smokes cigarettes??? I was shocked to see her smoking after her meeting with the love addiction counselor (who was great, BTW).

At this point, I don't believe a single word she said about her athletic past....

Like so many of the HGs...total BS!!!

• RE: Niambi??? what kind of "athlete"...,DedeV, 11:32 PM, 04-28-06
• RE: Niambi??? what kind of "athlete"...,Twinkles, 11:48 PM, 04-28-06
  • RE: Niambi??? what kind of "athlete"...,pmfmpls, 00:47 AM, 04-29-06
    • RE: Niambi??? what kind of "athlete"...,Snidget, 01:48 PM, 04-29-06
  • RE: Niambi??? what kind of "athlete"...,26mitogo, 01:23 AM, 04-29-06
• RE: Niambi??? what kind of "athlete"...,msbehavin, 10:10 AM, 04-29-06
  • RE: Niambi??? what kind of "athlete"...,PanchoVilla, 11:08 AM, 04-29-06
    • RE: Niambi??? what kind of "athlete"...,sharnina, 12:50 PM, 04-29-06
      • RE: Niambi??? what kind of "athlete"...,pmfmpls, 03:27 PM, 04-29-06
    • RE: Niambi??? what kind of "athlete"...,msbehavin, 08:16 PM, 04-29-06
      • RE: Niambi??? what kind of "athlete"...,jndinc1, 09:10 PM, 04-29-06
        • RE: Niambi??? what kind of "athlete"...,VelvetElegance, 10:17 PM, 04-29-06
          • RE: Niambi??? what kind of "athlete"...,EMTBGRL, 05:11 PM, 04-30-06
        • RE: Niambi??? what kind of "athlete"...,26mitogo, 05:41 PM, 04-30-06
        • RE: Niambi??? what kind of "athlete"...,msbehavin, 10:39 PM, 04-30-06
          • RE: Niambi??? what kind of "athlete"...,PanchoVilla, 08:44 AM, 05-01-06
          • RE: Niambi??? what kind of "athlete"...,jndinc1, 11:15 AM, 05-01-06
• RE: Niambi??? what kind of "athlete"...,flower2, 05:23 PM, 05-01-06
  • RE: Niambi??? what kind of "athlete"...,Zoey, 05:30 PM, 05-01-06
    • RE: Niambi??? what kind of "athlete"...,EMTBGRL, 11:12 PM, 05-01-06

I was shocked to see her smoking too. Maybe it was something she picked up after moving into the house?

...a self-destructive, self-sabotaging one who feels stressed. Athletic doesn't mean perfect in character.

I am not referring to cognitive or psychological character. An athlete generally values health and physical performance. The risks of cigarette smoking are especially obvious, I would think.

In the general case I would agree with you, but some people start smoking and get addicted even if they are athletic.

Some people smoke to self-medicate. Yep, the correct medication for their issues may be healthier, but once you get started it can be very hard to quit when used this way.

It generally takes awhile of smoking before you would notice any decrease in performance and by that time many people are far too hooked to quit.

Was the 1st question on the SO application: Do you smoke? Yes___ No___
If your answer is yes, you qualify for this year's SOH!!!

Sure seem there are a LOT of smokers this year. Disappointing. And they've B-A-R-E-L-Y spoken about it on SO. We talk about food, alcohol, love addictions ... what's up with not even mentioning the smoking thing. Especially since there are so many this year. Dissappointing to see Niambi abusing her body with something so vile since it served her very well for so long. Could be one of those former athletes who are so afraid of becoming fat after they quit their sport so they begin smoking thinking it will keep the weight off. Saddly, it does for a while but then your body becomes tolerant, usually returning to where you began ... and you're left with a nasty, smelly, deadly habit.

And by the way, to whomever questioned that Niambi was ever the athlete she claimed ... she definitely was. She isn't competing anymore but she was VERY talented. Won national & world competitions, don't remember which year she went to Olympics, is listed as one of the All Time top female athletes ever in track & field. Works for me.

It looks to me like she's kinda new at the whole smoking thing. If you watch closely, you'll see she's not inhaling any smoke AT ALL. She takes a drag, holds the smoke in her mouth for a split-second, then quickly spews it out instead of sucking it into her lungs. Watch the exhale: nothing comes out. I was LOL watching her try to smoke that thing. As an ex-smoker, it's obvious to me that she doesn't normally smoke, and is either doing so out of boredom or some pathetic need to fit in with this bunch. I hope she comes to her senses before her technique starts to improve.

