Bye-Bye Diet Coke, Bye-Bye Energy?

lauradubbb

I have been addicted to Diet Coke for many years. Well, i've made some major changes the past few weeks. Starting 5 weeks ago, I have stopped (for the most part) my late night eating habits, i'm more accountable for what I eat and being more knowledgeable about how fattening it is (haven't had a burger or french fries since I started 5 weeks ago), I now exercise 5-6 times a week as opposed to NEVER before (haha), and I was also a social smoker before and smoking cigarettes more than I should and I haven't smoked a cigarette in 5 weeks (and I can tell a big difference when I exercise). I've lost around 15-20 lbs so far, and the weight loss is definitely slowing down now, which I had expected since you lose the most in the beginning. But I decided I would make one more positive change in my life, and that is to try to say goodbye to one of my most favorite things, Diet Coke (and Diet Mtn Dew). Ive never really liked water, but it's so good for you so I want to like it. So this challenge started today, and I have a goal to go 3 weeks without diet sodas, and trying to just drink water. Then hopefully once I go that long, I will actually crave water then and not want Diet Coke. So today was my first day and hasn't been THAT bad, but I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions on any foods that will help give you energy and won't blow my diet? The first few days will be the hardest and i've definitely noticed a difference in my energy level today... It doesn't exist. lol. I was just curious if you all had any suggestions. Thanks for the feedback!!

KATIEHUGGIES

BUMP

Aussie4870

the energy that you got from that coke was from caffine...it will give you a high and then a crash which is usually why people get addicted and drink so much of it...

you will get the same amount of energy from eating an apple and having a large glass of iced water...only the engery is from natural sugar and not a carcenageic...

if you crave something sweet try green tea Crystal Light...or any Crystal Light for that matter...they make a Pure range which doesnt have the artificial sugar but still only 70 calories in a pack...

meeperoon

Oh my god I drink so much diet coke too and the bf says that I should stop to help the weight loss but it has no calories, so what will it do other than bloat me because of the gas? (honestly i have no idea, tried researching but found nothing...)

I haven't stopped yet but I should do really. The only alternative really is water...

IamEric

I gave up Dr. Pepper about two years ago. It was hard at first because I drank a lot of it, but have found that the more I exercise, eat healthy and drink lots of water, my energy level is at record peaks. Much higher than it ever was with DP.

You can do it and it will get a lot easier.

gabyp0716

You can try drinking some green tea. I make green tean and put it over ice, its healthy, gives your metabolism a boost and even helps with hunger. I also love unsweaten iced tea.

starrstarr007

I can tell you that it does get easier - I used to drink about 3-4 diet cokes a day and now it has probably been 2 months since I had one. After a few days, it got much easier.

My one recommendation - get a water bottle than you like to drink from - I know it sounds crazy but I noticed I drank more water from a glass with a straw then without.

I am in love with my Camelbak Groove water bottle - it is filtered water on the go. I got it from REI and now I don't go anywhere without it. The first couple of sips on a new filter can be so so but then it makes water taste better. I have super sensitive taste buds and the water at work tasted terrible so I would never drink it and reach for the diet coke instead. Now I have my Camelbak groove an the water tastes so much better and I like drinking out of it - I usually put away my share of water during the day now.

Good luck - you can do it!

ameyc2002

i like diet lemon lime sodas. i havent stopped them but have slacked down

aa1440

I stopped about 3 years ago. I started drinking ginger ale to replace the sodas. Then I would only drink half of a ginger ale. Then after about 2 months I started drinking only water and juice. During that second month I tried to drink a soda and I could not. It filled me up after only three or four swallows. I can't stand sodas now.

Good luck on kicking that poison. You will be amazed how much better you feel.

jnell82

I agree with etay. You have a lower energy level because your body is used to that caffeine. Once you go through your withdrawls and you are used to not having that caffeine, your energy will increase naturally. Apples really help me stay energized, along with my daily workout. Good luck

Genem30

Oh my god I drink so much diet coke too and the bf says that I should stop to help the weight loss but it has no calories, so what will it do other than bloat me because of the gas? (honestly i have no idea, tried researching but found nothing...)

I haven't stopped yet but I should do really. The only alternative really is water...

Worst thing I've heard about diet soda is that the artificial sweeteners in them will reek havoc on your kidneys, basically turning them to leather over time. There are also studies that show an increased risk of cancer in people who consume a large amount of artificial sweetener.

