I stopped drinking Diet Coke on October 25th of last year. The night before I drained my last delicious sip and made the decision that I wouldn’t touch it again. It was so, SO hard, but I did it. About a month later we were taking a road trip. I was out of water so I took a tiny sip of David’s Diet Coke. It was completely nasty. That was when I really mourned because I knew this thing that I loved so much was really gone forever.
We’ve all read the articles about how bad it is for you and how it could lead to weight gain. If you haven’t seen these articles you can check out the 8 Dangers of Diet Soda or just do a search on Dr. Mercola’s site. He has a ton of information about it. I just laughed off all this stuff when I read it. So if none of that ever convinced me to quit what did?
Two things. One was my sleep issues. My therapist was convinced that the amount of Diet Coke I drank led to me having trouble falling asleep at night because of the caffeine. There are some things that I want to improve about myself (like my concentration) that are going to require me to get more sleep. The other reason is because I was really curious to see if it would affect my weight loss.
Did it work? I can’t tell much difference in my sleeping because my sleep schedule/cycle sucks. I think it is something I’m going to have to work on for a while to retrain myself how to fall asleep and stay asleep.
What about the weight loss? The first week I after I quit Diet Coke I lost 3.8 lbs, which was my largest loss week. The week after that I lost 2 pounds and I’ve held steady at between 1 – 2 pounds of loss per week (when I’m following the program). Is that because of no more Diet Coke? I can’t prove it, but I think it is.
Another thing I’ve noticed is that I don’t have as many cravings, which is a huge deal for me. Before all the time I was sugar, sugar, sugar, sugar, sugar, GIVE ME SOME SUGAR. I don’t get that as much now. Really cravings are kind of non-existent. It’s weird. During the holidays I did a lot of absent minded eating, but it wasn’t because I was craving anything in particular so much as I was bored and at home and that’s what you’re supposed to do, right? (Yeah I know. Not right. But I’m working on it.)
Am I glad I quit? Yes. I know it was the right decision for me. I had been thinking about doing it for a long time, and I had actually tried in the past without success. This time it has just stuck. I don’t really want it anymore, which is shocking to me. David keeps it in the frig at home, but I’m just “meh” about it. I would rather have a glass of water or some iced tea.
What do I drink now? I have a couple of cups of coffee in the morning, water throughout the day and evening, and a glass of iced tea in the evenings. I’m still getting caffeine, but not anywhere near the amount I was getting before, and the majority of it is in the morning. Another benefit I’ve noticed is now that I reach for a glass of water more so do my kids. I had always been worried about giving them the soft drink habit, but now that is gone.
Can you do it? YES! I believe you can… if you want to. I get this isn’t for everyone, and there are some people (Jodi) would rather you pry the Diet Coke from their cold, dead hand instead of giving it up (I used to be one of them), but if I can go from a 6+ can a day habit to zero so can you.
Were you aware of the dangers of diet soda? Do you drink diet soda? Have you thought about giving it up? What’s holding you back?
Weight Watchers update:
Loss this week: 1.6 lbs
Total loss: 12.8 lbs
For more of my fitness posts be sure to check out the Losing It tab up above.
{ 36 comments }
I have really tried to cut back on my diet coke in take. I am not ready to give it up completely so I think one every other day is good. But my mom gave it up and she noticed a lot of the same changes you did.
I knew I wouldn’t be able to just cut back to one a day or every other day. I was so addicted that it had to be all or nothing.
Good for you! The first time I did WW (when Noah was 2), diet soda was actually key to my loss. I wasn’t drinking as much as you- but I replaced my regular soda and iced sweet tea with it. After I lost all my weight, I started putting sweet iced tea back in with moderation and quit the diet soda. Every once in awhile, I would have one- but I started getting severe headaches and then weird all-over body aches. I would think I was getting the flu, but then it would go away. One day I read these studies and a light bulb went on in my head. I was having these aches when I had the diet soda. So, I experimented and would have a diet soda on purpose and the aches would return. SO, when I started WW again last year, I completely disregarded everything I had already learned and dropped all my sugary drinks for diet soda- and I was so, so sick. After that, I quit it altogether. I just had to switch to drinking unsweetened tea (yeah, I am still struggling with that) and having sweet tea as a treat.
