Soda pop, Soft Drink??

NessaReh85

HI Everyone,

I am just curious on everyone else's thoughts!!!

I have cut soda completely out for going on 2 months now. I also started about a month ago watching my calories. Then I am on week 2 of Focus T25. I have seem some awesome results.

Do you think/know if cutting out soda is really contributing? I used to drink pepsi a lot. But cut soda cold turkey. I am curious is still talking myself out of soda is really doing anything for me. Other than the obvious, sugar content!!!

ajnb88

I initially cut soda completely, but tbh I missed it, so now I still drink it, but in moderation. This way I don't miss it, just the majority of my drinks are water/shakes, with a cold can at the end of a long day

susannamarie

Cutting out full-sugar soda is definitely a contributing factor for me. Without that ~700 calories a day, I'm maintaining a hell of a lot lower without really trying.

Edited: To be clear, the only difference I've observed is because of the calories, not the sugar. When I cut calories but kept a lot of soda, I lost at very close to the rates MFP predicted -- I was just hungry a lot because I was drinking so much soda instead of eating.

BigLifter10

For me, it makes a big difference. I used to drink 20 oz of either Pepsi or Coke a day a few yrs ago. When I stopped cold turkey....it took me two weeks to drop 7 lbs. I wasn't even trying, just quit the sodas. When I have them now, I feel the difference (fluffier feeling and not as lean/tight). I still allow myself a can here and there, but I prefer feeling leaner. For me, the sodas make a big difference.

rsclause

Drink water, skip the diet soda as well as the sugared ones. They are all junk to me. Beer, scotch and wine are all on the approved list too.

TheVirgoddess

You bet it matters. Coke's (I'm from Texas, all soda is coke) are a very big part of the reason I got fat, I was drinking 5-6 a day (so about 900 extra calories). I cut all but 1 - which I have with dinner every night. I wind up having half usually, but yes - it matters.

ObtainingBalance

I cut soda out years ago. I will drink it occasionally, but I don't feel like it's worth the calories or sugar. It's not something I really crave...
I'd rather splurge on a high calorie coffee drink or alcoholic beverages. Plus there are few sodas I like the taste of (but root beer is amazing:) )

I think cutting soda out is definitely contributing to your weight loss, but only because it's saving you A LOT of calories! It's so easy to drink too many calories away. When you begin to monitor what you're drinking and aim to have more low calorie drinks (tea, water, coffee, diet drinks, etc) you have more calorie allowance and it's easier to lose weight without feeling restricted (because you're having well balanced meals and feeling full).
Just keep in mind if you ever crave a soda and end up having some, you're not going to suddenly ruin all progress or gain back. But you could always get those cute small soda cans or try a diet instead.

You're awesome for moving towards a more healthy you, keep up the good work!

NessaReh85

You're awesome for moving towards a more healthy you, keep up the good work!

Thanks! I have to say, I really didnt drink that much soda before. Some days I would have 1-2 cans or a fountain soda from the gas station but mostly I would drink kool-aid or lemonade. I really didnt have cravings for soda, it was more that I was feeling completely drained and tired for teh first two weeks. I dont feel as tired or feel that I am near as lazy as I was before I started all this.

Thank you everyone for the comments, they are helpful. For being 210 lbs I stick with a 1200 cal/day diet. I am not sure if it is worth it going back to soda. I am afraid that I might revert back to being more lazy than I am now. I pretty much drink water from the time I get up until the time I go to bed.

malibu927

Each can is 150-170 calories depending on the drink, so it definitely is. I cut down to one can of diet soda with dinner so I'm not using up calories on something I'm drinking.

SherryTeach

You bet it matters. Coke's (I'm from Texas, all soda is coke) are a very big part of the reason I got fat, I was drinking 5-6 a day (so about 900 extra calories). I cut all but 1 - which I have with dinner every night. I wind up having half usually, but yes - it matters.

I'm from Kansas City. All soda is "coke" there too. From the thread title, I thought this was going to be about what to call it. It was always a big controversy in college with the St. Louis contingent.

dbanks80

Soda is high in sugar each can is like 150 calories. So 2 cans is 300 calories.

I hate pop (soda) it makes me more thirsty. I think it's designed that way to make people drink more and more.

Karen_DisneyFan

A long time ago (25+ years) I realized I was drinking way too much pop - 2 or 3 cans every day at work. I switched to drinking water at work after I had my hot tea in the morning. If I don't want water, I'll get unsweetened iced tea with lemon; no sugar needed. I do still occasionally have a *regular* dr pepper and thoroughly enjoy it. I make sure to log it into my calories for the day... I can't drink diet - my body doesn't tolerate aspertame/nutrasweet.

earlnabby

You bet it matters. Coke's (I'm from Texas, all soda is coke) are a very big part of the reason I got fat, I was drinking 5-6 a day (so about 900 extra calories). I cut all but 1 - which I have with dinner every night. I wind up having half usually, but yes - it matters.

I'm from Kansas City. All soda is "coke" there too. From the thread title, I thought this was going to be about what to call it. It was always a big controversy in college with the St. Louis contingent.

I thought so too. I am from Wisconsin and the eastern part calls it soda, the rest calls it pop so we are a bit mixed up here.

To the OP, assuming you are talking about full sugar soda (why do people call it full fat when there is no fat in it?), yes, it makes a big difference in the number of calories you are ingesting. If it was diet soda you drank, no, the difference was not caused by cutting out soda.

ajnb88

All this talk of calories reminded me that when I was out of work (I. E. Sat at home) I'd drink two energy drinks and three cokes a day - roughly 500cal from drinks alone..!

christinelimei

Cutting out all soda has made a HUGE difference for me and I'm sure that it is contributing for you too! Congrats on your progress by the way!

ExRelaySprinter

I've cut back a lot on fizzy soft drinks....although i'll drink them occasionally (or as a mixer with an alcoholic cocktail or something).
For me, it was the gassyness......... and the pot belly that came along with it. :noway:

christinazaia

I enjoy my soda pop..when I do decide to have it :-) ....I don't drink it everyday though....I love dt.pepsi and dr. pepper and cherry coke which you cant get here in Canada
too much of anything is not really good for u...I also find that fizzy drinks make me bloat...but it goes down eventually...just a gas build-up lol hehehe

_HeartsOnFire_

I initially cut soda out. Not anymore. It's about moderation. So if you like it, it's okay to fit it in.

NessaReh85

Thanks everyone for your posts. I stil l don't drink any as of now and I don't like to drink alcoholic beverages. Unless you count Homemade Apple Pie. I will drink that around Halloween some years but htat is about it for me. Drinking makes me sleepy. I guess I will stick with the path that I am on. I am feeling more energetic.

Zephalia

Sugar is immediately turned into fat by insulin when it is digested. Cutting it out is absolutely, 100%, the right choice.