I’ve been threatening to do it for year.
And now is the time.
Today is my 5th day completely soda/carbonation free. It’s actually day 8 in the process, but I caved to a can of Diet Mtn Dew when I had a headache on day 2.
There are a lot of reasons why I needed to give it up. First, it was an addiction, pure and simple. I couldn’t get through the day without a McDiet #PDR, or a “Route 44 Coke Zero with vanilla” at Sonic. I would wake up thinking of how bad I wanted a Coke to get me going in the morning. I wanted a drink to get me through the lull of the afternoon. I wanted a drink to help me focus at work. It was overwhelming.
Second, it was expensive. Many days I drank well over 100oz, much to the chagrin of my wallet. My husband called my daily need for soda my “pack a day” habit. Even trying to get the cheapest refills, it was easily costing me over $100 per month. I can think of a lot of things I’d rather spend $100 on a month.
Third, it was not good for my health. I’ve been taking mega-doses of Vitamin D and Calcium to make up for the mineral deficiencies that diet soda causes. Plus, it was stretching out my stomach. I can down a 32oz drink in no time, which made it that much easier to overeat. Although I got to the point that I would choose a soda over a decadent dessert…it still was a little messed up to be thinking that way. After watching this video, I knew I needed to do it:
I’m getting ready for a big change in my life that I’ve been preparing to undertake for over a year. If all goes as planned, it will happen sometime in February. It will change my life and my health for the better. I’m even working on a separate blog to document the process, which I will announce shortly. I’m even going to VIDEO BLOG on it, which I haven’t every ventured into before. I’m scared and excited at the same time.
So raise your glass (of water) and congratulate me on 5 days “sober” from soda. I’ll need support on this one. Just the sound of carbonation is a temptation.
Good luck!
Go you! Although are you sure cold turkey is the way to go? I’m sure you’re getting massive lack-of-caffeine headaches. . .
Cold turkey is working so far. I did have all that dental drama this weekend, and my endodontist strictly forbade carbonation so my mouth could heal and the bone graft would set correctly. If I had any headaches in any of those days, they were blocked out by the Lortab I was taking for my mouth.
Hmm. Massive dental work as a way to deal with caffeine withdrawal? Probably not a popular solution.
It gets easier… I go off and on with soda throughout the year. I find that when I only provide myself with water, it is easier to drink water… If I have soda around, then that’s what I’ll drink. After a while, you will stop craving the soda and you’ll get used to ordering water with your meals. And you’ll be healthier for it! Good luck!
You can do it! Not having to drink soda will be so liberating for you! I watched that video as well and it makes sense why people gain weight even when drinking no calorie soda. I’m excited for all you are going to make a reality soon
Yay! Good for you! You can stick with it!
I totally get your struggle, I went through it myself a while back. It’s tough at first, but after a while it gets easier. I blogged about walking away from my habit here: http://iamboymom.blogspot.com/2008/09/im-movin-on.html
Good luck, you can do it!
Way to Go on the no soda. I don’t drink much of it buy my hubby did a while back and finally got him to go off it. It’s been 3 years now. He did it cold turkey with a little help from iced tea, but I heard that switching to OJ for a while really helps especially if you didn’t drink diet sodas, giving you the sugars your body still craves. Gook luck. You’ll do great.