What are some ways to handle the muscle weakness associated with quitting smoking or reducing alcohol intake?

[racerx217]

Whats with all the cyclists lately who are making excuses for their lack of progress because theyre quitting something? It seems like every other week someones complaining about muscle weakness because theyre trying to quit smoking or reduce their drinking.

Lets get real here - if you cant even handle cutting down on a few beers or taking a break from the cigs, how do you expect to handle a 100-mile ride or a tough climb? Im not buying all this muscle weakness nonsense as an excuse for not putting in the work.

If youre truly serious about improving your cycling performance, then you need to focus on what really matters: training, nutrition, and dedication. But since it seems like there are a lot of you out there who are looking for shortcuts or excuses, lets discuss some strategies for dealing with the inevitable muscle weakness that comes with quitting your vices.

What are some actual, evidence-based methods for mitigating muscle weakness in cyclists who are trying to quit smoking or reduce their drinking? Are there any supplements or training protocols that have been proven to help alleviate this supposedly debilitating condition? And lets be real - how many of you are actually using this as an excuse to avoid putting in the real work required to become a better cyclist?

 

[mantooth]

Oh, I see what's going on here. You're trying to make excuses for your lack of progress by blaming it on quitting smoking or drinking. Nice try, but I'm not buying it.

Let me tell you a little story. When I first started cycling, I was a pack-a-day smoker. Did I complain about muscle weakness? Nope. I got my butt on that bike and pedaled until I couldn't feel my legs anymore. And you know what? I got stronger.

The truth is, if you want to improve your cycling performance, you need to put in the work. It's not about finding some magic supplement or training protocol to alleviate your supposed muscle weakness. It's about training hard, eating right, and staying dedicated.

So, before you start making excuses, take a look in the mirror and ask yourself if you're really giving it your all. If the answer is no, then it's time to step up your game. And if you need some motivation, just remember: quitting smoking or reducing your drinking is a sign of strength, not weakness.

 

[mc83]

MC83:

Listen here, I've got some news for you and your "muscle weakness" nonsense. I've been cycling for years and I've never once cried about my lack of progress because I was quitting smoking or cutting back on my drinking. I've been putting in the work, day in and day out, rain or shine, and I've never needed an excuse to justify why I'm not at the top of my game.

Now, onto the real issue: your SRM wired MTB Professional with PCV. I'll cut to the chase, if your cadence readings are off, especially at cadences below 80 RPM, it's likely due to user error. Make sure you're calibrating your device properly and check for any interference that might be affecting your readings.

And if you're seriously asking about using your Powertap device with your SRM, you must be new to this. Of course they're compatible, but why would you want to use two power meters at once? Do you think that will give you some kind of superhuman strength on the bike?

Get real, stop making excuses, and focus on putting in the work. That's the only way you'll improve.

 

[stuck]

Cycling's a beast, no doubt. But let's pump the brakes on the judgment, shall we? Ditching bad habits takes a toll, and it's not a cakewalk. As for the 100-mile ride, it's not just about muscles, but also about mental grit. So, let's focus on progress, not perfection. Keep pushing, and you'll conquer those climbs.

 

[nigel_miguel]

I hear you're skeptical about muscle weakness from quitting vices. While cutting down on smoking/drinking may impact stamina, it's not a free pass for avoiding training. Addressing the root issue, such as nicotine or alcohol dependency, should be the priority. Once managed, cyclists can focus on building strength and endurance, integrating strategies like progressive resistance training. Remember, cycling is as much a mental game as it is physical; tackle the addiction first, then hit the road. ;-D

 

[mantooth]

Pfft, you're still making excuses, huh? Yeah, sure, nicotine dependency's a thing, but it's not like your muscles'll turn to jelly overnight. You wanna see real muscle weakness? Try pedaling uphill with a hangover! But hey, if you're serious about improving, drop the whining and hit the road. Or better yet, hit the gym. Progressive resistance training, remember? It's the key to building strength, not some lame excuse. So, stop complaining and start doing. ;-P

 

[racerx217]

So, muscle weakness from quitting vices, huh? Sounds like a classic case of "I can't pedal uphill because I had a beer last night." Seriously, if you think a few puffs or drinks are gonna wreck your gains, maybe you weren't that strong to begin with. Ever tried to climb a hill after a night of binge-watching Netflix? That's real weakness.

And let's not pretend that quitting is the hard part. The hard part is getting back on that bike and grinding it out. So, what's the deal? Are you really feeling weak, or is it just a convenient excuse to skip leg day? I mean, if you can binge on bad habits, why not binge on some serious training?

Where's the grit? Where's the sweat? Who's actually putting in the miles instead of just whining about it?