Kicking the Nics

I send my friend, Greg, daily texts to help him stop smoking. Come help me encourage him and someone you love to quit.

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April 18, 2018

Greg is smoke free today! He should go out and smell the flowers! His sense of smell is much improved after quitting smoking :)

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April 17, 2018

We are unsure if Greg is still smoke free, but that doesn’t diminish our unwavering support. Hopefully, he is. In the meantime, here’s a post to show we are still here for him!

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April 16, 2018

Greg has been smoke free for 18 days!

In addition to healthier lungs, his heart is also benefitting from his decision to quit smoking. He’s drastically reduced his heart risk! “Yay!” - Greg’s heart <3

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April 15, 2018

Greg has been smoke free for 17 days! 

Here is a drawing of Greg’s lungs and their love for him and his decision to quit. “Thanks, Greg!” - Greg’s Lungs <3

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April 14, 2018

This week is about silly drawings in tribute to Greg’s continuous path to a healthier lifestyle. He has been smoke free for 16 days! 

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Greg is so awesome. He’s been smoke free for 2 weeks and a day!

Nina … after a few drinks telling her friends

April (Friday the 13th 😱) 2018

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Meditation and Mindfulness Made Simple - Headspace

Live a happier, healthier life with just a few minutes of meditation a day on the Headspace app.

April 12, 2018

Greg has been smoke free for 2 weeks!

Tip #7: Meditation might sound exotic, but it’s a fantastic way to handle some of the psychological aspects of nicotine withdrawal. Additionally, it is just overall good for your mental health. Consider taking this time as a way to pick up this new practice. You’ll find it benefits provide more than relaxation from a lack of cigarettes. If you want guided meditation, I know people at Headspace whom I can put you in contact with. Download the app :)

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April 11, 2018

Greg has been smoke free for 13 days!

Tip #6: Amazingly, nicotine somehow doubles the rate by which the liver depletes caffeine. Yes, your blood-serum caffeine level will double if no caffeine intake reduction is made when quitting. Although not a problem for most light to moderate caffeine users, consider cutting caffeine intake by roughly half if troubled by anxieties or experiencing difficulty relaxing or sleeping.

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April 10, 2018

Greg has been smoke free for 12 days!

Tip #5: In addition to exercise, keep to healthy eating habits. You already ate pretty healthy, so it's less of a concern. It is, however, always good to be mindful.

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April 9, 2018

Greg has been smoke free for 11 days!

Tip #4: Weight gain is a common occurrence once someone quits smoking. Try to get into a physical routine that will not only help ward away lingering cravings, but also get you into great physical shape.

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April 8, 2018

Greg has been smoke free for 10 days!

Tip #3: One reason people smoke is that the nicotine helps them relax. Once you quit, you’ll need new ways to unwind. Find new ways to relax.

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April 7, 2018

Greg is still going strong and is still smoke free!

Tip #2: If you haven't done so, throw all of your smoking paraphernalia in the trash. You don't need it anymore.

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April 6, 2018

Greg is on his second week of being smoke free. It's going to take focus to keep his goal of quitting, but he has already been doing such a great job. This week we will be sending Greg tips on how to keep from succumbing to his triggers.

Tip #1: The second week is a good time for Greg to be aware of his smoking triggers. They could be emotional, pattern, social, or withdrawal triggers. The sooner he can identify his, the easier it will be for him to work around them and more easily remain smoke free!

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April 5, 2018

Greg has been smoke free for 1 week!

Fact #15: Each time a new shot of nicotine hit your brain, it activated the body's natural "fight-or-flight" stress defenses. Those defenses released stored fats into your bloodstream, which is why you may not have felt hungry when smoking – and why you may have blood sugar swings as you quit.

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April 4, 2018

Greg has been smoke free for 6 days straight now!

Fact #14: The "average" ex-smoker can experience three cue-induced crave episodes per day. Although you may not be "average" and although minutes may feel like hours when normal cessation time distortion combines with the body's panic response, it is unlikely that any single episode will last longer than 3 minutes. Time an episode to maintain an honest perspective. You can do this and keep your smoke-free streak alive!

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April 3, 2018

Today, Greg has been smoke free for 5 days!

Fact #13: The sense of smell and taste rely on nerve endings. Smoking deadens these nerve endings. However, according to the Cleveland Clinic, these nerve endings begin to regrow within 48 hours of not smoking. This means that your sense of smell and taste will begin to increase, allowing you to experience more flavor and aromas.

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April 2, 2018

The hardest part of quitting smoking comes in the first week, three to five days after you quit. You feel cravings, you're sluggish, and you start producing a lot of gunk in the lining of your lungs in order to expel it. But all that subsides after a few weeks, if you can push through. 

Today, Greg has been smoke free for 4 days!

Day 4

“Every time I crave, I suck a mint.

The immediate benefits I have experienced so far:

1. I hear more. Literally, I can hear across town - supersonic hearing.

2. Everything is clearer. The lights sparkle.

3. I don’t feel tired in the morning. I’m waking up as soon as my alarm rings - 6AM.

4. I have stopped coughing and my breathing is deeper. 

This is 4 days!” - Greg