Stomachs & Sodas

kylamaries

I believe I'm on the thinner side of average (I'm 120lbs and 5'6") but I've always had a little tummy. I've been a soda drinker for years and I'm convinced this is the reason my tummy's not going away.

I've been drinking a lot more water and a lot less soda, but I still have to ask: For those of you who stopped drinking soda (or began extremely moderating it), did you see an improvement in your weight loss?

Gwen_B

That is why! You should be thankful aren't bigger than you are. I have family members who look 10 months pregnant, because soda was their only source of fluid!!

tonightokayalright

Definitely! Quitting soda was really easy for me, and I found such a huge change in my stomach almost right away. I don't bloat nearly as much, either, which is a plus.

kylamaries

That is why! You should be thankful aren't bigger than you are. I have family members who look 10 months pregnant, because soda was their only source of fluid!!

Definitely! Quitting soda was really easy for me, and I found such a huge change in my stomach almost right away. I don't bloat nearly as much, either, which is a plus.

Well thank you both! I've been paying close attention to my body after I consume soda vs. water. I've noticed that my face swells up like no one's business because of soda! And how did you quit, if you don't mind my asking? Did you just quit cold-turkey?

donald149

Quitting soda was the easiest 10 pounds that I've ever lost! Don't switch to diet, just cut it out altogether. I no longer crave or miss it.

kylamaries

Quitting soda was the easiest 10 pounds that I've ever lost! Don't switch to diet, just cut it out altogether. I no longer crave or miss it.

Wow, that's great! Congrats!

junco1971

Quitting soda has been really hard for me to do. It's proving to be harder then quitting drinking alcohol. I used to drink 5 to 6 24 oz. bottles of wild cherry Pepsi a day and am down to 2 but giving up those 2 is harder then I though it was going to be. I rely on it for the caffeine but also the taste.

Cairine63

I was a can of coke a day drinker and now I have it maybe once a week. The only way I could stop drinking it was not to have it in the house. If it is in the house, it is hard to resist. I believe cutting way back on my consumption led to a shrinking belly - and less bloat!

kylamaries

Thank you for all the responses! I'm glad you've all overcome it (or are overcoming it)! :happy:

ellaloveslove

I quit drinking regular soda and switched to diet and carbonated flavored waters, but on June 1st I pretty much cut those out too (My goal for June is 90% of my hydration will come from water! I couldn't decide if artificial sweeteners were really bad for us so I decided to cut them out for the most part anyway - can't hurt!) but due to TOM and only making the change about 9 days ago I haven't seen any results yet...but I'm hopeful! I agree with someone else who mentioned their cravings going away pretty quick though

blleadon

Oh man! I used to drink coke like crazy. Back then I would never believe that now I can go weeks without it and not realize it. I drink a lot of water now (about 14 cups a day) with the help of MIO and some crystal light. I know it is not the BEST thing but it is way better than sodas all day and my pee is extra clear! Now wine is a different story. I may never kick that habit lol

MyChocolateDiet

OMG this thread made me want a soda.


brb..............vending machine.

evileen99

There is no difference in my belly when I drink soda vs. when I don't drink soda.

kcaffee1

Grew up on diet sodas - 2 + liters per day. When I started out on my own, and realized how expensive they were, managed to restrict the intake to 2 liters MAX per day filling in the rest with herbal tea blends. Then, when I started college this time around (3 years ago now) I lifted the restriction by drinking the Walmart brand sodas.

About 6 months ago now, I stepped off of sodas all together with the aid of carbonated flavored waters. I've since switched from store bought waters to home made - carbonator and sugar free juice powders - and am working on retraining my stomach to stay pH balanced without the carbonation. I still require at least 2 liters of some type of carbonation through out the day or my stomach turns REALLY acid/sour, but it is much better now about agreeing with me on just tap water with the powder mixed in. And, I can't STAND the flavor of "real" sodas of any sort now - much too sweet! (Even the store bought carbonated water is too sweet!)

brigit628

I grew up drinking pepsi, and switched to diet Coke in my 20's thinking it would be healthier for me (no calories). I have been soda free for 4 months now, and i don't miss it! No sprite, rootbeer, diet drinks, only water, occasionally lemonade when I want a treat. I tried some of hubby's frozen coke today, and all I could taste were the chemicals. YUCK!
Cold turkey is the best way, it worked for me, and I was a 4+ can/day drinker.
Good Luck!
As far as my stomach, hard to say, I have alot to lose yet.

