huskertko

Well, I am 2+ weeks into my non smoker life and so far it has been very easy, not to say I haven't had some urges to give in but so far I have resisted them. One thing I have noticed with my cycling is that I am having to work a little harder to get my HR up. I also checked my resting HR and it was 57, whereas a before I quit smoking it was mid 60s. Maybe these are just anommolies or maybe not. I hope that I start to see some improvement with my climbing as well.\

The only downside I have seen so far from quitting, is I have gained about 5 or 6 pounds in that two weeks or so, even though I am riding more now that I was over the winter.

Unknown Cyclist

Well done on a good start.

Andy_K 

Yes, that's what we non-smokers like to call "healthy lungs." Enjoy.

Seriously, I've never been a smoker or a physician, but I think it's entirely likely that this is a real physiological improvement and not just an anomaly. It should get even better from there.

wabbit

i remember noticing improvement almost immediately....my lung capacity for sure. Keep going!

bcarter6

One of the first things I noticed when I quit smoking was how quickly my breathing and HR were back to normal at the top of the 1/2 mile hill I have to climb every day outside my apartment. When I was a smoker (i.e. when I first started riding my bike... bike riding showed me how bad I'd hurt myself with smoking) I had to stop at the top of the hill and catch my breath. Not after too long after quitting I'd get to the top and by the time the light turned green my HR and breathing were normal. Now I get to the top of much bigger hills and don't even feel the least bit out of breath. I like it

Brian T.

Congrats! The first two weeks are the hardest. I quit about 4 yrs ago, pack a day, +/- a few. Definitely glad I did. It was getting expensive, even before they jumped. My appetite shot up, gained a little but the bike helped take care of that.Keep going , it does get easier. (Although I do admit to missing the one after dinner )

jungovox

it's been 5 months here - after 42 years of smoking - I miss them every day but will NOT be a slave to them ever again - did gain 15lbs - and did start up cycling - LOVING the biking - am breathing better and life is getting better every day -

2 weeks is VERY impressive - you are on your way -

Fritz

rumrunn6

Fantastic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Condorita

Congratulations to all the quitters!

For me, it was Hallowe'en 1995 when I smoked my last one.

bcarter6

By the way, I think two weeks is more impressive than two years, if you know what I mean.

Brian T.

And they say no one likes a quitter...

Bizurke

I'm trying to quit (again) and am down to just a couple a day right now. The last few times I quit I noticed at around 2 weeks I started coughing up horrible things when I went on rides, it actually made riding harder for a while and that kind of pissed me off. Once my lungs cleared up a bit though things were okay. I went about 6 months with out smoking the last time and must say I really didn't notice much of a difference in lung capacity, heart rate, etc.

Congrats on 2 weeks, that is really hard! I'm looking forward to making it that far right now.

Juggler2

Congrats! But I think you'd be better off not counting the days.

huskertko

not really counting, just happened to think about it.

Thanks to everyone for the well wishes.

Wanderer

Congrats - the first two weeks ARE the hardest. You will want one for a LONG itme, but it will get better.

My last cigarette was in 1988! Damn, that's over 20 years ago. Was one of the best things I ever did....

I figure I smoked a Cadillac Sedan de Ville, at 1989 prices!

Don't give up - you now have it beat ------- but, it will take work.

Prayers are with you!

huskertko

I figure at todays cigarette prices, I will have saved enough from my new Felt Z series bike by next summer. That's pretty good motivation as well.

daredevil

Congrats man.

I wouldn't be concerned with the weight gain at all. You can tackle that after the smokes.

For the oral fixation part of the thing I used cinnamon sticks. I was ridiculously good at smoking though so I needed aids like that.

misterE0

I bought a bike and started cycling right when I quit. It was, and still is good motivation to keep away from the smokes. The first few days are difficult while you figure out what to do with yourself besides smoking, but after that it only gets easier.

wabbit

i admit i smoke once in a blue moon, ie new years eve or something. But not during bike season! i don't worry about getting hooked again because as much as i LOVED smoking, i'd never start again...and give up my bike! and have to deal with all the other stuff. ONce you've been off the weed for a while, you realize how irritating it is. I can't handle being in a REALLY smoky environment, and even on those occasions when i do smoke or am exposed to it, it really irritates my sinuses and they bother me all night.

island rider

Congrats. I'm on week three. Still going for the nicorette gum here and there, but I think this time it will stick.

daredevil

Yes congrats. It better stick. Do you really want to go through the same agony of the past 2 weeks again? Of course you don't.

joe_5700

You really have to think like a non smoker and just do things to take your mind off of them. I have quit several times. This time I have kept off of them for 14 months. It is really hard if you have a spouse or close friends who smoke. Being that I play in a band it makes it tough too as many musicians smoke, and it was always great to have a cig after bashing out an hour or more worth of music in practice or a show.

Tapeworm21

I'm in the process of quitting smoking as well. Saturday night I did some irresponsible things and ended up smoking a bunch. Monday's ride was a disaster, today's ride was much better but rainy. It doesn't take very long to clear your system out.