Thread: The truth about smoking...

Are you interested in quitting? It sounds like you need to pick one or the other It also sounds like you know that already.

Oh and if you reply dont say......"quit smoking then"

Former Smoker here. I totally understand your struggle. I was active duty as well (Now reserves) and I can personally attest to the tobacco culture within the military ranks. It makes it tough to quit for certain.

Here are a few things that motivated me to give up the vice…

The mixture of nicotine and carbon monoxide in each cigarette you smoke temporarily increases your heart rate and blood pressure, straining your heart and blood vessels

Tar coats your lungs like soot in a chimney and causes cancer. A 20-a-day smoker breathes in up to a full cup (210 g) of tar in a year.

Carbon monoxide robs your muscles, brain and body tissue of oxygen, making your whole body and especially your heart work harder. Over time, your airways swell up and let less air into your lungs.

Lung cancer from smoking is caused by the tar in tobacco smoke. Men who smoke are ten times more likely to die from lung cancer than non-smokers.

Smoking causes fat deposits to narrow and block blood vessels, which leads to heart attack.

Now that’s a bunch of health info you’ve probably already heard and/or read. Personally, I can tell you that I experienced tremendous improvement in my overall strength and endurance training when I quit smoking. My diet improved dramatically and my cardio resperatory workouts became far less stressful with marked increases in performance.

What I’m saying is this…. If you are asking if smoking is impacting and/or impeding your ability to achieve gains in your training then the answer is a resounding YES! Aside from the restricted blood/oxygen flow in your system combined with the pollutants you are depositing in your lungs and bloodstream the you are severely restricting your full potential. Now I will tell you that this condition will only serve to get worse as you get older. I’m not sure how old you are now but when you get past 30 you’ll soon realize you’re not nearly as resilient as you used to be. Recovering from the damages of smoking only gets harder the longer you prolong the habit.

Here’s something to illustrate… Take a white tissue (Kleenex, toilet paper, whatever). The next time you take a drag off your smoke, cover your mouth with the tissue and exhale. Now look at the tissue. All the shit you see on that white paper is about 15% of what’s left of the shit you inhaled. Think about that the next time you light up.

Oh, and it "NOT pointless to work out". By all means, continue to do so. Just realize that you will never see your full potential so long as you continue to smoke.

Originally Posted by LW83

Are you interested in quitting? It sounds like you need to pick one or the other It also sounds like you know that already.

Your trying to push me now huh. NO QUESTIONS THAT HAVE ANYTHING TO DO ABOUT ME TRYING TO QUIT . PERIOD.

The was very well said Witmaster

Originally Posted by theprofessor

Your trying to push me now huh. NO QUESTIONS THAT HAVE ANYTHING TO DO ABOUT ME TRYING TO QUIT . PERIOD.

I do not benifit from you being more healthy. What would my motive be?

Originally Posted by Witmaster

Former Smoker here. I totally understand your struggle. I was active duty as well (Now reserves) and I can personally attest to the tobacco culture within the military ranks. It makes it tough to quit for certain.

Here are a few things that motivated me to give up the vice…

The mixture of nicotine and carbon monoxide in each cigarette you smoke temporarily increases your heart rate and blood pressure, straining your heart and blood vessels

Tar coats your lungs like soot in a chimney and causes cancer. A 20-a-day smoker breathes in up to a full cup (210 g) of tar in a year.

Carbon monoxide robs your muscles, brain and body tissue of oxygen, making your whole body and especially your heart work harder. Over time, your airways swell up and let less air into your lungs.

Lung cancer from smoking is caused by the tar in tobacco smoke. Men who smoke are ten times more likely to die from lung cancer than non-smokers.

Smoking causes fat deposits to narrow and block blood vessels, which leads to heart attack.

Now that’s a bunch of health info you’ve probably already heard and/or read. Personally, I can tell you that I experienced tremendous improvement in my overall strength and endurance training when I quit smoking. My diet improved dramatically and my cardio resperatory workouts became far less stressful with marked increases in performance.

