fitness advice

[jazzkat]

Ignoring the smoking advice (which I agree with) I'd say keep a routine.
I find if I have a routine it's easier to stick to it, so try to cycle the same time every week so that, for example, Monday is ride day. Don't let anything get in the way. When it starts feeling easier (as in, you don't feel like you are about to die) go further or find a hill.
When I started out I bought a pair of cycle shorts and wore an old cotton t-shirt. It wasn't great, but I felt good passing the roadies up hill on my old mountain bike when I got fitter.
Now I'm a 'roady' myself and I still push myself to catch the guy up the road or go for the next big hill. It makes it fun and keeps me fit, keep moving the goal posts.
Keep at it and good luck

 

[jake125]

i was going for a road bike but the wheels didnt fill me with confidence , theres alot of potholes here also so bought a hybrid i recently lost my job so now i have nothing to do during the day it was the perfect time to cycle again

 

[User28924]

Do a shortish ride, that you find hard. Then, if possible, try and not smoke for just a day or two, and do the ride again. Compare your times and how you felt. I found doing this motivated me through some of the worst of the cravings. Every time I'd crave I'd get on the erg (I didn't cycle at the time) and kill myself on my short stretch (2k on the erg) and see that improvement. On the couple of occasions I gave in, it got harder, and I'd be coughing my lungs up again. Having that definitive effect of no ciggies can really help motivate, as opposed to the less obvious and more impersonal reduction in CHD risk.

Oh also when you're craving, stop what you're doing, take your phone/watch out, and look at it until it passes. It'll only last a few minutes and I found it helped.

Also I had to try and avoid hanging out with other smokers when I was going to be drinking. Honest to god it's impossible to resist. :'( Haha!

Good luck with the cycling! (and quitting if you decide to)

Sorry for the essay on quitting, but I know how hard it is, and I hope if you decide to, some of it helps!

 

[Gravity Aided]

The more you get into cycling, the more of your budget will go to that instead of cigarettes. And the cycling can be as strong an urge. Once you've invested the time in cycling, you will also be able to say to yourself you are ready to go to the next level. Good luck on the quitting. You'll know when the time is right.

 

[paul04]

I will just echo what others have said, just get out on your bike, at 1st avoid any hills, just pick a route which is quite flat,
do that say for a couple of weeks, then extend the route by say adding a mile to it.

I always believe quitting smoking is all in your head, and when your ready and in the right frame of mind,you will give up.

 

[GetAGrip]

I will just echo what others have said, just get out on your bike, at 1st avoid any hills, just pick a route which is quite flat,
do that say for a couple of weeks, then extend the route by say adding a mile to it.

I always believe quitting smoking is all in your head, and when your ready and in the right frame on mind,you will give up.

Agree with paul04. Get riding and the bike may will win you over. The stopping smoking bit will happen, but only when YOU want more from life than you currently get with the fags. Your life, your choice!
If your anything like me, the more folks badger you about dumping the fags, the less likely it is you will oblige them. For now just enjoy your bike and ride it!

 

[Steve H]

Improving cycling key tips:
- regular and often is much better than pushing hard infrequently.
- focus on enjoying your riding, it makes it much easier to get out regularly
- get a mate to join you of a similar standard. Harder not to ride if you have to let a mate down

Stopping smoking key tips
- do not go to the pub - alcohol will dull your willpower, as will the habit of smoking between drinks.
- spend time with non smokers. Less temptation when no one else is smoking
- do not 'just have one'. You can kid yourself that it is just one, but it is a massive slippery slope
- some people like to cut down first over a couple of weeks, but ultimately you have to bite the bullet and set a date to hard stop

 

[vickster]

Use the need to buy an n+1 road bike to keep your hybrid company on cold winter evenings as an incentive to quit. Stop and put your fag money in a pot, in a few months you'll have enough cash to buy another bike and you'll feel fit and able to ride it if your not working, you'll appreciate the savings even more

 

[jake125]

just want to say thanks to everyone i will drive to bike shop now for waterbottle and cage come home and see were i can cycle too thanks

 

[Pjays666]

I also gave up smoking in October after starting cycling again after 20 years. My first ride was a whopping 2.4 miles and I was knackered when I got back. I did 51 miles on the canal towpath on Saturday, just take it easy and increase gradually. Remember keep it fun and the distances and fitness will come. As for the fags you will give up when your ready so good luck and happy cycling.

 

[pplpilot]

If the cycling bug bites you'll have to quit the fags, you wont be able to afford them!

 

[grumpyoldgit]

I am 58,heavy smoker for 50 of those.Stopped 6 months ago,I went on the Alan Carr course.SWMBO still smokes,but it doesnt make me want to smoke.It is the most mentally addictive drug known to man.Good luck & enjoy they bikes (there will be more than one)