Smoking and the hardgainer

[Dobermann]

Trouble,

We all know how bad smoking is for general health and it's implications.However I was wondering as a body builder and a hard gainer with insulin insensitivity how bad it is for me to socially smoke? I gave up regular smoking of 40-50 a day for 15 years about 2 years ago after watching a loved one die of cancer.But have stuggled to be completly free of the weed since then.I find in social or stressfull situations I reach for a pack of cancer sticks! this situation is really depressing and I get frustrated/depressed and chastise myself everytime I give in swearing like an acloholic that falls off the wagon that this "is the last time I smoke" .However im finding myself starting to slip and am now smoking a pack once or twice every week or two.For the lifestyle im trying to lead this is the hardest thing I find to do.Giving up junk food/alcohol sleeping before 11pm never missing a training day etc.etc is childs play compared to this.Quite frankly im really pissed at myself but seem to cave in whenever im in a highly stressed and or social situation where ciggarettes are present.Is there anything I can do or take that could help me stop this destructive behaviour? I'd apreciate it if you could perhaps list the reasons why smoking is bad for gains outside of the obvious health reasons as well.

Any suggestions or adivce is most welcome and sorely needed, and yes feel free to give me a good telling off as well

[trouble]

You are still deficit in the GABA and dopamine that fuels this addiction.

List your supplements. We can remove the chemical basis for the addiction; the behavior patterns must be altered that induce the need for response (smoking).

Break the pattern of mental cueing that induces it. Is not the UK smoke-free in most public eating/drinking establishments? Change venues for relaxation and enterainment. No recovering alcoholic would go sit in a bar!

Adopt new patterns of healthy behaviors to replace the old ones.

Why are you highly stressed in these social situations?

Modify your reaction to stress: meditation, visualization, deep breathing.

[Dobermann]

Originally Posted by trouble

You are still deficit in the GABA and dopamine that fuels this addiction.

List your supplements. We can remove the chemical basis for the addiction; the behavior patterns must be altered that induce the need for response (smoking).

Break the pattern of mental cueing that induces it. Is not the UK smoke-free in most public eating/drinking establishments? Change venues for relaxation and enterainment. No recovering alcoholic would go sit in a bar!

Adopt new patterns of healthy behaviors to replace the old ones.

Why are you highly stressed in these social situations?

Modify your reaction to stress: meditation, visualization, deep breathing.

Thank's T im excited to see your suggestions

Ok, supp's first.

GABA 1gx4
Green Tea 2g
ZMA
Creatine 5g
BCAA's 10-40g ED
Sesathin
Fish Oil's 8g
Vitamin C 4g
Multi
Digestive Enzymes 3xED
ALCAR 3g
Garlic Cap's
7-Keto
L-Methionine
Taurine 1.5g-3g 3xED
TMA
K-RALA (Protien Factory Brand)
ACV (After all high GI meals)
Biotin
NAC 500mgx3 ED
Vanadyl Sulfate
Folic Acid inc 800mg B12
Selenium
B-12 250mcg
Glutathione
Beta Carotene
Caffine 100-200mg a day.

Basically I take anything you've recomened that would be helpfull for the hard gainer.I will be using ab-solved 2xED when BF% is a bit lower as well.Although iv'e only started using most of the supp's listed above in the last 6-7 weeks.Before that year round staples would have been

Fish Oil's 6g
Vit C 1g
Multi
Green Tea
NAC
Creatine
Taurine
Garlic Caps
ZMA and occasional intermittent use of ALCAR.
ECA

Altough not a supp I also take Lustral my SSRI.


The UK will be inforcing a no smoking policiy in bars/pubs/resturants etc next year though it's already come into force in Ireland.

I dont really go to bars/clubs anymore since I gave up alcohol.Altough yes when in a bar/club on the rare occasion, I do end up binge smoking.GF is a regular smoker so I can never be free of ciggaretes in the house.Same for family and friends all but one or two smoke.Even the ones I train with.I dont know why I find myself stressed in social situations? I just usually feel uncomfortable, nervous and excited all at the same time.Almost like im missing out on the "fun" by not drinking and smoking.Bars and clubs with loud noise and lots of people ellicit the stress response for me when Im occasionaly in them though.I think it's worth adding im a very impulsive person with a life time history of ADHD which im sure is add'ing to my lack of willpower and pleasure seeking behaviour patterns when confronted by smokes.GF smokes in the house and I dont usually feel the need to light up when she does unless it's after the occasional bad argument or we are entertaining.

Im currently trying to learn walking meditation as well as belly breathing.

[Dobermann]

Bump for this just had a 5 day binge!