By Michele Silence, MA

A recent study found that smoking hampers physical fitness (even in young, fit people) and smokers seem to have lower physical endurance than nonsmokers1. Even when smokers want to get fit, the task isnt always easy. Cigarettes push blood pressure up, increase the heart rate and make coughing and choking a real problem.

In essence, youre poisoning your body with the cigarettes yet expect the same stressed organs to work hard during exercise. This puts a double strain on your heart, blood vessels, pulse, and blood pressure, as well as diminishes the oxygen levels in the blood.

Both exercise and smoking affect the same organ systems, but in opposite ways. While smoking decreases lung capacity, exercise increases it. In addition, as smoking increases your risk of having a heart attack, exercise decreases it. And then theres the issue of phlegmsmoking produces phlegm (which congests the lungs), while exercise breaks it up and rebuilds the lungs.

For more information on the effect of smoking when working out see the following article from TheDietChannel: Cigarettes: Will a couple per week affect your workout?

If youre a smoker who is ready to start exercising but not quite ready to quit smoking, think about some of the following health benefits of quitting2:

So, the good news is that you can start reaping health benefits the moment you take that last puff. Think about you can gainbeing able to breath fully again; enjoying the taste and smells around you, having a vibrant skin tone; and having more fun with your exercise program. Once you feel the difference, youll wonder why you didnt stop sooner. Do it today, its a choice you wont regret.

For more information on quitting smoking and avoiding weight gain see the following article from TheDietChannel: Smoking Cessation and Weight Gain: How to Quit Smoking and Avoid Gaining Weight.

Read the original:
Why Smoking & Exercise Don't Mix | The Diet Channel