Quit smoking - the saga of how I quit smoking

So, how many times have you tried to quit smoking? Or a better question is, how many times have you thought about quitting smoking?

My smoking history started back in the 1960's when I was just a teenager. Yes, hiding behind the back of the house to get a puff off of a 'borrowed' cigarette started this 45 year disgusting habit.

My cigarettes were my best friend, a crucial part of who I was. I didn't think I could put my make-up on or start the car without one.

Then times changed; let's fast forward to the 'Clean Indoor Air Act' enforced in Pennsylvania in 1988. While I thought that all the mandatory non-smoking policies were entirely unfair, I did abide by them and started getting used to be viewed as a 'second class citizen'.

Knowing that I was going to be completely uncomfortable trying to work a full 8 hour day without a cigarette, I decided to try and quit. That first attempt was through 'Smoke Enders' which was a really good program. The program required you to put your heart and soul into it and I did not, and wasn't able to quit. The truth is that I wasn't ready to completely quit.

Since 1988, I have made countless attempts to quit smoking. I tried hypnosis, group therapy, acupuncture, nicotine gum, and lozenges, just to name a few. Lot's of great attempts with sincere, good intentions, but I just didn't have enough of what it takes for that long term commitment to stay quit. Some quits lasted a day and others up to 5 days.

So, no, this is not one of those truly inspiring stories where with my first attempt I was able to quit smoking forever. Rather this is my saga of continued attempts with continued failures. I desperately want to improve on my health, clear out the smell in my car and be comfortable in situations where smoking is not permitted.

In 2008 I quit smoking for 8 months using the patch. I have to say that the patches really work; they take that edge off by giving you a little bit of nicotine throughout the day. Although that attempt started out very successful in the beginning, it was not my last quit. Because of an illness and then the death of a loved one, I lost my desire to stay quit. I thought, 'I'll just have one', the next thing I knew, I had gone though the entire pack in a few short hours.

Since October of 2008, I am right back to smoking a pack a day and have pretty much hated every one of them. Throughout the last year I have tried to quit a couple of times using the nicotine patch.

Right now my desire to quit smoking is stronger than my desire to smoke. I know I have it in me, I know I will eventually do it. Yeah I know, you've heard that before too!

Today you say? I'm very pleased to tell everyone that I am 17 days smoke free!!! On December 22, 2011, I ran out of cigarettes. I made a decision at that very moment not to go to the store but to put on a nicotine patch and just see how it went. I made it a few hours, then a day, and now I've been able to put 17 days together. And the bonus? I haven't smoked 340 cigarettes, and have saved myself $104.00. I'm thrilled!

So this article is to introduce myself as the poster child for failing to quit smoking BUT also failing to give up quitting. Find something that works for you and good luck and more importantly GOOD HEALTH!

2/1/12 Update...still not smoking for 5 weeks, 6 days, have not smoked 822 cigarettes (incredible) and saved $250.00!