Smoking and Weight Lifting (Blog)

[Mouse]

Use this thread to discuss the next post from StrongLifts.com's blog:

Smoking and Weight Lifting: Does it Affect your Muscle Gains

[z5h]

I am a smoker. I know I should quit.

Having said that:
I subscribe to the StrongLifts 5x5 program, and bike 1/2 hour daily to and from work.
I've been 5x5ing for less than a year.
I'm 6'2", 205 lbs.

According to exrx.ner strength standards, http://www.exrx.net/Testing/WeightLifti ... dards.html, my 1RM values put me in:

Deadlift (350lbs): intermediate - advanced
Squat: (270lbs): novice - intermediate

They also say:
Intermediate is "A person who has engaged in regular training for up to two years. The intermediate level indicates some degree of specialization in the exercises and a high level of performance at the recreational level."
Advanced is "An individual with multi-year training experience with definite goals in the higher levels of competitive athletics."

Not bad for a smoker who's been doing this for less than a year. Probably says something about the effectiveness of the stronglifts program.

Obviously I'd be progressing faster if I wasn't a smoker. Still being a smoker is no excuse not to train, and doesn't mean you won't get results.

[xct84]

I don't smoke, but I have been dippin' snuff since I was 14. I will 48 in November. Does snuff have the same adverse affects?

[Maslow]

How about cannabis? You take in very little smoke compared with tobacco and I think it aids recovery because it helps a person eat more and sleep better. Still probably not something to take up to help weight training though...

[chris88]

I don't smoke, but I have been dippin' snuff since I was 14. I will 48 in November. Does snuff have the same adverse affects?

From what I know smoking is bad because it deprives your lungs from oxygen. And you need oxygen for building muscle.
So for that part I don't think snuff has the same effects.
But correct me if I'm wrong, I'm not completely sure about this.

[emez]

Although I agree with a lot of Mehdi's articles, in this one he lists cutting down as a wrong way to quit smoking, but this is what finally worked for me.

I started smoking very early, age 13, and I quit December 2007 at age 18. I had worked my way up to more than a pack a day by the time I quit. I had tried patches, gums, and cold turkey--and none of it worked for me. What I finally did was gain control over it again. I started by saying "I will smoke no more than 25 cigarettes today." I made that last a week and cut to 24, did that for a week and cut to 23, etc. By the time I got down to 4 a day, I didn't even understand why I was smoking anymore and then quitting was simple: I just did it. Sure, it took me 20 weeks, but this is something that some people struggle with their entire lives, both of my parents included. I'm more than a year and a half "clean" now and have no cravings, even when I drink or put myself in other situations where I would have previously wanted a smoke.

How about cannabis?

That, however, is a different story...

[scottyc]

Thanks for this recommendation. I don't smoke, never have never will and completely hate being around a smoker. I have bought this for a friend/colleague who I don't wan't to smoke anymore and keeps making excuses about how he wants to smoke to relax and de stress.

[mutt]

Well, after seeing that post again and having just gone through way to many smokes for comfort, at a rate of $13/pack (25 cigs per pack).
Time to quit again.. to date I've tried:
"Will Power" method
The Patch (a few times)
The gum
The pills (made me sick, but they did work)

And now I've just listened to the Allen Carr audio book. It seems like if Napoleon Hill were to make a stop smoking program, it would follow the same line of thought. Positive mental attitude..

Anyway - I listened to it twice, and decide to try once more.

z5h: Not bad for a smoker who's been doing this for less than a year. Probably says something about the effectiveness of the stronglifts program.

Obviously I'd be progressing faster if I wasn't a smoker. Still being a smoker is no excuse not to train, and doesn't mean you won't get results.

I've squatted 415lbs, deadlifted 375lbs, benched 225lbs, and ran a marathon, all while being a smoker. I often wonder where I'd be today if I didn't smoke. I smoke before/after workout.. and heavy squats ~20mins after a smoke is a sickening feeling.

[Leanstrong]

How about cannabis? You take in very little smoke compared with tobacco and I think it aids recovery because it helps a person eat more and sleep better. Still probably not something to take up to help weight training though...

I do it quite a lot, can't say if it helps or not, but certainly doesn't hurt. Doesn't interfere with my training the way a bad hangover from drinking will. Also haven't had any problems with lung power, like cigarettes might cause, because when I smoke weed I only end up taking three or four inhales compared to people smoking a pack a day. Just personal experience

[elgon]

I started smoking at 14yrs.
been at it constantly since and managed to quit once for a day.
I tried nicorette gum and patches. What happened? I got addicted to them too!!!
I even tried acupuncture. Yeah, psychological crap. I threw away a whole pack of cigs at 9pm and was out later digging in the trash for them at midnight.
I look younger than most of my agemates so i guess am not aging too bad.
Last time I got sick was due to flu 2 years ago. Thats it.
I make all the excuses and prety convinced by them.
I'll quit when I do.

I smoke and don't want the exta stress of trying to quit bother me right now
I smoke a pack a day and maybe more depending on how much work I need to do (I seem to focus more)
I just don't smoke 30 mins before Gym and pick up as usual 15 mins after. LOL

On that note, wheres my damn pack!!

[elgon]

Well.
I just a few minutes ago got a change of heart!!
http://stronglifts.com/forum/elgon-quits-smoking-t19871.html

[holvoetn]

Good decision.

Redirect the stress towards the bar for the coming days