Help me debunk exercise-smoking tradeoff
I'm 23, I have been smoking since I was 19. I was only smoking 1-2 cigarettes a day in all those years. More than that always made me weird in my lungs so I did not do that. Life is good, and I just decided to quit for a half marathon in December 2025.
Was smoke free from November 1025 - July 2026.
Did the half marathon in about 2:30 and it felt great. Somehow, was completely smoke free until June 2025 and somehow ended up smoking 1 cigarette at a graduation party. That was the relapse.
I am doing well in my life, making a lot of money after I graduated. I am even into a lot of sports, still running 2-3 times a week and cycling about 2-3 times a week + 1-2 gym sessions a week.
Somehow, post the relapse, I started enjoying them more. I convince myself that I ran about 20 km/week and cycle about 60-70km/week and gym, so it's harmless.
Today was the worst. I went on a long cycling ride, and the view was too good and smoked a cigarette. Coming back home, my HR had spiked all the way and I felt so bad about myself.
Help me debunk this positive/negative of excercise and smoking. Personal experiences will help.
Ignore typos, am really furious at myself as I just came back from that ride.