How to Reverse the Effects of Smoking
If you have ever smoked you probably know just how
difficult it is to quit smoking, but did you know just how much a good
exercise program can aid in reversing the damaging effects of smoking?
When you engage in a complete fitness program there are a host of
benefits that you can attain that will even reverse the damaging
effects of smoking, no matter how long you have smoked.
Below is
a timetable of the average benefits experienced when one quits smoking
and the added benefits of a balanced fitness regime.
2 Weeks to 3 Months After Quitting: Your circulation and lung function begin to improve.
>>
A strong exercise program will cut this time in half or more. It will
also drastically improve circulation and the elimination of toxins.
9 Months After Quitting: Coughing and shortness of breath are reduced. The lungs' functions are improved by nearly ten percent.
>>
Although coughing and shortness of breath will be felt more acutely at
first, the effects you feel diminish remarkably fast when engaging in a
balanced strenuous exercise program. Lung function can be improved
upwards of 50%, depending on the individual.
1 Year After Quitting: Your risk of coronary heart disease is reduced to half of what it was when you smoked.
>>
Smoking causes the hardening of arteries and plaque buildup. Normally
it takes around a year of being smoke free to reduce by half the risk
you run of coronary heart disease. With a balanced exercise program
that includes a solid nutritional plan, this can be done in as little
as one to two months.
10 Years After Quitting:
Your chances of dying from lung cancer are now half of what it would
have been had you continued to smoke. Your risk of getting cancer of
the mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, cervix, and pancreas has also
decreased.
>> It is entirely possible within a much shorter
span of time to almost eliminate your chances of dying from lung
cancer, or cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, cervix and
pancreas. A balanced exercise program in addition to a nutritional plan
not only decreases the risk of these deadly diseases but it boosts the
body's immunity and defense systems to help protect from other diseases
as well.
There are several factors that need to be understood in
order to achieve the desired results. First lets address what a
balanced fitness regime consists of. A balanced fitness regime consists
of several integral parts:
>> A solid nutritional plan -
This is an essential part of any fitness plan. Eating the correct foods
will help to detoxify the body of deadly chemicals deposited from
smoking. In addition, the correct foods can heal tissue, destroy free
radicals, boost the immune system, and help to protect against every
single disease that exists! A solid nutritional plan will help to lower
cholesterol and blood pressure and chances of a stroke, or heart
disease.
>> A complete workout regime -
Contrary to popular belief, a complete workout regime is not simply
lifting weights, or taking a jog. In order to receive the maximum
benefit to counter act the effects of smoking a workout plan must
contain total body exercises that work all planes of motion,
stretching, foam rolling, interval training, static holds and correct
breathing. The reasoning behind this list is that each of these items
will aid in increasing blood flow, eliminating toxic materials at
accelerated rates, improving oxygen consumption, improving nutrient
assimilation, lowering cholesterol and blood pressure, improving lung
function and improving and retraining the cardiovascular system.
A balanced fitness and nutritional regime will enable you to eliminate the dreaded weight gain that comes with quitting smoking!