I use sweet-n-low in my tea. I always have so that was no difference. I know it is still artificial sweetner, but it is a different type and not even close to the amount I was ingesting before.
First, congrats on your loss this week. I have just recommitted to WW (about 10 days ago). I have been spending time reading up on your blog, because I’m relatively new here, and am feeling motivated by your ww updates. I have about 100 to lose, which is so daunting, but I need to do this. Because as hard as it is for me to focus on me (we share that trait, it seems), it would be so selfish of me to deprive my sweet little boy of his mom just because I couldn’t take care of myself.
As for the soda, I have given it up recently, too. But I had to give it up because I hate diet soda, and was drinking the real deal. Which has so much sugar and so many calories. I don’t know if my caffeine intake is that much lower, because I only drank one, maybe two, sodas a day, and I drink a lot of hot tea. But I do feel better generally when I just have water & tea, instead of soda.
I have over 100 to lose is as well so I definitely get how daunting it is. I’m so glad you found my blog and are finding some motivation through it. Welcome, and good luck!
I had my last Diet Coke on September 26, 2006. I can’t even tell you how many I drank every day for years. If I was awake, I had a Diet Coke in my hand. I’ve only tasted one maybe twice in the past five years. They taste horrible now. Now I occasionally have a beer or a glass of sparkling wine, but that’s the only carbonation I get. It doesn’t agree with my system and I feel much better if I just stay away from it. I gave up sodas, but they will have to pry my coffee mug out of my cold, dead hand.
Reading that reminds me that I had horrible indigestion before, but now it seems to have mostly faded away. I get it every once in awhile, but not nearly as much as I did.
It’s not so much the taste or the caffeine that I need…what I like about pop is the carbonation. I crave the bubbles. Right now, I drink flavored soda water more than anything else.
If I drink too much water, I actually get sick to my stomach. I don’t know why, and it’s not pleasant at all. I don’t drink any juices, teas, or coffee at all.
Have you seen that soda stream thing? It is supposed to turn regular water into bubbly water like it is carbonated, but it isn’t. That may be an option if you are wanting a change.
I’m just SO proud of you. ‘Nuff said.
I’m pretty proud of myself.
I used to drink Dr. Pepper by the truck load. At least 6-8 cans a day. I know. Stupid.
Then I found out I was born with one kidney. No problems with it, but it scared me enough to know I had to take care of it since there wasn’t another one to back it up if it failed.
I haven’t had any soft drinks in over probably 10 years. Except for maybe a rum/coke once or twice a year. I only drink coffee, water and cranberry juice.
Oh. And wine. =)
Did I notice a weight drop? Hell no. Not one friggin pound.
But mentally I feel healthier about it.
Sometimes I think mental health is more important than physical health.
A gal I knew in WW quit diet dew and lost 5 that week. Within a couple more, she was off her diabetes meds.
Hooray for you!
I have never been much of a soft drink person. I know it is a struggle.
Tea has to be quite a bit less expensive, right? Or is it offset by shopping differently overall?
I’m sure I’m saving tongs of money by not drinking so much.
I am in love with Coke Zero. I am drinking it a lot less though. I used to drink it all day without much introduction of any other liquids. Now I only have two per day and drink carbonated water (I need the bubbles), Vitamin Water or Iced Tea. I don’t know if I’ll ever completely come off of it but I do know I was spending way too much on it when I was drinking it all day long.
I drank it all day, to the point of dehydration. I would drink a glass of water every once in awhile and convince myself that was good enough. It wasn’t.
