Soda addiction

I had to give it up cold turkey, I've been clean for 10 months now and can totally identify with the symptoms you had, the good news is if you want to quit you can but that first week is going to suck and you'll still have cravings for a month. After that it gets easy but one drink and you'll be starting all over again.

It's the caffeine you are craving. Swap your pepsie out for tea or coffee, and see how you do. Or, you'll have to try to fit it in your macros (which can be hard to do).

A can of Pepsi is 157 calories. Unless you're diabetic, and presuming you're active, go ahead. But make sure you count it.

Yes. Fellow addict here. I have somewhat kicked the habit with caffeine pills and baby steps.
It is HARD! and gong cold turkey is painful physically and mentally.
What about cutting 1/4 of it for the first few days, then 1/2 for a few days, then 3/4, then all?

I to had an addiction to Pepsi as well. I just recently gave it up about a month ago, having a glass here and there along the way. I went from drinking 1-2 2 liters of it per day. It was bad. When I went off, I had a migrane for about a week. It went away and all is fine with me now only drinking 98% water, the rest, milk and Orange Juice (breakfast).

I told myself I could only drink diet if I wanted it that bad. But in the end it was like quitting smoking, you are addicted, therefor you will have to suffer the feelings of what an addicts feels when they quit. Use that as a reminder that NOTHING should be in control of you or your body. That is ultimately what worked for me. I now have an occasional diet when I want a carbonated something, but hate what's in i it and hate the taste, so that makes me think of all the chemicals and I end up throwing at least half away lol.

Mine is Dr. Pepper. I tried quitting cold turkey, but I got some MASSIVE headaches, so I've been slowly cutting back over the last month or two. I used to drink 40 oz. or so a day, but I'm down to 20 oz. every couple of days. Plus, I've added in WAY more water.

I definately used to be a soda addict. My favorites were Dr. Pepper and Root Beer, although I like other kinds as well. I went on a 1 month cold turkey challenge with a coworker and after the first week it really wasn't that hard. Now I'll buy a 20 oz occasionally if I really want one and the calories are in my budget and usually I end up leaving the last couple inches in the bottle and get tired of it.

just stop drinking them.......

I gave it up cold turkey as well for like 3-4 months. By the time I tried having it again, I found it to be way too sweet. If you really want to change your lifestyle, it's not really going to be easy when you first start out.

Yes, I drank a lot of coke for over 30 years. About 3-4 cans a day of regular coke a day. I love the carbonation and the taste. This was in addition to 1 cup of coffee each morning. I kicked the coke habit 6 weeks ago and now can be in the same room as coke and not feel a craving. I did replace it with 0 calorie Sparkling Ice vitamin water which has splenda. I like splenda a whole lot better than aspartame. I drink a glass a day, usually with lunch, and it has certainly helped with kicking the coke habit.

I was just like you except it was Coke for me. At first I just tried to cut down and I got myself down to 1 can a day but then I would creep back up to 3 cans a day. Finally, I ordered some loose leaf tea on line and once I had that I stopped drinking Coke cold turkey. It has now been 7 months since I had a soda and I feel great. The tea I ordered was Boulder Breakfast from the Tea Spot and it has been a great replacement for my soda. I also do not like coffee so my Coke was my only source of caffeine and I knew I had to replace that. I no longer drink anything with sugar or artificial sweeteners of any kind; I just drink different teas and water. My weight loss in the beginning was really fast but now I have slowed down, which is still fine by me.

I cannot lie, I still miss my soda sometimes but it having a good healthy replacement drink(s) that you like will really help! So I suggest find that drink and then just give up your Pepsi for good. Good luck to you!

Well...

I really like Coca-Cola (Coke for americans, right?). I drank almost 2 liters per day sometimes.

But when I want to get back to my ideal weight, I buy the smallerst of coke recipients, and buy lots of carbonated water (Plain water + bubbles and some sodium).

When I crave, a drink a can or so (200ml) of coke. But normally I drink like, 500ml of carbonated water (the same amount of coke I would drink).

When I feel that I reaaaly want Coke, drink lots os water THEN coke. As I would be almost full, I drink less sugarful sodas.

i completely understand! mine was Mt. Dew or Dr. Pepper. I cut cold turkey, then went to green tea. it was still hard because i loved the "fizz" but now that i don't crave it, as much, it has become so much easier! good luck!!!

I can completely relate. I too have a Pepsi problem and seriously have felt like they need to have a rehab for people like me. I am just like you. I try to quit and don't buy it at the store and then later in the day I make up a reason to go to the store so I can sneak one. I'll buy a bottle and know my husband will disapprove, so I will hide it under the vegetables in the veggie drawer of the fridge!! It is totally ridiculous. And then I quit and ended up with a bad flavored latte habit in it's place!

caffeine + sugar.... yikes!

I have been able to quit for periods of time. I didn't drink any pop at all when I was pregnant with my kids, and have been able to go months at a time without it.

The only thing that works for me is cold turkey. People who suggest cutting down and having 1 can a day or whatever are well meaning, but that has not worked for me. Same with switching to diet. The only thing I have found that works is cutting it out entirely and also cutting out processed sugars in foods, and drinking lots of water and decaffeinated teas. Then I don't get cravings for it very often.

Good luck to you! It is rough stuff. Imagine what it is doing to your body chemistry, brain, body or whatever that it has such a strong hold on you. Scary! (That helps me too)