Goin4goal

My cravings for sweets has vanished since giving up Coke on Jan. 12th. I felt like I could never get enough. I was always looking for something to eat. I began my journey by quitting the Coke habit and then in March I discovered MFP. What a difference a few months makes. I've lost 18 lbs. since mid-March and believe me at my age that's quite an accomplishment. The weight is very slow to come off. I still have a long way to go so I can't say whether my stomach has improved because of giving up the Coke, eating healthy or exercising (probably a combination of all three). But I have lost 5" from my waist. Good luck. The best way is to just stop entirely and definitely don't resort to Diet Coke. I'm trying to talk my hubby into giving it up, but he's not there yet, although he seems to be drinking less than he use to.

kylamaries

Thank you thank you!! I believe I want to stop my current intake and extremely limit myself (maybe a small glass once every few days?). Hopefully if I increase the amount of time between glasses, soon enough I won't want it at all. To hear everyone's responses gives me a ton of hope; I can't wait to see if it'll help! :happy:

M5jdu009

Dropping soda was the easiest weight drop for me--what I did was allow myself one a day, but just because I allowed it didn't mean I had to partake. It's easier for me to say "No, I don't want it" rather than "No, you can't have it." I guess I rebel against that "can't" lol! But I didn't keep it in the house, if I wanted my allotted coke, I would have to drive to a convenience store to get one, and frankly it wasn't worth the drive lol! Now, I pretty much drink strict water and tea (I'm from the south, that's my vice lol!)

GamerLady

No difference for me, flat stomach with or without my Diet Dr. Pepper and Coke Zero's. I drink em all day long and never have a bloating problem.

I don't eat breads, pastas, rice, or potatoes, maybe that has something to do with no bloating too, I dunno. I just never have had a problem with my stomach not being flat since I got to my goal weight, been maintaining for years now.

tigersword

There is no difference in my belly when I drink soda vs. when I don't drink soda.

This. I track calories. That's how I lose weight. I drink both diet and regular soda, and I stick to my goals and have no problems.

There's no magic bullet. If cutting soda causes you to consume less calories, then you will lose more weight. If it doesn't, you won't.

chelctate

I've cut it out (almost) completely. I still grab a diet at a restaurants, etc but I completely eliminated it from my apartment. I noticed that I mainly crave the "bubbles" rather than the soda itself. I've switched to Glaceu's "Fruit Water" ... SO good! I don't even miss the soda in the house anymore!

dakitten2

I was a sodaholic. Once I finally went to water, I could definitely tell and feel a difference.

FitToBeKim

I use to drink a 12 pk of Mt dew a day. It was the only thing I drank. I hate water (still).
I finally switched to diet after a good friend told me about the calorie difference. It was not the same but I could handle it.
I drank about 5 or 6 of those a day, again, the only source of fluids.
Then the aspartame kicked in and I was hurting in all my joints and my back was always killing me. Felt like I had been beat up and had the flu. I tried to cut back but would run right back to it and again would end up in bed from the pain and fatigue, etc.
I finally had enough and switched to unsweet tea...... or tea with Stevia.
I drink the tea constant and I don't hurt anymore and i'm not bloated and of course I lost weight when I gave up the real Mt Dew !

You can ask anyone and they wold tell you that I never went anywhere without my MD !! I would pack extras in my purse when I left the house so incase I got caught in traffic, I would have some with me.
It was awful being so addicted.
Quitting it (both regular and diet) was the best thing I ever did but I had to get it in my head and I had to make my own self do it !

I had a full 12 pack of Diet Dews and 4 in the fridge and I got rid of them.
I do not crave them at all !

