Female smoker-How do I start exercising?

Question

How slow should I start? I can barely walk up a few steps w/o heavy breathing and fast heartbeat

Answer 1

There's not a lot of active smokers out there. The reason is smoking takes your breath away. Smoking greatly reduces your lung capacity and your heart's ability to strain.
Climbing stairs is good. I do it almost every day at work (I work on the 10th floor of a high rise). At first, it's hard, but after a while, it gets easier. It's just a question of getting that shape back. If you get winded take a break, but don't quit. Just get your breath back and start again. Do it at least three times a week and stick to it. You'll find out it gets easier over time. (You'll be amazed how much you can gain in just two, three weeks if you just stick to it).
I know quiting smoking is hard, but if you really want to get into shape, you're going to have to. Quiting smoking is actually what got me back working out. I was a three pack a day smoker. When I quit, I started working out, mostly to calm my nerves. It's a great way to quit, because you learn to enjoy moving again and as you get back in shape, you find life is so much more enjoyable when you can move again.
I'm now very active and would not want to go back. I swim, I hike, I cycle and have just signed up for martial arts classes after the new year. I don't want to sound like I'm bragging; I'm just letting you know it is possible. The secret is not to get discouraged and to stick to it.
Best of luck to you.

Answer 2

I have a radical idea that might help your fitness goals, whatever they are:

STOP SMOKING.

In fifteen years, if you never lift anything heavier than a pencil and you take the elevator to the second floor, stopping smoking will still have done you a world of good.

I would recommend getting into fitness classes. Most will be full of people who seem unbelievably fit, and that's a good thing. You'll likely be intimidated, and then inspired. We become like those we hang out with -- give your smoker buddies a wide berth. It may seem mean, but you have to live for you -- and if you do well, you may end up inspiring them.

And if a gym membership sounds expensive, your cig money should easily cover any place in town.

Answer 3

Start with very slow walking, for a max. of 30 min. Do this 3x a day.Gradually, increase the time until you can do 1.5 hrs. all at once, so u only need to walk once a day. Eventually, you'll find yourself more and more capable of activity. That's when you need to sign up for a sport. Join a team. It doesn't have to be high-intensity. Try aerobics, tai-chi, or yoga. I recommend yoga to start off with. It's really great and will help you try to stop smoking, too. Unless you want lung cancer, stop smoking ASAP. Good luck. And get outside for your first walk.

Answer 4

slow starts...walk for # minutes. The next day, add a few minutes...just keep adding on to what you are doing - You will get better over time. If you can, try to quit smoking because that will help your cardiovascular system.