This one is gonna hurt like a mother trucker…
#3 – Give Up Diet Coke
I’ve had an addiction to the sweet syrupy stuff for a long time now and I’ve been just fine with that. I’ve always figured that, hey, if this is the worst addiction I’ve got, no problem! I’m not a coffee drinker and I really don’t drink calories any other way (except for my vino!), and really, what’s the problem with a little caffeine every now and again?
But why Diet Coke? Here’s why…it tastes good and water doesn’t. Sure, during/after a spin class, I suck down water like it’s going out of style and sometimes if I’m not feeling well, water is the only thing that will do the trick, but it’s NEVER my first choice.
So, why the sudden change of heart?
Over the last year, I’ve heard of friends successfully giving up their Diet Coke addictions. Two of these people I would put in the major leagues of Diet Coke addictions with me. I was surprised their break up with the sweet sweet nectar of the gods wasn’t more difficult and dude, they even lost weight. It made me wonder, but not enough to actually make the first step myself.
Fast forward to a couple of weeks ago when I was talking to a friend of mine. She told me her fertility doctor told her to get off the juice – and it stopped me in my tracks.
As truly MOST of my girlfriends who have started families in their 30s have struggled with fertility, it’s not overly dramatic to wonder if I’ll struggle, too (especially, since 35 IS coming up and I’m still painfully single). I definitely want to have children someday, even if I’m a 40 year old mom. So, if a challenge is up ahead of me, I started to think about some of my unhealthy routines…like my Diet Coke IV drip.
I ran out of Diet Coke on Thursday night, but I did have sparkling cherry water. I decided not to refill my stash and instead tried to hydrate in other ways. And since I’ve been fighting the sinus cold from hell, I knew that I’d already have a headache, so the withdrawals would be masked by other aches and pains.
I’m not sure that Cold Turkey is the way to go for me or if the phase out is the better plan, but I’ve decided not to buy Diet Coke anymore. I think a soda with a restaurant meal will be okay for now, but I would LOVE to someday be one of those weirdos who prefers water to anything else!
*cheering from the sidelines* You can do it!!!
Seriously–I know there’s no 100% consensus on what artificial sweeteners really do and don’t effect, but overly processed anything isn’t good in my book, especially as a daily staple, and you will feel so much better off the sauce
Keep refillable water bottles in the fridge, ready to go, as super-cold water tends to go down easier than lukewarm.
Wow! This is definitely making me think! I am a diet dr. pepper ADDICT! Wanting to make some changes and had the thought that giving it up might be a step I need to take. I may reluctantly be on this journey as well!
When I started running, I gave up Diet Coke. I gave it up for 5 months straight. I never felt so good.
You can do it!
You can do it! I gave up pop while I was in college and haven’t looked back. Every once in awhile I’ll have a root beer or Dr. Pepper but after a couple of sips, I’m done. The first taste is great but after that it just tastes chemically and I feel gross. I’m a water-drinker all the way!
Cold Turkey! I just did it! Haven’t had one in 3 weeks and after the first couple of days I was completely fine. Get some Excederine for the headaches the first little bit!
You can do it!!!
Wow! Congrats! I have a DC every morning…that usually lasts until noon – the large one from McD’s – and somehow not buying the breakfast burritos seems to help me think it’s ok – look at all the calories and Weight Watcher points I am saving. I have also started drinking a 16-oz bottle of cold water as I am putting on my make up, then with lunch and dinner. Crushed ice is another favorite of mine – and having an ice maker at work that serves up deliciously crushed “Sonic” ice…is the BEST!! Ok, I have rambled enough…best wishes on giving up the drug of choice…!