I wish you much luck !! YOU CAN DO IT !!

TheDarlingOne

There is def. a visual change in my stomach drinking soda vs not. I am drinking on average 100oz of water a day (i aim for 200 but get at least the 100)....and when i mix a soda in during the day with the water consumption...it's like i jacked everything up. it really bloats me bad.
and KNOWING THIS - i fell for the buy 3, 12 packs for $11 "deal" at my local publix store last night. I'm like OoOOOh sure, why not what a deal! lol. FORGETTING - the real DEAL is how it makes me FEEL....so now i've got $22 bucks (YES i bought 6 - i could not believe myself when I got home lol) worth of soda and diet soda to deal with.
But this is where I'll have to super lock down and focus on my logging.
So if you give up the soda - DON'T FALL FOR DEALS lol.
Once you let soda go - LET IT GO - my brain knows 100% i can fully very well go without it....but my "i just got paid and money to blow(not really but let's fool ourself for a few hours lol)" brain said sure why not lol.

Thing that helped me - i went to Arizona diet green tea in cans....that way I still get that ice cold frothy feel of a can from the fridge - like the 'senses' of drinking a can 'soda' - but no bloat and green tea good for ya

(ps: i'm a rambler sorry lol)

ILiftHeavyAcrylics

There is no difference in my belly when I drink soda vs. when I don't drink soda.

This. I track calories. That's how I lose weight. I drink both diet and regular soda, and I stick to my goals and have no problems.

There's no magic bullet. If cutting soda causes you to consume less calories, then you will lose more weight. If it doesn't, you won't.

This.

MoreLikeMe43

I started MFP in March, and my fluids at the time consisted of coffee in the morning and Diet Coke the rest of the day...4-6 cans/day. Because of swelling in my ankles, I decided to try to cut back on the soda, and I started drinking bottled water (never did like tap water, and Dasani tastes great [yeah, CocaCola was still getting my money]).

I didn't intend to cut out soda completely, and I wouldn't have believed that I could, but after a few days of choosing water instead, I unthinkingly pulled a Diet Coke from the fridge and opened it. I was shocked to find that it tasted terrible. Shocked and pleased. And relieved.

I drink water and unsweetened tea, now. I brew up a pot of flavored tea every couple of days and pour it over ice in a jug that I keep in the fridge. I found a coconut flavored tea at the farmers' market that was delicious, and I quite like the Celestial Seasonings blueberry tea.

Good luck with your changes!

alliemarie77

My husband was a soda drinker for many years!! He would literally drink 2 or MORE 2 liter bottles a day!! If he didn't have soda he would get really bad headaches, and feel bad until he drank one.

When he decided to quit drinking soda I had to see if the man had a fever....

He quit cold turkey, and for a week straight he had a migraine, and felt bad. He complained, and laid on the couch for the week.
I kept giving him ice water, and Tylenol/ibuprofen.

He finally got through it, and now he feels much better. A Dr told us that if he had cut back little by little that he would not have felt so bad. She said start with baby steps. First drink one 2 liter for a week. Then go down to a 20 oz. then a can. Then a cup. Then 1/2, and so on till you don't have the headaches anymore.

Good luck on quitting. It will definitely make a difference in your weight loss, bloating, and gas.

magerum

In for ludicrous claims. While drinking Cherry Coke Zero :drinker:

brower47

There is no difference in my belly when I drink soda vs. when I don't drink soda.

Same. I often go through long stretches on different liquids as my personal preferences are fickle. If I'm not drinking lots of diet soda, I'm drinking lots of tea. If I'm not drinking either of those, I move onto coffee for a time. Sometimes I'll be off all three and just drink water. Never have any of these different phases seen a difference in my body composition in the least. The only times I see changes in my body composition is when I eat at a modest calorie deficit for a long stretch of time.

MyChocolateDiet

My stomachs were never a problem with my sodas drinking but my heads were. I got migraines from the overconsumption and erratic consumption of caffeines. Now I'm better though. My stomachs did not go away until I started counting cals though. So I see no connections. At least not for me.