We're teenagers. We all know that the choices we make during this stage of life can fuel or destroy our dreams. If you are reading this article, more than likely your dream or ambition is to be the best bodybuilder possible, and maybe some day turn pro.
We all know that loads of teens smoke. They pick up smoking thinking they'll just smoke for a while, and when it starts to affect their performance, quit. HA! Yeah right! Cigarettes are addictive. Since there are so many irreversible health effects, one of the worst choices you could possibly make, especially at this age, would be to start smoking.
Health Effects Of Smoking
An irreversible health effect is a permanent change in the structure or function of an organ and a permanent increase in the risk of health problems. As few as five years of smoking can have a permanent effect on the lungs, the heart, the eyes, the throat, the urinary tract, the digestive organs, the bones and joints, and the skin.
The nicotine found in cigarette smoke is what causes the addiction. Nicotine is an addictive drug similar to cocaine and heroin. They all cause psychological withdrawal symptoms which include nervousness, headaches, irritability, and difficulty sleeping. Since nicotine affects the chemistry of the brain and nervous system, it can affect the mood of the smoker.
Cigarette smoke also contains tar, which is made up of over 4,000 chemicals, including 43 known to cause cancer. Some of these substances also cause heart and respiratory diseases. This means that every draw of a smoke you have contains 4,000 chemicals. Why even hit the gym? You're slowly killing yourself and your progress in the gym.
The resting heart rate for young smokers increases 2-3 beats per minute which means the heart has to work a lot harder to do a certain task. It also lowers skin temperature, reduces blood flow in the legs and feet, lowers hormone levels and decreases a person's life expectancy by 10-12 years.
You Will Never Reach Your Full Potential
Think of this. You're a young bodybuilder, and you start smoking. I can guarantee that from the day you make the choice to smoke, you will NEVER reach your full potential in the gym. Ever notice how a smoker can't do anything at all when it comes to physical exercise?
From The Day You Make The Choice To Smoke,
You Will Never Reach Your Full Potential In The Gym.
In order for oxygen to enter the blood, it must move across large surfaces in the lungs. There are thousands of tiny sacs with about 100 square yards of surface area in the lungs. When emphysema occurs, the walls between the sacs break down and create larger, fewer sacs, decreasing the amount of oxygen reaching the blood.
If this condition gets too severe, you will be continually gasping for air and have to have an oxygen bottle with oxygen tubes inserted into the nasal cavity to help you breathe. You simply tire more easily during strenuous physical activity. Sound like an advantage to you? I think not!
Each day, approximately 6,000 young persons try a cigarette and approximately 3,000 become daily smokers. Don't become one of those 6,000 young people to try smoking on any given day, it'll be the worst thing you ever do, I guarantee that. Do yourself a favor and take this advice.