I am an ex smoker too and thought the same thing.. I thought Kim had a very bizarre way of smoking. She looked like she was afraid to put the think on her lips..It just made me see how dumb it looks anyway.. I think Miambi is really beat up, she just looks tired. Sice theres no alcohol what else is there to do? I would probably start smoking again too!!

LAST EDITED ON 04-29-06 AT 06:56 PM (EST)

Yep, ex-smoker here too and I noticed the same thing - suck on cig, immediately blow out a cloud of smoke. For those of you that don't know - if you actually inhale the smoke into your lungs it's there for at least a few seconds and then when you exhale it comes out in very smooth stream of smoke not a big cloud.

She's not a smoker and she needs to stop that while she can.

ETA - kinda like Bill Clinton - "Yes, I smoked marijuana, but I never inhaled.

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.
Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34

You know, I wouldn't put it past the big cheeses at SO to script that for her....
I pity her. She sure doesn't need another addiction (in addition to the relationship addiction).

LAST EDITED ON 04-29-06 AT 08:18 PM (EST)

Oh, I'm glad someone else noticed Kim's smoking, too. Pancho, you hit the nail on the head when you said she looked like she was afraid of it! She would squint her eyes and hold her breath in between drags and she always held the cig way out from her body like the smoke was bothering her. She inhaled, but just barely. Too funny!

Edited: Typo

I was going to start a post about these "smokers", too. As some of you above, I am an ex-smoker too, and smokers or ex-smokers can spot wannabes a mile away. Not like it's anything to want to be, but it seems as soon as someone starts out in the SO house, they pick up that habit.

I noticed immediately that Niambi does not inhale, and yes, I noticed Kim as well. She always looked so stiff and uncomfortable with what she was doing. Another thing I notice about these smoker posers is how they hold the cigarette. They hold their cigarettes rigidly between two perfectly straight fingers like they're afraid the cigarette is going to fall. From my experience, seasoned smokers hold their cigarettes between two relaxed and slightly bent fingers and actually let go of the cigarette when they take a drag.

I don't know why I went into such detail for this, but these people on the show that pick up the habit because other people are smoking are getting on my nerves. It's like they're doing it to be "cool". I guess when you're in the SO house and you have nothing to do but sit around and talk about your issues, you're bound to pick up some habit like that just to have something else to do.

You guys are good. I noticed Niambi smoking but as a non-smoker I didn't pick up on her newbie mannerisms..which brings me to another point. With Starting Over's obsessive focus on love and food relationships, you would think the obvious thing to spend more time on would be the thing that's WAY more damaging to the body and that would be smoking..That house is like one big smoking section at a restaurant and yet with the exception of Maureen in the first season, smoking is NEVER mentioned. Makes you wonder if it's intentional. The way they love to assign everybody in that house as some sort of addict..food..love..alcohol..drug ect, you'd think, they might suggest to these ladies the health risks associated with sucking on cancer sticks...

go figure.

The way they love to assign everybody
>in that house as some
>sort of addict..food..love..alcohol..drug ect, you'd
>think, they might suggest to
>these ladies the health risks
>associated with sucking on cancer
>sticks...
>
>go figure.

Go figure, indeed!

The teens that hang around my daughter's high school smoking now are referred to by the non-smoking teens as "The Cancer Club." It's a new clique. Not one I'd want to be in--- But, at least they really ARE smokers. I agree that Niambi does NOT appear to be a real-life smoker. I can't help but wonder if she was ASSIGNED to be a smoker?? That would be weird..but not out-of-the-question for television wanting to appear "real." (You know, "we've had x # women on the show, so x # of women SHOULD smoke.) Gives me pause. I hope that is NOT the case!

-- There was a time when it was common to see movie stars smoking in a movie. That time has passed. I can't think of any other TV shows right now that portray so many smokers...not as just a habit, or in a positive light, or as part of a plot ("Dad can't know I smoke"). SO seems to not care that it is displaying the same behavior that went out with the smoking movie stars decades ago.

