smoking and exercise
 

this is going to sound fairly ridiculous, but here goes... i really want to quit smoking at some point, but the process of losing weight is a little stressful for me, and cigarettes provide me with instant stress relief (i know, i know...). but because of what smoking does for circulation and breathing, i'm worried that i'll instantly keel over from a heart attack while on my stationary bike or while lifting weights. does continuing to smoke while starting an exercise program pose an immediate health hazard?

i just can't imagine tackling these two things at the same time (giving up smoking + eating better and working out), but maybe i'm making excuses... i figure once i get deep into taking care of myself in one sense, i'll go all the way and kick the habit. but is this going to totally kill me (or is it impossible to tell)?

I used to smoke, and for years I smoked and exercised until I got to the point where I couldnt advance my exercise any more without cutting back or quitting. Even today I watch people walk out the door at the gym and light up.

Short of it is, adding exercise to smoking is not gonna make you drop over dead, its just gonna hold you back. I say go ahead and start the exercise program and once you have established that, let things take their course.

sandwiches, it's hard to answer your question without knowing first what your general state of health is.
My advice would be to see your doctor and have a good overall checkup and then ask them about it, especially if it's been a while since you've been involved in any form of steady, strenuous excercise.

i agree with leaddog. i still smoke and exercise. although i would like to quit sometime soon, but one step at a time. i can't do everything at once otherwise i give up. that's why i started exercising again, now i'm working on my diet, then i figure i'll eventually quit smoking. smoking DOES hold you back. that's why i've been walking instead of jogging or running. =\