Trying to kick the soda 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
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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.

I'd have it at every meal and never ANY water. None.

Ah, but ya did, though. Diet soda is 99% water.

Heresy!! Once you add bubbles it ceases to have any water content at all!

Logging the calories in a can of regular Coke did it for me. I don't really care for the taste of diet soda either, so I pretty much stopped drinking any soda.

I stopped cold turkey almost 2 years ago. Caffine has no effect on me, I just liked the taste over water. If I do have a pop, I only do regular (used to drink 4 cans of duet a day for probably a decade). In the past 2 years, I have consumed 24 cans of reg sprite if that. I only drink pop when I have pizza and didn't break my "no pop" until I made it to one year of cutting it out cold turkey.

It was hard, but worth it!

I quit coke by switching to diet, years ago, less about calories than it being considered weird for girls to drink regular (I was a jr in high school, so I suppose that does go back to weight, sort of). Once I got used to diet I didn't even like regular--tasted too syrupy, but I got to a point where I was drinking a ridiculous amount of diet, so I am skeptical that it's about an addiction to sugar or, usually even caffeine. I think it's habit and taste.

Anyway, I quit soda for Lent a couple years ago just by replacing it with water, tea, and probably a bit more coffee. A more direct replacement is probably iced tea or flavored waters, but I'm picky about iced tea I don't make myself and didn't make it as often as I should have. Since then I try to drink it sparingly and quit again when my consumption starts creeping up (it's free at my office, I don't buy it or drink it at home). One thing is to grab a water at the same time and drink it plus another before getting soda again. Since I mostly drink it for hydration that ends up with me craving it less.

Since it is a habit, though, just stopping is the best way to kick it. I know logging those calories and thinking about what I could have instead would make me stop.

Sparkling water is AMAZING!

If you add half a fresh squeezed lime or lemon, plus some Stevia if you are craving the sweetness, it is a great alternative and so much more refreshing than sodas! Try it, it's delicious