke started when we were just dumb ass kids. Atleast for me, I was the cool kid or so I thought. I drank, smoked weed and cigs. I never really thought that I would be the one that would get addicted to smoking. I was just doing it for the hell of it. Little did i realize that I already was addicted to smoking. IN my mindset back then, I could quit whenver I wanted to and 15 yeras later......here I am

 

[Francisco d'Anconia]

Originally posted by Skel
Francisco you are right but if you dont smoke you could never understand.... Most of us that now smoke started when we were just dumb ass kids. Atleast for me, I was the cool kid or so I thought. I drank, smoked weed and cigs. I never really thought that I would be the one that would get addicted to smoking. I was just doing it for the hell of it. Little did i realize that I already was addicted to smoking. IN my mindset back then, I could quit whenver I wanted to and 15 yeras later......here I am

I smoked in high school back when cigarettes were $1.25 a pack. I had a very good paying job and I chose to buy 40oz bottles of Old English instead of buying a pack. I felt that I got more bang for the buck, I felt it was the less expensive of the two vices.

That brings up the reality that when you remove something that makes a hole, you need to find something to fill it. For me it was cheap beer until I was able to feel comfortable in groups without always having something in my hands. Well actually, now I've replaced it by making sure that I have a woman on my arm

I suggest finding out exactly what smoking does for you. Is it a nervous habit, is it the taste, does it help you relax? Whatever it is, you should find out what the need is and find another way to get that feeling. Hopefully it is something that doesn't cost as much.