Trying to kick the soda habit...

I'm finding it hard to kick my soda habit. I usually drink regular soda--never diet. I've tried diet soda before, more out of curiosity than for lack of calories, and never liked it. I wouldn't even consider using it as an alternative to help me stop drinking the regular stuff. Does anyone out there have any tips to help kick the habit? Thanks!

When I first started out, I initially cut out soda, and just kept with plain cold water and coffee. On the coffee front, I switched out regular sugar for sweet and low. Then, a full month later, I tried a soda. A mountain dew. It was so thick sugary sweet that it made me kind of ill. I started trying the diet sodas and found some that I like. Turns out, my favorite is Coke Zero, with Diet Coke being a distance 2nd. Other diets just don't do it for me. And I despise flavors in my water as it feels dirty. I need my water clean, clear, either nothing in it, or with sodium bicarbonate. For me, it's easier to go cold turkey on something and then revisit a changed variation later rather then taper.

There is no easy way to do it. I just decided that I wasn't going to drink it anymore. It's hard because my fiance drinks coke regularly but I don't drink anything but water and ocassionally some milk (well, and alcohol sometimes).

Once you stop drinking it, you start to realize how addicted you were to it . . . I was walking around a fair yesterday and saw everyone selling coke and it looked SO good but then I realized . . . water is what I really needed. My body was thirsty for water. Soda isn't something I should be craving just because I'm thirsty.

I dunno, it's hard to explain. But even like three weeks out, you start to feel a lot better.

ETA: Oh, also, just keep a HUGE water bottle with you at all times. I drink about 5 liters a day.

I have been Diet Coke free for 72 days. I had been drinking 12 - 18 cans a day for years (I know I know). I had to quit cold turkey, I had tried to cut back and by the end of the week I would be back to having too many.

It does get easier as time goes by. I had a head ache for about 3 days but after that it's not so bad. My son had a Diet Pepsi the other day and I took a sip ......OMG it was so sweet I had a hard time swallowing it. I now drink water or flavored water all day.

Good luck with kicking the habit

I've always been a diet dr pepper addict... I got sick last fall and then things started going down hill around Thanksgiving and I stopped eating/drinking. It turns out I was having kidney failure. I was in the hospital for 7 days and when I got out... I just didn't drink the soda and now I'm 6 months soda free.

You can do it... it's hard but normally easier to just go cold turkey. There's tons of things you can drink... sparkling water (Wal-mart's American clear is my favorite), ICE sparking water - so many flavors to pick from, flavored water, crystal light, lemonade, light or diet juices, and then there's always good ol plain water, too.

Good luck!! Just keep thinking about how much better you will!

Also, my fiance will buy a diet coke sometimes when we are out and about... I've had a sip here and there and it's just god awful! I still can't understand why I was so addicted in the first place.

Don't drink diet- cancer chemical soup.

Well first be able to back up with peer reviewed clinical study (not an article or a blog) that diet soda causes cancer.
2nd, ALL food and drinks are comprised of chemicals.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness industry for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

This

Don't drink diet- cancer chemical soup.

One reason I stay away from the diet stuff!

^ This would not be a valid reason to avoid diet soda as it's nonsense.

I'm finding it hard to kick my soda habit. I usually drink regular soda--never diet. I've tried diet soda before, more out of curiosity than for lack of calories, and never liked it. I wouldn't even consider using it as an alternative to help me stop drinking the regular stuff. Does anyone out there have any tips to help kick the habit? Thanks!

^ But the bold would be.


And while that doesn't change your situation, the distinction is worth mention.

I'm a Pepsi addict. One day, my dream is to say former Pepsi addict. But I'm still fighting for that title.

I'm trying those "detox" waters. Water with fruit to curve my Pepsi addiction. I've done it in the pass by quitting cold turkey and going 1-2 months without a soda. Then that evil little voice in my head starts saying "oh, this would be so good with a pepsi, yadda yadda". Then I try it and start my vicious cycle again.

Some of the things that helped me curve my Pepsi addiction is:
-Drinking water with lemon. I love water with lemon. But I like the smell and taste of lemon too.
-Always and only drink water when dining out. Soda definitely makes the wallet lighter at restaurants nowadays.
-Drink water as soon as I get up (20-40 oz.)
-Try to drink water with all meals. (My hardest fight).

As I stated in the beginning, I am still a work in process. I drank a Pepsi today and felt sick after I haven't had one in 10 days. It left a nasty taste in my mouth. I felt so bloated. I really just wanted to taste the "bite" of the Pepsi when I first drank it, which is only about 2 oz at the most. It's definitely not worth it, so I hope I can get over this addiction soon.

You are not alone in this fight.

If you want to kick any habit that is non-essential to life (obviously, eating is not among those which makes weight-loss more of a challenge), the best method over time is cold-turkey. Just stop it and eliminate it all at once. It can be re-introduced after a few months if you prefer in moderation but to eliminate the habit all at once is the best method IMHO.