Now, I know that people smoke. I just question why this show feels the need to SHOW the HG's smoking. (Edited in.) Are there any cigarette companies sponsoring this program? (just curious) How about companies that own tobacco stocks?

Tidbit: I just read in a fitness magazine that "a stressful love relationship taxes the physical body just as much as smoking three packs of cigarettes a day!" --Maybe Niambi feels better by smoking a cigarette than being in the relationship? Maybe the stress from both feel the same? Maybe if she really IS a smoker, this little factoid should demonstrate her need to quit? Whatever the reason -- smoking is worse than being obese (I asked my physician.) If they are addressing one in the SOH, they should be addressing the other health issue.

Well put, VE.

LAST EDITED ON 04-30-06 AT 05:42 PM (EST)

Interesting info from all you x-smokers. (By the way, GREAT those of you who have quit. I've heard it can be he!!) I've never smoked so never noticed the newbie vs. experienced versions. However, I always knew something looked strange about the way Kim smoked. Never knew what it was. I just hope that if Niambi picked up this habit in order to be "cool" in SO house (God forbid these women in their 30's & 40's need to pick up something like smoking to be cool) that she stops again before she does begin inhaling and becomes addicted.

Does anyone remember if Niambi said how long ago she quit her running career? I wonder if the smoking may partly be some rebellion. Most high level athletes like Niambi spent all their "rebellious years" consumed with their sport. They are 100% focused on doing everything they are suposed to in order to win. At an age when their peers are learning to drive, going to parties, dating, hanging out, being crazy, and sometimes getting into trouble, these athletes are working hard. They are literally eating, sleeping, and breathing for their sport. They usually began the sport before the high school rebelliousness sets in so they accept that their coach, who can take them all the way, reigns supreme ... you don't question him/her if you want to make it. Niambi not only continued throughout college, but years beyond. If she needs to be rebellious, maybe the smoking took the place of the usual alcohol most use. It's is a horror, I hope she quits soon!

Edited for typo.

>>Another thing I notice about these smoker posers is how they hold the cigarette. They hold their cigarettes rigidly between two perfectly straight fingers like they're afraid the cigarette is going to fall. From my experience, seasoned smokers hold their cigarettes between two relaxed and slightly bent fingers and actually let go of the cigarette when they take a drag.<<

Yes, this is the tell-tale sign that separates the posers from the true addicts (LOL).

Another stiff-finger smoker was Jessica. She drove me nuts because between drags she would hold it over the ash tray and flick it. flick it. flick it. flick it. I wanted to scream "The cherry's gonna fall off, ya @$# moron!!!"

Too bad they can't all smoke like Jill. Now there is what you call a "genuine" smoker. Casual relaxed fingers, let go of cig during drags, long smooth exhale, extra smoke rolling out of nostrils while conversing..... *sigh*

Rhonda to Niambi, "As a proud graduate of the starting over house our sponsers Palmolive and Phillip Morris have chipped in to give you a years supply of dusting products and.....all the cigarettes you can smoke until you die!! As an added bonus The Marlboro company has thrown in,, Free matches! Congratulations Niambi, you have truly started over!!!!!!!!"

>Another stiff-finger smoker was Jessica.
>She drove me nuts because
>between drags she would hold
>it over the ash tray
>and flick it. flick it.
>flick it. flick it.
>I wanted to scream "The
>cherry's gonna fall off, ya
>@$# moron!!!"

You just made me laugh out loud! Sing it to me sister! There's probably 1 real smoker for every 5 wannabes on this show. It's really sad, and irresponsible for the LCs to not address this problem. What about replacing one addiction with another, not to name any names (CHRISTIE?!)

Pmfmpls,

In response to the other part of your question, Niambi was a world class track and field athelete. She competed in the long and triple jumps. You can google her name and see for yourself (Niambi Dennis).

We all know what we should do but do we all follow that?

I remember my grandfather was in Yale-New Haven Hospital and all the doctors were preaching that he shouldn't smoke. But when we all (who were visiting my grandfather) went out for a smoke, you would see a bunch of doctors, including the doctors that preached to my grandfather, outside smoking.

Just an observation...

Yeah. It's amazing how many people you would think would be non-smokers (Niambi: Athlete) actually smoke.

It's a slight aside, Yale-New Haven is an excellent hospital. It just goes to prove that we are all fallible, eh?