Five Reasons to Supercharge your Quit with Exercise

[Dr_Hays]

Sometimes it seems like making one healthy change can be the catalyst to inspire other healthy behaviors.  Adding a dose of physical activity to your quit plan (even those of you who have been smoke-free for years!) may yield surprising results. 

Think of how the following benefits of exercise might impact your success. According to the staff at Mayo Clinic:

1.      Exercise can help control your weight

Gaining weight is often a concern after quitting, but adding some activity into your day may help ward off those sneaky pounds.

2.      Exercise combats health conditions and diseases

            Part of your motivation to quit is likely to preserve your health. Regular physical activity can help you prevent or manage a wide range of issues, including heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, depression, and certain types of cancer, arthritis and falls.

3.      Exercise improves mood and boosts energy

Great for an emotional lift, or to blow off steam after a stressful day, physical activity stimulates brain chemicals that may leave you feeling happier, more optimistic, and more relaxed.  Plus, with a more efficient heart and set of lungs you won’t need to rely on tobacco for boosts in energy.

4.      Exercise promotes better sleep

Regular physical activity can help you fall asleep faster and deepen your sleep.

5.      Exercise can be fun

Physical activity can be a fun way to spend some time. It is an opportunity to engage in activities that make you happy, to connect with family or friends, or to try something new.

What healthy recommendations would you share with others as they work to stay smoke-free?  What helped you the most in feeling better and taking control of your life?

http://mayocl.in/1CiNviL

[YoungAtHeart]

Walking briskly around your building during the times you used to take smoke breaks is a great stress AND crave reducer!

In the early days of my quit, I would often march in place.  You can do this anywhere, pretty much anytime!

Nancy

[Dr_Hays]

@Youngatheart What a great way to stay in shape and keep yourself busy.  Would have been fun to add a pedometer/fitness tracker to see how many steps you walked!  

"So how did you stop smoking, Youngatheart?"

"Oh, I walked about 300 miles, among other things."

[tjanddj]

Walking and functional exercise such as raking leaves, mowing the lawn, hauling dirt around the garden, chopping wood, stacking wood. Keeping the body moving and working those muscles made me feel good (and sometimes quite sore) kept me distracted and I found out I could keep going longer on an activity, All those breaks I used to need to "rest" was just an excuse to have a cigarette.

[MarilynH]

Thank you Dr Hays for sharing this EXcellent blog with us EXers, I love to walk and now that the snow and ice is pretty much gone along the edge of the road I Will be able to walk outside again once the mud drys up yay which should be very soon.

[Giulia]

What helped you the most in feeling better and taking control of your life?

Quitting smoking.  Once you begin the quit journey and get a couple of days under your belt you being to realize that YOU ARE in control of your life.  And with each passing day smoke free, you gain more and more power.  Self discipline is WONDERFUL for your ego.  As is the accomplishment of achieving your goal bit by bit.  And once longevity is mastered, that feeling of control remains with you the rest of your life. 

Setting up an exercise regime in conjunction with quitting just adds psychologically to the "I CAN DO ANYTHING!" mindset.  And helps to give some relief from the "I want a cigarette" whisperer.  It's something that you can start small.  And it's important to keep it varied.  Nothing more boring than a treadmill.  The most fun kind of exercise, of course, is a sport.  And one where you're engaging with others -  even better for taking your mind off cravings.  There are endless possibilities for exercise.  Get a CD on Tai Chi, or Pilates, or Isometrics, Yoga.  Jump on your bike, if you have one, and go for a daily ride.  Get a hoola hoop and re-learn how.  Draw a chalk line and jump from one side to the other.  Play hop scotch.  We're only as limited as our imaginations.

[Thomas3.20.2010]

Sorry I'm late! I was at the gym!!!

[Thomas3.20.2010]

BTW Today is National Walking Day!

http://www.healthaim.com/national-walking-day-2-mile-daily-walk-fights-copd/50338

[dchege]

I have been parking 1/2 mile from my work location to force myself to get in a mile walk. (I am not a big fan of exercise). This has been working great.

[anaussiemom]

Thank you for the link.

[anaussiemom]

Ok  you go ahead Ill catch up .  

[indingrl]

Exercise HELPS ME to maintain MY weight and continue to keep ME eating healthy and continue REALISTIC weight loss in healthier ways for ME A RECOVERING FOOD AND WHITE SUGAR ADDICT! Thanks for the ON GOING education for ME Dr Hays good EXpert ADVICE! Keep coming BACK

[Cap21]

Getting into a routine is Essential for me ...especially now that I have more free time ! I wake up and put yoga with Adrianne .. a good stretch and pumping blood flow .. my muscles love it ! Than breakfast  take my Ginger ( dog ) around the block - after lunch errands or gardening - the idea is to keep very busy on a Off day from work   

[Kdot1st]

Any suggestions for me? I have extreme neuropathy & back pain. I can't stand for more than 4 minutes before the pain & weakness make it necessary to sit or lie down. My legs will start shaking. My Fitbit goal is 2500 steps & I typically make that goal about 4 days a week. I really miss taking walks. 

[YoungAtHeart]

You have posted on an old blog, and most folks won't find it unless they previously responded.  Best place to get members' attention is "Post to My Blog." which is the center blue box on the Homepage https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/welcome.     Here is a primer on the site to help you get acquainted:EX to EX INSTRUCTIONS.

You might look for a chair yoga video on YouTube, and only do the parts that look doable for you, or do some stepping while sitting in a chair if that is possible.  They sell bike pedals and  a wheel that you can use while seated, too.  Marching in place while you do the dishes or brush your teeth might also work.  If your back allows it, lifting 1-2 pound hand weights while seated also might work.  Do you have a PT Rx?  If not, might you get one?  A therapist would be a wonderful resource to help you design activities that you might do.  Moving really does help to get dopamine flowing that you are missing.  You can get dopamine by singing aloud to your favorite music, too  - or eating a small bite of chocolate.

Good that you are asking for support and advice here.  It's what we DO!

[Escudo]

I couldn’t agree more. I’ve always been an avid exerciser, even while smoking. But now I’ll up my game! I’ve even thought about taking up distance running and swimming again!

Most of all, thanks to this Community. You’re my #1 support in quitting. Thank you!

[Metroguy]

@Escudo just wanted to say I can very much relate to what you wrote. Like you, I have always been an avid exerciser. Since stopping smoking, I have noticed that I have more energy when I am at the gym. I also am able to endure the exercises for longer periods of time. I am hoping come Spring that I can do some type of running. Even if it is a slow jog, I would consider that a big deal. 

@Dr_Hays thank you for the insightful post. Indeed, exercise can be an important part of smoking cessation. 

Best,

John

[free2beme33]

I just signed up and am very excited to join this smoke-free community! Today is my 7th day without a smoke! I didn't get a chance to set a quit date, as I started cutting down on my own on the week of the anniversary of my Dad's passing (7-26) and about 2 weeks (8-7) later my body quit for me. Nobody told me that when you cut down to about 5 cigs/day, your body starts going through withdrawal/smokers flu. It started with a soar throat and then a head cold, then the insanely painful/challenging physical withdrawal. But I am very spiritual & I know that the Angels help me quit! 😁 So, just wanted to say "HI" and I am very happy to be joining your community. I have read some posts and you guys are Awesome!! 😁

Free2beme33