I have never liked soft drinks much and am very sensitive to caffeine. Maybe that’s because I never really had it much as a child? I would always choose water over Coke and if I had to choose another beverage it would probably be lemonade. Thank goodness I never had to face weaning myself off something like that – I’m so proud of you for doing it!
I’m not sure how I got so hooked on it. We never had it in the house when I I was growing up. Just over time I guess.
That is so great! After such a big habit, kicking it must feel so good. I have never been a diet soda fan. I prefer Coke Zero now, but even that is only about once a week. I drink rum and coke when tailgating or out, and we do keep cans at home, but I go days and days without drinking it. Unsweetened iced tea is my favorite drink. I still need more water, but I figure the tea isn’t too bad, especially since it has no sugar in it.
Love that you are doing so well!
It does make me feel kind of powerful that I was able to do it.
I always joke that they put something in DC to make people addicted. Every time I see people drinking it, I always repeatedly see them.
And, yes, it does do something to your sensors. I hate the taste of any artificial sweetener. Like almost make me gag. I can taste it if it’s just a little tiny bit.
Good job dropping it. I’m all about moderation, and if I really, really, really want a soda, I’m going all in (granted, I don’t remember the last time I had one…I’m not a big soda drinker)…and enjoy it!
I seriously think they put something in there to make it more addictive. I have a long explanation of why I think that, but for real… they must.
I was a long time Coke drinker and stopped last spring (I can’t believe it has been that long!). I do hot tea and water in the winter and unsweetened iced tea and water in the warmer weather. I give myself permission to have coke if I feel like it when we go out to eat, but otherwise not at all.
I didn’t notice any distract changes, but do feel better and like you have noticed my children picking up some of my good habits.
Congratulation on your continued weight loss and the kicking the habit!
That’s really awesome! I gave up Diet Coke a few years ago and don’t regret it one bit! I still drink coffee but I’ll only have a regular Coke once every 6 months or so. I just can’t do the fake sugar anymore!
Congrats on your weight loss thus far– that’s great!
I haven’t given up fake sugar yet, and I’m not sure I will ever be able to do that, but I have really, really cut way back.
I so need to give up my diet coke. I go through spurts of drinking it, and I should honestly just get rid of it all together.
Good job lady!!!
I think everyone is different. Some people it probably doesn’t bother. For me it needed to go.
Well, you know me. You know my story.
I’m sad to say, I’m not close to cutting down. I’m not dumb – it’s like a textbook with me. I drink it when I feel stressed. I drink it when I’m bored. And when I drink it, I don’t feel as good as when I don’t.
But it’s a habit I need to work on. It’s more than just the taste & intake… it’s the physical action of holding a can, taking a pull, and feeling the bubbly inside my mouth. I think, if I quit diet Coke, I’d have to replace it with something else because I’m way too used to having that cold silver can in my deathgrip.
Switch it out for a cold bottle of water. You still have something to hold, but without all of the yucky side effects.
Girl, diet coke and I have been best friends for years. I am giving it up. I even do decaf but my cravings for sugar are WAY less without it!
Good luck! If I can do it anyone can do it. I promise. Everyone that knows me is shocked.
Did you quit cold turkey? Usually I quit a few times a year for about 3 months at a time. It does taste nasty and hurts my tongue after I have been coke free for awhile. I don’t drink coffee so it’s really really hard to WANT to quit, KWIM?
Yep, cold turkey. I just did it. I didn’t start drinking coffee until last year, and now I totally get why people love it so much. I started out drinking it with a lot of sweetner and milk/creamer. I’ve been able to slowly cut back on both as I get more used to it.
I am so SO glad you gave it up!! It is such a disservice that it is market as a healthier alternative! Aspartame is essentially rat poision! I thought I was being healthy and switching to Crystal Light (uses the same sweetner unless you get the Crystal Light Pure, which is new) and almost killed myself!! I am so impressed with all the healthy changes you are Choosing to make! I know it is a struggle but it is just so encouraging to see you make them!
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