What I’m saying is this…. If you are asking if smoking is impacting and/or impeding your ability to achieve gains in your training then the answer is a resounding YES! Aside from the restricted blood/oxygen flow in your system combined with the pollutants you are depositing in your lungs and bloodstream the you are severely restricting your full potential. Now I will tell you that this condition will only serve to get worse as you get older. I’m not sure how old you are now but when you get past 30 you’ll soon realize you’re not nearly as resilient as you used to be. Recovering from the damages of smoking only gets harder the longer you prolong the habit.

Here’s something to illustrate… Take a white tissue (Kleenex, toilet paper, whatever). The next time you take a drag off your smoke, cover your mouth with the tissue and exhale. Now look at the tissue. All the shit you see on that white paper is about 15% of what’s left of the shit you inhaled. Think about that the next time you light up.

Oh, and it "NOT pointless to work out". By all means, continue to do so. Just realize that you will never see your full potential so long as you continue to smoke.

Thank you thats what I was looking for. Im glad you read my post unlike that genius up above

I certainly would not say do not train there is no benefit if you smoke. If you smoke and have no desire to quit you should still lift weights and try and do everything else as healthy as possible, it will only benefit you. But yes you're inhibiting some gains and causing long term damage to your body, i.e. lungs, and putting yourself at risk of cancer.

On another note, IFBB Pro Bodybuilder Markus Ruhl smokes. www.markus-ruehl.de

Originally Posted by Robert DiMaggio

On another note, IFBB Pro Bodybuilder Markus Ruhl smokes. www.markus-ruehl.de

Yea, but rumer has it Markus laces his smokes with crushed glutamine tabs and Creatine so in his case it's ok to light up.

I smoked a bit now and then when I was in the military, but I quit a few times and what not. So anyways, when I'd quit for a while and was running for fun, I could pull about 5:30 or less a mile, but long distance was kinda where I excelled. I'd run half marathons in about an hour and fifteen seconds, which by my account was a pretty decent speed. It was always good enoug to win at least

So anyways, I'd run these little 8 miles jaunts around part of the island where I was stationed. One mile of that wold be on an uphill to get to the top of the mountainous area of the island. I picked up smoking again when I started hanging with a certain buddy and he started running with me. Lets just say that after a couple weeks of smoking, by the time I got to the top of the mountain I was pretty much done, and I could tell a definite negative impact on my breathing. So I quit, and after a while my runs increased again and I got my stamina and lung capacity back.

You're not doing yourself a favor, especially if you think you're going to move fast and smoothly in gear. You throw a 16, tac vest, ballistic vest (if you use), beretta, etc on and its going to degrade your performance big time.

I'm not going to say give it up, thats your choice. You arent going to ever reach the pinnacle of what you can do until you do though.

Originally Posted by theprofessor

We all like to have a good time right. Drink a few beers relax and all that. I enjoy lifting. I have lifted for about 5 years now. Although im not as serious as most of you people. I try and make it into the gym and keep up my regular schedule as much as I can but me being in the military makes it hard. I miss a day every now and then. And I dont always have a chance to eat as much as I want to working long hours. On top of that I smoke and drink (were talking about tobacco here). Smoking is regular. I have for about 9 years now. And drinking has become regular since I joined the military,(you military guys know how it is). I know it has an effect on my training escpecially the alcohol. But really how bad is smoking when it comes to lifting? Is it killing about everything I try and put on?

People always say why do you lift if you drink and smoke. I dont know. Like I said I like to have a good time go out and hit the clubs up every now and then like everyone else.

Oh and if you reply dont say......"quit smoking then". Im asking this to the more experienced health gurus in here that can tell me if it is pointless to workout or its not that big of a deal to smoke.

Hi The,

QUIT SMOKING. TRUTHFULLY. It IS harming you. And your effort to BE the best YOU CAN BE.

Smoking causes your veins to constrict, that is, get smaller, and thus prevent oxygen and nutrients from getting to the places your body needs. Along with other harmful effects.

ANYTHING that you do that will cause you harm IS CAUSING YOU HARM. Including excessive drinking. One or two may be ok but more is not.

Your body IS VERY IMPORTANT - at least it should be to you. Take CARE of it and WORK OUT DAMN WELL providing it with the BEST nutrients, rest, exercise, etc. The old saying "you are what you eat" certainly applies to all aspects here with regard to Bodybuilding. Smoking is like putting a noose around your neck and pulling it tight - you can not breathe as intended so it will cause you harm. Your heart is a muscle. Check into what it does just to your heart.

