Double challenge,

[Gottodothis1singa]

Hey. Newbee here, wanting to stop smoking and start running. Feeling a bit nervous about it really 🙈

[runwithdog Graduate]

you can do this !!!

day one will be the hardest but as soon as you stop smoking your body will start to repair.

[dieOR5k Graduate]

Welcome. Nervous is good. That means you will start slow and stay slow. And of course you’re determined to change your life. That can be v nerve wracking. Happy slow first run. Btw I’m on week 7 and my runs are still slow.

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate]

That is very nice that you want to start running, if possible try, perhaps with the help of 'something' to stop smoking, but if you do, you will find running much easier, regarding smokers, I have never seen anyone smoking at a parkrun I have been at, so if you do stop smoking and run, you to could go to a parkrun in the near future, good luck.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Welcome to the forum and well done on your decision.

This guide to the plan is essential reading healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

Enjoy your journey.

[SueAppleRun Graduate]

I did it the other way round, i used to sound like a steam train wheezing along, smoke free 7 weeks tomorrow and you wouldn’t believe the difference, deep quiet breaths, i still get puffed out running but nice and quietly, there are a lot of other benefits too

patches have helped me and a bit of gum gives my mouth something to do when it’s bored.

Best of luck with running and quitting keep posting so we can cheer you on

There is a Healthunlocked quit smoking support site too you could join

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

Welcome... you can do this and you can be smoke free too. Enjoy swapping an awful addiction for a really healthy one! We got you... lots of experience on here for both your goals.

[runwithdog Graduate]

IMO weeks 1 and 2 are the hardest,on paper running for 1 min sounds nothing but when doing it,it seems a forever minute.

i think on your first run you will feel your lungs and this should give you incentive to quit the smokes.

you can do it !!!!

[Joanney69 Graduate]

2 of the best things you can do for your health - you won't regret it! ☺

I can't give you any advice about giving up smoking 🚭 having never been a smoker, but I can tell you starting c25k is one of the best decisions I have made ☺

Such a lot of advice here, don't be nervous, give it a go, slow and steady ☺ 🏃 🐌

[Lifebeginsat Graduate]

I believe in you. However hard your first run is, believe it gets better, more than you can imagine. Good luck. We're all with you. 🏃‍♀️😁

[DevonBluebird]

Brilliant- do it! You know ditching the cigarettes is the best thing you can do (and I say it as an ex smoker - 20 years off them). Running is as great - week 6 here and I feel so much better already.

You have only fitness, clear breathing, a feeling of wellbeing, more money and longer life to gain 😆😆😁🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[Nilsam Graduate]

Great start...posting your commitment. I know it is anonymous but Gottodothis1singa...you have started just by declaring that you want to do it! Keep posting because you have joined the gang now. We are right there with you...one foot forward.

[jo0267]

Do try Jason Vale’s Quit Smoking in 2 hours. No idea how it works but for me after paying over £1000 on hypnosis, it worked.

I’m on day 535 of quitting.

It’s an App which is free to download. Absolutely brilliant but you must have a packet of ciggies with you when you do it -it only has to have 1 cigarette in it.

Good luck

[Jell6 Graduate]

If you really want to stop you can.

I'm 20 years and counting, imagine the money I have saved!.

I didn't even think that I had any breathing issues when I smoked until about 2 weeks after I stopped (cold turkey, no nicotine replacement) I went up 6 flights of stairs in a shop I often went to and realised that my breathing hadn't changed, the benefits are that fast.

You are likely to put some weight on, accept that, don't dwell on it, but you are starting running at the same time, so that may offset it to a degree.

Be proud of yourself, you have made a great decision . Good luck 🤩

[HeavyFoot Graduate]

You’ve passed the first hurdle: you said “stop” smoking instead of “give up” smoking. There’s a huge difference. Well done !!!