the Camel handicap

[Guest guest]

I have a question... were any of you smokers at any point in your

life or smokers when you got in the program? I'm 25 years old,

overweight according to the halls.md BMI website (26.4), and in all

honesty, this program which I stumbled across thanks to a

sonian mag article (indirectly) sounds like the most sensible

and laudable of lifestyle programs.

I'm always tired, sleep a lot and do weigh probably at least 20 lbs

more than I should. My skin tone's far from great, and my

cholesterol has always historically been high. I don't feel 100%

great and don't look too great either! But since all the weight loss

type stuff or lifestyle changes out there sound like so much B.S.

(Macrobiotics sounded like an interesting option at one point, but

it's just too esoteric and non-user friendly for the likes of me), I

have not had any good dosis of motivation to change until I came

across Calorie Restriction. I read all the mice studies, I read the

possible side effects (both physical and psychological) and

understand at an intellectual level how true it is that 60% of the

crap we (as in, regular folks) eat has zero nutritional value or not

enough to merit their consumption. After spending a few days looking

over all the CR stuff I've even found myself analysing both the

caloric content and nutritional value of foods I generally consume

(something I've done like.... never!) I guess it sort of sparked

this dream in me of being this wonderful, unwasteful, healthy,

conscious human being unleashing her full potential or something (a

far more motivating lifestyle-changing, health-seeking mentality

than the tired epithet " you'd look so cute if only you lost those

pounds " )

Even though Walford's website at one point states that improper

nutrition contributes to lack of well being even more than

smoking , I understand that smoking is the most harmful, wasteful

thing of all, not to mention it totally defeats the purpose of life

extension thru calorie restriction.

My question is, I guess, is it advisable at all to begin the regime

while still a smoker? (quitting smoking, after all, increases

bingeing and in my case, mood swings) If I wait till I quit for

reals I'm afraid I'll never start, on the other hand, maybe some of

you out there had to pass through this particular hurdle as well...

so, ex-smokers out there (if there are any) how did you quit? how

soon before or after starting the regime did you quit, and do you

have any tips for a smoker who disdains micotine patches and gums

and the like?

any feedback would be appreciated.

cordially, aaaaa.