zero to hero

john74

ok im back from my ride only did about an hour. it was still really tough going didnt feel any fitter but when i did stop for a rest i seemed to recover alot quicker. it was really cold and wet didnt really enjoy it but im glad i went now im back.
im having a few niggly cravings at the moment but im sure they will pass.
nearly had a bad off as well i went through a deep puddle and there was a hidden root and it made the front wheel wash out but i managed to unclip in time.
what i did find funny was at the top of a hill gasping for breath and coughing my guts up some granny about 65 came jogging past and asked if i was ok, it was kind of her but made me feel stupid.

thehoff

yep, you can't beat that feeling of falling and trying to unclip!!

many a time i've had to hold back a whitey when a female/old person/young person cycle's by!

good fun though.

hope you find someone to weeze with around the forest.

counterculture

nothing worse when your breathing out your arse and on the verge of chucking up yer dinner when you get Gandalfed by an old dude with a cigarette hanging from his mouth

supersonic

Remember to rest up fully between rides - recovery is just as important as the ride when getting fit! As you do get fitter you will need less time to recover.

micken

john74 wrote:

some granny about 65 came jogging past and asked if i was ok, it was kind of her but made me feel stupid.

Keep up the good work and you should reach a stage where you can keep up with her.

john74

im having a rest from the bike today, i feel a bit guilty though but on the bright side its day 6 and not really thought about smoking today just the odd moment here and there but pretty easy to manage but the kids will be home soon so see how it goes then i will let you know later. and i suppose i should really clean the bike :roll:

supersonic

I would say to start with a ride, followed by two days rest is probably best, then after a month, a day in between as you slowly up the length of the rides. Other excersise will be beneficial too - swimming is great for other muscle groups, or even just a brisk walk!

john74

supersonic wrote:

I would say to start with a ride, followed by two days rest is probably best, then after a month, a day in between as you slowly up the length of the rides. Other excersise will be beneficial too - swimming is great for other muscle groups, or even just a brisk walk!

thanks for the advice. maybe just a brisk walk tomorrow with a round of golf thrown in for good measure.
still not had a ciggy but the cravings do seem to get worse in the evening for some reason.

john74

i took supersonics advice and went for a 4 mile walk around the golf course today. i will get out on the bike tomorrow still not had a fag it will be a week tomorrow quite an achievment for someone like me who has no will power what so ever. not really suffered any major cravings today i would like to think the worst of it is over but i doubt it by a long shot.

supersonic

Nice one! If you feel tired tomorrow, maybe rest again, or do a slightly shorter ride. 4 mile walk with a 20lbs sack of golf bats would have me very tired!

The cravings I guess are when you are bored or have more time to yourself. Anything in the evening you can do to occupy your mind?

tlw1

A couple of comments...............

There are some horrific situations that people have got through & are willing to share - big respect for that.

Lots of motivation & support for John.

Will follow this with interest & have no doubt the epic ride will be done!

john74

ok its been a couple of days . i have tried hard to get out on the bike but finding time is so hard at the moment still not smoking day 10 now and im at the stage of just one wont hurt but its a dangerous trap but im finding this stage harder than the first few days.

FSR_XC

John

The longer you leave it without riding, the harder it will be.

If you need to go out anywhere, try using the bike . . . .

andymayhem

updates craving the updates.

Neil Fat man on a bike

john74 wrote:

ok its been a couple of days . i have tried hard to get out on the bike but finding time is so hard at the moment still not smoking day 10 now and im at the stage of just one wont hurt but its a dangerous trap but im finding this stage harder than the first few days.

Alright there mate.
I used to be a heavy smoker, I gave up about 5 years ago.
The best advice I received about giving up smoking was this.....

....The craving for a cig only lasts a few seconds. Get through those few seconds, occupy/distract yourself and the craving will pass. Sure it may return in less than a minute, but just repeat the process each and every time.

I know it sounds like crap, but thats how 5 years on I still dont smoke. ( Put a fair bit of weight on though, but I'm working on it.).

Best of luck fella, have a great 2009

ratty2k

Ok, late here, but nonetheless...

Keep at it, it does get better believe me! I packed in 21 months ago now (on my birthday) I bought one of those gyroscope things to occupy my hands when I fancied a cig. Just gives you something to do, and helped me.
Another thing I used which can help with motivational issues was this:
http://www.silkquit.org/stop-smoking/quit-meter.aspx
You can see a download with a donate button, right under it in small writing you can download it for free.
Tells you how long you'v e been off 'em, how much longer you may live, how much money you've saved and how many you haven't smoked. All based on what you tell it, so dont lie and let it help you, its suprising how many you haven't smoked as you only ever think in units of 10 or 20.... When you reach so many thousand.... it starts to hit home what oyu did before.
I put weight on after packing in, as lots seem to do. But I am a LOT healthier than if I was still a smoker. Best thing I ever did packing in.

KB8

John. Are you still there?

ratty2k

4 times it told me topic not present! And then I come here and find that lot! :?

Dr_Death

better?

ratty2k

Much!

saltyman

nice to see how your life can change for the better, simply by riding your bike and sharing thoughts with others.

i have been through a rough time recently, and over the past 7 month or so have slowly started to rebuild my life again.

looking back at happier times from childhood when i was was into my bikes in a huge way......i was never seen without my bike, and was always happier and fitter.

so i have brought bikes back into my life once again, and also got back into a gym routine.

you have to remind yourself you are never too late or old or unfit enough to get back into it, you just need the motivation to do so. getting of your arse when all those around you are wasting there life away can be tough, but the rewards are there for the taking!

djvagabon

Good on you mate. Im a personal trainer and its always nice to hear stories of people who find something positive in excercise. Im really pleased for you. Keep up the good work and keep us all posted. This is 1 thread I will read on a regular basis.

Noizetek

Just stumbled across this thread, good on you John! I am about a month in to a similar regime/situation...theres positives and negatives, but mainly positives thankfully! Gave up the smoking, not smoked for coming up to two months now, the way I quit was by using the no smoking pills called Champix...worked wonders, i hd tried the patches, gim etc, but none of that worked for me...keep it up anyway!