Quitting drinking soda

jenuhfur
jenuhfur Posts: 47
edited September 21 in Health and Weight Loss
How do wean yourself off of it? I drink so much a day, but I can't be having this much sodium anymore, and I won't have any weight loss.
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Replies

  • nikki91950
    nikki91950 Posts: 647
    figure out how much per day you drink on average, and just slowly cut back every week.
  • ajreinecke
    ajreinecke Posts: 7
    How much do you currently drink? My first recommendation is to tell yourself you can have a pop after you have 4 glasses of water. Then allow yourself one pop, then have another 4 glasses of water before you'll let yourself have another. Don't totally stop drinking it, that never works! But try to incorporate more water and then you'll start to feel so much better after you drink less and less of it:)
  • ajswriter
    ajswriter Posts: 117 Member
    I had a one-a-day soda or juice rule, but I'm at a plateau, so I'm going to move to one-every-other-day for a while until I'm ready to go completely off of it.
  • countryfatgirl
    countryfatgirl Posts: 20 Member
    I AM A BIG SODA DRINKER TOO.. BUT LATELY.. I HAVE ONE A DAY AND THE REST OF THE TIME I USE CRYSTAL LIGHT IN WATER.... IT HELPS.... START AND GRADUALLY CUT BACK... WE CAN DO IT!!!
  • FocusPlease
    FocusPlease Posts: 59 Member
    Not only that, but there are some reports that say it could be slowing down one's metabolism (aka "metabolic syndrome")--that's why I'm weaning myself off of it, too. I have it about 2 times a week at most. I used to have it twice a day, or one huge one from a fast food place. For me. I just had to cut it out bit by bit--enough to where I didn't crave it so much. Then I was able to go 3 & 4 days without it. Now I only tend to have it if its a really hot day, and I'm out driving around running errands.

    Good luck--I know it's tough!
    L
  • RachelC81
    RachelC81 Posts: 2
    I'm a Coke addict, too. :drinker: But I'm going to quit using soda water. Some studies have shown that part of the appeal of soda is the carbonation. It reacts with saliva and creates carbonic acid, which is *slightly* painful to the tongue. This pain causes the brain to release endorphins, which creates a "feel-good" feeling. Thus, you feel good, so you want more....

    I don't particularly like soda water, but, if it can get me off Coke, I'll do it. :happy:
  • jenuhfur
    jenuhfur Posts: 47
    A gross amount. At least a 2L bottle a day if not more. I know it's a disgusting habit, but I just can't shake it!
  • sdineen
    sdineen Posts: 5
    I used to only drink coke. 100% coke everyday, nothing else. I had to have two bottles at work per day just to make it through. I slowly weaned myself off of it reducing it by a can a week. Three months later all I drink is water. I feel great. I tried a coke a few weeks back and couldn't drink it because its way too sweet. If I can kick the habit, anyone can. Just do it slowly over time.
  • shimmerngspirit
    shimmerngspirit Posts: 7 Member
    Rock on!
  • turbojanem
    turbojanem Posts: 285
    make sure you are drinking the sodium free soda water. look into the soda stream machine...it works GREAT!
  • MaryEffingPoppins
    MaryEffingPoppins Posts: 371 Member
    Try drinking Zevia Natural Cola if you really want a soda.
  • turbojanem
    turbojanem Posts: 285
    all these suggestions are great. reducing is good. i personally quit soda like i quit smoking....cold turkey. you can do it your body will be so thankful. healthy choices. one at a time.
  • ceredonia
    ceredonia Posts: 61
    I quit soda cold turkey too. It was hard for the first couple days, I work/co-own a video store, so all we carry is soda to drink! And candy...oh man, cutting that out was super hard. But after about 4 or 5 days the cravings go away, and all I drink now is water.

    I also drink a Jones soda occasionally--they're non-caffeinated, so if you need the feeling of having a soda, try a Jones once in awhile. :)
  • MaryEffingPoppins
    MaryEffingPoppins Posts: 371 Member
    I quit cold turkey too. Feels GOOD! All i drink now is water. I always have a water bottle in hand.
  • LuckySue333
    LuckySue333 Posts: 109
    I never drank soda... Until this one place I worked did not have coffee... But a soda machine... I got hooked on them.... I have cut way down like to one a day. I drink flavored water, plain water, crystal light, juice to replace it and of course coffee.....
    Take one soda away a week till you are down to one... Then as you take away add water of some sort like I did above...
    I eventulally home to have no soda.... Are if I do just occassionally... Its beginning not to taste good to me...
  • katxena
    katxena Posts: 12
    I didn't quit cold turkey -- I used a caffeine replacement. I wanted to quit soda, but had no reason to quit caffeine, so i switched to tea, both hot and cold. It worked well for me. I also drink plain seltzer water because I like the bubbles.
  • kaylurzz
    kaylurzz Posts: 121 Member
    My trying to wean myself too. I'm trying to lower my amount of sodas a day. I drink 3 a day, and I hope to change it to 2 soon. Then 1 a day to hopefully 0.

