Update 10/60 and quitting smoking

Weight chart: http://imgur.com/lraEA

Hey All~

I just wanted to give you an update on how I am doing with my 60 fasting plan and quitting smoking. I was/am 5’11’’, 265lbs, drinking semi-heavily, and smoking a pack a day. I’ve been smoking since I was 16 and I am pretty much the last person that you would ever imagine doing this. But I have two kids, and frankly they are much more important to me than all my bad habits. My wife had introduced me to the Fat, Sick movie that is motivating so many people these days and I decided to jump on the bandwagon. And so far it has been pretty interesting.

For anyone that hasn’t quit smoking, the sensation of cravings during quitting is very akin to hunger pangs. Because of this, I decided to go cold turkey when I began my fast. It wasn’t easy. But at the same time, I’ve never quit for this long before so maybe the combination of fasting/no smoking makes it a bit easier. Suffice it to say, I turned into the world’s biggest douchbag for three days. My wife was incredibly supportive and really pulled me through it.

Day 1 – Quit Smoking, quit drinking alcohol, quit coffee, quit food. Made juice that sucked. But you can choke back well bourbon, you can choke back spinach juice. Hunger pains started in around noon and dully nagged me all day. By midafternoon all I could think of was food and a smoke. But I made it through it. Not drinking alcohol doesn’t bother me that much and through the last 10 days, I really haven’t given it any thought.

Day 2 – Very tough day. I planned it out so that Days 2 and 3 would be on a Sat and Sun so my family could help me through it. Probably the smartest thing I’ve done. My wife’s help lent more to my success than anything else. Looooong day. Couldn’t really focus on anything more a few seconds and spent the majority of the day waking in circles, pacing with manic energy. Minor aches and pains. But I made it through it.

Day 3 – Sucked balls. Day 2 amplified x10. I have had worse days in my life, but it definitely wasn’t pleasant. Seeing a bit of weight loss helped but mostly the hunger/smoking pangs kicked my ass. Tried to duck out an nap through it but couldn’t sleep. Spent most of the day pissed, manic, angry, and desperate. Powered through the day and spent more time ranting than I would care to admit. But I made it through it.

Day 4 – WHOLE NEW WORLD. Woke up and felt pretty decent. Hunger pangs minimal. Craving for a cigarette still there but more of a “Hey, a smoke sounds like a good idea...” Rather than, “NEED NOW!!!” Went through my juice schedule constant amazed at the difference a night’s sleep and few hours had made. In contrast, everything is easy now.

Day 5+ Energy, like you would not believe. I want to go out and exercise, my lungs are clearing out and I can breathe much deeper. Things smell better…and the juice tastes worse… I have realized that I am not a chef. Not even close. Hunger is a dull annoyance that comes and goes. Food just ALWAYS sounds like a GREAT idea…but it isn’t bothering me that much.

Days 6 through 10 are all about the same with some minor facial blemishes appearing on Day 6.

All in all once I got over the first three days, it hasn’t really been all that bad. I didn’t see any of the things bad side effects that I’ve read about. No diarrhea and horrible bathroom episodes. (BMs on Days 1,2,3,5,8…of lessening frequency and volume.) People talk of being trapped in bed with cramps and general muscle pain. I felt like I had a decent work out and was a little sore but nothing to really complain about. Minor skin breakout around Day 6 or so but that’s cleaning up as well. The tough part is really just in the beginning.

Mostly it got pretty bad on Day 3. I walked by an outdoor café and saw an overweight, slovenly grandmother, smoking while eating a cheeseburger. I came pretty close to pinning her up against the wall and sucking out her soul. But I didn’t. That’s pretty much how every day is now. One Day 6 I went ot to eat dinner with my wife and some friends. That was a bit tough, but one of the guys there had just lost 40 lbs and was really impressed with my whole plan.

I am very happy with where I am, will finish the 60 days, but I have this constant mental nag going on of the things I really want. All in all it defiantly worth the terrific weight loss, I’ve seen. So far, 16lbs lost in under 10 days.

TL;DR Quit smoking, drinking. Fast going well. Lost 16lbs in 10 days. Day 3 sucked balls.