The Damages Of "Smoking"...
By twoey68
@twoey68 (13627)
United States
March 3, 2009 7:58am CST
Recently I was reading an article and of course now that I want it I can’t put my fingers on it again. The gist of the article was the damage being overweight does to your body. Often most ppl that are overweight suffer from heart problems, high blood pressure, diabetes, ankle-knee and hip problems and also back problems. They end up having to have knee and hip replacements more commonly which if they have diabetes can cause more problems with healing (diabetes causes slower healing time). I kind of knew of the problems associated with being overweight but like some ppl I push them to the back of my mind. What shocked me is when I read in the article that for every 20 pounds your overweight you are doing the equivalent of damage as smoking a pack of cigarettes a day. Mind you the damage isn’t the same…smoking mostly affects your lungs and heart but the amount of damage is roughly the same.
Even though I have a severe weight problem I’ve never thought of myself as being unhealthy in the sense of someone that drinks, smokes or does drugs. In fact I’ve often said “at least I don’t smoke” and I’m proud of the fact that although I did smoke (heavily) as a teen I quit and have never went back. I’ve also said that my only addiction is my EverQuest game. I’ve often been warned by Dr.’s that being overweight is dangerous (we all know the drill) but until it was put this way, it never hit home.
The fact is that I “smoke” more than Hubby actually does each month. Reading that article really put things into perspective for me and it’s time I start making changes in my life. I’ve never liked having addictions so this is one that I’m going to have to get under control. What’s that saying “Eat to live, don’t live to eat”…it’s time I started living by it.
BTW, the pic included isn’t mine simply one I found online.
What are your thoughts about the damage being done to your body by being overweight? Does comparing the damage done by being overweight and smoking make an impact on you? Have you ever denied having an addiction until it’s put into terms you can understand? Does knowing the damage done by being overweight make you more determined to lose the weight and stop the addiction?
[b]**AT PEACE WITHIN**
~~STAND STRONG IN YOUR BELIEFS~~[/b]
9 people like this
22 responses
@nanajanet (4436)
• United States
3 Mar 09
I did not know that but it makes sense. I know that being 50 lbs overweight, I get out of breath more readily than I used to, and that means less oxygen to my organs.
The thing is that I do not overeat or eat poorly but chemotherapy put a lot of weight on me and slowed down my metabolism and I do not exercise as much as I should. Getting motivated is hard. That sounds odd, since I teach dance, but teaching and dancing are not one in the same.
I wish I had a swimming pool for year-round, as I love to swim, but getting myself out to an indoor pool is an option that I never get around to doing. It is because I get into my daily routine, also I watch my granddaughter a lot, and that stops me from getting motivated.
I must get off my butt and do something.
1 person likes this
@twoey68 (13627)
• United States
3 Mar 09
I know I get out of breath easily and I get leg and back pain when I stand up for too long...I guess I can't keep ignoring it.
I'm sorry to hear about your chemo but I do hope it worked for you. I'd also love a pool...I love to swim...but there isn't one indoors around here and when the outdoor ones are open all the kids mob it.
[b]~~AT PEACE WITHIN~~
**STAND STRONG IN YOUR BELIEFS**[/b]
@baileycows (3665)
• United States
3 Mar 09
I think anything can cause damage. I think you have to choose the lesser of evils. Your picture makes me want to starve myself. YIKES! That is just scary. I have had an addiction and did deny it until I had a huge wake up call. It is a scary thing. I look back over the last year and how far I have come and can't believe I was ever once there.
1 person likes this
@twoey68 (13627)
• United States
3 Mar 09
There were alot of pics online to choose from but I think this one makes the most stark impression...there's no clothing to hide the bodies under. What's scary is that the weight seems to sneak up on you...I know it did on me, one day my jeans were a little tight and then before I knew it they didn't fit at all.
[b]~~AT PEACE WITHIN~~
**STAND STRONG IN YOUR BELIEFS**[/b]
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
3 Mar 09
wow that is amazing I really had no idea, I am severely overweight I don't smoke but my son smokes like a chimney right in the same house as me. He won't stop or go outside so I end up with bronchitis a lot.
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
3 Mar 09
I find it easier to lose weight by not going on a diet but watching my portions. Portion control is the easiest way I've found to drop weight and I don't feel deprived so I don't binge. I used to think a bowl of chips was a portion, now I read the portion size and count out that many!
I didn't know all those facts you cited but I'm inclined to believe them. Good luck!
1 person likes this
@mcelhenney (481)
• United States
3 Mar 09
I know that being overweight is dangerous to your health,but overeating is not the only thing that can make you overweight. I have hypothyroidism which caused me to put on weight which I cannot seem to get rid of..I am taking medication for my thyroid but it does not help me to lose the weight that I gained..I also use to smoke.I have not smoked in eight years..I do not think I overeat although my doctor does not agree. There are some medicines that can you to gain weight too. I have a lot of health problems..I don't think that being overweight is the cause of them. I don't eat that much. I was not overweight untill my thyroid stopped working.
@tamarafireheart (15384)
•
3 Mar 09
Hi twoey68,
i do agree with you about the danger of being overweight which is very bad for your heart and excercise is most important also eating healthy food, I do smoke but only 8 a day, my one packe cand last me 3 days so I don't smoke a lot. I have been to my doctors for a full check and I am fine, but people who over eat really need to to take a step back and look what damge they are doing to themselves and take one step at a time for healthy eating.