    But the tip about drinking 4 glasses of water after each soda, I may try that. I hope it works.
  • LilynEdensmom
    LilynEdensmom Posts: 612 Member
    How much do you currently drink? My first recommendation is to tell yourself you can have a pop after you have 4 glasses of water. Then allow yourself one pop, then have another 4 glasses of water before you'll let yourself have another. Don't totally stop drinking it, that never works! But try to incorporate more water and then you'll start to feel so much better after you drink less and less of it:)

    This was how I did it I've been completely pop free for two weeks now, and lost an inch at my waist and .5 on my hips. Now if I can cut back on coffee and avoid the headaches from lack of caffeine I will be doing good. Though since I've stop drinking pop I drink a ton more coffee. I don't really miss the pop that much any more. You will feel a ton better and not as bloated
  • mikkimomof3
    mikkimomof3 Posts: 224 Member
    I make myself drink a certain amount of water first and then allow myself a soda. I have seriously been considering trying seltzer water though...I'd love to be done with sodas!
  • Steelytop
    Steelytop Posts: 145 Member
    I was drinking 12 to 18 sodas a day. At various times it was Diet Dr. Pepper, Dr. Pepper, Diet Coke, Coke, Pepsi, etc.
    I had a pancreatitis attack late last year and no longer could tolerate Diet Cokes. I switched to Cokes and put on a good 30 lbs. I was already consider obese to begin with at that point.

    I knew that I was addicted to the caffeine and each time in the past I had tried to quit I got massive headaches. But I knew if I could just make it 3 - 4 days without them the headaches would cease. And basically I could make a decision without the addiction having a say in the matter. I gave them up completely on June 30th.
  • grace343
    grace343 Posts: 10
    I spoke to my best friend tonight about wanting to lose weight....imagine he is 5ft 8in and 120 pounds... the one thing I told him I needed to quit was drinking DIET COKE. Funny he went through the drive thru at McDonalds for his late late dinner at 10:30PM. Most times he will order me something too...but I begged him to not order me something. With his double cheeseburger meal he order DIET COKE! I sat and watched him drink it....knowing how it tasted and wanting it so much... thankfully I had a bottle of water drink instead. DIET COKE and Sugar are going to be more difficult for me to beat! Sometimes I really really crave them!
  • NH_1970
    NH_1970 Posts: 544 Member
    I just stopped, it's rare but I occasionally have ginger-ale. I drank more OJ/Grapefruit juices/Lime Juice for a bit though and then don't really do any of those now except OJ on occasion, mostly now it's water and some decaf or half decaf coffee and Goats/Cow Milk - these last two with either cereal or a protein drink.

    Your body will feel really good though after you get off it, I tried a dark soda this past summer and my feet swelled up within half an hour of drinking it ugh...Not good.
  • salemgrayhound77
    salemgrayhound77 Posts: 9
    try Cler America its a zero calorie zero sodium and tastes great with flavors from strawberry to tangerine lime(personal favorite) tastes like soda but also you can get a 33 floz for 50~70 cents. you can get it at a local sams club or Wal-Mart in the drink section
  • rcatr
    rcatr Posts: 374 Member
    so. i just watched this show Freaky Eaters and this one girl was addicted to soda. Drank a case a day...count 'em...24 cans of cola a day. holy moly, that's over 4000 calories in just SODA. i thought i had a problem with soda.

    I think diff methods work for diff people. Is it the bubbles you need? The caffeine? Find the root of why you're drinking it at all? I used to drink gross amts of regular soda at one pt (not Freaky eaters style but it was still a lot) and now it's diet soda and only now and again, I'd say every other day.

    You can do it! :happy:
  • tralalara
    tralalara Posts: 149
    I agree with an earlier poster. Try the SodaStream machine. If you just can't live without pop it is a great alternative. It has HALF the sugar in the regular flavors and they also have diet. It is also High Fructose Corn Syrup FREE, which is one of the worst things about soda. You can also use it to make flavored carbonated waters. It is also MUCH better for the environment. Much less waste. No bottles or cans to throw away. Well, not NEARLY as many. And I've tried it and it tastes great. Yes, it does use sucralose (Splenda) but NO aspartame. I think it is definitely a much better alternative. Healthier AND better for the environment. I call that a WIN WIN!
  • jenuhfur
    jenuhfur Posts: 47
    Thanks for all the input guys!
    I am addited to the caffeine, the fizz and the taste. I love Dr. Pepper!

    I haven't had any yet today, and I am dying for one. I might stop and get a small one. The craving and headache is really bad.
  • oddsonv
    oddsonv Posts: 21 Member
    I love soda and I won't ever quit drinking it...I don't do diet at all because I don't like it...but I have switched to the 7.5 oz cans of coke and it is just enough to get the coke fix but not enough to derail the health plan. It is up to you...I allow for it in my calories...I know it isn't the best for me but as long as you are smart about it it's ok...I also won't give it up because Coke is my job!
  • donya35
    donya35 Posts: 166
    I'm fortunate that with my job, I'm so active that all I crave is water. I'm downing on avg 3 litters to a gallon just while I'm at work. And by the time I get home, I'm so used to water that cokes don't taste the same. It's on the weekend that I'll sip on maybe a soda.
  • dresdenkali
    dresdenkali Posts: 43
    I am proud to say that I am formally a Mnt Dew addict lol. When I started my journey I knew the soda, even diet (which I hate), would always be a major issue in the work to lose weight. What I thought was an addiction to the dew was nothing more than me taking the easy way out. I crave flavor, so what I did was got on top of making Crystal Light drink mix. Even after 8 months, I still have 3 cans of dew in the fridge.

    My suggestion, always try and keep an alternative to soda near by and ready. If you are like me, look into Crystal Light or the Wal-Mart generic brand (just as good). Also tea's are a good alternative and healthy too.
  • kayemme
    kayemme Posts: 1,782 Member
    i just went cold turkey a couple weeks ago. i suffered a 4 day mild migraine (i say mild because i could still function, i just felt like crap and was sensitive to light, nauseous, etc)

    i just drank a buttload of water every day; tried to stay hydrated in general. i've had one bottle of soda over a space of two days since. my boyfriend, sweet as he is, always asks me if i want him to pick one up for me, but i've been good to decline except that one day. so it goes.

    if you have a weekend available where you can kind of lay in bed and sulk, this is a good time to quit cold turkey.
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