Recover from Smoking?

I quit on April 20th after smoking for the better part of 21 years. I quit swimming competitively in high school (after swimming since I was 7 years old) in part because of smoking (and other nefarious young adult pursuits, but I digress). I'd quit once before and, I must say, swimming had a lot to do with it. I started back swimming laps before I stopped and was discouraged to find out that even a pack a day didn't keep me from comfortably completing a healthy swim. Well, when I quit before, swimming and exercise was VITAL for me to stay quit. The only times I've not stayed quit was when I stopped swimming/walking, etc. regularly. I have to have an outlet for all that nervous energy or I'm sure to smoke. Well, now, some 40+ days after I quit this last (and I hope final) time, I feel just fantastic (though I've put on a few extra pounds) and I'm starting with my local masters team on Monday after working myself up to consistent 2500 yard, 45min workouts. My goal is to hit a meet at hte end of July (even if i'm not fully ready) and to never smoke another cigarette again. And, yes, I've sensed my breath coming back, I'm more comfortable in the pool and it's just much easier to breathe now. Keep it up! Originally posted by Stillhere Does anyone have suggestions or kowledge on recovering from smoking? I quit smoking a few weeks ago after 31/2 year of the junk! Is it possible to heal my lungs? If not, how far back to normal can I get? If my lungs can somewhat heal, how long will this take? Thx for any input

I quit on April 20th after smoking for the better part of 21 years. I quit swimming competitively in high school (after swimming since I was 7 years old) in part because of smoking (and other nefarious young adult pursuits, but I digress). I'd quit once before and, I must say, swimming had a lot to do with it. I started back swimming laps before I stopped and was discouraged to find out that even a pack a day didn't keep me from comfortably completing a healthy swim. Well, when I quit before, swimming and exercise was VITAL for me to stay quit. The only times I've not stayed quit was when I stopped swimming/walking, etc. regularly. I have to have an outlet for all that nervous energy or I'm sure to smoke. Well, now, some 40+ days after I quit this last (and I hope final) time, I feel just fantastic (though I've put on a few extra pounds) and I'm starting with my local masters team on Monday after working myself up to consistent 2500 yard, 45min workouts. My goal is to hit a meet at hte end of July (even if i'm not fully ready) and to never smoke another cigarette again. And, yes, I've sensed my breath coming back, I'm more comfortable in the pool and it's just much easier to breathe now. Keep it up! Originally posted by Stillhere Does anyone have suggestions or kowledge on recovering from smoking? I quit smoking a few weeks ago after 31/2 year of the junk! Is it possible to heal my lungs? If not, how far back to normal can I get? If my lungs can somewhat heal, how long will this take? Thx for any input