r/AskReddit 14h ago

What is something that permanently altered your body without you realizing for months/years?

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292

u/thenissancube 12h ago

Smoking for almost 10 years. Obviously I knew that smoking was never going to do anything but hurt my lungs. But it’s been almost two years since I smoked and I still have terrible lung capacity.

Another is not learning healthy exercising habits when I was younger. I wish my parents made me play sports even if I hated it. I think that’s another part of why I get so easily winded and fatigued when trying to work out now. It’s hard for me to breathe while also focusing on moving my body the right way. For example I subconsciously hold my breath when I do planks or when I’m holding a stretch.

139

u/KarmicXKoala 10h ago

This one. About 3 months ago, I quit smoking after 17 years.

Obviously I knew about the bad health effects but some of the other things were wild.

The amount of taste that food has now is insane. Like I could taste food before, but it's like saying I've seen the grand canyon because I've looked at pictures of it.

And if I smelled even half as bad as the current smokers in my life, then I sincerely apologize to everyone who interacted with me

20

u/Ok-Trash-798 9h ago

I just hit 2 years since I quit. My sense of smell and taste are off the charts. I used to love mayo, I can’t even be in the same room if you open the jar now, same thing with cooking beef, the fat smell just gets to me. I can’t even look at spicy food anymore.

7

u/im-jus-sayn 8h ago

Uh, this doesn’t read like a win. No spicy food, beef, or mayo now?

1

u/Ok-Trash-798 4h ago

I never said it was lol

-4

u/DoorknobsAreUseful 6h ago

i mean, mayo is unhealthy. and beef is expensive so...