I still drink a Diet Coke occasionally, but usually limit it to once or twice a week, and only when I'm on the road mostly.

groomchick

I quit all soda about 15 years ago. Now I cant stand it. When I get tired of water I use the new MIO liquid. I like it a lot better than crystal light and its easier to make. For more energy....lots of protein and veggies.

rrrbecca11

I have read that if you can do a thing for 21 days straight, it will become a habit, and I can testify to that in my own life. So your three week goal is very significant. Stick with water. I didn't like it either when I first started drinking it several years ago; now I have from 108 to 120 ounces a day. I don't put another thing in my body till I've emptied my 24 ounce glass that I use, and I keep it filled, 24 ounces at a time, all day and till bedtime. I can barely stand the taste of any sweetened beverage now, and I like it that way. Good luck.

mewhisler

I quit drinking diet coke at the beginning of this year...and I drank A LOT. At first it was horrible - i was so tired and had bad headaches, due to the caffeine. but, then it got better. It did take awhile though - about 1 month - before I didn't crave it every day. Every once in awhile I want one, but I know that if I drink one, I'll go overboard.

I started drinking La Croix every time I wanted something with bubbles - and it has no artificial sweeteners. That helped a bit.

good luck!

inotnew

Ive never really liked water, but it's so good for you so I want to like it.

When I started drinking Diet Coke (many years ago) I didn't like the taste of it either. I trained myself to like it over time. I realized that when I started to drink green tea to replace the Diet Coke. I didn't really care for the taste of green tea. But it took less than 2 weeks to get use to drinking it.

janetb21

I quit Diet Coke last December. I was trying to cut back on expenses and that was one thing to cut out. After a few days I didn't miss it anymore. And my energy level returned to normal.

Then I read an article that said women who drink diet sodas have a larger waist measurement than those who don't. That made me really not want to drink it anymore!

inotnew

Worst thing I've heard about diet soda is that the artificial sweeteners in them will reek havoc on your kidneys, basically turning them to leather over time. There are also studies that show an increased risk of cancer in people who consume a large amount of artificial sweetener.

I had also read that soda (any, not just diet soda) can affect the absorption of calcuim into the bones - over time.

Cokamo

Part of feeling bad today is likely the withdrawl from the caffeine. That will get better with time. Flavored waters/packets help with the need for flavor/sweetness in your water. I try to limit myself to one of those a day, however, and focus the rest of the time on clear water. I do still allow myself one diet coke a day most days (usually at dinner) unless I opt for tea instead.

You've made a lot of change in a short time. Be careful not to be too extreme or you could find yourself feeling overly deprived and rebound.

Huskeryogi

I gave up Diet Pepsi back in May and yes I was dragging for about 2 weeks. Best thing I found when I was feeling lethargic was exercise. I do a quick lap around the building I work in, a few sun salutations in an empty conference room, or go up and down the stairs a few times. It's hard and it lasted way longer than I thought it would but it eventually gets better.

I do have a can or two of Caffeine free, diet pepsi a week now cause I still love carbonation, but I eliminated it entirely for 3 weeks.

traviscolby

Diet Coke is, in my humble opinion, the worst thing out there. I was addicted to the stuff and consumed gallons a day, and my last one was December of 2009. Giving it up was probably the single most effective thing I did. Here is what I went through so you have an idea of what to expect.

Day 1 through 5 -

In the first few days of giving up Diet Coke, you WILL go into caffeine withdrawals. This is a natural part of the detox process, but it really sucks. I found myself having the sweats and having trouble concentrating on anything. On top of that, there is the massive headache that will last for at least 3 days. The important thing here is to not replace the caffeine in Diet Coke with another source like coffee, tea, or chocolate. If you just replace one caffeine source for another, you will likely go back to Diet Coke as I did several times in the past.

The first month -

As you pointed out, you will have energy issues for a while. This is because your body is used to running on caffeine and making it work for itself is a foreign concept. You can get through this with exercise. I found that hitting the treadmill for a few minutes at lunch perked my system up and got me through the energy issues. Have fait though, the energy issues don't stick around forever.

The first six months -

You will have many cravings for Diet Coke, and once you get past the physical issues of the first month then you have to deal with getting past the mental issues of the addiction. It is not an easy thing to do, but it will be worth it in the end. I found that the cravings disappeared after about 6 months. By that point I was used to and enjoyed water as my primary beverage and my body was functioning just fine without the stuff.

Stick with it - you will thank yourself!

As to the one wondering if Diet Coke is bad for you, here are some points to consider:

1. The carbonation in the stuff expands your stomach, making you feel hungry and needing more food.
2. The chemicals and carbonation digest more food waste products and put them in your system.
3. The caffeine in them is very addictive
4. My grandmother died of brain cancer and she drank diet coke every day of her life. While there isn't a medical connection proven, I have to believe the buildup of chemicals in her system had something to do with it.

That’s my two cents anyway…

gazz777

I can testify - I have been on the Cola addiction thing. Not medically diagnosed, but by those around me and eventually myself. 2-3 cans a day. I *needed* them when having a bad (or good or whatever) day. Hooked on sugar too. HAD to add it to breakfast cereal and HAD to add it to cups of tea (to make me 'enjoy' said items).

