Hey guys,
As we all know, nicotine is a metabolic stimulant. Also, people who smoke heavily tend to be on the thin side. Christian Bale famously took up a 3 pack a day habit to help him drop six stone to play the lead in The Machinist. I was just wondering if anyone had worked out how many calories are expended in the act of smoking a cigarette. Also, do nicotine replacement therapies like nicotine gum or patches burn calories as well?
Many thanks and much love in advance!
At least part of the mechanism, as I learned it many years ago, is that nicotine is an appetite suppressant. You eat less when you smoke. That’s why many women in the 60’s thought it was okay to smoke. I wasn’t aware that it also increased your metabolism…
A quick Google search suggested that a pack of cigarette increases metabolism to the point where smoking a pack represents approximately 200 additional calories burned. So, based on that wild-assed guess, I’d say one cigarette burns a whopping ten calories. You’d burn more walking to the store to buy more smokes.
This, btw, is why I’m afraid to quit. Despite working out like 5-6 days a week, I’m still worried I’ll gain 20-30 pounds after quitting like I did last time. Took me *forever *to work that off…
Great work Dogzilla!. Nice one 
P.S. - On a related note, may I ask how you feel smoking impacts your exercise routine? I’ve just started hitting the treadmills after a two year break, and I’m finding it pretty heavy going, most likely because I smoke. Does it get easier?
It gets easier if you cut back or quit altogether!
I went to the 72s, which are shorter, so I’m smoking a tiny bit less with each smoke. I cut down quite a bit (not nearly enough though) and don’t smoke as much during the day, especially on workout days. Will still smoke like a chimney after the workout, sadly.
Smoking is definitely negatively affecting my stamina. The cardio classes have gotten a little easier, but I can see that I wear out a little quicker than the nonsmokers in my classes. My workout is dance-related and is fairly cardio-intensive. I find it difficult to get through more than one whole song (keeping moving the entire song), which does hold me back in terms of progress and development as a dancer. Recently, my studio hired me to teach classes, so I think that may actually end up forcing me into quitting because I have to put forth a lot more effort in teaching than I do as a student (more reps for demo purposes, talking & calling out steps for an hour, etc.). I also feel really stupid reeking of smoke while teaching fitness. : face palm : I just bought a new car and need to find car payment money in my budget somewhere – smokes seem like the easiest way to find a couple hundred extra bucks a month. WTF kind of fitness instructor smokes?
Hell, I might just break down and call the Florida Quit Line today and make a goal to quit for good by the end of the summer.
I quit smoking a little over a month ago. I’ve gotten into running, and I felt ridiculous smoking cigarettes right before and after a run.
I read a study that suggested you gain 6% in cardiovascular performance, only one week after quitting. Personally I felt like I gained more than that, and my stamina was greatly improved.