Addicted to Soda all my life.

TennesseeSodaholic

Hi Everyone,

I just joined a few minutes ago. I am 5'9" and 215 pounds. I have done fitness and dieting, but through it all I would not give up Dr. Pepper and Coke. Well, after going to the gym 5 days a week for nearly a year, I have lost zero pounds and have become chunky. I have always heard through the years that if you just give up soda and replace it with water only (no fruit drinks) then you will lose weight. So I am finally trying it. Today is Day 4 without soda. I am going to weigh myself on Day 15 to see if there is any weight loss. Have any of you lost weight giving up soda? If so, I would like to know the NUMBERS, please. HOW MUCH weight did you lose -- particularly after 2 weeks, after 1 month, etc...

I have been a 6-pack a day soda drinker since I was 12 years old. Despite this, my weight was never a problem until 4 years ago. I got a great paying job which required me to travel 200 miles a day. I had to get up at 5am, and it was go-go-go all day. I had no time to prepare lunch, so it meant the drive-thrus. Would be ravenous and dog tired as soon as I got home. Stopped going to the gym because I was too tired. Put on 50 pounds in 3 months. Last year my schedule changed and my commuting time was cut back nearly 2/3. I finally had time to go back to the gym. I thought that now that my schedule was okay, the weight would come off. IT HAS NOT! It's like now that it is there, no matter what I do it won't go...

So I am giving up my beloved DP and Coke. The plan is to go cold turkey for 1 month. I will weigh in at 2 weeks and then again at 1 month. PLEASE anyone who has had success with this, share your story with me. I need some inspiration because, today is Day 4, and I've got some strong cravings.

:-)

bryanbrewer

I lost 25lbs after giving up soda for 2 months.

pittskaa

I am also addicted to soda, and giving it up is soooo hard. I am only on day eight, but I have already lost two pounds! It's worth it. Water is starting to taste okay, when I first started it was disgusting! :happy:

mfkn_Titanium

I gave it up in 2007. Well, technically I gave "it" up in 1994...but that's neither here nor there.
Anyway.....I didn't lose any weight from giving it up. But it really wasn't all that hard to just say NO. I can't drink it now - it tasty artificial and nasty and gives me a tummy ache.

rms171

I dropped Diet Coke and anything related diet carbonated on July 1st and have lost considerably since then. In regular soft drinks you're getting the sugar intake, which is not great, but you are also bloating your stomach which makes it expand and accept larger portions. I know it isn't easy, but you're doing the right thing. If you ever doubt this, take out a scale and measure out 39 grams of sugar and you will see how much of this you are ingesting each time you put a can to your lips. Good luck, giving up cola isn't easy.

ashleew1117

I didn't give up the soda, i just started drinking diet dr. pepper.
& i'm losing weight.

samblanken

You said you were drinking a six pack a day. 6 cans of dr. pepper = 900 calories. I'd wager you'd lose a substantial amount if you cut that out.

sadiebear2

Hi there, I drank Diet Pepsi 2-3 cans a day and stopped 5 weeks ago and have lost a total of 21 pounds.
I walk 30-40 mintues a night and eat about 1400 calories (I am 5'10 and NOW weigh 261) (Started at 283)
I PROMISE after just a couple of weeks without it, you wont miss it. I had a craving last night so I bought a small Diet pepsi and
took 2 sips and immeditale burped and got a tummy ache! LOL..(tmi - I know but it did give me a belly ache.)
YOU CAN DO IT!
Now I drink alot of water and when I have a "taste" of "taste" I sprinkle in those Crystal light packets, and its like juice or tea.

TennesseeSodaholic

Wow, all these replies in a matter of minutes! THANKS!

lorihalsted

I had lap band surgery and lost 85 lbs in 6 months....I attributed quite a bit of that to the lack of cherry Dr. Pepper by the gallon not being in my system. Soda makes a huge difference! Six years later and I rarely have soda!

scarlet331

I lived on it like it was water going out of style. I would buy 12 packs of Coke or Pepsi whenever it was on sale and stock up. I went through a 12 pack in just 1 day. When I decided it was time for a change,I had to cut the soda. It wasn't easy at first, since the caffeine is what gets you. I was having caffeine withdraws. Headaches, irritability and ween myself down to 1 soda a day. I still have an occasional thirst for soda, but I drink more water, Crystal light, iced tea(decaf). To those who say it is hard, it is at first, but you have to be determined to do it. You will save your kidneys in the long run and I lost a total of 4 lbs since then. I still have a long way to go.

theresmynapkin

It's not that bad to quit soda cold turkey. It was my new years resolution and I still haven't had any Although New Years Day next year I may be funneling mt. dew like a freshman college kid

Although I'm not a chronic drinker like you, I think you can do it.

