Feeling pretty dang good about it too! The only issue I'm having is a distinct cough right now as my cilia are starting to work and all that Goo is coming out :eek:

On the flip side, I can peg my Inspirometer (Measures your inhalation volume above reserve volume in the lungs) at 5.3 liters capacity now, up by 0.2 liters :D

Also, my RHR and Blood pressure are dropping already. This morning, I had a resting HR of 48!!!!!!!!!!!!!:D
BP has already dropped to 127/68 :D

Right on, I remember when I quite just over a year ago how great all these little things fell when they start to add up as the days go on. Just keep pushing on. The worst of it is behind you. All the cravings you have now are just in your head You beat the weight issue, so you know the road of changing habits. Just keep on riding to the finish line.

Great Job!!!!

Keep it up and if you need help, you know you will always have support.

Awesome Tom!

See I would vote a guy like you in for President. You have character and willpower. Ever thought about running?

Good Job.

Brian

Well, I really don't think the US is ready for a Marxist President ;)

Way to go Tom, I know I am new here but I no how hard it is to quit smoking. I did it for a couple of years when I worked in a county jail. I also picked it back up in a particular stressful time of my life about 4 years ago. Both times when I quit it was just cold turkey.

I am glad to see another person put them things down. Congrats and keep it up man.

Keep up the good work!

Congrats Tom.

Nice job Tom! :beer: Your mood changed any?

So to save money for more bikes and bike stuff, have you been putting away your pack-a-day money? Cigarette money is like gas money. The less you use, the more you save for other stuff.

Oh, I wanted to add another thing. I'm teaching at TX A&M where I earned my M.A. way back when. I ran into one of my former profs a few weeks ago and he was moving pretty slow with a sling. I asked him what happened, thinking car accident or something, and he said that he had a stroke! :eek:

He's only in his late 40s, not overweight, eats well, but the doctor said that his smoking, coffee drinking was driving his blood pressure through the roof.

I haven't smoked much since I broke up with a smoker a few years back, but that pretty much scared the crap out of me.

I don't know what all those numbers mean, but aren't you starting to feel pretty great physically?

Way to go - keep up the good work!!!!!

:beer:

Oh, I wanted to add another thing. I'm teaching at TX A&M where I earned my M.A. way back when. I ran into one of my former profs a few weeks ago and he was moving pretty slow with a sling. I asked him what happened, thinking car accident or something, and he said that he had a stroke! :eek:

He's only in his late 40s, not overweight, eats well, but the doctor said that his smoking, coffee drinking was driving his blood pressure through the roof.

I haven't smoked much since I broke up with a smoker a few years back, but that pretty much scared the crap out of me.

A stroke is more accurately a brain attack, the mechanism is the same aS a heart attack, like heart attacks they come in various degrees, from very small easily recovered attacks, to the powerful attack that leaves one with extensive paralysis on one side of the body. The real debate is which is preferable extensive paralysis or death, having seen patients with extensive paralysis, I would pick death as being preferable.....

48 is kinda slow, even if you are in good shape. Do you take beta blockers, things that end in ol? BP is very good though. The hardest part is over. Great job, I know how hard it is.

No, and no discomfort either, and the HR ramps up nicely to 54-62 under normal activity. No lightheadedness, and no sensation of unreality on first rising either.

The only meds I am currently taking are vitamin supplements I have to take, and glucosamine, no BP meds, or cardiac meds. I'm even off the nicotine gum now :D

48 is kinda slow, even if you are in good shape. Do you take beta blockers, things that end in ol? BP is very good though. The hardest part is over. Great job, I know how hard it is.

No, and no discomfort either, and the HR ramps up nicely to 54-62 under normal activity. No lightheadedness, and no sensation of unreality on first rising either.

The only meds I am currently taking are vitamin supplements I have to take, and glucosamine, no BP meds, or cardiac meds. I'm even off the nicotine gum now :D

Forgot who I was talking to. keep it up, great job.

A stroke is more accurately a brain attack, the mechanism is the same aS a heart attack, like heart attacks they come in various degrees, from very small easily recovered attacks, to the powerful attack that leaves one with extensive paralysis on one side of the body. The real debate is which is preferable extensive paralysis or death, having seen patients with extensive paralysis, I would pick death as being preferable.....

Yeah, much of the right side of his body is partially paralyzed. :(

That's great, Tom. After a while you'll get really finicky about smoke-filled rooms just like you swore you never would. At least that's how I am. :) BTW, my sinuses were screwed up the day after the Pickle Barrel.

I have been reading your posts for a long time now and you are obviously not stupid. But I can't believe you smoked.
The old you must have had vultures circling overhead.
Just think of all that bike stuff you can buy with the money you used to waste on that nasty addiction.
Congratulations and keep it going.

I already am! I never realized how BAD it smells!

I can taste food again as well.

That's great, Tom. After a while you'll get really finicky about smoke-filled rooms just like you swore you never would. At least that's how I am. :) BTW, my sinuses were screwed up the day after the Pickle Barrel.

