Last quarter, my health goal was to give up soda, Diet Coke in particular.
I think drinking an occasional soda is probably fine, but I was not an "occasional" soda drinker. I was an "every day" soda drinker. My favorite was Diet Coke. It was my treat after a hard day, or a pick-me-up when I needed extra energy. I didn't just want Diet Coke, I needed Diet Coke, and I would go out of my way to get it. The problem was, I was waking up most mornings with a headache, I was having around 4 migraines a month, and I hated that something had control over me. I tried switching to Caffeine Free Diet Coke, Fresca, or other sodas, but soon I was back to my daily Diet Coke. Some day I may be able to have an occasional soda, but for now, I have to go cold turkey. Steps for giving up Diet Coke.
- I got rid of all of the Diet Coke in the house.
- I read up on its negative health consequences. Learning about the harmful effects of the artificial sweeteners made it easier to give up all diet soda.
- I focused on what it would feel like to not be dependent on it, to have more energy and fewer headaches -- to be back in control.
In the beginning it was very hard. I missed the burst of energy and productivity I experienced right after a soda. Around 3:00 or 4:00 in the afternoon my energy would crash. I found myself munching on anything and everything. I reached out to friends for advice, and these were some suggestions that helped.
- Drinking a glass of Emergen-C
- Going for a walk
- Eating fruit or nuts
- Drinking lots of water
- Drinking a fruit smoothie with an added tablespoon of Chia Seeds
The real test came when traveling last month. The guy next to me on the plane asked for Diet Coke, and they gave him the can. As I watched him pour it over ice, I started justifying in my head: "I can just have one. I'm traveling, I'll go back to no soda when I get home." But I knew that if I had one, I would be back to having it every day, so I resisted. Going out to eat every night was tough, and the hotel had a Diet Coke machine at breakfast that called to me. But I knew that the temptation was momentary. If I could distract myself for just a few minutes, the craving would pass. And it did. I have gone more than four months now without soda. These are some of the benefits I have experienced.
- I feel happier and more in control of myself
- I have more energy
- I don't wake up every morning with a headache, and my migraines have dropped from about 4 a month to only 3 in the past 4 months
- I don't feel the guilt of doing something I know is bad for my body
As I have experienced health challenges that I can't control, it has become increasingly important to me to take control of the things I can to improve my health -- one goal, one change at a time.