Small physical gains

[nsd_user663_54554]

We write a lot of stuff (rightly) here about the mental/psychological side of the quit, nodding every now and then to the physical gains. In particular to our forum hero that is Angry Bear (cap doffed in admiration every time!).

But what does ‘physical gain’ mean to us, what should we really expect? I personally don’t think it needs to be humungous, we don’t have to run marathons (but I’d like to someday) or swim the channel to prove anything to ourselves.

To me it means remembering the feeling of my first full, proper intake of breath for many years and completely filling my lungs.

Climbing a long flight of stairs without appearing noticeably out of breath.

Playing a summer football tournament in the firm belief that my respiratory system was now strong enough to manage it…and it did. I played in every game. Unbelievable!

Holding my breath underwater for 20 seconds longer.

Chasing my football-fit teenage son, if only to pull his chinos back up over the top of his pants (hate that, and he owns a belt!) and ACTUALLY CATCHING him. I NEVER expected to be able to do that again!! :cool:

My point is, the physical gains don’t have to be huge, but I've really noticed the small ones. The stuff above is sooo worth it to me.

That’s it…just saying... :)

[nsd_user663_53658]

Brilliant thread Hawkeye,

mine are my legs never seeming to get tired no matter how far I walk, flying up and down stairs now and not getting out of breath and being able to chase my dogs around the field (when no-one is looking obviously) and they think its brilliant

My feet would take hours to warm up if they got really cold, now they seem to warm up within a few minutes (this really surprised me, I didn't even realise how bad my circulation was :mad

Being able to sing Jackson Browne (and other artists) songs to my work colleagues (they pretend not to like it but I know they do really, I am to singing what Les Dawson was to piano playing :D).

There are loads of little things that are better and they are things I didn't really think about before I quit.

[nsd_user663_59305]

Being able to sing Jackson Browne (and other artists) songs to my work colleagues (they pretend not to like it but I know they do really, I am to singing what Les Dawson was to piano playing :D).

Les only pretended to play badly, I bet you do the same just to entertain the troops that would be my excuse :cool:

It doesn't cost me anything for car parking now as I can walk back up the hill (without a rest!!!) to the free parking spots in town, I'm a bit of a puffing billy when I get to the car but I used to have to stop half way up hill street to catch my breath and to wait for my legs to stop burning!!!

[AngryBear]

Thanks for the nod Hawk but I agree with you all.....the running is secondary to just being able to breathe, a full lungful, it's ridiculously simple and taken for granted, but an absolute gift to a quitting smoker

[nsd_user663_59642]

Definitely being able to take huge lungfuls of air....I reckon I can get twice as much in as I used to, plus it's lovely Autumnal air too........you can smell the vegetation!

Also, the skin on my face, neck and hands is so much better; less wrinkled and a much better colour.

No more chest pains or scary palpitations. :eek:

Not having that horrible taste in my mouth anymore (oh, how vile that was :o) :eek:

Val

[nsd_user663_54332]

plus it's lovely Autumnal air too........you can smell the vegetation!

Aww I was so looking forward to that.

Oh well, next year :/

[Doofus_Overload]

Great thread!. For me it was riding my bicycle. I live in an area where there is a fair few hills and whilst I was smoking I would get really out of breath and use a really low gear to get me up the hills. The nicest surprise after quitting is when I now ride up the hill and no longer feel as if my lungs have a rubber band round them. Plus I get the added bonus of being able to smell the fauna whilst doing it! (I'm a tiny bit of a hippe you see ) To be honest the physical gains are the things which have made me happiest about being a non smoker