I was going to suggest coffee for the caffeine and get yourself a SodaStream and make your own fizzy water. I like fizzy water with just a splash of juice now, instead of soda.

Cold turkey method worked for me
I drink water like it's going out of style. If you start to feel hungry drink. If you start to feel upset or sad drink more water. lol

Stop cold turkey. You will probably have caffeinne withraws, you might get a migraine and upset stomach for a few days but be strong for the first week and then you'll body will adjust.

If you increase your fruit and veggie intake you might see more energy levels.

I think cold turkey is best too. If you had to taper, then I guess diet and then water even if it is flavored. Just try and drink as much water as you can first. For those who like the carbonation I see lots of carbonated flavored waters that are 0 calories at the grocery story, Walmart, Walgreens etc. There are a few different brands. That might be an option. Also if you are just getting used to drinking water for me it helps to have ice in it and lemon. I try to make a pitcher every night with some kind of fruit in it..cucumbers and strawberries, blueberries, lemons and limes. I always change it but it does help and makes it a little more refreshing. Also those crystal light type flavor packets can help transition. I used to have one packet but in a bigger bottle then they recommend, like a 1 liter bottle so it just added some flavor and wasn't so strong. That would help me when I needed a little more water to reach my goal. I would always try and drink regular water first and then use the packet as kind of a reward to finish my water goal when I was just sick of regular water or craving a soda or juice.

Edit: Just remembered someone mentioned coffee. You can make iced coffee and put it in a pitcher in your fridge over night. In the morning poor it over ice with some milk or flavored creamer (like coffee-mate). It's really good.

Give up the soda! I have bought soda for the house in about 4 years. My daughter is 14 and she was guzzling it. Very unhealthy. Think of it as sugar in a glass! It's also hard on your stomach. My friend introduced my to a product called 'Sparkling Ice'. It's fizzy comes in lots of flavors and it's 0 calories, but tastes good. It's at Costco and Fry's, probably elsewhere. I drink mostly tea, and sometimes coffee. Just watch the sweeteners. I switched from sugar to honey and I only allow a tsp. per cup. I put lemon in my ice tea and skip the sweetener. Good luck all!

I am not a soda drinker but I recently gave up Starbucks. I was there almost every morning. I second the cold turkey suggestion. It took about 2 weeks to get over the withdrawl symptoms but now I feel so much better. My waisteline and my wallet are both in better shape.

I keep a bottle of water with me. It gives me something to do with my hands and it helped with the withdrawl headaches.

Giving up soda was my New Year's Resolution.I too had a Mt Dew addiction (for about 36 yrs!).I didn't think I'd ever get off it but I did.I don't even miss it! I drink a lot of water now and if I crave flavor I drink a glass of unsweetened tea.I think you can do it too.It's only the first couple of days that are challenging due to the caffeine withdrawal.Once you get through that you are home free!

If you're a long time dew drinker going cold turkey will give you side effects like headaches & such. I would suggest starting with ice. By adding ice cubes you'll start to get. Use to watered down pop & it will not only be easier to give up since watered down pop doesn't taste good. But also once you do it for awhile & use quite a bit of ice you'll be much leases likely to have caffeine withdrawal symptoms! You can do this!

I gave up pop January 5th 2010, but it was not a new years resolution lol. I was in college at the time so everybody helped in the class too. But I drank apple juice every time I wanted pop then cut back on the apple juice after a few weeks. I was drinking a ton of pepsi while I was pregnant in 2006/7 and afterwards, I grew up on diet though. Now just the thought of pop is disgusting to me. My son isn't allowed pop but I know he sometime gets it at other places which is bound to happen and my daughter will be the same way!