Today, after over a year of toying with the idea, I’ve decided that it’s time to quit soda and energy drinks cold turkey. I’ve been an avid soda drinker since I was really young, and since energy drinks have been out, they’ve been a staple of my daily diet. Around this time last year I started trying different things to rid myself of the soda (I’ll include energy drinks in the soda category) such as cutting myself down to one a day, one every other day, one a week, taking a week off and going back to normal, only allowing myself to drink them on special occasions, things like that. None of them ever worked. During the brief periods I wasn’t drinking sodas, I spent the majority of my time wishing I was drinking them, and when they were over, I was back to my old ways. I’ve spent some time today on the internet researching other people with soda addictions, and it seems to be the unanimous best way to kick the addiction is cold turkey. This seemed to work for me with vegetarianism and veganism – both of which I have never faltered on in over 2 ½ years.
I feel like documenting all of this is the best way for me to stay on track. I’ve read some of the awful effects of quitting cold turkey, and it’s definitely frightening, but for the many many reasons to quit, it’s worth it. Here are some of the main reasons I’ve decided are going to drive me through this:
A: Phosphorus in soda inhibits the absorption of calcium. Hello bone loss.
B: Sugar sugar and more sugar. Hello diabetes.
C: The high acidity of drinks is linked to acid reflux and esophageal cancer.
D: Teeth. My family has a history of weak teeth already. No reason for me to contribute to that with the sugar and crap included in soda.
E: I never EVER want to feel like a substance is in control of my mind. I’m straight edge for a reason, and this included.
That’s a little bit of the background on what’s going on. Now for the journaling.
I’m feeling extremely excited about this. I know it’s going to be really hard to kick a habit I’ve had my whole life. I took the steps to let everyone know what I’m going for to avoid any “How many Dews today?” questions and anything like that. I’ve been met with a lot of supportive feedback. I think mostly everyone’s heard me say it before, but this time I’m extremely committed to it. I’m DONE drinking soda and energy drinks. Part of it that will be hard is that we are supplied with free Red Bull through the band. However, I’m not going to consume something harmful just because I don’t have to pay for it.
Right now I’m drinking my last Mountain Dew. It tastes awesome, but it’s not worth the damage it does. Tomorrow is day one of no sodas, and I’m curious to see how I do. I’ve gone a few random days, and I’ve gone a few weeks, but I know my psyche. Since I know it’s the beginning of “I can’t!”, then I’m going to want it more. It’s normal. But I’m going to fight it as hard as I can. I know I can do this.
3 comments:
yo, just look at it like a challenge. The more people say you can't the more you want to do it.
I just drink coffee...tons of it. Everyone needs a vice I guess and I tell people it's more for their benefit than mine. I'm a terrible person without it.
That's good to quit. My grandpa used to be an avid soda drinker, as well. About twenty years ago, though, all the acid in the sodas wound up putting actual open HOLES in his stomach and colon. He had to have surgery to have them taken out and repaired, and he hasn't touched one since.
Good for you for quitting!
Kudos to you! I've done that once. Didn't work more than 5 months. I'm tempted to try it again though. Good luck!
-Sarah :)
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