The effects of stopping smoking

[MartinYorkshire]

I'm a heavy smoker.

I'm just about ready to quit so I thought I'd try a control experiment and see if there was any kind of difference to my riding ability from just a half day not smoking and a bit of preparation in terms of diet.

So was there a difference? You bet.

I ate exactly the same prior to this ride as before the last one on the same route. Trying to establish the same energy level. Sleep had been about the same, as had the intermediate days/rest days.

We set off on the usual run, it's a mix off off-road and on with some harsh and not so harsh climbing. After 4 miles I checked my average speed as I usually do, it had increased from 11.2 to 13.6 and I hadnt coughed once which I normally do in abundance.

Now obviously, everyone knows that smoking and any form of exercise are not exactly complimentary, but I never realised there would be such a phenomenal difference.

The rest of the ride, including some climbs which I find downright horrible, went off mostly without a hitch. I still had to stop once after a particularly nasty ascent through a forest. Got stich pretty bad too at that point.

Anyway, all told the average was 12.8mph for 19.7 miles. Previous average was 10.2mph. I'd say its roughly 80% off road with some difficult single track included which slows you down a bit.

Quite a difference. So, nicotine patches will follow.

 

[GT-Steve]

So, nicotine patches will follow.

Nah, go straight cold turkey, it's loads better......... That's what I did new year before last (19 months ago) and I've not looked back.

Cheapest and most effective way to quit IMO, just stop buying anything smoking related, and change the habits associated with smoking

Nice to see you've had some positive encouragement from those comparison figures

 

[IDB1]

I found breaking the habit harder than packing up.. that one that you smoke when you get to that point on your journey every day, the one you have while sitting reading your paper with your first cuppa every morning . .
Even the habit of buying a pack when you put fuel in the car.. pump number 6 and 20 b&h please . .

Fortunately, now I can take it or leave it.. smoking 20 a week at the mo.. will stop again in a few weeks.

Good luck packing up fella. . anything positive that happens will just serve to reinforce the will-power you'll need to quit

 

[REKIBorter]

Willpower is required. The first 3 days are the hardest bit. It's all about getting out of the habit, doing things that you would always spark up after doing them. I found that smoking rules everything you do. Your whole daily routine is geared up to when will I get my next fag. It is hard giving up, you need to get your head sorted that you do not need a fag. After a couple of weeks you will get addicted to fresh air, your lungs will feel 10 times bigger. Anyone that smokes will suddenly start to stink and you will realise that you too once smelt like that. Good luck.

I gave up 8 years ago and still get the occasional craving but would never go back to it.

 

[FSR-Si]

Totally agree with REKIBorter, 5 nd 1/2years for me now, went from 30 a day to 0 cold turkey, I struggled like hell for the 1st week but have never looked back since. Good luck

 

[Steve Kish]

I gave up smoking when I was 7!

One quick drag around the back of the bike sheds in Essendene Primary School convinced me that it wasn't for me! Now just the alcohol, glue sniffing and shooting-up that I have to cope with!!

 

[weeman_mtb]

Everybody's different, so different methods will work for different people. I did the patches just for the first week just to take the edge off it.
The fact that you've just blown about £20 on a box of plasters I think also helps motivate you not to throw in the towel so easily.
Anyway nearly five years on and still a non smoker, never going back.

 

[Harryburgundy]

Havn't noticed any significant difference in personal performance post non-smoking (now 15 months)
Rather annoying...might have something to do with the volume of wine I consume

 

[cchris2lou]

when I quit , the first few times on the bike were harder .only after a few weeks I noticed a difference .

 

[drcarlos]

I have only been out on the bike about 3 short times since I quit about 2 weeks ago. This time I have had terrible insomnia so have been wandering around like a zombie for nearly a week out of the two.
Sleeping has been like got to bed at 11 or 12 lie awake for at least an hour, fall asleep but then wake up an hour or two later feeling wide awake and like you haven't slept but you have because of the passage of time. Then spend another 30 minutes getting back to sleep.
Wasn't a heavy smoker per se (10 - 12 Rollies a day) but I don't really miss it and stopping has been easy.
I was mentally prepared and had been telling myself I wanted and needed to give up for about 6 months and I think this is the key.

Carl.