Canadians are now seeking a balance between their regular healthy habits and the old habits they still hold on to. Surprisingly, the habit affects fitness enthusiasts. 

Even healthy and active people do not always live flawlessly. Many athletes work out and eat well but still smoke from time to time. On the surface, it may feel like a contradiction, but our behavior is usually more human than one might think.

Sometimes wellness is not about health but about coping

Don’t get me wrong: there are other habits worth exploring aside from addiction to nicotine. Tobacco helps ease stress, provides a break from thoughts, or is probably how a person identifies. An hour spent lifting or doing HIIT exercises can still have you craving a cigarette since it’s your way to relax.

Life can be stressful in many ways, for example, through work, relationships, and even pursuing a healthy lifestyle. Smoking, in a way, becomes a little way to act freely without worrying about setting goals or measuring progress on your phone.

Striving for fitness is not the same as aiming for perfection

On social media, there seems to be pressure to be completely healthy or totally unhealthy. Yet, most people exist somewhere in that middle line. You might enjoy both trail running and smoking Canada Goose cigarettes during the weekend. 

Sometimes, people add in yoga throughout the day but still take a deep breath from menthol afterward. This doesn’t mean that all your workouts are unimportant. That is just a sign of being human.

Fitness is more about making continuous improvement than seeking flawless results. There are some people in Canada who recognize the irony, but they still don’t find it too surprising. Having healthy lungs and legs does not ignore the power of cravings, personal history, or personal choice.

Cultural habits are deeply rooted in society

If you witnessed smoking often as a child, it may feel like stepping into adulthood involves smoking. Some people view smoking as an identity rather than just a habit. It brings together memories, various moods, and feelings shared with people.

For example, if you used to smoke menthol cigarettes in Canada, some alternative brands offer a similar taste, even though they are not legal everywhere. Many who miss the classic menthol cigarettes often turn to Canadian Goose as a favorite brand. 

You do not have to be perfect

If you work out, eat a healthy diet, and occasionally smoke, no one should criticize you, not yourself, either. Change occurs at different rates for each individual. Some people have the goal of quitting smoking. At this point, other people have not given it much thought. In any case, the work you do in other parts of fitness isn’t wasted.

The bottom line

You can be fit and still be a smoker, though it is not an ideal combination. It’s okay to improve over time and continue working on your habits. That’s really what life looks like, and for so many Canadians, it’s the true definition of wellness.