I'm ashamed to say that I'm addicted to soda. I drink soda with every snack or meal and anytime I feel thristy. I rarely drink water. So when assigned this Self-Changing Goal project, I knew exactly what I wanted and needed to change about myself. I've been addicted to drinking soda for several years now. I believe it started when I moved out of my parents house to live on my own. I started eating out more than three times a day and I'd order a soda everytime. Even if I wanted to drink something else, I felt pressured to drink soda. I would find it displayed in vending machines, at fast-food chains, and at supermarket checkouts. I know drinking soda has become a habit because I find myself driving to the grocery store at 10 pm because I have run out or I find myself craving soda several times throughout the day. Not only is drinking soda unhealthy for me but it's much more expensive than drinking water. So I believe it is time to stop drinking soda. I am aware that this will be extremely difficult but its been a long-term goal of mine.
I started working towards my goal this past Monday. I would find myself craving soda several times a day and knowing that I couldnt drink it made me crave it even more. I felt that if I wanted to succeed and stick to my goal, I need to slowly minimize my daily intake and not stop cold turkey. So I stopped drinking soda during breakfast and limited drinking soda to one can at lunch. As the days go by I lessen the intake even more. Also Hopefully this will save me money in the long-run which will be another motivator.
I can relate myself to you because I also felt addicted to soda at one point. It's something about the addiction of the taste that makes water so plain. That's one of my current habits that I'm trying to get rid of since I have started working out. My advice for you is to think of the calories you're consuming with soda since a can of Sprite can carry about 190 calories. Also, think that water's much cheaper than the cost of buying packs of sodas! Water also hydrates your body which is a given that we should all know. For starters, maybe you should also opt juice as an alternative if you slowly want to limit your soda intake just to have a taste of something in your drink. I wish you the very best on limiting your soda intake as a habit that you're trying to get rid of. :)
ReplyDeleteSara, Sara, Sara... I have witnessed your addiction first hand for about a year now. You are an extreme case, and unless you stop soon your life will be ruined....
ReplyDeleteOkay, that was a bit dramatic, but you do drink it too often. I was never a big fan of sugar, so I always preferred drinks like water. I do not know what it is like to be addicted to soda, but I am assuming it is like any addiction. You're life feels incomplete without it, and you crave it very badly when you do not have it. I'm sure the first couple weeks are going to be tough for you, but as time passes by you will start to loose your cravings. If you are ever in a tough situation where you feel you are going to die if you do not have a soda, you can call me and yell at me. I wish you the best of luck with your goal. You will feel a lot better once it's broken.
Tina, I completely agree with you. There's something addictive in the taste. It's nice to know that there are more people like me out there. I took your advice and started substituting orange juice, cranberry juice, and apple juice. This still gives me the satisfaction of the sugary taste yet its not as bad for me. Thank you for all your help.
ReplyDeleteMark, I know you have witnessed my addiction firsthand. There have been many times I've dragged you to the 7-eleven to buy a soda for the remainder of the day. However I've almost stopped drinking soda. I still occasionally drink here and there when the cravings are unbearable however I've really learned to manage it. I'll soon be soda-free. Thank you for all your support.
As for an update on my progress, I've reduced the amount of soda I drink substantially. I no longer drink soda for breakfast and have limited my soda intake gradually. I am currently drinking a can of soda every other day. I went from drinking 5-6 soda cans a day to going a full day without it. There were definitely times where I would crave soda, however I would remind myself of all the reasons I shouldn't drink it and tried substituting it with an orange or apple juice. My co-workers have also been keeping me on track. I no longer purchase soda in bulk from Costco when grocery shopping!
ReplyDeleteSara, I am glad you were able to cut down on your soda intake slowly. I know it is hard to go cold turkey because of the caffeine headaches one could get. I use to drink soda everyday like you until my dentist told me to stop and cut down. It was a challenge but if you cut down slowly then the cravings should not be as bad. There are vending machines everywhere and hopefully whenever you see one someone is with you to help support you when you walk away from it. I know I will try and help you whenever I can :) good luck and great job so far!
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