Third week without tobacco and things have changed .

[bezman]

Hi all i took the decision to stop smoking 3 weeks ago and have been using an electronic cigarette and already i feel a little better im myself, I have scoured the web for inspiration and help even looking at weekly breakdowns of what is to be expected with stopping smoking, i am 48 next month and i am researching everything i can about stopping so if i know what damage i have done to my body over the last 33 years of smoking i hope i can balance that out and live a little longer, already my car and my flat smell fresher , however i didnt reckon on finding out all my clothes that are stored on the shelves in my bedroom would be affected with the smell of tobacco ,,, yes they do and for all this time i hadn't noticed.

I have made a plan i want to stick to . after 4 weeks of stopping smoking when my lungs have started healing and getting rid of all the muck stored in them i will be using the bike i have bought to increase my fitness and lose weight 17 stone .yeah ouch before i get any bigger , after that i pan to use the bike to cycle to work 4 mile each way not everyday but now and then . Has anyone done this or does anyone think im being too ambitious .

[Hidden]

Hya Bezman. Congratulations on your decision to quit. Why only cycle to work now and then? It's not far. Mind you it is in the rain Yep I cycle regularly and have started walking now too. Today I've cycled 9 miles and then when Dancing on Ice finished I walked into our local town 3 miles there and back, but......it's up hill all the way back.

You could try reading the story of the 39 stone cyclist for some motivation. Yeah, I know you have a very long way to go before you would ever reach 39 stone but its a motivating story of grit determination. 39stonecyclist.com/about/

I was already riding a bike regularly before I stopped smoking. To be honest I haven't noticed a whole lot of difference to my fitness since I stopped smoking 12 months ago. In fact the only difference is my nose runs a lot more - really annoying. However, I have recently started walking and I can tell the difference with that. I can stride up hills without getting out of breath, where once I would have stopped, not just to get my breath back but because my calf's and shins would really hurt and I've even got pins and needles in my feet on the odd occasion but now I can breeze around up hills. It's my knees that slow me down. I think all that biking up hills has worn them out.

Perhaps you could try your bike ride to work for the first time at weekend, just to see how you go. You know what work colleagues are like, if you arrive there ready to collapse in a heap they'll only laugh, they always do and then it'll put you off. Build up a bit of stamina first then you'll breeze into work having not even broken a sweat. Good luck.

PS, if you have a smartphone I can highly recommend mapmyfitness (mapmyride and mapmywalk) app and website. It's brilliant for setting targets and keeping tabs on your exercise and they send you emails congratulating you on your achievements. I don't think its over ambitious to stop smoking and do some exercise, the two go hand in hand really, exercising can take your mind off smoking, especially in the early days, and succeeding at two things (quitting smoking and getting fitter) makes you feel even better.

[naburn 27 Months Winner]

Fantastic, well done, I know how hard it is. I've been stopped 17 days now and I must say, it's getting a bit easier. I decided on cold turkey but f I ever need help, I'll seek it. I wouldn't worry too much about the stale smoke, it'll soon go away.

I'm fortunate that I never smoked in the house so don't have to wash all my stuff.

I'm trying to watch my weight too, I go to slimming world, I'm not losing just now but if I can maintain I'll be happy as I lost 3 stone a couple of years back

Keep going, you're doing fab! Xx

[Ruthus 20 Months Winner]

I actually stopped smoking nearly 4 months ago !!!

[yellowsnowdrop]

I stopped smoking and started going to a gym.I also have a weight problem but better a weight problem than a smoking related one.Just take small steps and don't get discouraged if the weight doesn't come off as fast as you'd like.Staying off the cigs is FAR more important.Good Luck in your journey and shout if you need help.H x

[andi22]

Hi bezman and welcome to our lovely community. It's great that you stopped smoking 3 weeks ago and want to do some exercise. Getting out on your bike is a great thing to do. At the beginning I would say to just do it, then when the weather starts to warm up in the spring you can try going out for longer rides. In the beginning, you can be just hopeful that your weight stays the same and doesn't increase.

Good luck and keep us up to date with how you're getting on. Andi

[flairp0tat0]

Wow! You've made a huge step towards a healthier you. Congratulations.

I am a regular cyclist myself.

I would suggest you start with some gentle and enjoyable cycling in your local area.

It will give you time to adjust to the saddle, and see whether you actually enjoy it. If you don't, you won't stick at it. Especially through the winter when it's cold, dark, wet and windy.

Alternatively, you might love getting covered in mud, sliding off road, hanging onto your rear brake going down hill, but it's not the best activity when en route to work! Lol.

Do it as long as you enjoy it.

As for the route into work.. I suggest you do a dummy run. You will need to know how long it takes, what the safest way is, also you'll need to allow time to cool down and freshen up before you even start work. Your colleagues will appreciate it!

Wear a helmet, reflective gear, lights, and also carry a rucksack with a change of clothes (including socks and underwear) and a pump and puncture repair kit.

Punctures usually occur when you're on your way TO work! If you get tyre levers, and quick release wheels, it saves a heap of time!

Four miles is attainable, and will get you very fit. It's great cardio exercise, and very good for the gluteal muscles. However, don't rely solely on this for weight loss. You will notice a difference at first, but over time, you may find your weight remains stable and your body is nicely toned.

Whatever exercise you do... Enjoy it! You'll stick with it then

[Rosslyn20 9 MONTH WINNER]

That's really good well done you it mite be a little ambitious think u mite need to a little bit cycling first thn build up to yr four mile ride to and frm work

[jules56]

well done you. i like you could probably do with some exercise since giving up the cigs my waist line has def expanded. i think its because food tastes better. one thing at a time is my way forward. another couple of weeks and i am heading to the exercise bike and rowing machine in my spare room to try and get back into some kind of shape for summer. if i can give up fags i can def lose some weight no problem.