smoking holds back gains?

[HBomb]

Just wondering people's thoughts on smoking and the effects on your workout if you do smoke.

[Hardcore]

Yes it is true. So stop smoking man.

[Tikuane]

Just don't smoke like an hour before your workout. It seems to mess up your body's ability adjust your blood vessels.

[bigwhat62]

not the best thing for your lungs. quit as soon as you can. plus, you can save $$$.

[Hardcore]

not the best thing for your lungs. quit as soon as you can. plus, you can save $$$.

A lot of $$$$$$$$$....

[Skippy]

I smoke like a chimney

There is some evidence that smoking increases muscle atrophy, but the link is certainly not as strong and proven as the link between smoking and lung cancer or heart disease.

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/307842/researchers_find_that_smoking_wastes.html

[jsuggitt]

I wrote a dissertation on the effects of stress on the body. Within 10mins of even having 1 cigarette a guy in my study had his cortisol double and blood pressure go up by about 20% within the same amount of time. I could probly give you a list as long as my arm about the negative effects of smoking but you'll probably know most of them. Point is cortisol slows muscle hypertrophy and increases visceral fat storage (beer-gut).
I used to smoke and found a massive difference in my training when I stopped, you fell like you've got a third lung in comparison. As a typical example, a 5 minute run used to practically give me an asthma attack every time. I can run for about half an hour now no probs and bearly be out of breath, which isnt bad for a 238lb guy.
And from a psychological viewpoint smoking effects your decision making skills LOADS. If your even trying to validate that smoking might not effect your training then it isnt you making that thought, its the fags! You wouldnt stand front of a bus cos it'd kill you, smoking costs you serious money and does the same thing, so why smoke?

I realise Ive gone off on a bit of rant but i work in a hospital and see the effects of it every day. Smoking and excessive drinking just about covers most deaths you see and they're old people either! If you could get to your target strength in 5 months rather than 6 is it even a choice realy?

[sgmiles]

smoke with a vaporizer

[2Scoops]

need help quitting?

[silentbob]

I used to smoke like a chimney as well - it's kind of a social thing in the construction industry and I got dragged in. Haven't touched one for 3 months now, and intend to keep it that way.

I do occasionally treat myself to a sheesha, but only once or twice a month

[2Scoops]

What's a sheesha?

[silentbob]

I think you guys across the pond know them better as Hookahs - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheesha

[2Scoops]

Ahhhh, okay!

Cool ^_^

[Anand]

i smoke quite often too. sometimes i manage to avoid smoking for a day or two and i feel a little better, i have more energy for workouts and my recovery time after a workout is shorter than before. if only i could manage to quit smoking for a month atleast

great silentbob, 3 months and no smoke. how did u do it? any pointers for the weak-willed

[silentbob]

great silentbob, 3 months and no smoke. how did u do it? any pointers for the weak-willed

Thanks mate. I still have the occasional one if I'm out drinking with friends and somebody offers, but I usually regret it in the morning especially as I wake up with breath like I've been necking turds.

I don't take anything to help me not smoke, but I try and avoid being around people that do - it's easier over here now thanks to the smoking ban in bars and restaurants. I haven't stopped completely, but I'm now down from around 20 a day to 5 a week. I also made sure I kept tabs on what I was eating, as my appetite rocketed when I stopped!