Why is it so hard for me to give up my soda?

[Aristocath]

You can do it! I was a five can a day of Coke drinker. I started weaning myself over a period of weeks down to 1 can a day. Then I started having a 100 calorie can a day. Then I started going every other day with a small can. I didn't intend originally to totally give up Coke but just to cut back. But I lost 15 pounds just cutting out Coke so I gave it up completely. I haven't had a soda of any kind since September 25, 2007. Now I pretty much just drink water and coffee.

 

[mtemm]

you have to go cold turkey! I gave up diet coke for lent. well, not really for lent, but i used lent to help me kick it. I set the date, and haven't had one now in 4 weeks. people who know me know how shocking that would be. if I had 2 a day, it just wouldn't work, the number would slowly creep up.

not saying it was easy, it was really hard especially at first. I believe it takes 21 days for new habits to be formed, and I definitely see in myself that I am no longer in the habit of swinging by mcd and getting one after I hit the gym, and other trigger spots/times. and yeah, I do believe its a vicious habit.

maybe try setting a date, and then going off completely for a month.

 

[CJMickeyMouse]

All I drink from the time I get up to the time I go to bed at night is Diet Coke. The only time I drink water by choice is if wherever I am at has Pepsi products or is out of Diet Coke.

Seriously, I think it affects everyone differently. I have gone without for extended periods of time (several days) and I am fine. None of the side effects that are in all the articles. IMO everyone needs to do what they feel is right for them - what makes them feel their best.

I hate all of the "Diet Coke is evil" articles.... I have lived on it for almost 30 of my 41 years, and I am very healthy so far.

 

[C.Ann]

DD had to make a switch due to health issues - not weight.. First she switched to a different brand - then diet - the flavored water - and finally on to just plain water..

She feels a million times better now - even her skin looks better!

Part of your problem may be the caffeine in the soda.. If you're addicted to it (and likely are with the amount your drink each day), you will have to cut back slowly to avoid migraines, the jitters, etc..

Good luck!

 

[OK!]

Now my doctor tells me that diet soda contributes to osteoporosis and wants me to give that up, too. I really resent it. I have cut back a little but not as much as she would like. We have added additional vitamin D and magnesium to my supplements because I won't give it up entirely.

My mom nags at me about the same thing all the time as well. I do drink quite a bit of Diet Pepsi each day and frankly don't plan on quitting anytime soon. I do make sure I take in enough calcium (mainly through food sources, but also with a supplement), as well as Vitamin D and magnesium every day to help compensate.

I just thank goodness it's diet soda that I drink. I'd be the size of a mature water buffalo if I drank the same amount of regular soda every day.

 

[goodeats]

I developed an addiction to Diet Coke. I was having one or two a day, which I know sounds reasonable, but I don't like being 'addicted' to anything unnatural. Coffee though I'm fine with. Anyway, quiting coffee when I was pregnant was nothing like kicking Diet Coke. I went cold turkey and actually woke up with the most excrutiating headaches in the middle of the night. Eventually they went away, and I lost the taste for diet coke entirely.

In the case of Diet Coke it's definitely not the caffeine, I think there's something else in the aspartame that affects the addictive quality. Soda has a fraction of the caffeine of coffee.

 

[scrapquitler]

Don't switch to diet, it's worse than regular soda (unless your a diabetic). .

I keep hearing this...but why is diet 'worse'? I've never seen this explained.

 

[IDoDis]

I was one of those who always grabbed a Diet Coke or Diet Pepsi when I was thirsty. Used to be once a day, then twice, then all the time. I was hardly drinking water or milk. I kept reading how bad it was for me, but had no intention of giving it up. Afterall, it was diet so there was no sugar, no calories and the dentist always raved about how good my teeth were.

Then a couple of months ago I noticed the bottom of my two front teeth looked like they had something black on them. Like a thin black line at the bottom of my two front teeth. Upon closer inspection in the mirror, my teeth weren't black, they were see through! I went to my dentist and he said it was acid erosion most likely from the soda. It was wearing the enamel off of my front teeth and would get worse if I continued drinking soda. So, I had to cut way way back -- like to 2 sodas a week! At first I thought I could switch to a diet ice tea or sugar free lemonade, but all of those drinks have the acid in them, too! It's amazing how many foods have acid, but soda and lemons are some of the worst. So no more water with lemons, no lemonade, no sodas for me. I have my bottle of water sitting right next to me now and am trying so hard to just get used to it.