I made a choice 6.5 months ago to go 'cold turkey' on said items. That, and walking 20-30k's per week was the ONLY change I made (physically). In the first few months I was losing 1-2kg per week !!!

A work colleague had stopped adding sugar and lost 2kg in a few weeks also - NO other changes.

To tolerate water better, I added 1/8 to 1/4 of whole lemon and of whole lime to my bottle of water. Snacking ended up being on sugar-free mints (2cal each) - and they too enhanced boring water.

Take the challenge - you CAN do it. Your WILL power says you WILL do it. Go for gold !

millionsofpeaches

I really do not understand people that say they do not really like water??? Really... Water doesn't taste like anything and it is the best thing that you can hydrate your body with. I drink so much water that I am swimming...

As for the energy perhaps you want to try a B6 supplement which can help... Or you could ask the doc for a B12 shot in the butt. The energy levels will come back as you break your bad habits and replace them with good ones. Exercising can help to burst your energy as well.

Jerseygirl02

Try taking a multi vitamin instead. Since you are active now, try GNC Woman's ultra mega active or One A Day Active. Both give have energy.

buckaroos30

I to was so addicted to Diet Cokes , I haven't had one in almost three yrs. now. I will tel you that I drink 2 cups of hot tea in the morning with stevia to get my caffinee fix. You will have a bad headache too for a few days and this will pass. I use Aquafina flavored waters when I get tired of plain water, the grape is the best. you have already made some great changes in your life, high 5 on quitting smoking. if you slip and have one just try again. you will feel so much better after you get all those bad chemicals out of your body and will have more energy. The first two weeks will be the hardest and after that is smooth sailing. good luck.

armymil

I drink Sierra Mist Lite. It's 0 cal. But I havent touched regular soda in a long time. If it works for you to avoid it, I support your cause. I enjoy a Blue Monster energy drink once in a while for my craving. I'm not sure, but I've been able to keep to my calories even with a Monster energy drink and Sierra Mist Lite. Learning when you are full is the most important thing to know.

Leannek74

I had the same thing happen when I gave up Diet Dr. Pepper... I think it's because of the caffeine loss.

Stick with it though, it's very very worth it, I lost about 10 pounds in 6 weeks without making any other changes at that point in my weight loss journey. And I feel great!

The energy came back, but better!

kandrews24

Probably will take you about 3 days to detox. Over those three days, you may need more sleep. And a pain killer if you get headaches. After that, you'll be just fine. Then slowly you'll gain more even energy. In the interium, apples and carrots are great and other sweet veggies and fruits that have a lot of fiber. If you are in a horid pinch, you could grab some hard candy (like mints) or gum.

Good luck. Sounds like you are making lots of self improvements. Hats off to you!

msjamartin

I never liked diet coke or diet pepsi or diet anything and so when I did drink a soft drink, it was the real sugare filled stuff. The artifical sweetners were just too much so I felt that regular sugar had to be better..yeah right. So I cut off all soft drinks (except a few of the sparkling flavored waters) as a rule over that last year or so. Can't say I miss them much. I do use crystal light once a day in my water but the rest of the day it is plain ice water for me. I allow a spluge at the movies only. There I allow myself 1 medium soft drink and either a small popcorn or a pretzel. Not in the least bit healthy but since I only go about once a month it is simply a treat. Recently I found myself still getting a small popcorn or pretzel but buying a bottle of water. Soft drinks just hold no apeal, I'l splurge on the carbs and keep the drink to water.

DawnOBRN

I drink green teas. There are some really great ones out there. My favorite are from "Yogi Tea".
I recently found one from them called Vanilla Spice Perfect Energy. It tastes like a sinful treat with Zero calories!! Plus has 80mg caffiene in one cup.

anvacarz

I gave up diet Coke about a month ago and went through the same thing. I used them as my pick-me-up in the afternoons. Even if they made me bloated and feel disgusting! After going through the withdrawls and cleaing up my diet big time, I have more energy now than I've had in a long time. I don't need anything to get me through the day other than water. While water is not the most exciting of drinks, it keeps you full and it's one of the healthiest things you can put in you.

Just stick with it. I get a craving for a soda every now and again (generally when eating out) but the carbonation hurts my throat now and I feel like my stomach pops out just thinking about it.

LindsayChick

First of all AWESOME JOB on your success!! Eating well, working and stopping smoking (!!) is the best combo of healthy choices you could ever make. Great job, keep it up! I was also a huge diet soda drinker and cut it out (for the most part) about 6 months ago. I started drinking tons of water (sometimes w/ a squeeze of lemon in it) but I, like you, needed the caffeine boost (and a beverage w/ some flavor!) I started drinking a cup of coffee in the morning with a splash of skim milk and a few splenda. It's a more natural pick-me-up loaded w/ antioxidants. I wasn't much of a coffee drinker before stopping diet soda but have added a cup of coffee most days and I feel great.

Good luck!!