dont know where to start

**xirokx** · 02-03-2008 05:00 PM

sorry i just signed up, dont know if this post belongs to this section..

Hi,

I am 27 years old and would like to get fit. I would like to increase my stamina, build muscles (cuz I look weedy) and generally lead a fit lifestyle.

Trouble is I smoke up to 15 cigs a day, I dont drink or do drugs.

I have never been to a gym because I think I just wont be good enough at any of the activities although I was always great at sports at school. Not that I wont be good enough but I may be the most unfittest person there.

I am not fat, well recently acquired this pot belly but my reason for not going to a gym is because I smoke so isnt that just a waste of money? and also because I think I will start going and then just stop - dont know where that fear comes from but thats how I feel..

I would love to increase my stamina, be able to run / sprint like I used to, be more bulkier and as said above just be alot healthier...

Trouble is I dont know where to start or what to do, perhaps because I smoke I think it would be like taking 1 step forward and moving 2 steps back..

I wonder if anyone was in this position prior to starting? I wonder if people still smoke whilst going to gym, trying to increase stamina, or build muscles? Probably the most of them not but is there anyone who was like me before they worked their butt off to change? I would really love to hear from you...

I look forward to your comments / advise..

Cheers..

P.S. another reason why I think if I signed up to a gym I would stop going is because for xmas I bought my gf the davina boxset, we both did it for about a month, we were both aching but loved feeling great afterwards...We then stopped due to busy and stressful careers and life in general..

Anyway would love to hear your comments..

**Luffers** · 02-03-2008 05:06 PM

I have been training for roughly 8/9 years now and for the first 4/5 I smoked.

I still gained around 2 stone of muscle though !!

Obviously for optimal gains don't !! but it shouldn't stop you from training.

**roadz** · 02-03-2008 05:08 PM

you think it would be a waste of money going to the gym and then quitting? surely its more of a waste of money to spend over £100 on cigarettes a month???

From your post, it appears that you haven't even considered giving up smoking and that it's totally out of the question. However:

The simple solution IS to quit smoking and you should definatly try unless you want to get cancer. Use your goal of wanting to get fit and attain an amazing body as some thing to help you quit smoking. You will have more money, be in better shape and probably be more appealing to the opposite sex.

Anyway, its all down to you, and you can quit smoking, its just a question of whether you are strong enough to do so or not...

**roadz** · 02-03-2008 05:09 PM

BTW, which part of NW london are you from?

**xirokx** · 02-03-2008 06:08 PM

roadz - i can only take it you have NEVER smoked...I'm near n3

luffers - how did you find your stamina when you started working out, then two years later? although you smoked...

**roadz** · 02-03-2008 06:12 PM

Quote

Originally Posted by xirokx

roadz - i can only take it you have NEVER smoked...I'm near n3

luffers - how did you find your stamina when you started working out, then two years later? although you smoked...

I have smoked briefly. I was smoking canabis for a few years and did have the willpower to quit that. I have also just recently quit gambling.

And by your response to my post, I assume you are not going to quit smoking?

**xirokx** · 02-03-2008 06:16 PM

i hear you about cannabis...I totally understand...

Its just that when people have kicked a "habit" they usually dont start off with "just quit"

of course I realise the finanical implications and the rest of it however when you have smoked for 13 - 14years its not as easy as that really, i wish it was...

yes I know willpower blah blah blah

anyway i dont want the quit smoking conversation to overcome the reason I posted here..

I really wanted to hear from people in my situation that trained...

**roadz** · 02-03-2008 07:20 PM

Quote

Originally Posted by xirokx

i hear you about cannabis...I totally understand...

Its just that when people have kicked a "habit" they usually dont start off with "just quit"

of course I realise the finanical implications and the rest of it however when you have smoked for 13 - 14years its not as easy as that really, i wish it was...

yes I know willpower blah blah blah

anyway i dont want the quit smoking conversation to overcome the reason I posted here..

I really wanted to hear from people in my situation that trained...

Yea I understand what you mean. But obviously, if you can, quitting would be the best thing to do in terms of training.

But back to your questions, smoking and training:

I think smoking lowers testosterone levels and if you want to put on some muscle this is obviously a big problem. Obviously smoking will also be a major problem in terms of stamina.

**xirokx** · 02-03-2008 10:18 PM

so am i right not to bother isnt that way you are saying whilst smoking?

I mean the previous poster said he put 2st on...

so..

hmmmmmmm

**jamesb_88** · 02-03-2008 10:55 PM

I think attitude is a big part of it, the biggest part of it actually.

In your first post you said how you and the mrs gave up on the Davina boxset due to stressful and busy lives. 99% of ppl on this forum have stressful and busy lives, it's about making working out a priority - if it's always seen as just something on top of your life then it'll always get put off and slip, it has to be an integral part of your life.

To do anything in life, all you have to do is DECIDE that you want it.

(Also bad show on previous post, seems fairly disrespectful to someone who is just trying to help, even if you've said you don't want it.)