Tamara
1 person likes this
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
5 Apr 09
Well, my husband and I are actually Ex-smokers. It feels great to admit that actually, but I know for me a lot of smokers when they quit have to worry about weight gain for sure. But personally being overweight and smoking does add to everything else going on as well. I think personally that you need to take things in stride. If you cut out too much as once that is also dangerous, so take one thing at a time and try to change it from there. But I know one of our Goals is weight loss for sure.
@GardenGerty (157571)
• United States
5 Apr 09
I have known that it is damaging to carry too much weight. It does not really appear to hurt me much now, but it never has, even as it keeps coming up. I know that there a lot of symptoms that are caused by lifestyle, and being overweight. I want to live a long time, so I am pretty determined to get rid of this mess.
@Cajunhellcat (2073)
• United States
4 Mar 09
Man that is blowing my mind I;m about 60 Lbs over weight thank God I don't smoke or I would really be in trouble Thanks for the info gotta lose the weight now for sure
@slickcut (8141)
• United States
4 Mar 09
I smoke myself and i do know it is a bad habit, and i really need to quit, however i am NOT over weight , so i do not have that to worry about..I did at one time in my life gained a little weight, not a lot but since i am not a fat person , 5 lbs can affect me, so it affected my breathing by gaining weight more than it ever affected me by smoking...I enjoy smoking , but i am sure that smoking is bad for you, however i do not think smoking is any worse than being over weight....I could be wrong though, but thats just how i feel....
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
3 Mar 09
well, i'm in a mell of a hess. i smoke & i'm overweight. i know both are wrong but i like to eat & smoke both. i have tried to stop both. i have lost up tp 50 lbs. at one time but hasn't anything motivated me to do that in a long time. wish it would. as for my smoking i know i need to quit but don't really want to. i have tried a few times to no avail. when i had an aneurysm in 20000 i quit for the first time in my life & stayed quit for 9 months & then like an idiot i got up one morn & went & bought me a pack. duh!
@TheCatLady (4691)
• Israel
4 Mar 09
I don't believe that 20 pound can have that bad an effect on you. 100 yes, but not 20. I want to loose 20 pounds. I know it will help my bad back, but because my BMI is in the normal range, I don't obsess on it.
@mrsl2008 (634)
•
4 Mar 09
Hi, I don't have any weight issues but my attention was grabbed by the title as I am a smoker who is planning to give up in the next couple of months!
It is amazing how many things can actually cause damage to our bodies, Yes I smoke & I am well aware of the dangers but where weight is concerned not everyone has control over it.
I can imagine anyone who is overwieght and reads this & researches it will seriously think about doing something. The biggest problem is the life style change, you not only need to control your food, it's the time you eat, more activities and having the will power to stick to a plan!
I wish everyone Good luck wether they are trying to quit smoking or control their weight x x
MrsL x
@Archie0 (5636)
•
4 Mar 09
Well the picture below there really scared me away like anything, i am overweight but i think not even 10 percent of those ladies out there i am rat in front of them. thak god i am not that huge, but i am doing all the possible things for myself that i an become thin as soon as possible.well once you are obese it is not that easy to loose your weight even if you read lakhs and thousadns of such articles because once you are addicted to those cheese, cakes, sweets, chicken you jus cant control yourself from not eating them, you need them as a drunk or smoke addict needs them.if they dont smoke or drink their body shivers and they suffocate and all that similar things happens to such people also. but the fact is they should help themselves inspite of getting scared and start eating.they should starve and help themselves, well i am going to be more attentive from now on wards i really dont want to end up like i am now nor do like them...
@Polly1 (12645)
• United States
3 Mar 09
I quit smoking about 2 years ago, I gained some extra weight. I do want to loose it but gee wiz it sure is tough to do. Food is so good and I really don't over eat that much. I have always had weight issues, my metabolism has slowed down. That makes it so much harder to loose the extra weight. I am going to keep this info in mind and hopefully that will give me some more incentive to loose some of the extra pounds.
@tammytwo (4298)
• United States
3 Mar 09
Nearly three years ago I was living the same way. Although I had acknowledged that I was becoming more and more unhealthy by the day. But the one thing that made me decide more than anything that I HAD to make a change was when I couldn't go for a walk with my family without feeling as though i was literally going to die. While vacationing we had made our way down a path and it was when we decided to head back up the hillside that I really felt the impact of my weight. My little 5 foot 2 inch frame just couldn't handle the pressure of all of that weight. I had to gasp for every breath and I felt terrible as my husband sent the children on as he waited with me. It took me a very long time to make a trip that should have only been about 20 minutes and at that very moment I REALLY thought I may possibly die. It was then that I knew I had exhausted every other option of weight loss and began really looking into the option of weight loss surgery. From that moment on I made it my goal to be approved for gastric bypass surgery. Now realize this was my last option, as I had already tried every other thing I possibly could to lose weight. I was exercising and eating less and still found it impossible to lose weight. I even got to the point of starving myself, which is very unhealthy.
So to answer your question, yes I believe comparing being overweight to smoking is appropriate.
Good luck with your journey and I hope you can find it within yourself to lose the weight you need.
@moondancer (7433)
• United States
4 Mar 09
I don't nd never hav smoked. I am over weight since taking my seizer meds years ago. No matter what I try I can't lose it either. I wish my family that smoke would read this and it get them to change what they o.
@littleowl (7157)
•
4 Mar 09
Hi twoey, my one addiction is smoking, my weight is ok, but even though I gave smoking up for 15yrs it took one 'trauma' that started me again..though I had the will power to give smoking up many years ago I really cannot be bothered about it even though there are so many warnings about it, that is my one addiction...hugs littleowl
