Here’s How I’ve Felt After 90 Days Smoke Free

It was on my daughters 2nd birthday when I decided that I was done smoking.   I had tried to quit completely about 6 or 7 times with no luck.  The difference this time is that I really didn't want to smoke anymore, because I was noticing the effects it was having on my health.  I had this unrealistic expectation that within a couple of days I would feel way better.  The truth is it took a little while longer.

For the first month I coughed A LOT.  Way more than I normally did.  I was starting to get concerned.  From what I've read, this is actually pretty common.   It's not exactly a great reward for giving up smoking.  You would think that coughing would go away?  (It does, I'll get to that later.)

The first noticeable benefit came after about a week, when I woke up without tightness in my chest.  I felt like I could actually take in a full breath without being constricted.

For me after about 3 weeks, my sense of smell was noticeably better.  Well, I guess it depends how you describe "better."   Unpleasant smells like changing a poopy diaper wasn't something I really wanted to experience more.

Also about 5 weeks after quitting smoking my cravings for nicotine had basically gone away.  To this day, (90 days later) I still have a random craving, but they last a shorter period of time.

After about 6 or 7 weeks, I took my blood pressure just for kicks.  I've had borderline high blood pressure for several years.  It was 118/76.   It literally hasn't been that good since I was in high school.  What a difference!

It was probably around 75 days smoke free when I was running late to pick up our son from school.  I jogged towards the school and after I stopped I realized that I wasn't gasping for air, and my heart wasn't beating so hard.

So here I am 90 days smoke free and it's been really starting to pay off.  It was not easy, and there are still some times where I'm tested.  My coughing is gone.  I don't wheeze anymore in the morning.

Some friends have asked me how I've been able to do it.  The most important factor, and the #1 way I quit was because I decided I didn't want to smoke anymore.  I had to remind myself why I don't smoke when it got tough.

The best part of quitting smoking?   I don't have to hide it from my kids or my parents anymore.   That's the best.