I quit smoking. For 5 days. I didn’t quit to quit, I just ran out of money. Still, 5 days, no smokes. This on the surface sounds great, right? There is a small problem: Quitting without proper planning.

Don’t get me wrong, I was happy with the 5 days. The first 2 were tough but it got easier. At least now I know I have it in me. The problem with quitting without a plan is very easy. Eating. I have plenty of room to spare with the weight thing. Not a biggie there. I am also walking 30 miles a week, so that helps. My BP averages 115/75. But like I said, it is the eating.

How much eating? I’ll tell you this, I average $50 a week in groceries. Plenty of food. Meat, pasta, fruit, cereal, cookies, etc. What changed? Those 5 days without smoking I went through, wait for it, $140 in food. Holy crap!!! And that was all food cooked at home. No fast food. And overall healthy with a few exceptions. I found out after 20 years since I first tried and hated yogurt, I now like yogurt. But for the love of Pete, $140? I put on 8 or so pounds in a very short time. Good thing I did exercise. Could have been much more. I know people eat when they quit but the first day I ate 8 separate times, 5 times were full meals. And even after eating I was already trying to decide on my next meal.

I guess now that I know I can actually do this, planning ahead with proper food consumption will be my focus the next time. More crunchy stuff and food just to grab on the fly. And FWIW, I haven’t had a beer in 9 days. But that is for another page at another time.