For those who think they can keep drinking several sodas a day and not worry -- I was the same way. Now my teeth are messed up -- and my smile was always something I took pride in. I'm thinking about getting composite restorations, but right now it's not in the budget. One thing I do make sure to do when I do get my twice a week sodas is to drink the soda through a straw -- never from a can or from a bottle because it just washes right over those front teeth.

Another thing I learned is to not brush your teeth for an hour after drinking soda or foods with acid in them because the acid weakens the tooth enamel and then the brushing takes that loose enamel away. Wait at least an hour before brushing after drinking/eating acidic foods & drinks.

 

[tae1218]

Diet coke addict here. I need one to start my day. Some people drink coffee in the morning but I need my diet coke.

 

[sms]

Cutting out my soft drinks too. So far Tea or Sparkling water with lime or lemon is going pretty good. The "fizz" in sparkling water really helps!

 

[pigletgirl]

I'm like that with coffee. If I don't get it within a certain time frame, I really feel the effect. Its almost as if I plan my day around it. BAD!

I'm slowly backing down, however with school and such, maybe it isn't the best time? It is however interfering with sleep and such.

 

[2Eskiedogs]

I gave it up when I was diagnosed with cancer last summer. It wasn't easy. I did have one at x-mas, didn't taste the same.

 

[srferson]

I like Coke, but I've had to cut back, especially later in the day, because too much caffeine and too little water was giving me nasty headaches.

I load up my glass with ice. I like to suck on ice (and to be honest, I often end up chewing which is apparently not good for your teeth), but it's something to be doing with my mouth instead of just drinking constantly, and you can still taste Coke on the ice, so it's not quite as "boring" as water.

 

[mickilee]

Another coke drinker here. I stop cold turkey about 2 weeks ago. When i crave a pop, I grab an orange or cucumber now.
So far working. I treat myself to a pop once a week, but drown it in tons of ice. In hopes that I am watering it down as much as possible.

good luck to all the quitters.

 

[bumbershoot]

I do still drink juices and caffeine free sodas (I do love root beer)...

I'm sure you know this, but for others...watch out for root beers! Not all are caffeine-free. Barqs, for instance, most definitely has caffeine. I had NO idea.


Diet is worse b/c instead of sugar, it's sweetened with chemicals. Not that the HFCS in American sodas is natural...corn syrup is natural, but the high fructose part is a lab experiment...


My good friend is a huge diet coke addict. She should know better...heck, last year she had a liver transplant ("chronic idiopathic autoimmune hepatitis diagnosed as a teen) and has to meet with nutritionists every month (and has done so for about 10 years now), and each time they tell her to give it up, it's not good for her, not giving her any life-enhancing benefits, but she just can NOT give it up. It's a bit scary, actually!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I hear you.

 

[Darsa]

Diet Coke's been my thing, specially with a slice of lemn squeezed into it. I drink almost exclusively water now, and can NOT believe the difference in my overall health and skin condition since I've been chugging the H2O. I have one can of Diet Coke mid-afternoon now, and maybe a cup of tea in the morning, but other than that it's just water.

 

[eliza61]

I have been drinking 5 Cokes a day for quite awhile now. I am trying to cut down to 2 a day. It is hard! I want to lose a little weight (5 lbs), set a good example for my kids, and be healthier. Anyone else trying to give up sodas? Can we start a support group? I am trying to drink water instead but I keep thinking about my Coke.

I'm sooo in. I posted last week about this very same thing except yours is much nicer. I flat out said "I hate water"!! it's just the most tasteless stuff ever. I've been doing ok. Today, I'm allowing myself 20 ounces because we're having a pizza party for a co workers anniversary.

 

[pyrxtc]

I recently stopped buying my Mt Dew. I still have a few left and used to drink a can a day but now I buy bottle (the small ones) and it takes me two or three days to drink one. I now drink it warm and am trying to cut it out entirely. I love water but sometimes I want something sweet. I'm gonna try drinking Kool-aid instead using half the sugar. We'll see how that works. Most times I reach for a cup of tea for sweet.

 

[Tantor]

http://www.oleda.com/oleda_tips/tips.asp?dept=48

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