Throw the cigaretts away and the booze (I know this can be easier said than done BUT DO IT!!!! - GET MUSCLE and AS MUCH AND AS PURE AND HEALTHY AS IS POSSIBLE. EVERY FIBER!!!! You WILL BE DAMN GLAD YOU DID> Trust me!!!

Take Care, John H.

Originally Posted by John H.

ANYTHING that you do that will cause you harm IS CAUSING YOU HARM

Originally Posted by theprofessor

Thank you thats what I was looking for. Im glad you read my post unlike that genius up above

At least I was being freindly.

"genius" ? hey, i'm not the one that smokes.

I'm sorry if my intelligence does meet your standards. I can see that you are requesting information on why smoking is unhealthy. You must be a master of the obvious. I hope you enjoy your short lived, life of geniusness while you're hacking up a lung.

Have a wonderful day

You want the truth about smoking? You already know it. You asking this question looking for a 'hidden out' is a slap in the face to all the people who've lost loved ones to cancer or heart failure. You are a dumbass.

here is the truth that you already know.

Your future


Your lung


Coincidence?







What more could anybody possibly show you.

I read a really good article on this...I think it was b'bing.com

Originally Posted by LW83

Your future

I mean, thats one helluva scar!

Originally Posted by Eggs

I mean, thats one helluva scar!

the majority of the scar will heal, but he will never breathe the same.

luke, it looks like this guy only wants to hear what he wants to hear, hw knows the aswers to all he posted but he only wants to listen to what he wants to hear......

i used to smoke too, but i quit about 4 yrs ago because i got so serious about bodybuilding....it was the best thing i ever did in my life, smoking is gross and nasty, it should be banned becasue it is a god damn drug, i had the hardes time quiting that shit becasue i was so addictive........

Originally Posted by QuestionGuy

i used to smoke too, but i quit about 4 yrs ago because i got so serious about bodybuilding....it was the best thing i ever did in my life, smoking is gross and nasty, it should be banned becasue it is a god damn drug, i had the hardes time quiting that shit becasue i was so addictive........

Hi Question,

There is no doubt it is hard to quit BUT it IS WORTH DOING. And pays you back bigtime!!! I am glad you quit and were able to!!!

HAVING AND KEEPING the best and purest in every fiber of Muscle to me is paramount. Why anyone would want to only go "half-way" or "no-way" into Bodybuilding is foolish. And to harm yourself and your efforts as well.

Take Care, John H.

i think most people today are disgusted by smoking. it is an ugly, nasty, smelly habit. more n more people today won't even date someone who smokes. my house smells like oranges and cloves mixed with a lot of vanilla candles. try lighting up in here.

Originally Posted by rockgazer69

i think most people today are disgusted by smoking. it is an ugly, nasty, smelly habit. more n more people today won't even date someone who smokes. my house smells like oranges and cloves mixed with a lot of vanilla candles. try lighting up in here.

does it ever smell like sex ??? damn thats hard to get rid of....

um not lately no and sex really shouldn't be that smelly unless you are into scat....

ehehehehhe i always knew that there was a connection between the song " love is in the air " and sex....

please god don't let john h. start a thread about scat.

And so........

We can safely deduce from the natural course of this thread that smoking is equally conducive to being shit on.

Leave it to RG to sum it all up in simple layperson's terms for us

at least poop doesn't cause cancer.

Originally Posted by rockgazer69

please god don't let john h. start a thread about scat.

Hi Rock,

No. I'll let someone else do that. While there are those that find this aspect "inviting"... I guess I could "see" someone urinating and getting "off" somehow but NOT the "other" - how would they find it at all "pleasurable"?

While I am not judging anyone this aspect is not for me personally.

Take Care, John H.

I used to pretend I smoked when I was in the military so I could sneak off every 30 minutes and waste some time.

I did however smoke alot of herb back then, I remember getting blazed while walking towards the base gates and trying to kill the joint before we got within smelling distance of the guard, I held the smoke and blew it right after passing through luckily my friend Paul was smoking a cigarette at the same time so he blew his cig. smoke at the same time, the guard was probably thinking "damn that cig. smells alot like weed." So the moral of the story is weed is more fun than tobacco kids.