Fitness for rider!

[Cochise]

Hi,
I have just quit the disgusting smoking habit last week after nearly 4 years of smoking!! Its been a week now and I am feeling so much better! I thought that this week once all the nasty chemicals were out of my body I would start jogging so that I would not be a huffing mess after finishing the cross country plus it is to act as an initiative not to smoke anymore. I have just this moment come back from my first 10 minute run and I am wheezing and coughing!! Its horrible, I am more determined than ever to keep away from the cancer sticks and keep up the running, not only to make me a fitter and more responsive rider, but for my health....wish me luck!! Plus I hope this is an incentive for others to quit!!

[Cochise]

Cool, finally stopped wheezing!! Wow I feel fantastic!! LOL......Cheeky won't know me in a month!!

[jonto]

Hi, Ive been finished 6 years now, still hav'nt got rid of it all yet!

[Cochise]

oh no dont say that it takes 6 years! im feeling really good now!! but I;m never starting again.

[Tina J]

A friend of mine quit a month ago. Not only is she feeling a lot better but she smells a lot better to my human nose, so she must smell even nicer to the more sensitive equine nose. Keep it up, and well done. I've seen how hard it is to beat cigarette addiction, so good for you. (I've never smoked myself by the way - both parents are smokers and it was enough to put me off. They've never managed to quit and neither can walk anywhere now without wheezing badly. My husband's uncle is also a life-long smoker and is now slowly dying from emphysemia.) You've done the best thing you could do to ensure your own health, and to make sure that you are around long enough to care for your horse through its entire life.

[jonto]

Both my parents smoked and I grew up with it, everbody smoked then, did'nt seem to bother them. perhaps the effects are cumulitive, later generations suffering more. I had to give up, doctors orders and sell my business which was transport related, deisel fumes. I was quite ill at the time, dont suppose I'll every recover fully, but I'm well enough to enjoy my outdoor activites and have coped with my riding without any trouble so far. Its just in the winter when a cold comes along that I'm in trouble. Conchise dont be alarmed, you've not had the exposure that I have. By the way, what's the winters like in New Zealand?

[HAYLEY GITTOES]

Good luck, for quitting

[kedwards]

Congratulations on quitting Cochise. I must admit that I'm still smoking, though I have cut down substantially. Keep in mind that you may find yourself coughing a bit more for the first few weeks, as things loosen up (sorry, not a lovely image, but it's the truth). Consider that part of the process of purification.

Starting the running is a great idea. In addition to the incentive it gives you, it can also be a great way to avoid those extra pounds that often go along with quitting.

I've been negligent in my running and biking lately, but I really have to get back to a consistent program.

Keep up the good work!

[maverick927]

Good for you for stopping. I had my first smoke at 12 and believe me it was my last. i was glad for trying so young as I now know what it is like (digusting) and will never try again.
I also need to keep my fitness up for riding.

[Sable]

Well Done for quitting Cochise. I gave up in January after smoking for fourty years.I smoked 60 a day and the reason I gave up was so that I could put my mare in full livery after she had a nasty accident.Since then I have also managed to buy an Icelandic.I would not be able to afford this if I hadn't quit, I also feel much better and can ride for a lot longer each day. The only down thing is that I have put on a bit of weight but Hey you can't have everything :D Good Luck keep it up.

[Cochise]

Thanks for all the support!! Yep the coughing isn't pretty this morning, but I'm scheduled to do my run soonn then go to my horse. The winters in New Zealand are quite mild compared to some places. However we get an average of 89 ground frosts (yuck) and the occassional snow fall to ground level but apart from this, we get fairly temperate rain and fairly warm days.....it depends where you are, everywhere in New Zealand gets different weather, for example the west coast get a hell of a lot of rain!!
I'm really excited that I have quit, and can't wait till I can finish a cross country with out huffing so much and ride dressage more effectivelyagain without getting so tired!!:cool:
And congratulations to all others who have successfully kicked thee habit!

[jonto]

Hello Cochise
Dont start again its so easy to have just one more and its fatal your hooked again! Are you south island, NZ is one country I've always wanted to visit and never have, its so far from here.

[Peace]

And Sable and jonto - y'all are an inspration! I'm giving them up on Monday - I've been smoking 25 years and I'm not brave enough to quit until I can get some of that nicotine gum!

I'm quitting for the reasons mentioned above - money, riding fitness, etc. - but I'm also hoping it will help with my nerves. I remember from scuba diving that shallow, rapid breathing contributes to nervousness, due to excess carbon dioxide building up in the bloodstream. Since I find myself frequently out of breath around the horses, I wonder if I will feel calmer after I've increased my lung capacity a bit?

[Cochise]

Well just an update on my quitting...Its been over 2 weeks now and still not one. I have been very tempted, but I haven't given in! I have been a bit slack on the running thing though...I have just started back at university and time is a bit short at the moment with work and Cheeky etc etc. But I will go tomorrow, and see how I go.
Bye!!

[LouiseS]

Hi

I gave up on Boxing Day and it will be seven months next week after 30 years of smoking (I'm 46 and started as a teenager). I never thought I would do it - I had always considered myself a career smoker - I ws a first thing in the morning person but something just 'clicked' in my brain and I stopped. I bought nicotine gum but actually never used it.

I do feel better and have saved quite a bit of money - enough to afford another horse's upkeep I think - once my stables are built!

Louise

[mikka]

Well done. Keep it up, it does get easier! I quit when I became pregnant 14 years ago and STILL miss it if I have a drink - otherwise, I never think about it!