I never lost weight from giving it up, but i've always been at a healthy weight and don't really have too many extra lbs to lose (5'4" and 132ish)

Best of luck to you!

emmagallo

My addiction was mexican soda (i.e. Fanta... Especially the pineapple one. OMG YUM!) which is loaded with sugar. I switched over to mineral water which gives me the same bubbly sensation I get when I drink fizzy soda. I'm absolutely hooked on Perrier. Its all a mind game. I've tricked myself into thinking its soda and now I can't get enough of it. Zero calories... Zero sugar.... Zero sodium. Give it a try

TennesseeSodaholic

Yeah, water is getting old, old, old. BUT SO IS BEING FAT! I have been putting a slice of lime in mine. That's starting to get old too, but I ain't quittin! :grumble:

Tiffani1985

I quit cold turkey. One day I drank 2 20oz. pepsi and the next day I was drinking water. I have not had a soda in 4 weeks. I am on ny 5th week. So far I have loss 7 pounds. I have been exercising and eating better as well. It will make you feel better to. I really dont know how I did it because usually I get BAD headaches because I have no caffeine but I have been doing good.

waskier

There are 140 calories in one can of coke. If you drink a six pack a day that is 840 calories a day, or 5,880 calories per week. There are 3,500 calories in a pound. So basically, if you change nothing else, you will lose over 1.5 pounds per week. I drank coke my whole life. Love he stuff. I avoid it like the plague now. I made an agreement with myself. I can have soda, popcorn and candy when I go to a movie, but not at home. You will thank yourself for giving it up. My results are below.

ChristyRunStarr

I gave up soda earlier this year and I didn't lose any weight. I drink it sometimes now and again if I need something with caffeine or if I need to reach my daily goal. But usually now I'll drink coke zero or diet soda. I didn't drink as much as you though even when I drank it the most so yeah, stopping 900+ calories will probably help, it couldn't hurt at least. Good luck! :drinker:

PhilyPhresh

Hi Everyone,

I just joined a few minutes ago. I am 5'9" and 215 pounds. I have done fitness and dieting, but through it all I would not give up Dr. Pepper and Coke. Well, after going to the gym 5 days a week for nearly a year, I have lost zero pounds and have become chunky. I have always heard through the years that if you just give up soda and replace it with water only (no fruit drinks) then you will lose weight. So I am finally trying it. Today is Day 4 without soda. I am going to weigh myself on Day 15 to see if there is any weight loss. Have any of you lost weight giving up soda? If so, I would like to know the NUMBERS, please. HOW MUCH weight did you lose -- particularly after 2 weeks, after 1 month, etc...

I have been a 6-pack a day soda drinker since I was 12 years old. Despite this, my weight was never a problem until 4 years ago. I got a great paying job which required me to travel 200 miles a day. I had to get up at 5am, and it was go-go-go all day. I had no time to prepare lunch, so it meant the drive-thrus. Would be ravenous and dog tired as soon as I got home. Stopped going to the gym because I was too tired. Put on 50 pounds in 3 months. Last year my schedule changed and my commuting time was cut back nearly 2/3. I finally had time to go back to the gym. I thought that now that my schedule was okay, the weight would come off. IT HAS NOT! It's like now that it is there, no matter what I do it won't go...

So I am giving up my beloved DP and Coke. The plan is to go cold turkey for 1 month. I will weigh in at 2 weeks and then again at 1 month. PLEASE anyone who has had success with this, share your story with me. I need some inspiration because, today is Day 4, and I've got some strong cravings.

:-)

I gave up soda as well. I drank about 2 liters a day from the age of about 13-24 and even after that when I drank less, it wasn't that much less. I have been soda free for about 6 months straight now and I don't miss it a bit. It was insanely difficult for me to give up, but after noticing the same problem you described (working out with no weight loss) I knew it had to go. You can do it, soda has no benefits and is only going to hurt you. I am sure its rough, because I know it was for me, but stay strong and drink plenty of water! Don't sub out sports drinks because the sugar in them isn't much less than a soda and it will only cause you to continue the cravings.

Itssojen

I gave up soda in March of this year. Although I don't know how much weight I've lost just from giving up soda considering I've been doing other things to lose weight as well, I can't begin to tell you how much better I feel not drinking soda. I felt a difference after just a couple days. I always drank diet and that's how I justified that it was okay. I've had soda a few times since I've cut it out, and every single time I have tummy issues the whole next day. It's amazing how bad it really is for you and your body. Good luck - stick with it!

Life_Is_Good2_Me

I gave up soda in July 2011 and lost 16 pounds in 90 days doing P90x. I drink one occasionally, but soda makes me feel bloated and gives me a tummy ache so it really isn't worth it anymore. If I want a something sweet to drink, I have a diet green tea with honey. No calories and it taste better than soda and doesn't make me feel like crap! Good luck and good for you for changing after all these years. You will NOT be disappointed!! The new you will feel so much better than drinking any soda!!