Well, I really don't think the US is ready for a Marxist President ;)

Just give it a little more time Tom...

48 is kinda slow, even if you are in good shape. Do you take beta blockers, things that end in ol? BP is very good though. The hardest part is over. Great job, I know how hard it is.

Mine is 42 the last time I checked. I don't take anything. I heard once that Lance was in the 30s. A low heart rate is also considered a sign of being athletic I believe.

I know nurses always take my pulse 3 times to be sure. :lol:

Mine is 42 the last time I checked. I don't take anything. I heard once that Lance was in the 30s. A low heart rate is also considered a sign of being athletic I believe.

I know nurses always take my pulse 3 times to be sure. :lol:

To a point. I was just concerned because I know Tom used to be a BIG guy. Often pts and doctors dont think of changing some meds when pts lose lots of weight. Better to ask and that not be it rather than not and there be problems.

Not a Problem making....:D I'm glad you asked, and it was a valid point, especially about potential med changes. :D

To a point. I was just concerned because I know Tom used to be a BIG guy. Often pts and doctors dont think of changing some meds when pts lose lots of weight. Better to ask and that not be it rather than not and there be problems.

I already am! I never realized how BAD it smells!

I can taste food again as well.

You will know you have arrived after you throw out old clothes, drapes, upholstery and paint the house, because when it's damp, you can still smell stale smoke....... I always find it funny, but reformed smokers are the most vocal about someone smoking where they shouldn't. Where someone smoking in a bus shelter, would get a "you shouldn't smoke in here", from someone like me who never smoked; they would get a "PUT THAT @$#!%*& THING OUT, OR GET THE @$#! OUT" from a reformed smoker. Yes I have been privy to that conversation, and offered a "you go girl" to the reformed smoker:D

I'm a "reformed smoker", and it doesn't bother me at all to be around people who are smoking...I kinda like the smell of the smoke, even. I figure that after 30 years of heavy smoking, a little second-hand smoke isn't going to do any additional harm, now.

You will know you have arrived after you throw out old clothes, drapes, upholstery and paint the house, because when it's damp, you can still smell stale smoke....... <SNIP>:D

First off congratulations for keeping up the amazing effort.

Fabreeze will become your best friend in the next few weeks. I found that it was the only thing that got the Smoke smell out of some furniture we got from my mother in-law, and also did a good job on my wife's car (previous owner was a smoker as well). On the car I actually bathed the headliner with Fabreeze and just used paper towls to keep soaking up the yellow liquid that oozes out. After a few cleanings the car no longer smelled of smoke. The couch required a liberal spraying two or three times, and then the smell finally went away. If there are any drapes that can be washed (we have a front loader machine so we wash just about anything) then throw in a good amount of Fabreeze in the machine... everything will come out smelling neutral.

Happy riding,
André

I wish I had Tom's vitals. At rest breaks on my rides, my hr never goes below 100 and usually 106.

After 3 weeks you should be clear to go! Awesome job!

I would have never guessed that you smoked! Anyway, I have a couple of friends that smoke (20+ yrs) and it always suprises me when we are doing something arobic (tennis, hiking, cycling, etc.) and they stop for a smoke breaks. With all of the distance riding you have done were you taking smoke breaks?

By the way... Great job on quiting! I have shared your story with people who are trying to lose weight and now I can share it with my friends who are trying to quit smoking.

How's it going, Tom?

Great work! My dad kicked the habit about 20 years ago, "cold turkey" and hasn't smoked since.

Other than the cough have you had any hypertension, nervousness or other signs of detox?

How's it going, Tom?

Curious minds, and all that! I've been wondering myself, and tried to find this thread last night and gave up after all the 'Internet Explorer not found' :( .

East Hill

Still free! Yeeeeeeeehaw!

Still free! Yeeeeeeeehaw!

:beer:

:beer:

Yes, I'll second that! Especially since I know that you are fielding all those newbie moderator questions :D ....talk about a high stress level!

East Hill

Very nice Tom. Everyday that goes by now, it gets easier.

I wouldn't say that.....

It's the final 3 weeks of semester and finals start in about a week, depending on the class :eek:

I wouldn't say that.....

It's the final 3 weeks of semester and finals start in about a week, depending on the class :eek:

Gulp!

East Hill

Well, I really don't think the US is ready for a Marxist President ;)

Are you sure?? Hillary, Obama and even McCain (to an extent) seem to be doing quite well in the polls.

-Sorry for a political statement but I couldn't resist. Besides, I took a jab at all 3 so its fair and balanced...hehe

But congrats on staying clean from tobaccie

BRAVISSIMO, TOM!!!

Myself, 6 years smoke-free now, and FINALLY, i'm assured that I won't go back. The nasty, greasy, ammoniated smell of smoke just makes me gag and run. My numbers are real close; 48 pulse, 105/65 BP, cholesterol total (this year, after all the time off the bike due to weather) 180. (Last year, 155!)

I realized some time back that I really did this the easy way -- I replaced one addiction with another, only this one is the best land-based exercise there is!