TennesseeSodaholic

Wow again! What a wonderful community! I'm so inspired reading your stories! And no, I have not been substituting with fruit drinks or diet drinks. Just water. Hubby and I are fixing to go to the gym and play some racquetball! Can't wait to read more posts when we get back. :laugh:

KALMdown

I love Sparkling water. All the carbonation and none of the sodium or sugar, etc. It's just fizzy water. La Croix and Polar Spring Lemon is awesome and they sell it in 12 pack cans. I realized that I was more addicted to the fizz and not so much the taste. Alas, they don't sell them where I live right now.

kiminikimkim

Kudos for trying to kick the soda habit. It's going to be tough so hang in there!

mom2kids71

I quit drinking Mtn Dew cold turkey 11 days ago and it wasn't as bad as I thought. I was drinking 3-4 cans a day. I do get cravings and it is hard when going out. I play tavern poker 3 days a week and it is difficult to order water when they want your business. But, I have just ordered unsweetened tea instead. At home, I keep bottled water in the fridge and use the liquid flavors to help. Not keeping it in the house has also helped.

I am far enough along and determined enough to avoid it if my husband brings it home. I want to be so far away from soda so that when I do have it later on, I will prefer something else.

cshep2k

Good luck. I found your post funny....interesting. I have been a massive Diet Coke drinker for years. I drank up to a case (24 cans) per day if not more sometimes. I have now been totally Diet Coke free for the past 3 weeks. I really do not miss it. I drink a lot of green tea and water. Anyway, good luck with your kicking the Coke.

drearewal

I used to be the biggest Coca Cola addict (as well as pretty much all sodas) in junior high through the beginning of high school. In 2006, I quit cold turkey. I haven't consumed a single ounce of a caffeinated beverage (I have never had coffee either, so I'm sure that helped) since then. I didn't just lose weight, but in addition to slimming down, I have consumed 10x more water, which has helped boost my energy, give me clearer skin, and gear myself to eating more healthy.

It's definitely worth it. I'm not saying everybody should never ever drink pop, like me, but consider it a treat, and only have some once a week.

CharliesInCharge

Relatively new here and soda is my big problem.. always had a great metabolism and didnt have to worry about it

Mt Dew was like my coffee substitute.. (i cant stand coffee).. at times i thought id shift to snapple but that has almost as much sugar as the soda

but now i have gone 8-9 days i think without it and doing pretty well

only problem is there is still some in my pantry and i am too frugal to throw it out

i have kept off of it by saying its not cold , so as long as i dont put it in the refrigator i am good

like one person in thread said i hated water but it is becoming more bearable

and i am having green tea every morning after my morning exercise ("walk" just not sure how fast yet, so i estimate the lowest..)

you can do it!!! on the soda, it is very addicting

Good to see i am not the only one that struggles with this

dkuntz13

Well......I am very familiar with your story! I am only 4 years younger than you and have been a "sodaholic" most of my life.....Dr. pepper being my soda of choice. I too put on 40 pounds in the last 4 years. I have been athletic my entire life and with the exception of gaining 10 pounds then losing over the years have never had this kind of problem either. For me.....I think it is a metabolism change and stress. I hate that words "stress" , but I believe it has caused my entire hormonal system to get out of wack. I definately think that dropping soda will help in you quest, but I wouldn't hang all you hopes on that......for me, it takes dropping sugar all together. But, good for you.......4 days is great!!!!! I have quit with the occasional soda here and there.......but I don't go on a binge any more after having just one. You can do this!!!! It is so frustrating when you have lived your life in one way and then something changes and you have to change with it, but we can all do this!!!!! Good for you Add me a friend for support if you want.

evanpdixon

Do you guys think drinking 1-2 cans of diet/zero calorie soda per day would be detrimental to weight loss effort? I have a friend on here that's lost over 100lbs drinking diet soda the whole time. I don't mind giving it up if it's what needs to be done, but if it's no calories I really don't know how it could hurt. I enjoy it, but I can live without it. I never drink regular soda, either.

vnt31

I have given it up but if I splurge I get the little coke cans 90 cals. Also I would get the Hawaiian punch little packets you can put it water. No sugar and its only 5 calories! Plus you put that in a bottle of water you can easily chug that water down!

shortybb26

I never drank much soda as a child. Once I was a adult I went over board. I love coke!! A few years ago I gave up soda for cost reasons and my husband and I lost about 25lbs in a few months. When people started to notice my loss I was shocked..just from no soda.. Of course once we were happy with our weight we started drinking again.. Even more.. We would put away a huge quantities during dinner every night for a while and even more during the day. Since starting this journey I have had 2 soda's (weekend social weakness that I felt horrible about) I find that as I eat healthier and learn to control my calories I dont want any anymore. It is a bit like quitting smoking, which I have done also.. The first few days/weeks are difficult and the cravings are strong but as you keep with it it gets better!! Currently I am not buying any and feel so proud of myself for not giving in to the corporate soda machine..

Good luck with your journey!